MTB wind shell

gazzab1955
Just ordered one of these jackets from 7Mesh. Their kit is very good but on the expensive side, however at the moment they have some very good BF/sale deals.

Men’s Northwoods Windshell – Men’s Trail Riding Windshell Jacket | 7mesh

Always found wind jackets to be sweaty, overwarm, uncomfortable, stupid things in the past  but I wear my (heavily discounted) Northwoods all the time

Heavily discount 7mesh is my price point, it’s great value when you can get it cheap

Rab Borealis tour (no hood) for me after canvassing opinion here some years back.

At first I found them a bit hot with my normal layers compared to the thin, crinkly pertex types I used to use, but I like the fact that it breathes way better than vertex and is quiet , softer touch and seemingly much more resistant against snags.

I have an actual waterproof that I use half a dozen times a year for when its really raining, and the borelias does all the work the rest of the year, for showers and such, with either one or two layers under, depending on temperature.

I’ve had a 7mesh Northwoods and liked it a lot, really lightweight, warm enough, plenty windproof and packed away small enough to go in a pocket or hip bag. Currently on sale too so makes it an easier pill to swallow.

But… I just bought a Rapha trail wind jacket (on sale at sportpursuit) and I think it’s even better – It’s slightly less packable but I prefer the fabric, the collar and hood is better and I prefer the pocket placement on the chest vs the hip.

I bought a size up on the Rapha jacket for better layering and going over armour and I couldn’t be happier.

My go-to has always been a Buffalo wind shirt. I’ve tried various others (Rab, Montane, Haglofs) but always ended up back on a 30+ year old design because it works for me – fit; over-the-head smock; big kangaroo pocket; durable; big vents. One of the two I run back-to-back has just died, though – years of sweat and UV taking their toll. I think they do need to update the design, and they’re getting a bit spendy. Quite tempted by the Borealis as a replacement that’d also work for walking.