Tough Windshirts

Taylor Krosbakken wrote: I have a BD Alpine start for sale. I haven't posted it yet, but hit me up if you want a blue medium.

It has only been used a few times but has a small nick by the left wrist. Which doesnt speak too much for its durability i guess, but I think it was Ice climbing (lots of pokey stuff) related.

The fit is great and it packs down reasonably small. much larger than the houdini. its more like a really thin softshell. Much smaller and thinner than the Ferossi. Also less features.  

Sorry man, just tried one on and I'm more of a small.

Matt N wrote: Ferrosi pull overs less than $60 in small and medium at Campsaver, small even cheaper at mountainsteals.

Does anyone know if the pullover "windshirt" is the same material as the Summit hoodie? 

Jared Chrysostom wrote:

Does anyone know if the pullover "windshirt" is the same material as the Summit hoodie? 

Anything in the “Ferrosi” line is the same material, just different cuts, style, etc...

I 2nd to the fifth power or whatever this thread is at for the ferrosi windshirt, I got one on steep & cheap for like $30, awesomely light, super durable, breathable... OR has an amazing brand guarantee as well, totally stand behind their gear if you ever have an issue

Hobo Greg wrote: What is a windshirt, and why wouldn’t I just use my rain layer since it does rain even when the TV says it won’t?

A windshirt is a very thin softshell/stretchy nylon layer that blocks wind and a bit of precip, and more importantly, BREATHES. Using a rain jacket while doing any sort of movement based activity would quickly result in the plastic bag effect where your internal moisture makes you wet far faster than any external precip would. windshirts are probably the most versatile and used layer I own. trail running, skinning uphill, climbing, etc. they pack down so small these days that it is insane to not bring one with. summer time I use it for solar and bug protection, even when 90 and humid out, and they are thin and breathable enough to not be oppressive. and in winter, I can skin or approach a climb in a very light baselayer and windshirt on all but the most frigid or wet days.

I have waterproof shells which I take sometimes, but they stay in the pack 90% of the time these days. i am just not out all that often climbing or skiing in the rain...

pooch wrote:

Anything in the “Ferrosi” line is the same material, just different cuts, style, etc...

I 2nd to the fifth power or whatever this thread is at for the ferrosi windshirt, I got one on steep & cheap for like $30, awesomely light, super durable, breathable... OR has an amazing brand guarantee as well, totally stand behind their gear if you ever have an issue

How small does the windshirt pack? I have the Summit hoodie and I love it but it does not pack down particularly small. I just got one of those snazzy Tufa chalk bags with the pocket, and I'm wondering if the Ferrosi windshirt will fit.

The Ferrosi is tough, but not a proper windshirt. The NW Alpine Fohn is maybe a little tougher than average. Wild Things windshirt is tough, but really heavy for the category.

OR Ferrosi is very much a softshell, and not a wind shirt. I have a Houdini and an Arcteryx Squamish.  I like the Squamish better. 

Hobo Greg wrote:

Breathable comes at a cost in water resistance, so aren’t you then carrying a rainshell and a windshell? 

yep, though there's no actual difference as your pretty much always wearing your wind jacket. Unless you're pretty much always wearing your rainshell it's in your bag anyway so there's no real difference in what your carrying.

Mountain Hardwear Chockstone hoody, the original design was a pullover 1/4 zip I own a few of these, the new design is the super chockstone it is a full zip.

Doug Hutchinson wrote: I started with a Houdini, moved on to an Arc Squamish hoody, and now can't live without the BD Alpine Start. It is not as windproof as a true windshirt but definitely more versatile and durable. And yes, it packs in its one pocket. It is one of those pieces that everyone should own.

How does the alpine start compare to the Squamish in terms of windblocking, breathability and water resistance?

Another vote for the Arc'teryx Squamish. 

I found the ferrosi pretty worthless really. It's attributes are being tough and stretchy, but block wind? No. Keep you dry in rain? No. And for the weight, it does not insulate. Really didn't do anything I need a shell or other layer to do.

I have a houdini which I like a lot as a lightweight windshirt except for its lack of hand pockets, but tough? No. I don't take it rock climbing, it would shred

For climbing I am using a patagonia M10 with added hand pockets, Very good as windshell, OK, not super in the rain now that it is worn a bit. Downside, ridiculously priced for what it is, but never pay retail! Not seriously tough, but not bad in that regard.

For whatever it may be worth to you, the Squamish has hook-and-loop cuffs instead of elastic. So it's not a practical choice if you like to get your wrists uncovered, either for cooling or because you're shoving them into a crack.