Ortovox Windbreaker Evaluation | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The Ortovox Windbreaker is a novel and high-performing windbreaker that stands out for its high-quality supplies, merino mix building, and intensely low weight. Constructed with Ortovox’s proprietary merino mix known as Merino Shield, it’s naturally odor-resistant and wet-resistant. Mixed with a DWR coating, the Ortovox Windbreaker is a good jacket to make use of for four-season use. It thrives in a wide range of circumstances and is certainly one of our favourite windbreakers.

The Ortovox shortly turned certainly one of our high selections for cold-weather path runs and cross-country skis. We have been by no means plagued with trapped perspiration or condensation even whereas exerting ourselves in below-freezing temperatures.  Combining sturdy polyamide cloth with breathable merino wool, it provides wonderful temperature regulation whereas shielding you from wind and lightweight precipitation. The design is minimalist but useful, that includes an elastic hood and cuffs. Its zippered chest pocket additionally doubles as a stuff sack for compact storage. Its athletic match minimizes bulk, making it ultimate for fast-paced adventures like path working, mountain climbing, and climbing.

Whereas the Ortovox windbreaker excels in breathability, mobility, and portability, it’s best suited to mild rain and wind slightly than heavy storms. It beads mild moisture however is not any match for something greater than a drizzle. The slim match might also be restrictive for these layering with thicker mid-layers. Moreover, its worth level is larger than comparable windbreakers. Nevertheless, for many who prioritize weight financial savings and breathability, this windbreaker stands out as a dependable possibility for a wide range of outside actions.

How We Examined

Over two months, we wore the Ortovox Windbreaker on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to subject take a look at its efficiency in a number of circumstances. Our assessments consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and components. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and likewise accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

The Ortovox Windbreaker is exclusive in our lineup as it’s the solely jacket made with merino wool. Ortovox’s Merino Shield cloth combines fifty-five % merino with forty-five % polyamide. This mix creates a very windproof layer that’s present in panels by means of the chest, again, and arms. 

The stretchy panels across the sides are constructed with Ortovox’s Tec-Stretch materials. This helps enhance mobility however sadly is some extent of weak spot. Throughout our blowdryer take a look at, we felt that air was penetrating by means of these facet panels. Whereas hardly noticeable on most events, this will likely not present the extent of wind resistance wanted for prime winds. 

Though it’s handled with a DWR coating and makes use of the pure water repellency of merino wool, the Ortovox doesn’t resist a lot moisture past a light-weight drizzle. We have been particularly impressed with its potential to repel snow, however it isn’t a jacket to take out in really moist climate.

Breathability

At first contact, the Ortovox windbreaker doesn’t really feel to be distinctive. The fabric is of a typical thickness amongst windbreakers and has that acquainted crinkle. Nevertheless, after working within the Ortovox whereas deliberately overdressed with a mid-layer beneath, we have been shortly impressed with its breathability. We attribute this to its merino building and breathable facet panels. Merino is extremely praised for its moisture-wicking properties, and we discovered that to be true on this jacket as nicely. The stretchy facet panels are one other supply of breathability that helped maintain that jacket condensation-free.

Weight & Packability

With a manufacturer-stated weight of 5.5 ounces and a measured weight of 4.2 ounces (males’s medium), the Ortovox is far lighter than we anticipated. It cracks the five-ounce mark and is a good windbreaker to throw in your pack as an emergency layer. Zipping into its personal chest pocket, it packs all the way down to roughly the scale of an apple. We had no bother storing it in a working vest or perhaps a working belt. The Ortovox is a good alternative for bringing alongside whereas being mild sufficient to overlook it’s there.

Consolation & Match

Like many different Ortovox merchandise, the windbreaker could be very slim. We examined this jacket totally on winter path runs and cross-country skis the place it was chilly sufficient to warrant layering beneath. Although it’s simply roomy sufficient to suit a mid-layer beneath, the jacket felt restrictive and tight by means of the torso and shoulders. It’s possible you’ll want to think about sizing up if you happen to plan to make use of this jacket with greater than a base layer beneath. 

The torso can be very quick on this jacket. We continuously discovered ourselves tugging it down from using up, particularly whereas sporting a backpack with a waist strap. This jacket is probably not the perfect match for many. Its very athletic reduce will work greatest for slender our bodies or for many who get pleasure from trim cuts for cardio pursuits.

Ought to You Purchase the Ortovox Windbreaker?

The Ortovox Windbreaker is a slim-cut and athletic jacket with nice breathability for cardio outings. It’s a standout possibility because of its merino mix that wicks sweat and repels moisture. The outer shell is climate resistant sufficient to dam most gusts, however the extremely breathable facet panels can let in some sturdy wind. Its athletic match may be a disadvantage for bigger torsos or cumbersome layers. Plus, its premium high quality comes at a premium worth. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re somebody with a slender torso or get pleasure from a extra form-fitting jacket, the Ortovox is a well-designed and high-performing jacket that excels throughout 4 seasons.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Take into account?

Head to our gear information to see the total lineup of greatest windbreakers.

Arc’teryx Squamish Evaluation: When you’re in search of one other extremely cell jacket a the same worth level, the Squamish is extraordinarily cell with its elastic building.

Black Diamond Alpine Begin Evaluation: Offering extra climate resistance and a barely bigger match to layer beneath, the Alpine Begin is one other nice windbreaker for winter actions.

Rab Very important Evaluation: Whereas barely heavier than the Ortovox, the Very important provides extra options like two zippered hand pockets and each hood and hem cinches.