The 4 Best Windbreakers for Hiking
Hiking windbreakers are a great piece of gear that many overlook. They are small but mighty pieces of versatile hiking gear that you can use for any activity. Windbreakers are no longer just windproof. The new design and technology allow windbreakers to be windproof, water-resistant, stretchy, and breathable, making them the perfect addition to your hiking gear. This guide reviews everything you need to know about hiking windbreakers, including what to look for when buying one and the best windbreakers for hiking on the market!
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The Best Windbreakers for Hiking
Arc’teryx Squamish Hoodie
Pros:
Water-resistant
Adjustable hood and hem
Elastic cuffs
Lightweight
Packs into its chest pocket
Cons:
No hand pockets
Expensive
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The Arc’teryx Squamish Hoodie is one of the best hiking windbreakers on the market! Arc’teryx is one of those brands you can always rely on to make quality gear that will last you a lifetime, and the Arc’teryx Squamish Hoodie is no different! The hiking windbreaker has Tyono 30 ripstop nylon, which protects you from the wind and stretches so you can move freely on the trail. It also has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that repels water and resists stains. The Arc’teryx Squamish Hoodie has an adjustable hood and hem, allowing you to adjust the jacket as needed to protect you from high winds. The hiking windbreaker also is very lightweight at 4.4 ounces and packs down into its chest pocket. If you are looking for the best windbreaker for hiking that is durable, lightweight, and packable, the Arc’teryx Squamish Hoodie is it!
Columbia Flash Forward Lined Windbreaker
Pros:
Water-resistant
Fleece-lined
Adjustable hood and hem
Elastic cuffs
Lightweight
Hand pockets
Cons:
Can run small
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The Columbia Flash Forward Lined Windbreaker is a fantastic hiking windbreaker that is budget-friendly. Columbia is one of those brands that you can rely on to make quality gear at a great price, and the Columbia Flash Forward Lined Windbreaker is no different! The hiking windbreaker has a lightweight polyester shell that protects you from the wind and is water-resistant. It also has a fleece lining that provides light insulation. The Columbia Flash Forward Lined Windbreaker has an adjustable hood and hem, allowing you to secure the jacket for extra protection against the wind. It also has two hand pockets that are perfect for carrying the essentials. If you are looking for the best budget-friendly windbreaker for hiking, the Columbia Flash Forward Lined Windbreaker is it!
REI Co-op Swiftland Running Jacket
Pros:
Waterproof
Breathable
Lightweight
Packs into its pocket
Cons:
Not as durable as other jackets
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REI’s gear does not disappoint, and this jacket is no different. The REI Co-op Swiftland Running Jacket is another one of the best windbreakers for hiking! It has a lightweight nylon shell that protects you from the wind and is waterproof with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. It has a lot of ventilation, making it breathable even during warm hikes. The REI Co-op Swiftland Running Jacket is very lightweight and packs down into one of its two hand pockets.
Black Diamond Alpine Start Hooded Jacket
Pros:
Water-resistant
Adjustable hood and hem
Elastic cuffs
Lightweight
Packs into its chest pocket
Cons:
No hand pockets
Find at:
The Black Diamond Alpine Start Hooded Jacket is one of the best windbreakers for hiking on the market! The hiking windbreaker has a Schoeller softshell that is weather-resistant, breathable, and stretchy. It has a gusseted contraction that allows you to move freely on the trail without restriction. It also has an adjustable hood and hem, so you can make the necessary adjustments to protect yourself from the wind. The Black Diamond Alpine Start Hooded Jacket is lightweight and packs down into its chest pocket with a carabiner loop, so you can clip it to your backpack when you aren’t wearing it. The Black Diamond Alpine Start Hooded Jacket is one of the best windbreakers for hiking!
Windbreaker for Hiking Features
Water Resistance
Although hiking windbreakers will likely not be waterproof, it is always good to have some water resistance. Most hiking windbreakers will have a durable water repellent (DWR) finish on the shell that helps repel water. The best windbreakers for hiking mentioned here are water-resistant, which works well in light rain when you are out on the trail. If you are looking for an all-in-one jacket that is windproof and waterproof, I recommend looking at rain jackets/outer shells.
Adjustments
One of the essential features, in my opinion, is having an adjustable hem, cuffs, and hood. Having the ability to tighten the jacket against your body when you are hiking in high winds is crucial to keep you protected. Usually, the hem and hood have a drawcord, and the cuffs have velcro adjustments. Some jackets will also have elastic cuffs and hem that will automatically fit snug against your body, therefore, not needing to be adjustable.
Breathability
There is a debate if a hiking windbreaker should be breathable, allowing air out, and windproof, keeping air out. The great thing about windbreakers nowadays is most have windproof and breathable fabric. How breathable you want your windbreaker is dependent on how you will be using it. If you are casually hiking, you won’t need a lot of breathability. If you are hiking long, strenuous trails or using them for other high-output activities, you will want a more breathable hiking windbreaker.
Weight and Packability
One of the best things about hiking windbreakers is they are typically lightweight and packable. Most of the windbreakers on this list are under 10 ounces, but you can also get ultralight jackets under 2 ounces. Hiking windbreakers are also packable, with many having the ability to pack into one of their pockets, making it easy to store the jacket when you are not using it.
Features
Windbreakers for hiking tend to have more minimalist designs, but you can still get great features in them. We already talked about having an adjustable hem, hood, and cuffs, which are great to have in windbreakers. Pockets are another feature many people like to have in their hiking windbreaker. Pockets vary from jacket to jacket, but most have at least one pocket. If you want all of the pockets, you are in luck because there are many options in this article with chest and hand pockets.
If you are looking for the best windbreaker for hiking, this guide is a great place to start! It has everything you need to know about hiking windbreakers, including what to look for when buying one and the best windbreakers for hiking on the market!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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