UKC

Hi

I'm after a windshirt (ie. windproof water resistant breathable) for hiking, mountain biking etc.

Would prefer a smock rather than full zip and would prefer to only pay about £30.

I was looking at the Berghaus Vortex windshirt or the Montane Featherlite smock though I see there are quite a few available out there.

Never had one before so don't know whether they're all pretty much the same at this price or whether one stands out from the rest.

Many thanks

Richard

In reply to Richard36: I've got a Marmot Ion and find it very good. I doubt whether theres much difference to the ones you refer to though.

http://www.urbanrock.com/products_detail.php?CatId=0&PId=2223

In reply to Richard36:

Really like my Montane Featherlite smock which i got in TKMaxx for 20 quid. Packs up into a tiny pouch so I can clip it to the back of a harness if I want something extra on when I'm at a belay. Mostly use it for biking though

In reply to Richard36: I've got a berghuas vortex windshirt made from airfoil, its quite breathable and water resistant for a while but needs reproofing, because theres no insulation the fabric gets very cold however when wearing it, just sometihng to bear in mind.

In reply to yesbutnobutyesbut: I've got an older version of that one and it is very good, plus it has a hood which for me is a must.

In reply to TobyA: I've a Montane featherlight which is good but I do miss the large pocket on my older top found in a cycling shop - not quite as light as the Montane but I found a pocket for a map/guidebook/glooves/ski wax very useful

Whish I knew what make it was but yhe label dissapeared long ago - Polaris maybe ? or something like that

In reply to Richard36:

For purely windbreaker... Warmpeace Solo... Freakin' light and cheap to boost. Smock with a hood.

Doesn't keep the rain out, but drys in minutes.

In reply to Richard36:

Going to have to 2nd the whole Marmot thing. They do Driclime/Similar smocks very well. I have 3 for running, winter stuff. Good against the skin, but must admit most moisture maintainence smocks work off the same principles.

There's nothing wrong with buying a cheaper version!!!!
Enty

In reply to Richard36: OK, i better be the raving Needle Sports windshirt fan, for once.

There Great, simple as that, and they have a hood!

In reply to Richard36:

I have a Paramo Fuera which is brilliant - very water resistant, light and has a hood

http://shop.themountainfactor.com/product.php?xProd=364

Also use a Marmot Driclime for warmth.

C

In reply to Crawf:

Thanks for your reply.

I've read some reviews but can't see how breathable this jacket is. Also how durable. Are you able to help me on this?

I was going to go for the Montane Featherlite. Am not that concerned about the weight and would prefer something more durable whilst at the same time being windproof and breathable and the Paramo may be the answer.

Thanks

Richard

In reply to Richard36:

Pac-a-Mac! £2.99 from TJ Hughes works for me.

In reply to Richard36:

I've got a Montane Featherlite and its great - I use it on routes if yets windy at the top, for cycling and for running. Packs down to almost no size and its very light.

In reply to Richard36:


Montane featherlite is one of the best bits of kit I've got. Amazingly durable and I've used in walking, running, rock, winter and alpine for about 4 years. Only 2 small holes.

In reply to Richard36:

From Richard36

From the posts so far the Montane Featherlite gets some good reviews. Someone also suggested the Paramo Fuero. The Paramo does seem more durable (though heavier) and as its cost is not much more than the Featherlite I wonder whether the Paramo seems to fit the bill of being a very good breathable water resistant and windproof jacket.

Does anyone have any more positive feedback on the Fuero?

Thanks

Richard

In reply to Richard36:

The North Face Apex fabrics are absolute magic as windstoppers, highly breathable and water resistant/quick drying...

I love em, couldnt eat a full one mind

In reply to Richard36: i have a paramo fuera and am well impressed. just what i was looking for in the way that it is very breathable and obviously windproof. it has a good hood and comes in orange! it is more waterproof than i thought it would be and provides as much insulation as i wanted it to. which is pretty much none. seems like it will last a life time as well since there is nothing to break on it and is very well made.

In reply to Richard36:

Montane Litespeed, or Paramo Fuera for more robustness.

Get one with a hood.

In reply to Richard36:

I used to have a Patagonia Stretch Velocity jacket which was awesome, until some fecker nicked it.

Replaced it with a Marmot something or other, which i do really like despite it looking like a bin bag. The hood however doesn't fold away too well and subsequently batters you in the face whenever you're in a gale.

The missus has the montane one, which she adores. Can't fault it.

In reply to Richard36:

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Have narrowed it down to Montane Featherlite or Montane Lite-speed or Paramo Fuera.

Richard

In reply to Richard36:

Look at all the running kit ones. Generally about £30ish rather than the extortionate prices of the "mountain" ones. By two, picking different features for different activities.

In reply to Richard36:

Another happy Montane Featherlight user here!

In reply to Richard36:
Needlesports pertex top?

http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mail_Order_Windproofs_40.html

(scroll down a bit)

In reply to Richard36: I asked a similar question several months ago and settled on the Buffalo wind shirt (in retro purple!)and as far as i am concerned its the best bit of kit ive ever bought! Here is the thread link if you want a look:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=261869&v=1#3857594

In reply to Jamie McCreath:

Jamie

Thanks for your reply.

I note that you tried on the paramo and the buffalo. I'm inclined to go for the paramo - perhaps because I'm not keen on bright purple! What is the fit like with the paramo and how robust did it seem?

Thanks

Richard

In reply to Richard36:
The Paramo Fuera is excellent in terms of build quality and durability. As with all Paramo gear it has a lifetime guarantee and their customer service is great. You can combine it with other Paramo products to make a waterproof layering system for summer use at a very reasonable cost.

Also, Paramo is ethically sound in terms of production. Something that sometimes gets overlooked.

In reply to Richard36:

If you're torn between the Litespeed and the Fuera, you might be interested to see Parky's experiments in the shower...

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/1/UTN/19894/last/1/...

The Fuera performed better, it would seem. Which doesn't surprise me.

In reply to Richard36:
Also should have said that fit is good for me. I'm pretty well built (5'11 / 44 inch chest) but size L does the job with enough room for layers underneath.

I also wear it out and about as an everyday jacket.

C

In reply to Richard36: The Keela Neutronic smock is excellent and packs into its own pocket. Previously I had a Montane Featherlite and managed to lose the little mesh bag on its first outing! I got mine through actionoutdoors.co.uk for £29.99.

In reply to Richard36: I actually tried on my girlfriends paramo windproof. Its a really nice top, but i found it to be a wee bit baggy. She has a small which is big on her, but seemed to fit me not too bad (im 6ft chest size 40). Im not too keen on hoods on lightweight windproofs as they are usually floppy and useless(get a hat)so that put me off the paramo. I guess its up to you what you want from it. Paramo do a huge range of colours which is a real bonus, including a rather bile like lime green. Nice! Good luck with the search! i know how taxing it can be deciding what to spend your hard earned pennies on.

In reply to Richard36: I find the hood of the Paramo Fuera smock to be good. The Montane hoods are not up to much if you wear glasses, but the Paramo hood is better than that on many waterproofs. Its amazing how much rain the Paramo will keep out and off my glasses. Size small fits me fine (I'm 5'11" tall with a 39" chest), whereas the Montane Windshirt and Lightspeed hang on me like a sack. The Montane Solo synthetic duvet jacket fits me fine, however, and the Terra stretch pants are great.

In reply to GeoffF:

Agreed on the Fuera hood, very well designed. Only gripe is those stupid, dangling toggles around the neck, with the little weights that whip you in the face when it's windy or you're running.

In reply to Ridge: I do not have any problems with the toggles, probably because I squeeze into a snugly fitting smock, and the adjustment is at maximum. The tape on the zip does whip me painfully in the face when it really blows though, but its not as bad a hale stones! Super piece of kit, nonetheless. I have been out with it in light rain for most of the day, and have been very comfortable. Paramo now makes a full length zip version which is probably even better than the smock.