To make the most of every outing, we recommend always having a windproof jacket on hand, whatever the season. The advantage of shielding yourself from the wind—especially when it’s chilly—is that you avoid getting cold and spoiling the pleasure of being out in nature. An essential piece of kit for any hiking enthusiast, windproof jackets are above all lightweight and breathable. Many of them are also waterproof, so you won’t end up soaked if rain appears in the mountains or you’re walking along a coastal path swept by sea spray.
The best men's windproof jackets
The best women's windproof jackets
Our selection of the best men’s windproof jackets
To help you make the right choice, here is our selection of the best windproof hiking jackets for men this season. We hope you’ll find the model that best meets your needs among these options.
Salewa Puez Aqua 4 Ptx 2.5L
The Salewa Puez Aqua 4 PTX hiking jacket is made with a Powertex 2.5-layer membrane and heat-sealed seams, making it not only windproof but also waterproof. Versatile and reliable, it’s designed for walkers who aren’t put off by the unpredictable weather often encountered at higher altitudes.
Millet Fitz Roy
Combining a waterproof membrane with heat-sealed seams, the Fitz Roy hiking jacket from Millet offers effective protection against wind and bad weather. A reliable choice when conditions are uncertain, it features underarm vents that can be easily opened and closed to help regulate your body temperature. This allows you to hike without overheating, even during more intense outings.
Ortovox Piz Selva 2.5L Jacket
Designed for serious alpine pursuits, the Piz Selva 2.5L Jacket from Ortovox stands out for its lightness and high level of performance. Not only does it provide excellent wind protection, but it’s also highly effective in heavy rain or snowfall, thanks to its 20K/15K waterproof and breathable membrane. It also benefits from a blend of technical fibres and merino wool, which helps regulate body temperature during climbs.
Black Diamond M Fineline Stretch Shell
When a downpour hits the trail or the wind picks up along a ridge, the Black Diamond M Fineline Stretch Shell jacket proves its worth. Its BD.dry membrane effectively blocks out moisture while remaining breathable—especially appreciated when climbing over rocky terrain. Its fit and stretch fabric move with you, helping you stay focused through technical sections. The underarm vents are a real bonus, allowing you to release heat and sweat without needing to take off the jacket.
DARE2B Torrek Breathe Out Jacket
The Torrek Breathe Out Jacket by Dare2B features an ARED 20K/30K waterproof and breathable membrane that keeps you perfectly dry, even in heavy downpours. As well as being protective, it’s highly practical thanks to its numerous pockets, underarm vents, and the ability to fold and pack it away into its own hood. Versatile and well-balanced, it combines technical performance with everyday convenience.
Our selection of the best women’s windproof jackets
To help you make the right choice, here is our selection of the best windproof hiking jackets for women this season. We hope you’ll find the model that best meets your needs among these options.
Lafuma Access Jacket W
Designed by Lafuma, the Access Jacket W hiking jacket offers women effective protection not only from the wind but also from rain, thanks to its CLIMACTIVE waterproof and breathable membrane and heat-sealed seams. It is incredibly lightweight and comes with a comfortable hood, making it a perfect choice for enjoying every outing in the great outdoors.
Columbia Inner Limits III Jacket
Also offering excellent comfort, the Inner Limits III Jacket by Columbia provides effective protection against the wind. Thanks to its Omni-Tech membrane, it is both waterproof and breathable, and features a hood that offers reliable shelter—whatever the weather conditions.
DARE2B Torrek Breathe Easy Jacket
In addition to being windproof, the Torrek Breathe Easy Jacket from Dare2B is fully waterproof and breathable, thanks to its high-performance ARED 20K/30K membrane and fully sealed seams. When the wind picks up and the rain intensifies, you can count on staying dry. To enhance breathability, it features zipped underarm vents that can be opened or closed to regulate your body temperature.
Black Diamond W Fineline Stretch Shell
Also equipped with zipped underarm vents, the Black Diamond W Fineline Stretch Shell technical jacket is impressively lightweight. It features a BD.dry™ membrane that provides excellent protection against wind and rain. Easily packable, it can be folded and stored in one of its side pockets, taking up minimal space in your backpack.
Patagonia W's Granite Crest Jkt
Perfect for tackling wind and rain while walking in the great outdoors, the Patagonia Granite Crest Jacket features a waterproof and breathable H2No membrane. Made from nylon recycled from fishing nets, it includes zipped underarm vents to help you easily regulate your body temperature.
What is the difference between a windbreaker and a waterproof hiking jacket?
A windbreaker is designed to provide excellent protection against the wind, whether it's strong or moderate, while still allowing good breathability to let perspiration evaporate. Its main purpose is to block out the wind and reduce the feeling of cold. A waterproof jacket, on the other hand, features a specific membrane that acts as a barrier against moisture, whether from raindrops or snowflakes. There are various levels of waterproofness, offering resistance to light or heavy precipitation. Many windbreakers are also waterproof and breathable, enabling effective regulation of body heat to help prevent overheating when the temperature rises or the intensity increases.
Does a water-repellent windbreaker protect you from the rain?
Most windbreakers offer light protection against moisture thanks to a water-repellent finish, which causes water droplets to slide off the surface of the fabric during a light shower. However, this does not guarantee waterproofness in the case of heavy or prolonged rainfall. If the weather is truly wet, a waterproof jacket remains the most suitable choice.
Does a windbreaker keep you warm?
A windbreaker generally doesn't have an insulating lining and therefore doesn't provide direct warmth like a winter coat or a ski jacket. However, by effectively blocking the wind, it reduces the sensation of cold and limits heat loss, helping to maintain comfort. If you're walking in cold weather, we recommend using the 3-layer system, with a fleece or down jacket as the mid-layer, worn directly underneath the windbreaker.
What is a technical hardshell coat?
Hardshell jackets are waterproof, windproof, and breathable, making them ideal for mountain hiking, mountaineering, ski touring, and more. Many users simply refer to them as Gore-Tex jackets, since they are often made with a Gore-Tex membrane.