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It's time to upgrade the most versatile piece of outerwear in your closet.
Windbreaker jackets might be the most versatile piece of outerwear in any man’s closet. The best windbreakers are ultra-packable, lightweight, and protect against harsh wind and rain, all without breaking the bank. Even premium models from Smartwool, Patagonia, and Black Diamond can often be snagged for around $100. Most pack down so small that there’s no reason not to keep one in your daypack, laptop bag, or gym bag just in case.
As the name implies, windbreakers (a.k.a. wind jackets or wind shirts) are designed as “windbreaks” to help temper everything from light gusts to heavy gales. They act as a barrier between your skin and the wind to keep you warmer and more comfortable without the bulk of traditional, insulated jackets. With so many options available, finding a decent windbreaker isn’t hard. But, we dug a little deeper to suss out the very best windbreakers. We’ll round up our favorite wind jackets—the very best of the best. Then we dive into how we tested and what you should look for in a windbreaker for yourself.
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The Houdini Air windbreaker is worthy of the Patagonia moniker, and it’s our hands-down pick for the best windbreaker jacket of 2022. At $170, it’s one of the priciest options on the market. But, for our money, there’s no better option for hikers, runners, alpinists, and every flavor of outdoorsmen in-between. It’s arguably the most breathable windbreaker available.
For the latest iteration of this much-loved wind jacket, Patagonia ups the ante with a double-weave liner with next-to-skin comfort that trumps every other jacket on this list. The featherweight construction means you sacrifice some wind and rain protection. But, for hikers and runners looking for a near-perfect balance of packability, wind resistance, and price, it doesn’t get any better.
Arc’teryx’s mountaineering chops shine through in its Squamish Hoody. This technically-minded windbreaker boasts a close-cut fit and excellent weather-resistant features throughout. The fabric is lightweight, breathable, and stretchy, with a DWR finish that does an excellent job of shedding light rain and snow. Although it’s only slight, the added stretch in the fabric makes a huge difference with freedom of movement in the field. It’s an ideal choice for tech-savvy alpinists (and anyone who needs a helmet-friendly design) who know exactly what they want in a windbreaker. But, we don’t like it quite as much as the Patagonia Houdini Air.
At more than seven ounces, it’s one of the heavier windbreaker options. But, that’s about the only bad thing we have to say about Black Diamond’s excellent Alpine Start Hoodie. The blend of stretch-woven nylon and Elastane provides a softshell feel that makes it one of the comfiest windbreakers we’ve ever tested. Coupled with a helmet-friendly storm hood, it perfectly maximizes freedom of movement on the trail, the peak, or in the backcountry. The technical fit is mountain-centric, but it’s versatile enough to wear on everything from long, windy hikes to cross-country ski tours. It’s a near-perfect softshell replacement.
Rab’s Vital Ultralight Hoodie is arguably the most functional windbreaker on this list. Thanks to the unique Hyperlite nylon fabric, it blocks even the strongest winds. At just under five ounces, it’s incredibly packable for everything from day hiking (with a chance of showers) to afternoon trail running when you want to be prepared. Elastic around the adjustable hood and the low-profile cuffs ensures a tighter, more wind-resistant fit. Perhaps best of all is the wealth of zippered pockets—a welcome change from most streamlined windbreaker designs.
Hard-charging hikers and backcountry adventurers demand a lot from their gear. Outdoor Research’s latest Helium Wind Hooded Jacket is up to the task with its Pertex Diamond Fuse fabric. This unique form of ripstop nylon is extremely abrasion-resistant against brambles, branches, accidental tumbles, and repeated washes for years of use and abuse. The fabric weave also makes it both thin and highly wind-resistant. Without a proper DWR treatment, it sacrifices some of the water resistance of its competitors. But, the packability, breathability, and durability—coupled with a roughly $120 price tag—make this one of the best windbreakers for budget-conscious outdoorsmen.
You don’t have to drop north of $150 to find a decent windbreaker. Case in point: The North Face’s Cyclone Windbreaker Jacket. It ticks all the essential boxes in what we look for in a solid wind jacket. The 100% recycled polyester fabric is durable and reasonably packable. Plus, the DWR coating and adjustable hood protect against light rain. At more than eight ounces, it’s the heaviest on this list, and it’s distinctly more “plasticky” than most. But, if budget is your primary concern, it’s hard to beat the sub-$70 price tag.
Cotopaxi crafts outdoor gear and apparel for the everyman, and its bold Teca Half-Zip Windbreaker is no exception. It’s a no-frills, non-technical option for windy morning jogs, blustery day hikes, or gusty afternoons beach walks. Cotopaxi skips the typical nylon construction in favor of polyester taffeta with a PU backer. It offers solid wind resistance and decent water resistance, making it ideal for casual, low-key activities where you’re not planning on working up a serious sweat. We especially dig the brand’s bold, color-blocked style and very affordable price point at around $80.
Subjectively, measuring wind resistance is a little “iffy.” It’s like trying to accurately determine how warm a sleeping bag is. Right now, the industry standard relies on CFM, or cubic feet per minute per square meter. The scale starts at 0-CFM fabric (which doesn’t allow any air to pass through) and increases with higher numbers indicating higher permeability and, therefore, less wind resistance. Sometimes, 0-CFM (or 100% wind resistance) is the way to go, but not always, as it can negatively impact breathability. Most outdoor adventurers want to balance wind resistance and breathability.
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Weight is a hot topic among seasoned outdoorsmen. Some obsess over it, while others are content with slightly heavier gear if it means more protection against the elements. There is no “best” packability; it depends on what works for you. Among the options we tested, we looked at everything from Black Diamond’s featherweight Deploy, which weighs less than two ounces and packs down to about the size of a Snickers, up to beefy, 12-plus-ounce tarp-inspired wind shells for $25 on Amazon. Ultra-lightweight gear gives you bragging rights in some circles. But, unless you’re thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, you’re probably not going to notice a few extra ounces in your pack. For most outdoorsmen, it’s worth going with a slightly (we’re talking 1-2 ounces) heavier windbreaker for the added wind resistance.
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By design, windbreakers are usually cut with a slim, athletic fit. That’s because, for maximum wind resistance, you want as little space between the fabric and your skin as possible. Windbreakers designed for runners are typically the slimmest of all fits, with only enough room underneath to fit a single base layer or T-shirt. Hiking-centric windbreakers offer a bit more room to allow for an extra layer underneath, and mountain-specific windbreakers are the roomiest of all. Some offer a generous fit with enough space to fit over an insulated jacket.
From the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the wind-swept plains of Oklahoma, we tested over 30 men’s windbreakers in a wide variety of terrain. That includes plenty of different activities: hiking, biking, camping, and a little climbing too. But, since most of us want one windbreaker that does it all, we also tested for everyday wear in casual situations—running errands, grabbing drinks at the bar, and chilling in the backyard—to find the best, most versatile windbreakers that move effortlessly from the streets to the backcountry.
Read more: Best Rain Jackets for Men