Lightweight, Compressible Wind-shirts?

I've been wanting to buy a super lightweight and compressible wind-shirt for the mountains and spring/fall climbing. Ideally it would be very breathable, fit in a pack/on your harness without you hardly noticing, etc. I've been eyeing the Mountain Hardwear Transition Jacket but I've also heard good things about the First Ascent Mistral Wind Jacket

Do you have any recommendations for something that may fit the bill?

Oh and I'm not looking for insulation in the jacket, I'll carry another layer/wool shirt if needed.

With or without hood? Patagonia Houdini is great for a hoody.

I'm looking for the same thing, just a thin nylon layer, no frills. and hopefully not stupid expensive for a couple yards of material. Hood would be nice, but not req'd. I've got a piece similar to marmot windshirt but want something without the lining, compresses smaller, and maybe anorak style with half zipper instead of full.

i picked up a go-lite wind shirt a couple years ago that's exactly what y'all are describing. 1/4 zip pullover style, compresses down smaller than my fist - maybe about the size of a large lemon. virtually weightless.

Whatever is on sale. I have 3 different ones and there's not much difference after the initial dwr wears off.

I've been using a $30 sierra designs ultralight rain jacket. I took it backpacking through Europe for 3 months, and to Argentina and Chile for extended climbing trips. It packs down small and now I always keep it clipped with my chalk bag.

Something like this:

gearbuyer.com/products/sier…

I like my Wild Things windshirt, made out of Epic fabric, has mild rain repellence and blocks wind well. Fits nice and snug as well so it doesn't flap around much

If you are a small or medium, you're in luck:

camp-usa.com/products/appar…

camp-usa.com/products/appar…

No luck for us large people.

I just ordered a TNF Verto wind jacket last week, but haven't used it yet. TNF used Peter Croft to sucker me into buying it, shame on them..

Another vote for the GoLite Wind Shirt. Its so thin and light but blocks an amazing amount of wind.

Tim Zander wrote:I like my Wild Things windshirt, made out of Epic fabric, has mild rain repellence and blocks wind well. Fits nice and snug as well so it doesn't flap around much

I am also in the market and have been looking at the First Ascent sirocco windshell....its pretty light and the price is nice at 50 bucks...anyone have any experience?

Matt N wrote:If you are a small or medium, you're in luck: camp-usa.com/products/appar… camp-usa.com/products/appar… No luck for us large people.

Just a heads up, the CAMP jacket (I have the anorak) runs half or a full size SMALL, so order up especially if you plan on wearing over more than light layers.

I own the MHW Trasition jacket and it is a great layer for cooler weather. It's a bit to big and heavy for clipping to the back of your harness though. The TNF Verto looks like what you want at only 3 oz. Don't expect it to last long if you climb wide stuff though.

I own TNF Verto jacket. Super light and THIN. So if your planning on climbing in it, think twice. It ripped when I pulled a roof, patched with a goretex patch, but still, very thin. It is super warm, great to throw on at the belay, but other than that, dont think your gonna be climbing in it and keep it nice and shiny for long. They are a bit shiny btw. Looks like your wearing colored saran wrap... I am able to stuff it into my pocket and it doesn't bother me. I don't have to much faith in the clip in point. I keep thinking it will get snagged and rip right off, and $100 is going by by..

i use a marmot trail wind ...

as others have said climbing rock in yr windshirt will wear em out pretty quickly ... break out the patches and seam seal in that case

for belays they are pretty good to clip to the harness

Just a heads up. There ARE DIFFERENCES in all these jackets. Mostly with how breathable vs wind/water resistant they are. Some are pretty much a coated nylon that blocks water and wind well but doesn't breath at all. Or vice versa.

If you search the forums over at backpackinglight.com you'll see jacket nerdery at a whole new level. Pretty informative. The Patagonia Houdini comes up as a perennial favorite a lot as did SOME versions of the Marmot ION depending on the fabric used. It's kind of interesting to see. EPIC vs Pertex Quantum vs Sil-Nylon etc etc. The Camp Araneum jackets are pretty cool too.

Note that NEITHER of your examples are considered true ULTRALIGHT windshirts. You're looking at the "next thing" up which is a LINED windshirt. By lined I mean something like mesh or other wicking layer that doesn't have true "loft" like fleece or Primaloft etc.

THE classic example of that style is the Marmot DriClime jacket. They have a new one with a hood called the Ether that looks sweet. Patagonia made one called the Alpine Windshirt that's awesome as well. Also take a look at the Montane Krypton that's a bit more burley.

For me, the LINED WINDSHIRT is more versatile in cooler weather where you might wear it in the morning on the approach and in the shade, take it off mid-day in the sun and then throw it on again when the sun gets low.

The true ULTRALIGHT WINDSHIRT (I have 2 so I love them too) is great where temps are warm enough to not need insulation BUT late day winds (adiabatic) make things chilly while hanging at those last belays. They're small enough to stuff in a pocket or hang right on your harness and bust out for those windy, afternoon belays.

Hope that helps

Matt, wow, thanks man, that's great info! Now I'm not sure which direction to go, ultralight windshirt or lined windshirt. I'm really warm blooded and it has to be pretty chilly or have a chilly wind for me to put on another layer. I wonder if the Ultralight is so thin that it would stop the wind, but not the cold that comes with it. However, do you think a Lined one would be too bulky to carry on a pure-rock alpine climb without carrying a backpack (which I may be carrying anyway)?

Thanks for all the info guys, very helpful.

Cheers,
Derek

Mont Bell Down Short Sleeve T....almost no one has one, great pick up line or conversation starter, and it is just pretty sweet to have a down t-shirt