Wind Shells
Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell ~3oz
(link to Amazon Black Diamond store for full product line)
Price- $149 - $199
Weight- 72g
This became our standard desert shell a few years ago when we learned we could sacrifice a "waterproof" jacket for a wind shell in low humidity and dry environments. This saves pack weight and gives us a very functional layer to combine with a light fleece or our puffy on those cold desert nights and mornings. I give this shell very high ratings; considering the demands we've put on it and what it was designed for, it has outperformed.
(Seen here on Bugs on the North Kaibab Plateau 50 miles north of the Grand Canyon the morning after a spring storm. Notice how comfortable she looks despite the frozen solid towel! And it's hard to believe we were both soaked through just the night before when we made camp.)
The Good- It is incredibly lightweight—weighing about the same as a Clif Bar. It boasts impressive abrasion resistance, surviving sandstone scrambling in Utah unscathed, and pairs perfectly with a light fleece.
The Bad- It is not a rain jacket and will only keep you dry for a few minutes to a half-hour in very light rain, meaning you have to be confident the weather will dry you out before hypothermia sets in.
Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind Pants (1.7oz medium)
Notice a theme: the items on this page are wind gear. They aren't going to keep you dry for long, but they're an essential part of our kit in the right conditions. Bugs wears these regularly while hiking for warmth, while I'm obsessed with the feeling of hiking in shorts even when conditions are terrible, I still carry them. Knowing that at this weight, even if I only use them a handful of times on the trail, I'll wear them every time I do laundry in town!
We both chose the lightest 10D (denier) material for our pants. It has a smooth and almost silky feel and isn't particularly clingy until very wet. After being worn at least a hundred times the only wear on my men's medium pair is a little visible strain on the seam between the legs. Overall I'd say they've proven to be quite durable, especially considering they're made from a material typically reserved for sleeping bag shells and other more delicately treated pieces of kit.
(Seen here on Bugs on the North Kaibab Plateau 50 miles north of the Grand Canyon the morning after a spring snow storm. These pants are an essential part of our desert layering system.)
The Good- They are exceptionally lightweight (coming in at under 2 ounces) and provide a highly functional layer of warmth and wind protection on the trail. They are highly customizable on Enlightened Equipment's website, with many color and fabric weight (denier) choices.
The Bad- They provide very minimal water resistance and will wet through quickly in anything more than light, fleeting precipitation. The thinner denier material is very form-fitting in the wind, something to consider if wearing these with nothing underneath.
