[An honest, self-funded comparison review] Lightweight, comfortable, and sweat-wicking. We tested the three best candidates from the evolving top 10 wind shells

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Gear reviews , recommendations , Patagonia , wind shells , Mountain Hardwear , mont-bell , comparison

Written by Haruki Murakami

Windshells are a standard piece of gear you can rely on in the mountains, where the weather can change quickly. They offer a good balance of wind resistance and breathability, and the hood makes it easy to regulate your temperature, so I personally use one. With the recent evolution of rain jackets, more and more people are using them as both a rain jacket and a windshell, but the latest lightweight and sweat-wicking windshells are certainly evolving. Now is the time to rediscover this item

In this article, we have carefully selected 10 models from the 2025 lineup that excel in the specifications of being "lightweight, easy to use, and comfortable." From these, we have conducted a field review of the three best models

You're sure to find one that suits your hiking style

table of contents

10 lightweight windshells
We selected the three strongest wind shell candidates from the above and field tested them
Test environment and field test results
- Test environment
- Field test results
Impressions of each model
Summary: Performance can't be measured by lightness alone. My personal recommendation is the MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket

10 lightweight windshells

We selected 10 items that are ideal for fast packing, with excellent wind resistance, breathability, weight, and comfort, all of which must be on sale in 2025, weigh less than 150g, and have a hood

Zpacks Ventum Wind Shell 46g
Mont-bell EX Light Wind Parka 61g
Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell 72g
SALOMON SENSE AERO WIND 88g
TETON BROS. Wind River Hoody 100g
Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover 100g
Mont-bell UL Stretch Wind Parka 117g
MONTANE Featherlite Packable Hooded Windproof Jacket 120g
Rab Vital Hoody 130g [Tried on]
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket 137g

We selected the three strongest wind shell candidates from the above and field tested them

I tried on many windshells and agonized over my choices before making a list of 10, but narrowing it down to just three was really difficult

The first three points I chose are:

Mont-bell EX Light Wind Parka 61g
Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover 100g
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket 137g

Here are the reasons why I chose these three points

The first item, the EX Light Wind Parka, is an ultra-lightweight wind shell that I've been interested in for a long time. I was torn between the Zpacks Ventum Wind Shell, the Mont-Bell EX Light Wind Parka, and the Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell, but I ended up choosing the Mont-Bell EX Light Wind Parka because of its exceptional value for money and ease of use

My second choice, the Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket, is because it's an all-around wind shell. The TETON BROS. Wind River Hoody, Rab Vital Hoody, and MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket are all excellent wind shells that you can't go wrong with, so it was a tough decision. Furthermore, all three share the same fabric, Pertex® Quantum Air. Ultimately, I chose the MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket based on my instincts about how the sleeves fit and the thickness of the fabric (20d)

The third item, the Airshed Pro Pullover, is an unusual wind shell that combines different materials. I chose it because I wanted to see how it would work with fastpacking and because it would make an interesting contrast with the other two items

Test environment and field test results

Which wind shell offers a good balance of wind resistance and breathability while remaining lightweight?

The field test was carried out under the following conditions:

Test environment

[Period] March to April
[Temperature] 2°C to 20°C
[Mountain area] Tokai Nature Trail (Osaka, Kyoto), Kyoto Loop Trail (Kyoto), Rokko Mountains (Hyogo)
[Weather] Sunny, rainy
[Activity] Fast packing
[Layering] Wear active insulation, a T-shirt, and a wind shell

Field test results

type	The most comfortable, all-around type	Lightweight, the lightest in its class	Excellent sweat wicking, mixed material type
Item Name	MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket	Mont-bell EX Light Wind Parka	Patagonia Air Jet Pro Pullover
image
material	PERTEX® QUANTUM AIR 20 denier	Ballistic Airlite® 7 denier	1.2 oz 100% recycled polyester 2.3 oz 100% recycled polyester
Actual weight (g)	137	61	100
pocket	Left and right hand pockets, inner pocket	none	Chest zip pocket
Packable	〇	〇	〇
Reference price (as of May 2025)	19,250 yen	11,000 yen	19,800 yen
Here is ◎	An all-around well-balanced Sufficient stretch performance Comfort	Lightest in its class at 61g Easy to carry 11,000 yen (tax included) Great value for money	Excellent breathability Can be used in a wide range of temperatures
Here is △	weight	Hard to wear in strong winds	Too much wind and poor weather resistance
Outdoor Gearzine Review
Windproof	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
Breathability (resistance to stuffiness)	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
weight	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Ease of movement	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Comfort	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Ease of putting on and taking off	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★☆☆☆
Storage capacity	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Compared to the OD Can 110, the EX Light Wind Parka (top right) is noticeably small!

The Airshed Pro Pullover (bottom left) looks large, but it's empty inside and could be made more compact, perhaps because the size of the pockets was prioritized

Impressions of each model

Best Overall: MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket. It offers excellent comfort, breathability, and wind resistance. Recommended for all hikers!

The MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket is the heaviest of the three, weighing in at 137g

　
I found it to be a very well-balanced garment, apart from the weight.

168cm, 56kg, size M, Black

Roomy enough to wear over active insulation

The back is completely covered up to the buttocks

The overall material is stretchy, and the hood in particular is highly versatile, able to accommodate a wide range of body types and neck lengths

Next, the 20 denier PERTEX® QUANTUM AIR provides excellent wind protection while remaining breathable and well ventilated even during intense exercise

The fit is smooth and comfortable

The design is not too sporty, so it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as traveling

It combines all the important functions of a wind shell at a high level, and I felt that I would want to use it even though it is heavy, so I chose it as the best one I wanted the most

This is a wind shell that we recommend to all hikers, including those considering purchasing a wind shell for the first time, as well as those considering replacing their current one

Easy-to-reach hand pockets (with zippers)

Highly stretchable PERTEX® QUANTUM AIR

Even when you sweat while climbing in temperatures of 20°C, it doesn't feel sticky

It is the heaviest of the ones we tested, but it didn't really bother me that much

It's highly breathable and comfortable to wear, so I walked around wanting to wear it all the time. Whether or not you want to wear it all the time is an important evaluation point

Best Value and Lightweight: Mont-Bell EX Light Wind Parka. Recommended for UL hikers interested in lightweight gear

When I first put on the EX Light Wind Parka, I was blown away by its unbelievable lightness and unprecedented comfort

What would happen if we used this gear in a harsh mountain environment? We were excited to test it in the field, discovering the possibilities of this ultra-lightweight windshell

First off, let's start with how it looks when you're wearing it

168cm, 56kg, XL size, dark green

No pockets, just a minimalist design with reflections

The hood also has a moderate amount of room

Next, the windproof properties of the 7-denier Ballistic Airlite® effectively blocked the wind, fulfilling its function as a wind shell

However, it can feel a little cold when the temperature is around 10°C and there is a strong wind, so the temperature range it can handle on its own is somewhat narrow

I don't see this as a disadvantage, and layering it with active insulation or similar will give you just the right balance, keeping you neither too hot nor too cold

Although the fabric itself is not very breathable, there are slits around the armpits where heat tends to accumulate, which allows heat to escape. Combined with the fact that the fabric itself is not very windproof, it does not get stuffy, resulting in an exquisitely balanced finish

It's hard to see in the photo, but there are several ventilation vents around the armpits that allow heat to escape

The fit of the hood, an important point when choosing a windshell, is simple yet fully adjustable, and I'm fascinated by this, embodying Mont-Bell's philosophy of "function is beauty." Raising and lowering the sleeves is also stress-free. At just 11,000 yen, it's the best value for money in these times of rising prices

Hood shaped to fit the shape of your head

Adjusting the hood is as simple as pulling a cord, but it can be adjusted firmly, and the beauty of the minimalist design will leave you in awe

One thing that bothers me is that because it is so lightweight, wearing it in strong winds requires some skill, so you need to be careful not to let it blow away

It also has a very tight fit, even for Montbell products, so you need to be careful when choosing the size. If you plan to layer it with Active Insulation, it is recommended that you go up a size, and we recommend trying it on first

I would definitely recommend this to UL hikers looking to save weight, but I also recommend it to all hikers. I'm sure it will change your perception of wind shells

It is also recommended for UL hikers who use it as both a rain jacket and a wind shell, as it is such a functional and rational wind shell that the 61g weight increase is worth it

Although it is a 7 denier fabric, I didn't feel too worried about its durability

The minimalist design is cool and stoic. It's also easy to swing your arms

It's so compact it fits in your hand and easily fits in your pants pocket

Excellent breathability! Recommended for fastpacking and cold-weather hikers who want to keep their core warm! Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover

Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover

created by Rinker

¥19,800 2026/02/07

Patagonia official online store

I was very interested in the Airshed Pro Pullover. It's a windshell with knit material in areas like the armpits where heat tends to build up. It's similar to a Houdini jacket combined with Capilene Lightweight

I was excited to think that this would free me from the drawbacks of wind shells, such as stuffiness and stickiness caused by sweat when climbing hard

First off, it's dressed up

168cm, 56kg, size M, seabird grey

The material from the elbows down and the neck up is knit

The hood is stretchy and made of knit material, so it's extremely comfortable to wear

My impression after field testing is that this wind shell has exceptional breathability. It has the highest breathability of the three, and it's extremely breathable, so it's comfortable to wear for a wide range of activities and temperatures. The secret to its breathability is the knit material that extends from the sleeves to the armpits! It doesn't get sticky even when you sweat, and it's extremely easy to roll up the sleeves, making it extremely comfortable to wear

The feeling of rolling up the sleeves is the same as with a long-sleeved T-shirt

The unique knitted hood can also be used as a balaclava, making it suitable for a wide range of activities, including hiking in snowy mountains, skiing, and snowboarding

Pullovers have the disadvantage of being difficult to ventilate, but the Airshed Pro Pullover has a deep zipper that allows for sufficient ventilation, and the double zipper also means that the amount of ventilation can be adjusted, which is a plus

The zipper is deep enough and the double zipper is a nice feature!

So, it's breathable enough, but because it's breathable, the knitted sleeves can get cold when the temperature drops below 10°C, which is a matter of personal preference

Since it is a wind shell similar to a base layer, you can adjust the temperature appropriately by layering it with synthetic insulation or a rain jacket

This wind shell is not only suitable for fast packing, which requires a lot of physical activity, but is also perfect for hikers who are sensitive to the cold and want to walk slowly while keeping their core warm

It can also be used as a sunscreen

It was comfortable even when I drove hard

Summary: Performance can't be measured by lightness alone. My personal recommendation is the MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket

After field testing the three items, the one I wanted most was the MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket

The deciding factors were that it has a good balance of all the functions required of a wind shell, and its design is not too sporty, making it highly versatile and suitable for a wide range of uses, from harsh mountain environments to travel

I finally found a windshell to replace the Patagonia Houdini Jacket I've been using for about 10 years

However, for me the best was the MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Core Air Shell Hooded Jacket, but the other two were also excellent wind shells with very clear concepts and distinct characters

For example, the 61g Mont-Bell EX Light Wind Parka can be kept in your backpack at all times and used as a talisman, and the Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover is a great companion for trail running

The appropriate model will vary depending on the mountain range, season, activity, etc., so we hope this comparison review will help you make a decision when hiking

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Haruki Murakami

I've been mountaineering for 5 years and UL for 2 years. I'm a hiker who is still experimenting. I love long hikes. I also love traveling, and I travel both domestically and internationally. I'll be sharing my thoughts from a beginner's perspective in an easy-to-understand way that will make readers think, "I'm going to the mountains again next week!"