Wind during hiking can be dangerous if you are not properly equipped. Indeed, the stronger the wind, the more intense the perceived cold. Even a light breeze is enough to lower the temperature significantly, and the effect can be considerable. Today, most hiking garments feature a windproof effect to help maintain a good body temperature. We explain everything about windproof clothing for hiking in this article.
The protection of windproof clothing for hiking
For a fabric to be windproof, it must be made with a tightly woven knit or be fitted with a special membrane. Today, most hiking garments feature highly effective membranes that provide excellent wind protection. In the three-layer system, it is the third layer that acts as the windproof barrier — so choose it carefully.
Several factors must be taken into account when the wind is strong:
- It's important to protect the extremities of your body, as these are the areas that lose the most heat.
- A beanie or warm cap protects your head well from the cold, but ideally you should have a windproof hood attached to your jacket. An adjustable three-point hood is recommended.
- Also remember to adjust your clothing at the sleeves and waist so that wind cannot get in.
- Classic windproof jackets are very lightweight. They feature a 100% windproof membrane, offer excellent breathability, but are often not waterproof.
Explore all our men's windproof jackets and women's windproof jackets.
Choosing softshell clothing
Unlike a simple windproof jacket, the softshell jacket allows better air circulation and improved thermal regulation. The softshell is generally used as a second and third layer. It therefore provides warmth, comfort, thermal insulation, water repellency, wind protection and excellent freedom of movement. Softshell trousers share the same characteristics, with very good resistance to wind and cold.
If you want a softshell jacket with sufficient wind protection, the best option is to go for a softshell with a membrane. You'll find this, for example, in the Cimalp clothing range or in many brands featuring Windstopper® technology. This technology, developed by Gore-Tex®, combines breathability with a windproof effect. The Windstopper® membrane is integrated between the inner and outer layers of the fabric and offers a high level of resistance. If you are hiking in unstable conditions and are likely to encounter rain as well as wind, the softshell may not be the most suitable jacket. It has a water-repellent treatment, but is not waterproof.
Choosing hardshell clothing
A windproof garment is generally hardshell. Jackets and trousers alike are waterproof and offer excellent resistance to the elements (rain, snow, hail and wind). A protective jacket with a membrane is 100% windproof and 100% waterproof (it comes in either 2-layer, 2.5-layer or 3-layer construction).
The hardshell jacket is ideal in unsettled weather. It is lightweight and compresses well in a pack. It doesn't need to provide warmth as it is used as the third layer, on top of the second insulating layer. The hardshell is also breathable, though not as much as a softshell.
The choice of your windproof clothing also depends on their breathability. In addition to information about the membrane, you can refer to the RET indicator to measure the breathability of your garment. If you want a jacket that is both windproof and waterproof, its RET will generally be between 6 and 12. Below that, it will be more breathable but less waterproof; above, more waterproof but less breathable.
