Windproof Jacket

Stopping the wind before it reaches the skin

A windproof jacket puts a tight face fabric between moving air and the warm layer underneath. That is a smaller job than keeping rain out and it makes a bigger difference to comfort than most people expect. The range gathers winter pieces built around that idea: insulated hiking jackets and puffers for men and women, heated jackets and gilets powered from a USB battery, and thermal fleece designs. All are made to be worn standing still in cold air as often as walking.

Why does wind make cold worse?

Your body warms a thin layer of air held against the skin and inside your clothing. Wind strips that layer away and replaces it with cold air, and it repeats for as long as the wind blows, so heat leaves faster than the temperature alone suggests. This is why a still day at freezing point feels manageable and a breezy, milder one does not. A tight face fabric slows that exchange, which is also why a loose hem, an open cuff or a gaping collar undoes much of it. Bonded stretch fabrics that do the same job with more give are grouped in softshell jacket.

What does a heated jacket add?

Heating elements sewn into the chest, back or collar run from a rechargeable battery in a pocket, usually over USB and with a choice of settings. Insulation only keeps in warmth you are already producing, so it does little when you sit still in the cold. A heated panel adds warmth from outside, which is why these designs suit shooting, fishing, watching sport and working outdoors rather than hard walking. A gilet does the same for the core while leaving the arms free.

Which features are worth checking?

• Hem drawcord: a cord that cinches the waist closes the opening wind uses to fill the jacket from below.
• Cuff closure: elastic or an adjustable tab stops air travelling up the sleeve when your arms are raised.
• Collar height: a collar that reaches the chin protects the neck, where a surprising amount of heat is lost.
• Battery pocket: on a heated design, an internal zipped pocket with a cable port keeps the battery warm and out of the way.

What should you wear underneath?

A base layer that moves moisture off the skin, then a fleece or a light insulated layer, then the windproof outer. Skipping the middle layer leaves nothing to trap air; skipping the base layer leaves sweat against the skin, where it cools you as soon as you stop. Leave room in the outer for those layers to loft, because compressed insulation stops working. In sustained rain the priority changes, and a shell from waterproof jacket takes over. Lighter, packable cover sits in rain jacket.

How do you care for one?

Remove the battery and any cable before washing a heated design, and follow the care label, which usually asks for a cool, gentle cycle. Fasten the zips so hard tape does not abrade the face fabric, and skip softener, which clogs a tight weave and dulls a water-repellent finish. Down and synthetic fills need to be dried fully and shaken out to break up clumps, always away from direct heat.