Wintergreen’s Original Boundary Waters Hooded Windshirt is an outer layer jacket constructed of DWR-treated, 3-ply Supplex® nylon. The garment is notable for 4-season versatility, copious pocket space, and indestructibility. If you’re looking for a lightweight, breathable outer layer that you can use for canoeing, Nordic skiing, fishing, hiking, and even farm chores, this is a great all-purpose jacket.
For someone adventuring in uncertain conditions or working as an outdoor guide, the large pockets on the Windshirt are unbeatable. Imagine being able to comfortably carry 2 snacks, a knife, a GPS, a notepad, your hat, a few zip ties, an extra carabiner, and still have plenty of extra pocket room for that interesting spruce cone. Plus, the pockets zip closed so that you don’t have to worry about everything falling out when you bend over.
Supplex isn’t completely waterproof, so this is not a rain jacket. However, unlike a rain jacket, the breathability of the fabric makes it ideal for wearing in sub-freezing temperatures. Paired with a good base and mid layer, we found it to be comfortable for activities in windy conditions with temps just below zero Fahrenheit. It’s also great for cross-country skiing, when it’s important to have a wind layer but a heavy winter parka isn’t desirable.
In most summer conditions, the Windshirt is lightweight enough to provide sun and wind protection without being too insulating. For example, it performed well for hiking in katabatic winds, intense alpine sun, and massive temperature swings in the Chugach mountains near Seward, Alaska. Unfortunately, in high heat (above 85 degrees Fahrenheit) with no wind, we’ve found the Windshirt a bit too warm to be comfortable – you might be better off using a loose linen shirt or other traditional hot weather garb.
In addition to being durable, Supplex® nylon can be washed with regular detergent and dried at high temperatures, which makes it easy to clean after potentially messy activities such as fishing, dogsledding, or farm chores. There is a downside to the durability; the Boundary Waters Hooded Windshirt is lightweight, but it’s not designed to be ultralight. However, if you need versatility and toughness more than an ultralight garment, this wind layer is perfect for many activities.
Saeward Schillaci
Saeward Schillaci is a professional writer and editor. She is the founder of Northwoods Editing, which specializes in helping businesses create quality written content. Currently, Saeward lives on an off-grid property near Isabella, MN with six other people, sixty-two sled dogs, ten chickens, two cats, and some wild star-nosed moles. In her spare time, she enjoys canoeing, climbing, creative writing, skiing, dog sledding, and playing with puppies.
