I am very far away from shops and no website ever posts sound files for their jackets. What light windshirt is the least crinkly and rattly? I'm flexible on other features (except the hood), but I would like to bend my arms without scaring the animals. Thanks!

I just got a Houdini and was surprised to find the fabric was very soft and cloth-like. I thought it'd be more plastically. But nope, its soft and quiet.

Most windshirts are very thin material which by it's nature is softer/quieter. It's the very stiff GoreTex style shells that typically suffer from that crinkly/stiff issues you are referring to.

I don't know about the quietest, but the Stoic Wraith is pretty quiet.

I have both a Stoic Wraith and the Houdidni and they both are quiet.

Pertex Quantum is a lot softer than the Houdini fabric, it will feel quieter in use, though not necessarily be quieter against brush.

The Rab Alpine jacket is worth a look. Very quiet, soft fabric and a full feature set. The hood is better than 95% of the hardshell hoods available (lookin at you Arc'teryx). Outstanding (athletic) fit. A hair less windproof than Quantum et al, but more breathable.

I hear you Dave,

I have older the Rab Alpine Pullover and the hood does rock, I find I put on a hardshell a bit quicker if it starts raining than with more convential Windproofs.

I have a Montane lite speed. Could be a bit lighter but the design has been around a bit. The jacket is soft, pliable and not crinkly at all. Weighs in at 6 oz. I really like the collar where the hood tucks (very comfortable around your neck). I also like the longer tail lenght so it gives good coverable. The hood cinches down around your face and gives good peripheral vision. Not to mention its only eighty eight dollars at campsaver right now. I wore this jacket over an Ibex indie hoodie this past weekend and was warm down to mid 40's before I had to break out my puffy

That is something that has never, ever crossed my mind.

I find groups greater than one person generate exponentially more noise than any piece of gear I have ever owned.

;)

My memory (be highly skeptical since people tend not to have accurate memories of the nuances of auditory sensations):

rab alpine (equilibrium), arcteryx squarmish, pertex quantum, houdini, other uncoated windshirts, Patagonia Essenshell (EPIC), coated windshirts and WP/B jackets.

--Mark

Nope, not kidding, Nick G! :)

I go solo 95% of the time, and wildlife/bird observations are very high priority. I can read reviews of fit and durability all day, but without handling the material it's hard to guess what would happen if I wore it while, say, trying to approach a snowy egret.

So I'm very grateful for the feedback! Online shopping's my only option, and shipping charges get pretty steep way out here. Thanks to all for your input.

Might want to look into clothing marketed to hunters

"Might want to look into clothing marketed to hunters."

Good point, Nathan! The few 'outfitters' near me (still a day's travel) are fishing/hunting/outdoor work suppliers. Apparently those fellows do not care what something weighs, however (7 pound coat, anybody?). I do get some decent stuff from them all the same. Like socks.

I'm probably boring you now, but I'm told that a lot of 'camo' gear is a bit of a joke, because animal/bird eyesight is nothing like ours. Particularly, they see UV reflection. We might think we're totally stealth, but we actually look like big bipedal glowsticks to the animals. (If I saw a glowing blue creature in the woods, I'd take off too.) So (I'm told) unless you're buying special materials or special treatments, you're better off in black clothing than in most camo, because more UV is absorbed. That said, whatever I have that isn't black is green, grey or brown.

I'm pretty sure patience, quiet, slow movement and body language matter more, though (i.e., if you make eye contact, close your eyes right away and then blink often and slowly. Tells the animal you're indifferent to it, and not nervous or aggressive.) But if you can get out where most hikers and hunters don't go, you might well be the first human the animal has ever seen. It's amazing how some of them will get curious and approach when they've never seen the likes of you before. All you have to do then is not startle them.