Well, we don’t call them “windbreakers” anymore. That’s so ’60s and low-tech, making one think of the millions of cheap nylon jackets that used to be popular back in the day. Now they’re wind-resistant (or windproof) shells, and have some cachet.
Stretch Wind Jacket
One good example of this genre is Marmot’s DriClime Windshirt ($100; www.marmot.com). It’s a polyester piece (polyester being naturally water-resistant and quick-drying) with a light knit lining that serves as insulation, which may or may not be something you want. It doesn’t have pit zips, but it does have mesh vents. And it has a chest pocket, which is handy for stuffing things to which you need ready access.
You’ll also find a lot of good wind shell-type pieces in the cycling world, as bicyclists often need lightweight, breathable protection against wind and maybe some light rain. Pearl Izumi’s Zephrr ($65; www.pearlizumi.com) is a classic light shell, although it lacks pockets and pit zips (in any event, I think you can scratch the pit zips, strictly a rainwear item these days). And, Mont-Bell makes an excellent light shell called the Stretch Wind Jacket, which sells for $79 (www.montbell.com). It has a full front zip, chest pocket, and stretchy nylon material, making it ideal for high-agility activities.
Lastly, L.L. Bean makes a very functional, very basic piece called the Wind Speed Pullover ($59; www.llbean.com), an anorak-style jacket with a half-zip, nylon shell, and single pocket.
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