Ultralight windbreakers?

What are the options?

I've had a Patagonia one, hooded and full zip. Would pack about the size of an orange without getting too crazy. It's was pretty durable considering the fabric used. 

I also had a generic running type anorak, similar packability and weight but inferior in fit and durability.

I'd like something a little smaller if possible. I swear I've seen one the size of a film cannister (millennials, this is a plastic bottle that people put weed in back in the day, it's substantially larger than a micro SD card but not as large as your Bluetooth speaker)

So for criteria, let's say has to pack up to the size of an orange or smaller. Hooded preferred. Able to bump into a tree branch without dying.

I will not be actually rock climbing in it, more something to put on at belays. Water resistant is completely unnecessary but not a deal breaker. Full zip preferred, not a requirement.

Let's pretend that pack size, durability, and hood are the only things that matter. Price and color can be justified later.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote: What are the options?

I'd like something a little smaller if possible. I swear I've seen one the size of a film cannister ...

Let's pretend that pack size, durability, and hood are the only things that matter. Price and color can be justified later.

These are opposing things, since after zippers the thing that's most going to effect packability in a wind breaker is the thickness of the fabric.

 I almost always have The North Face, Better Than Naked Jacket into my running vest or lightweight backpack. Real small and real light. I don't know if I'd call it "durable" but it's more of an emergency layer for me. Some of the Patagonia Hoodini or TNF North Dome Jacket stuff is WAY more durable for the weight penalty.

Arcteryx Squamish

Forthright wrote:

These are opposing things, since after zippers the thing that's most going to effect packability in a wind breaker is the thickness of the fabric.

I agree to a point. I'm not going to be arm barring up some ragged offwidth.

I've seen different material or thread pattern or whatever that makes some more durable than others, at the same weight.

I don't have access to see in person, so that's why I ask.

​Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell​​​

I have the mountain hardware kor preshell and it sounds perfect for you. Packs to the size of a small apple and breaks wind well and shields light rain. 

Just bring the film canister with weed if you still have it.
Is it a metal one with the screw on top? Or the new kind that are plastic?

I have the Patagonia Houdini (which it sounds like you've tried) and I'm a big fan of it. 

H Lue wrote: I have the Patagonia Houdini (which it sounds like you've tried) and I'm a big fan of it. 

And I seem to have lost it. I like to shop around instead of just a 1:1 replacement. It is pretty awesome though.

Brandon Ribblett wrote: I have the mountain hardware kor preshell and it sounds perfect for you. Packs to the size of a small apple and breaks wind well and shields light rain. 

I have one as well. Slightly stretchy material so it fits well. Unfortunately it's not very durable. I've got a small hole in mine just from hanging on my rack.

Brassmonkey wrote: https://www.campsaver.com/rab-wind-lite-jacket-men-s.html?_iv_mens-clothing-size=medium&_iv_code=1CC-AJ2-WNLJ-QXW-30-MY-M

Large/XL are $30

Excellent recommendation - I have 2 of these (due to their cheap price) only area where they need to improve is that the pack-pocket is way oversized for the amount of material, so you end up with it "stuffed" to the size of a softball, but you can easily hand-squeeze down to the standard wind-shirt size (baseball?).

The smallest packed windshirt I have is the TNF Verto (no longer produced):
https://www.rei.com/product/809971/the-north-face-verto-jacket-mens

The only thing I have close to the film canister size is a Mammut running vest which packs to about the size of a golf ball (with considerable effort)

Another classic Patagonia Houdini is what you want.

It gets a bit more complicated for some people if they want the windshirt to breathe for activity more like a softshell, but for belay use a more windproof/less breathable option like the Houdini makes a lot of sense.

It's on the lighter side of the spectrum <4oz and pretty durable for what it is. Reasonably featured (hood and hem adjusters - don't take them for granted as not all ultralight windbreakers have this). Moderately priced.

Trashbag?

Brandon Ribblett wrote: I have the mountain hardware kor preshell and it sounds perfect for you. Packs to the size of a small apple and breaks wind well and shields light rain. 

another vote for the MH Kor preshell. Had mine for a year now and it's incredibly confortable, very light and packable. I started using it for running recently as the weather has been warming up and it does a terrific job of cutting off the wind, while still being very breathable. I will protect from very light rain, but isn't waterproof by any mean. Mine has hold up well hanging from my harness on a couple of slabby multi-pitch climbs, but I would have some concern on very rough terrain, such as a chimney. 

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote:
.... film cannister (millennials, this is a plastic bottle that people put weed in back in the day, it's substantially larger than a micro SD card but not as large as your Bluetooth speaker.) ....

+10

Picked this up for emergent conditions where I also wanted to go light. Almost perfect...105g, water resistant, windproof, cheap.
https://www.myracekit.com/raidlight-tyvek-jacket-p495

I have the Rab Flashpoint that I use for touring and mountaineering, super light and waterproof enough. I just check and apparently its discontinued now, the equivalent seems to be the Zenith Jacket 

The OR Helium 2 packs down to the size of an orange and is actually a well-performing rain jacket. I loved my Houdini but it offered little protection against precip. The Helium is similar size and weight and has a great hood.

Lee Harris wrote: Picked this up for emergent conditions where I also wanted to go light. Almost perfect...105g, water resistant, windproof, cheap.
https://www.myracekit.com/raidlight-tyvek-jacket-p495

It that Tyvek noisy like the house wrap version?

Fritz Nuffer wrote: The OR Helium 2 packs down to the size of an orange and is actually a well-performing rain jacket. I loved my Houdini but it offered little protection against precip. The Helium is similar size and weight and has a great hood.

The alpine houdini from Patagonia is water resistant. 

It’s impossible to beat a Walmart frog togs rain jacket. They are the lightest, cheapest, and most waterproof (plus no worrying about a DWR wearing off). None of these shells are durable. Don’t wait your $ like I did before I found the best.

I opt for my frog togs over my arcteryx hard shell 99% or the time when I’m not expecting extreme abrasion.