10 lightweight and truly windproof jackets: technology for sport and life

PRO-expert Sportmaster PRO

We are used to being protected from wind, rain and snow by a warm down jacket and three more layers of clothing underneath. But for anyone who travels or trains outdoors, it is important that the outfit is lightweight and does not restrict movement, so the choice falls on a windbreaker. How to find the right one for your activity and purpose?

What to consider when choosing?

What do you need this thing for? The answer to this question determines the choice of style and the list of necessary properties.

Windbreaker for running and outdoor training should be lightweight and comfortable in conditions of intense load. A short, fitted model that creates a streamlined silhouette is suitable. It will not chafe and stiffen your movements. The presence of ventilation nets in the armpit area is a huge plus.

Northland Jacket, 8999 rubles / Sportmaster

Tourist windbreaker should be long, have improved wind and moisture protection (inflated collar, close-fitting cuffs, snow and windproof skirt), because the weather can change very unexpectedly when traveling. Pluses will be: pockets, retractable elastic bands, the ability to adjust the sleeves and cuffs, articulated cut elbows (this will allow the jacket will not scuff).

Theeveryday windbreaker has a straight semi-fitted cut, medium length, soft cuffs. If you choose a model in a basic color, it will be combined with all things in the closet.

Outventure jacket, 4999 rubles / Sportmaster

Even 20 years ago, options for all three purposes would have looked about the same. Cotton models were on a par with leather models. But today, clothing is no longer just an accessory, but also a tool that increases the comfort and efficiency of training. Therefore, modern windbreakers are sewn from membrane fabric, give them anatomically correct shape, use special impregnations and linings that increase moisture and vapor permeability of the fabric. What makes all this possible?

Saxifraga RAY jacket, 2722 rubles (with discount) / Trial-Sport

What is a membrane?

Marmot jacket, 17,700 rubles / Sportmaster

Membrane is a fabric with a specific structure, which can be fully visible only under a microscope. It looks like a bundle of neural connections or tree roots, intertwined so thickly and densely that the wind literally has nowhere to blow in and water has nowhere to seep out. And if you can really do without an anatomically adjusted cut, and the fittings can be replaced, then with a poor-quality membrane you will either have to live and freeze, or pay twice, buying a new jacket.

Quiksilver Pop Over Jacket, 6719 rubles / KANT

A quality membrane windbreaker is lightweight but dense. The fabric should have a waterproof impregnation so that water droplets roll down it without penetrating inside. Also, the membrane should provide effective thermoregulation, because in the cold to overheat the body is especially unpleasant and dangerous to health.

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket, 19 999 rubles / Sportmaster

The best membranes

Softshell is one of the most popular membranes, which was created as an answer to multilayer outfits, the so-called hard shell. It was supposed to be used in not too cold, but very windy weather conditions. Initially, it was a thin fleece laminated with a nylon windproof layer, but today this sandwich also includes additional polymer layers.

Salewa Agner PTX Membrane Jacket, 21,599 rubles / KANT

Event membrane is a hydrophobic membrane with improved waterproof properties based on polytetrafluoroethylene material. It is one of the best for “wet” weather conditions. Often windbreakers made of it for increased protection from getting wet are supplemented with glued seams and waterproof zippers.

Membrane jacket Outventure, 4999 rubles / Sportmaster

Gore Windstopper is one of the most breathable membranes, good for outdoor activities, tourism and winter sports. It has more pores per square centimeter than many others, due to which it has high vapor permeability and heat-saving properties. At the same time it provides effective thermoregulation.

Millet TRILOGY V ICON DUAL GTX PRO JKT M Jacket, 57,999 rubles / “Trial-Sport”.

Columbia Titanium – quite justifies its “titanium” name and will come in handy in winter or in the mountains. Windbreakers made of such membrane are often supplemented with synthetic insulation, have not only inner but also outer lamination.

Women’s softshell jacket Millet LD TRILOGY CORDURA HOODIE, 7262 rubles / Trial-Sport

These are just some of the technologies. There are many more polymer combinations that block wind gusts or keep you dry in heavy rain. And this is the case when you should not save money, because technological clothes will serve you for a very long time and in a variety of life situations.