Hiking Fleeces and Windbloc Fleeces - reduce that wind chill
The solution is that you need a wind blocker fleece as part of your hiking equipment.
Various names are used to describe the wind block effect such as windproof, windstopper, windbloc. They are the 'must have' hiking equipment. Love them or hate 'em fleeces are perfect with a polyester base layer and create an efficient layering system. A fleece is light and comfortable to wear yet keeps you warm. They are available in different weights although 200 is the usual acceptable standard for hiking. Nowadays we only wear a coat if it’s raining or feeling very cold. The efficient wind block fleece renders a coat redundant in most dry weather conditions meaning you feel lighter, cooler and less restricted. (Although, you are then carrying your waterproof in your rucksack). Synthetic fleeces are available from a wide range of manufacturers with a variety of brand names (e.g. Polartec). Have a look at this one sold by Sierra Trading Post. Mountain Hardwear Lynx Fleece Jacket - Windstopper(R) (For Women) Check the manufacturer's claims - Is the wind blocking quality intended to allow you to wear the fleece without a coat in most dry conditions? - If you plan to use the fleece in very cold weather, is the level of insulation high enough i.e. is it a 200 or a 300 fleece. 300 would be quite warm for ascending! Does the manufacturer say that the fleece is breathable and will wick moisture away? A wind blocker will generally cost you more than a lot of ordinary fleeces but is well worth the extra investment. Many now have an additional breast pocket as well as two side pockets. Have a look at this fleece jacket by The North Face - $179
Pamir WINDSTOPPER Jacket - Men's |
After a lot of years of hiking and walking using ordinary polyester hiking fleeces wind blocking fleeces became widely available and what a difference the wind block fibre makes. You feel insulated from the wind.
