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If you need a jacket that can protect you in windy and moderately cold conditions, a windbreaker is a fantastic choice. Given how thin and lightweight the best windbreakers are, their efficiency at stopping gusts of wind is nothing short of amazing.
When choosing a wind jacket, you need to pay attention to the material quality, design, and fit. To make your choice easier, this article will explore everything that goes into making a good windbreaker. In addition, we will also present the best windbreaker jackets currently available so that you can have stylish and reliable protection anywhere you go.
OUR TOP PICK
Patagonia Houdini Women’s Windbreaker Jacket
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Drawcord hem and half-elastic cuffs keep the wind out
- Chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack to pack the jacket
- Slim fit design with a drop tail makes movement easier
- DWR coating prevents water from getting inside
- Reflective patches make you more visible at night
- Available in a huge number of great-looking colors
- Perfect for outdoor activities
Best For: Fitness and Running
Material: Ripstop Nylon
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (Chest Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes (DWR Coating)
Gender: Women’s
EDITORS CHOICE
Backcountry Canyonlands Lightweight Windbreaker Jacket
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Nylon shell with DWR treatment prevents water from soaking
- Lightweight and comfortable with excellent wind resistance
- Adjustable hem doesn’t move even if you wear a backpack
- Lava-colored shell looks great on the trail and for casual wearing
- Panels on the sides significantly improve air circulation and ventilation
- Packs into its own zippered pocket to save space in your backpack
Best For: Casual Use and Hiking
Material: Nylon
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (Own Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes (DWR Coating)
Gender: Men’s
BEST VALUE
Columbia Glennaker Lake Windbreaker Jacket
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Hydroplus nylon fabric protects you from water and wind
- Drawcord in the hem prevents cold air from getting in the jacket
- Adjustable hood provides additional head and neck protection
- Strong stitching makes the jacket great for any outdoor activity
- Available in a huge number of sizes so everyone can find a good fit
- More than 30 color options to easily match with other outdoor gear
- Perfect for outdoor activities
- High quality zippered pockets
- Good weather resistance and wind resistance
Best For: Water Protection
Material: Hydroplus Nylon
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (Chest Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes (Omni-Tech Shell)
Gender: Men’s
London Fog Auburn Windbreaker Jacket
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Mesh lining on the inside increases the comfort while wearing
- Golf jacket design works well for sports and casual use
- Adjustable cuffs prevent wind from getting in your sleeve
- Two handwarmer side pockets for stashing smaller items
- Blend of polyester and nylon is both lightweight and durable
- Easy jacket maintenance (machine washable fabric)
Best For: Golf and Casual Wearing
Material: 92% Polyester, 8% Nylon
Hood: No
Packable: Yes (No Stuff Sack)
Water-Resistant: Yes
Gender: Men’s
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Ripstop polyester shell resists tears and abrasion well
- Pull-over design with convenient front kangaroo pocket
- Elastic cuffs keep the sleeves in place when moving arms
- Three-piece hood design with a drawstring for easy adjustment
- Windwall technology completely blocks wind and light rain
- Packs in its own kangaroo pocket (forms a fanny pack)
Best For: Compact Packing
Material: 50D Ripstop Polyester
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (Kangaroo Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes
Gender: Men’s
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Lightweight construction makes it great for intense activity
- Pertex Quantum Air fabric easily resists strong wind and rain
- Elastic design makes arm movements free and unrestricted
- Deep zipper on the chest for additional ventilation when it’s warm
- Stuffs into its own pocket to make storage and carrying easier
- Excellent option for trail running and hiking on difficult terrain
Best For: Trail Running
Material: 20D Ripstop Nylon
Hood: No
Packable: Yes (Own Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes (DWR Finish)
Gender: Men’s
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- High-quality materials with DWR coating for rain and wind resistance
- Displaced shoulder seams make carrying a backpack more comfortable
- Waist drawcord allows you to easily adjust the fit of the jacket
- Zippered hand pockets on the sides for carrying essentials and small items
- Addition of spandex makes the jacket a lot more flexible
- Packed jacket doubles as a waist pack with buckles to secure it
- High quality zippered pockets
Best For: Outdoor Sports
Material: 86% Nylon, 14% Spandex
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (Own Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes (DWR Finish)
Gender: Men’s
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Ripstop fabric shell with DWR coating completely blocks wind and rain
- Fabric consists of 14% spandex that greatly improves flexibility
- Elastic cuffs improve performance while blocking gusts of wind
- Waist drawcord for easily adjusting the jacket fit and ventilation
- Scuba-style hood provides excellent head and neck protection
- Transforms into a waist pack when packed to make carrying easier
Best For: Freedom of Movement
Material: 86% Nylon, 14% Spandex
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (Own Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes (DWR Finish)
Gender: Women’s
AITFINEISM Casual Men’s Windbreaker Jacket
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Stylish windbreaker that works great for casual everyday wearing
- Front zippered pocket for keeping valuables within hand’s reach
- Drawcord in the hem allows you to block the air out of the jacket
- Mesh lining inside makes the jacket very breathable and comfortable
- Available in 13 great-looking color variations to easily match your style
- 30-day money-back guarantee in case you have any problems
Best For: Casual Everyday Wearing
Material: Polyester
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (No Stuff Sack)
Water-Resistant: Yes
Gender: Men’s
Global Men’s Lightweight Windbreaker Jacket
- What Makes This Windbreaker Jacket Stand Out
- Double-stitched construction resists rips, tears, and abrasion
- Windproof polyester shell works well even in cold weather
- 600mm waterproof rating keeps you dry in moderate rain
- Slim fit design allows the jacket to follow your movement
- Protective hood with mesh lining for additional comfort
- Mesh-lined welt pockets for storing smaller gear and valuables
- Adjustable hood and high quality hand pockets
- Good weather resistance and wind resistance
Best For: Cold Weather
Material: Polyester
Hood: Yes
Packable: Yes (Own Pocket)
Water-Resistant: Yes (600mm Rating)
Gender: Men’s
How To Choose A Windbreaker Jacket – Buying Guide
Weight
Considering that it’s an active jacket, we advise that you always choose a lightweight and packable windbreaker. It will feel comfy when it’s on your back, and won’t present too much of a burden when you put it in your backpack. While most of these lightweight and packable windbreakers weigh under 1 pound, there can still be notable differences between models.
Waterproofing
Even though this is not a wind jacket’s main job, additional versatility and weather protection is always a plus. Whether you can use your windbreaker as a rain jacket depends on the material type, thickness, and if it’s been waterproofed. The best windbreaker jackets come with DWR coating on the surface, but you can also do this on your own for additional weather resistance.Â
Related Post: How To Waterproof A Jacket
Breathability
Even though it’s designed to prevent wind from getting inside, the windbreaker material needs to maintain a high degree of breathability. This allows you to feel comfortable in the jacket instead of getting sweaty as soon as the activity becomes more intense. The best windbreaker jackets are made from special synthetic blends and often even feature well-placed vents.
Hood
In addition to the upper body, you also need to protect your head in windy conditions. For this reason, most windbreaker jackets come with a built-in hood. We advise that you go with a multi-panel hood that comes with a drawcord so you can easily adjust it depending on how much coverage you need.
Fit
To do its job well, a lightweight windbreaker jacket needs to fit close to your body and prevent wind chill from getting in. Besides choosing the right size, it’s also useful if the jacket has adjustable cuffs and hem. Keep in mind, however, that it shouldn’t be too restrictive either so you can move freely without discomfort.
Color
While the color isn’t the most important aspect to consider when buying a wind-resistant jacket, you should note that it does have a small impact depending on your activity. For example, runners or cyclists should choose bright high-contrast colors that will make them easily visible. However, if you’re venturing into the wilderness, you should go with neutral or dark colors that will blend better into the environment.
Value
Unlike hard shells and other specialized jackets, the best windbreakers don’t have to be overly expensive. This being said, you should always look for the best value and find a balance between quality and price. We paid a lot of attention to this when choosing the products for our windbreaker reviews so you can always get the most for your money.
Wind Resistance
Since wind resistance is the main task of your new jacket, you should pay special attention to the windbreaker materials and design. Nylon or polyester are the most common options, and you should look for tighter weaving and double-stitched seams so that air can’t pass through.
Insulation
If you plan to wear your windbreaker in cold conditions, you’ll need a jacket with some type of insulation. Luckily, some windbreakers are made from heavier materials and feature a synthetic fleece lining inside to keep you warm. On top of this, most windbreaker jackets can be used for layering too.
Related Review: Fleece Jacket
Quick Drying
When the jacket gets wet from rain or sweat, it’s a big plus if it can dry quickly. Otherwise, you might feel very uncomfortable and even catch a cold. If you want a quick-drying model, make sure that it’s made from lightweight breathable fabric and that it has a mesh lining inside.
Pockets
Pockets significantly improve the functionality of any jacket, and a windbreaker is no exception. Most windbreaker jackets come with handwarmer pockets on the sides, but the best models even feature inner pockets for valuables. On top of this, it’s always a plus if the pocket has a zipper or Velcro closure to keep the items inside secure.
Storage
If you’re a hiker, backpacker, or mountaineer, storing your new jacket easily is very important. You won’t always need to have it on you, and it’s ideal if you can pack and store them without taking too much space. Most of the best windbreaker jackets are very compact and pack easily in their own pocket.
Packed Size
Closely related to what we previously discussed, the packed size of your jacket determines how easily you’ll be able to carry it or stuff it in your backpack. This mostly depends on the material used to make the jacket, with polyester models being the most packable. As we’ve pointed out, the best windbreakers can be stuffed into a pocket and compressed to reduce the size even more.
FAQs
Q:Â What Is The Point Of A Windbreaker Jacket?
The point of a windbreaker is to keep you comfortable when it’s windy outdoors. Even if the temperature is not low, gusts of wind can make you feel cold.
This type of windbreaker jacket prevents that and allows you to spend time outdoors even if the weather isn’t perfect. While it’s mainly used as a standalone jacket for moderate weather protection, you can also use it for layering in winter.
Related Review: Columbia Winter Jacket
Q:Â How Do I Choose A Windbreaker Jacket?
Like with any other windbreaker jacket, first you need to make sure you get the right size and fit. You should also pay attention to the windbreaker material – it should be lightweight, durable, and prevent wind chill from getting inside. As a bonus, it’s even better if the windbreaker jacket provides rain protection too.
Q:Â Are Windbreakers Breathable?
Yes, most windbreakers are breathable. While they block wind from getting inside, they allow the air and moisture to escape from the jacket. This is a great thing because it prevents you from getting sweaty during intense activity.
Related Review:Â Patagonia Jacket
Q:Â Are Windbreakers Good For Rain?
This depends on the particular windbreaker jacket you buy. If you want good rain protection, we advise that you go for a weather-resistant jacket that is made from nylon and features an additional DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating on the surface.
Q:Â Why Is It Called Windbreaker?
It’s called that because its main task is to protect you from wind (break wind). The windbreaker material, cut, and features all work together to stop the wind from getting inside the jacket and cooling you down.
Globo Surf Overview
A windbreaker jacket is a fantastic addition to any wardrobe and a necessity for all outdoor adventurers. It’s stylish for everyday wearing but provides exceptional protection when the weather takes a turn for the worse. We hope that our windbreaker reviews helped you pick the best windbreaker jacket for your style, so you can enjoy your time outdoors without worrying about the wind.
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Which of the windbreaker jackets on our list is your top choice? We would love to read your thoughts or experience with the windbreakers we’ve reviewed! Feel free to share in the comment box below!