Hi

I've now got about half a dozen windshirts now (don't ask ...) including a houdini.

I like the Houdini but it's fragile and expensive. I also have a super-breathable Mont Bell windshirt (which is not sold in the US) designed for summer hiking in Japan in the humidity there, but as others said above, it's not really useful because it doesn't keep the wind off!

My favourite is the Montane featherlite, which I use for everything, including commuting on my bike. It's reasonably breathable and although it wets out quickly in even light rain it then dries very quickly.

If I had to go bushbashing I'd use something like my Paramo Fuera which is actually as heavy as some of Mont Bell goretexes - the Kathmandu tops discussed above are probably similar. And I've recently heard good things about the OR softshell windshirts but I'm not sure if they're available in Oz.

But if you really want something breathable, durable and cheap for sun and bug protection I'd grab a men's work shirt that's no longer clean enough for work and turn up the collar ...

Edited by Arapiles on 12/15/2009 04:11:54 MST.

Hi DW,

I actually have the Montane Lite Speed as a consideration with it's hood.

As you implied the Paramo Fuera is quite heavy at 330 grams so not quite what I am after.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Shon,

If you're interested in a Litespeed, you may want to try and get it from the UK. The postage cost will be less than half what most US retailers charge, and prices listed include VAT. I've ordered small stuff that has cost me less than the listed price including the shipping to Oz, when VAT is taken off. (Royal Mail and NZ mail seem to be the last two places that have cheap postage rates. Au, US and Canada have doubled to tripled in the last five years.)

Check Bivouac in NZ for cheap Outdoor Research gear, with absolutely superb customer service and free postage over NZ$100.

There was a thread here
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=10682
that became the default Aussie thread.

BTW what's your involvement in Navshield?

Rod

Edited by Rod_Lawlor on 12/17/2009 02:53:53 MST.

Shon:
Agree with Rod on purchasing a lite speed in the UK. I bought mine while I was on vaca there for 40 GBP, but a quick web search (using www.google.co.uk) found www.climbers-shop.com, which has them on sale for 30 GBP (~$45). Highly recommended SUL wind shirt. ;-)

Peace, James.

Check this location: Very good price for a great wind parka

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Montane-Lite-Speed-Jacket-Mens/MNT0020M.html

Cola,

It's not a BAD price, but not as good as $45.

Plus the shipping to Australia from Backcountry to Australia is

UPS Worldwide Expedited $55.91
UPS Worldwide Express $58.27

Basegear.com has them for $49.99 with $28.00 shipping to Australia until today only


But if you go to the UK

hike-lite.co.uk has them at 45 GBP (US$72 minus 14% VAT $62 plus shipping from US$5 to Australia)

It's the shipping that gets us here.

This season's Houdinis

Men's http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-houdini-full-zip-jacket?p=24017-0-791

Women's http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-houdini-full-zip-jacket?p=24027-0-868


shonkygirl, you are totally on track! These are the best for the Ozzie bushwhacking. Wear it over a 150 LS Icebreaker (or similar lightweight wool (it's a bit sticky directly on sweaty skin but not too bad) -- there a couple nice Ozzie ones too of course!) -- it really stands up to the prickly stuff. I discovered this use by accident and I think it is the best use I have found for houdinis! For cooler windier weather, I wear one over my base layer but under any fleece. It is easier to move and doesn't get as clammy. Also, over a down sweater in brush. The hood is brilliant. I wouldn't buy an item like this without a hood. This will stick to sweaty skin and depending on the color become somewhat transparent -- I don't know that it would offer much sun protection in such a state.

One thing I noticed this year is that the Ladies XS has grown to at least the size of last year's S.

In reference to your polyester button up -- something like this?
http://www.backcountry.com/exofficio-dryflylite-shirt-long-sleeve-womens

This fabric is VERY different from the Houdini! These shirts feel very soft against the skin. Houdini is a lightweight nylon shell. I don't think you would find it irritating to your skin. But it will stick to you for sure! I have one of the ex officio button downs -- I have not "tested" it yet. It is comfy though. The material is nice and it's much less dowdy and feminine than the most of the ex officio women's stuff. I think the dryflylyte are the lightest ex officio shirt. (I don't know too much about this brand though!)

Perhaps, this is what you've been waiting for?
http://www.backcountry.com/exofficio-dryflylite-cover-jacket-womens
Here a zip/hoody available in the same fabric is the shirt above. This is radically different from the the Houdini.

Spent 6+ years in Australia. I'm not sure you wound find Houdini a terribly versatile piece during the summer months. Terrigal or somewhere else. (I just had to refer to a map -- forgot how far south you are!) Are the summers pretty much Sydney summers -- which I found quite variable. I used Houdini in the Blue Mtns in summer...for sure. But not to ward off the sun. Probably a good addition to your kit in general. I have a feeling this ex officio dryflylyte cover jacket might be more what you have in mind for summer on the central coast.

I didn't get to walk much. I did do Overland Track in July -- saw 2 people the whole time. I want to do Larapinta!

Edited by backpackerchick on 07/31/2011 07:25:47 MDT.