Things You'll Need:
- Windbreakers
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Step 1
Thumb through a couple of reputable outdoor magazines for articles and reviews of equipment to find out the most recommended models and manufacturers of windbreakers. If there's a particular product that interests you and you can't find a review of it, call the manufacturer and ask if the product has been reviewed in an outdoor magazine.
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Step 2
Consider opting for a windbreaker without waterproofing if you'll be hiking or backpacking in an area where rain is unlikely. Water-impervious materials are usually more expensive, heavier and not as breathable.
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Step 3
Look for simplicity: zippers with pulls you can zip and unzip with ease, fabric fastener closures, no complex adjustments. The more features, the heavier the windbreaker and the more likely it is that things will tear, creating unwelcome vents.
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Step 4
Look for sleeves that are long enough to pull over your hands if the wind becomes nippy, and that have fabric fastener cuffs for an easier fit with or without gloves.
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Step 5
Look for a windbreaker with an adjustable hood. Try the windbreaker on in a store with your pack on and make sure it's comfortable with the hood up and the pack on.
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Step 6
Make sure that the jacket fits comfortably and loosely to allow for ventilation and layering underneath, and that the zippers and fabric fastener closures close securely and are covered with flaps to protect these openings from the wind. Make sure the pockets are accessible with your pack on, and consider vents in the armpits.
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Step 7
Choose a windbreaker without any additional insulation. One of the basic principles of layering is to never use one article of clothing where you can use two - this allows you more versatility in adjusting to temperatures.
