Okay I have searched but can't really find the basic information I need to understand what ya'll are talking about. Apparently a wind shirt is everyone's favorite piece of gear...why? I am confused.

Is a wind shirt the same as a waterproof shell or do you carry one of both? Is a wind shirt a vapor barrier? Do you wear your wind shirt at the same time as you other layers?

I am gearing up for my first cold weather trip (20 degree low maybe) and I'm planning to wear a long sleeve synthetic mid weight t shirt and thin fleece shirt. Then I plan to carry a puffy down jacket and a waterproof shell. Am I missing a wind shirt or am I confused?

its simple really:
wind sucks warmth from you, wind shirts block wind. But unlike waterproof breathable jackets they breath very well so you don't get wet from trapped moister while moving.
They also provide an other layer that helps keep you warmer by adding insulation and they are very light to boot. Some people say they block light rain but that is a bit optimistic in my opinion.

So is this a wind shirt? http://www.walmart.com/ip/Starter-Men-s-Woven-Tech-Windwear-Jacket/17802710

Where would you wear it in the basic layering system I described above? It seems odd to wear something like that on anything but the outside. What if it was raining and very cold and you had all your layers on, would you wear the other layers, windshirt and rain shell?

In my experience, the more breathable models are great when the conditions on windy, chilly, ... but sunny enough where a waterproof shell would be too hot. Say a clear, sunny Spring day in the southern Rockies with a cold wind that cuts right through baselayer and fleece.

Wouldn't wear one on a lower altitude hike in the summer though .... or tropical conditions. I'd still bring a waterproof in those conditions, however.

Edited by hknewman on 01/19/2012 14:46:46 MST.

So maybe its a high altitude thing? I am in Georgia, Appalachian mountains at about 3000-4000 ft in wooded areas. Maybe wind shirts do not apply to me.

this would be a wind shirt, at least for these purposes...

http://www.golite.com/Dakota-Wind-Shirt-P726.aspx

-conner

i live in the northern apps. and a wind layer is the most sought-after i own. i don one year-round, (be it a wind vest or wind jacket), it serves me like no other. i wear it for cycling, walking, ice fishing, kite flying, pond hockey and while on trail.
standard fare for me is a summer weight l/s baselayer, my puffball vest sandwiched in the middle, and a wind layer on top.
my mont-bell is super light, packs like a champ and has proved it's versatility and tenacity in all the aforementioned activities.
if it's excessively windy, or if i plan to be exposed to a windy area sans protection for long periods of time, then i'll sometimes layer my wind vest directly underneath my wind jacket.
feel highly encouraged to experiment!
as you know, everyone's thermostat differs.
best you get to know yours without getting blown away. :)

lt

reading this might help

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=9378

I use a Patagonia Houdini (http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-houdini-full-zip-jacket?p=24017-0-791) which seems to be a favorite on here, and just wearing a synthetic tee, shorts, and a windshirt, I'm comfortable from 30*-70* as long as I'm moving. If I threw on my windpants, I'm pretty sure I could take the temps even lower. Can't beat the packability and and weight either.

Most (if not all?) have good enough DWR to fend off light rain, so you wouldn't have to throw on your rain shell until it started to rain hard or long enough.

Depending on your down puffy, a windshirt can also help a lot. The wind cuts straight through my Montbell Down Inner jacket versus little to none compared to my Rab Microlight Alpine jacket. Pairing the windshirt with the Montbell increases the warmth by a decent amount.

Finally I hate putting on bug juice and sun block. The fabric is enough to stop mosquitoes, not sure how much SPF it would provide though.

Edited by TRAUMAhead on 01/19/2012 15:40:23 MST.

I suspect one reason everyone loves windshirts is the more breathable your insulation the worst wind cuts through it. Fleece is a prime example, great for letting sweat evaporate off, terrible at letting wind through.

I use an wind jacket made of what looks like 15 denier nylon (thin nylon material). It stops the wind and sheds light rain. It packs down smaller then a coke can and weighs only 5 ounces. It also has a hood (a must in my opinion), so it keeps the wind off my torso, my head AND my neck.

Here's a good selection of wind shirts/jackets if that helps: http://www.backcountry.com/mens-windshirts-and-jackets

Edited by SeanBa on 01/19/2012 15:48:42 MST.

A windshirt is multi-use and because it is so light, it is something I always carry.

Throw it over your base layer or multiple layers to add warmth, without holding back perspiration.

I find I wear it over light layers in a cool rain and even though some wetness penetrates, it is still more comfortable than wearing a rain shell and often just as dry considering the condensation that gathers inside waterproof breathable(Goretex) jackets.

I also find that my 5oz windpants get a lot of use. I can wear them over my hiking pants/shorts when the temps drop to add warmth.

A windshirt/windpants combination can be worn while washing your hiking clothes in town or in an area where washing naked would be a problem.

They both help with insects as well.

I would definitely want a windshirt in the southern apps. When moving, you wont want your puffy or raingear on most of the time. The windshirt will be great to go over your base layers while moving. Its not bad when you're in camp either over your puffy. Get one. you'll love it.

Am I missing something, or aren't these lighter and more form fitting versions of what we use to call windbreakers?!?

Much lighter and more minimal. I would never think of carrying one of those winbreakers if I was trying to keep weight down.

the old windbreakers I remember didn't breathe well at all.

The ones I have at home APPEAR to be woven nylon (the old ones were) and weight 10-11 oz. It still seems to me that wind shirts are simply more form fitting versions. But, I've never seen on in person, so...

Not all are form fitting. Some are meant for wearing over puffy stuff.

Yeah, it's a wind breaker. As much as things change, things stay the same (with slight improvements from new materials/cuts). From "The Ascent of Everest", a book about the the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953:

"The selection of cloth for out windproof clothing, and for our tents, was greatly simplified for us by the help and advice of the Ministry of Supply ... Obviously the degree of windproofness was of first importance, but the cloth also had to be light as possible, snag-proof, and fairly waterproof ..." Today we have that with tightly woven nylon (windproof) with a rip-stop pattern (snag-proof) and water-resistance (DWR).

Source:
http://books.google.com/books?id=84ttGahHDEgC&lpg=PA259&ots=qZwmGPg10G&dq=windproof%20everest&pg=PA259#v=onepage&q&f=false

Ditch your fleece, use a wind shirt. 100% better while on the move.

I know it isn't a true windshirt, but can anyone comment on their experience using a Dri Ducks jacket in the same role? I am so often in a position where rain may come during a trip and I hate to pack both a wpb shell and a windshirt.