Windshirt

Does anyone have suggestions other than the Patagonia Houdini?

Google provided these but not sure of quality etc.

Montane Featherlite Trail Jacket

TACHYON PARKA 

Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket

Mammut Prussic Jacket

Rab vital wind shell 

Camp magic jacket 

You might want to add the BD Deploy wind shell to the list.   A specialty item for sure, no hood, see-through material, 1.7 ounces. Stuffs into its own collar.  Not for offwidths or bushwhacking.  Blocks wind and maybe mist; not a rain jacket by any stretch.  I like it for situations when I might otherwise have nothing, eg sunny cragging and trail running.

rgold wrote:

You might want to add the BD Deploy wind shell to the list.   A specialty item for sure, no hood, see-through material, 1.7 ounces. Stuffs into its own collar.  Not for offwidths or bushwhacking.  Blocks wind and maybe mist; not a rain jacket by any stretch.  I like it for situations when I might otherwise have nothing, eg sunny cragging and trail running.

I just got the hooded version, the BD Distance and so far I like it too. I got it to replace an older Arcteryx Squamish, another great light wind shell which you might consider. The BD Distance is ridiculously light and small when packed into its pocket.

Thanks all, looking for something just light and easy to stuff in a pocket.  I ride bikes a lot so this isn't just for the crag.

Depending on what you're looking for the OR ferrosi is one of my all time favorite jackets. Its wind resistant (its fine for me riding my bike and on windy Ridgelines until it gets crazy) but also breathes super well. I wear it every wear and is super durable for climbing. Idk if you're looking for wind resistant or more wind proof but if you're looking for the former there's nothing better imo

Since this has just come up, my Arcteryx Squamish is starting to get pretty tired, does anyone have any recommendations for a fairly tough (40d is enough) windshell like the squamish, i have it as an always-on layer usually as a Pertex pile system. I want it to be as shell like as possible, honestly, I just wish the alpha fl was made out of the same fabric as the squeamish, it would be my perfect jacket.

Are there any shells that pack as small as the Houdini? I got a BD one but it's so bulky on the harness.

Edit: Looks like the distance packs as small.

Tim Opsahl wrote:

Are there any shells that pack as small as the Houdini? I got a BD one but it's so bulky on the harness.

BD Distance packs smaller, and I believe it's .4 ounces lighter than the Houdini.

Here's what my Deploy looks like stuffed.  I might add that, unlike a lot of jackets that stuff into a pocket only with great difficulty, this is fast and easy.  But I want to emphasize again that it is tissue-thin and very much a specialty piece.  

Well the Helium ii will actually keep you waterproof too. Much more versatility. Otherwise I go soft shell - something that breathes poorly and is also not waterproof just doesn't make sense to me

We used to have 4-6 oz windshirts - cheap Marmot ones. Worked okay, again benefit was cheap to purchase from STP (Sierra) back then. 

After reading enough glowing reviews of the BD Alpine Start Hoody, and scoring a clearance deal from BD, we "upgraded" - 2-4oz more weight, and a bit bulkier when stuffed (if the pocket was smaller, mine would pack smaller). 

Results: WE LOVE THEM. They aren't paper thin, although our Marmots held up well, but we're not afraid to climb with these on and they also breathe well enough to climb with them on. I think the extra use we get out of them is worth the extra weight. If you owned an UL and one of these, yeah I guess you could chose based on your day's objective, but this option just worked better all-around for us. 

I have a Montbell tachyon - super nice little wind shirt. Sounds like you can’t really go wrong with any of them! 

Blakevan wrote:

Thanks all, looking for something just light and easy to stuff in a pocket.  I ride bikes a lot so this isn't just for the crag.

Cycling and hiking/running windjackets are cut very different. My Salomon windjacket feels horible on the bike as it is way too tight in the shoulders in that position.

I would either get two different jackets or at least look for one with some stretch to it.

that guy named seb wrote:

Since this has just come up, my Arcteryx Squamish is starting to get pretty tired, does anyone have any recommendations for a fairly tough (40d is enough) windshell like the squamish, i have it as an always-on layer usually as a Pertex pile system. I want it to be as shell like as possible, honestly, I just wish the alpha fl was made out of the same fabric as the squeamish, it would be my perfect jacket.

The Rab Borealis is great. On the heavy side with 300g but super durable, good DWR and has some stretch to it.