Sometimes the tipping point between heading out into a cold, dark morning and staying in your toasty, cozy bed is the confidence that your winter running gear will keep you comfortable no matter what conditions are outside your door. Patagonia’s Wind Shield jacket is a durable soft-shell hybrid combining strategic wind resistance and comfortable fleece in a garment that enables you to tackle those tough chilly miles.
Patagonia Wind Shield Jacket Features
- Full windproof stretch polyester on front panels
- 5.7-oz Polartec® Power Dry® 95% polyester (65% recycled)/5% spandex moisture-wicking fleece on back of jacket and under arm panels
- Full zip-through collar with brushed fleece next to skin, full wind flap and zipper garage
- Deluge DWR (durable water repellent) finish on front torso, arms, and collar face.
- Zippered chest pockets for storage or ventilation
- Left bicep pocket with interior MP3 cord pass-through
- Reflective logo on left chest
- Drop tail
- 340 g (12 oz)
- Colors: Real Red or Black
- MSRP: $150
Patagonia Men’s Wind Shield Jacket, in Red
Keep the wind out with the Wind Shield
The Patagonia Wind Shield is clearly a product of smart design: it’s built to resist harsh conditions in the places that are most vulnerable, and provide ventilation in areas where excess material would cause overheating. Its construction is both comfortable and durable, and quite stylish to boot. For the hardcore winter athlete, that’s a pretty impressive trifecta.
Up front, the Wind Shield utilizes 3-ply, 6-oz 100% laminated polyester panels on the front torso and arms to provide full windproof protection where you need it most. True to its eco-friendly reputation, Patagonia’s recycled polyester material is made in part from empty soda bottles and unusable second quality fabrics. The outside of this material is a smooth durable face, while the inside is a smoothly brushed moisture-wicking grid for maximal comfort.
inside jacket: brushed polyester in gray, Polartec fleece in black
Polartec’s Power Dry single-sided fleece makes up the back of the jacket, as well as the underarm panels and the inside collar. This thin 95% polyester/5% spandex fabric (with 65% post-consumer material) is highly breathable, quick-drying, and wicks moisture very effectively. It also has a plush, comfortable feel against your skin when using the forearm or collar areas to wipe sweat off your face.
front polyester panel; fleece underarm panel below seam
This combination of fabrics – windproof polyester in front, lightweight high performance fleece behind – is an ideal arrangement for running in cold temperatures. The Deluge DWR finish in high-impact areas provides decent water resistance, but this isn’t a true rain blocking jacket. However, the resistance is effective enough to get you home through the last few miles if you get caught in a quick-moving storm.
Slim fit on model; photo from Patagonia website
The Wind Shield is a slim fit garment, so there’s enough room for a base layer underneath, but might get confining with thick or multiple layers. I wear the jacket comfortably through temps in the low 30s with a short-sleeve base layer underneath, and in the mid-20s with a long-sleeve midweight base layer.
The Good
- Excellent wind resistance
- Ideal balance of insulation and breathability from Polartec fleece
- Extremely comfortable overall fit
- Strategic location of chest pockets for storage or ventilation
The Bad
- Less effective for water resistance
- Difficult to wear over multiple layers
Bottom Line: Patagonia Wind Shield Jacket
With deluxe comfort and premium cold-weather protection, Patagonia’s Wind Shield jacket eliminates any justification for hitting the snooze button on dark frosty mornings. Whether that’s good news or bad is up to you.
