Zpacks™ Ventum Wind Shell Jacket

Ordering:

Men's Ventum Wind Shell - $115

Clothing items are made to order and are currently shipping in about one week. There may be lightly used gear in our Bargain Bin!

Description:

At under two ounces a wind shell jacket is ounce for ounce the most valuable piece of clothing you can carry. It cuts the breeze and traps warmth in your base layer or against your skin that otherwise would be blown away. It is the perfect weight for hiking on chilly mornings and evenings when a base layer alone is not enough, but insulation would make you overheat.

Features:

Elastic at the back hem, and at the wrists keeps the wind out. The hood also has elastic for a snug fit around your face.
Constructed from .59 oz/sqyd Ventum ripstop nylon. This fabric is tightly woven and heat calendered to cut the wind, while still being breathable and allowing good vapor transfer so you don't get clammy. It is more comfortable for every day hiking than a rain jacket.
High quality "C6" durable water repellant (DWR). Not waterproof.
Mosquito proof
Highly wind resistant
Excellent vapor transfer / breathability - comfortable to wear, not clammy
Soft feeling - not sticky or plasticy like some other fabrics in this weight range.
Ripstop / tear resistant.
Lightest weight wind shell available with a hood and full length zipper.
The jacket packs down tiny into an integrated storage pocket.
All Zpacks gear has a two year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. Please see our return / warranty policy.

Sizing Chart:

Size:	Small	Medium	Large	Extra-Large	XX-Large
Weight:	1.7 oz (48 g)	1.8 oz (51 g)	1.9 oz (54 g)	2.0 oz (57 g)	2.1 oz (60 g)
Fits Chest Girth:	Fits up to 36" (91 cm)	Fits up to 40" (102 cm)	Fits up to 44" (112 cm)	Fits up to 48" (122 cm)	Fits up to 52" (132 cm)
Actual Chest Girth:	40" (102 cm)	44" (112 cm)	48" (122 cm)	52" (132 cm)	56" (142 cm)
Zipper Length: (chin to hem)	30" (76 cm)	31" (79 cm)	32" (81 cm)	33" (84 cm)	34" (86 cm)
Sleeve Length: (back center of neck to cuff)	33" (84 cm)	35" (89 cm)	36" (91 cm)	37" (94 cm)	38" (97 cm)

How to measure:

Use a string or cloth tape measure to measure around the thickest part of your chest. The "Fits Chest Girth" in the chart above allows enough wiggle room for layering.

The men's wind shell is straight cut at the hips. Women's wind shells are also available.

Joe's Testimonial:

A wind shell is one piece of gear that I wore almost every single day on my four thru-hikes. It packs so small that you can tuck it in a pocket until you need it, and there is no other piece of gear that adds as much warmth for such little weight.

I typically start each day hiking in my wind shell until it gets too hot, and then at the end of the day it goes back on in camp on chilly evenings. It is also the perfect weight to throw on briefly for windy exposed summits, or to wear all day long when it is too warm for insulation but too chilly for no protection.

My clothing system has four layers-
Every day hiking shirt -> Wind shell -> Synthetic insulated shell -> Vertice Rain Jacket.

This layering system provides enough warmth to hike down into the teens (Fahrenheit) while allowing the versatility to be comfortable in any temperature above that. Every layer can be worn at the same time, and I never have to take off one layer to put on another layer.

Note that if your insulating layer does not block wind on its own, your wind shell should go over top of it to trap more warmth. I only put mine underneath for the convenience of not removing one layer to put on another. My synthetic jacket is made from the same material and already blocks the wind.

Reviews and Customer Testimonials:

Please email us with feedback (good or bad) if you have any!

Will "Red Beard" Wood shows off his first gen wind shell and shares his thoughts in this Video Review of the Zpacks Wind Shell Jacket.

"The wind shell was probably the best clothing addition to my collection. I wore it everyday on my 6 week trip. One day I left it on during drizzle and it kept me warm. I did tear a little hole in the left cuff area (my fault) but I easily repaired the hole with some tape. One afternoon, I slid under a fence that had gravel beneath and no rips occurred. Very happy." -James Q.

"We made it to Waynesboro for a little break before heading on to (ultimately) Harpers Ferry. By far my favorite new addition is the wind shirt. On windy cold mornings or at night it really blocks the chill. I've worn it under my Challenger rain jacket a few times during freezing (by Florida standards) downpours. Creates a soft comfortable barrier to the jacket. I'll have to get a smaller one for normal day use upon my return though. My error in buying the XL, although I do enjoy the extra room while sleeping." -Dan V.

"I can not imagine how it would have been on my trip in Iceland without the wind shell. The function, the weight, and the bulk were stupendous. I used it almost every day and often I missed not having pants in the same material." -Anne G.

"Please add that your Ventum Wind Shell Jacket is also mosquito proof to the description page! It was THE reason I pulled the trigger to purchase it and is the reason others here in my town have gone to your website to check it out. And has become the preverbal Linus� security blanket to me. It has even held up to the dreaded devils club spines here! My previous protection was a VERY bulky mosquito suit or jacket and pant. - just a suggestion." -Jeff M.
(Thanks Jeff!)

"Hey Joe, just wanted to let you know how much I love the wind shell I bought for my AT thru-hike. I left March 23rd and have done 915 miles so far. I have used this jacket every morning for about a half hour before I warm up and it has worked flawlessly. I was a little hesitant because of the cost at first but it is now my favorite piece of equipment I bought from you equal to my Duplex tent. Thanks for everything." -Faithwalker

"I love my wind shell! You were right, it's indispensable. :)" -Hunter H.