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I’ve never had much respect for the “wind jacket” as a layering piece. Maybe it’s because I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s. Back then they were called “windbreakers,” a term that makes me think of my high school track coach. It’s also the first layer I throw out when I want to lighten my pack. But I’ve grown an insane amount of affection for my Mountain Equipment Aerofoil Wind Jacket, and it gives me a little peace of mind, so much so that I never leave the house without it.
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(Photo courtesy of Mountain Equipment)
Men’s Mountain Equipment Aerofoil Full Zip Jacket
$150 at Backcountry $150 at REI
Jacket Specifications
To be fair, Mountain Equipment doesn’t call the Aerofoil a windbreaker; they call it a soft shell, but you wouldn’t be wrong, as this jacket is designed to neutralize the wind. This jacket is specifically made for quick, light mountain climbs where you need to carry an extra layer but don’t want to fill up your backpack with a heavy jacket. The Aerofoil is a slim item that weighs just 4.2 ounces and fits into its own chest pocket. It takes up about the same space as a bologna sandwich.
I like the slim, athletic cut, but the material stretches enough that you don’t have to dislocate your shoulders when taking it off. I’ve used superlight jackets where the material wasn’t stretchy enough that you had to do some acrobatic skills, but not the Aerofoil. The cuffs are bound with elastane, as is the drawcord at the hem, so it fits to you no matter how windy it is. In other words, there’s no annoying “flapping” even in gusts of wind. The hood fits over a helmet, but can be tightened with a toggle at the back, and the hem drops down in the back so you don’t see your crotch when you’re on your bike or bending over to take pictures of flowers.
They’re all great, but the Aerofoil has become my favorite layer this spring because it’s so comfortable. The fabric is Mountain Equipment’s Exolite, a double-weave stretchy soft shell fabric. You wouldn’t know it’s a soft shell by the looks of it, but the inside is buttery soft against your skin. It’s not as soft as fleece, but the brushed texture is nice and cozy so you don’t feel like you’re wearing a plastic bag. I wear it with short sleeves all the time and it’s so comfortable, it’s like a comfort blanket.
How we tested
I used the Aerofoil exactly as it was designed to do. It was a long, fast hike around Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park, with the sun out but a gust of wind coming off the Pacific Ocean. I got a bit of cold saltwater splashing around on the Zodiac as I made my way to the pier, but the Aerofoil was a lifesaver. I was dry by the time I got from one end of the pier to the other, and I wore it on and off throughout the rest of the day’s hike. But honestly, I’d still take the Aerofoil even if there was no wind, because I would never leave the house without it, just like a kindergartener would never go to school without a blanket in his pocket.
I’ve only had my Aerofoil for a few weeks now, but I’ve grown quite attached to it. Spring is a crazy season. Cold mornings and hot afternoons. Sudden rain, frost, and snow… sometimes all in the same day. All I know about the weather in the southern Appalachians where I live is that it changes, probably without warning.
So whether I’m walking the dog on a crisp morning just after sunrise or mountain biking the singletrack of Pisgah National Forest, it’s the Aerofoil I wear. It’s the one I wear on my ranch road ride after finishing all the climbs and the long, cold descent back into town. It’s the one I wear at the end of the night after a bar crawl around town with the boys. It’s small enough to tuck in the back of my jersey pocket when I’m cycling, or in my wife’s purse when we’re going to a festival and she’ll barely notice.
What are the drawbacks?
My only complaint about the Aerofoil is that it doesn’t have hand pockets. At 4.2 ounces, I understand that some sacrifices are necessary and the lack of hand pockets isn’t that big of an issue. The jacket does have a Napoleon chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack and is large enough for snacks and maps. It’s too small for a cell phone, but that’s because my phone is about the same size as the TV that was in our living room as a kid. A normal-sized phone would probably slip into the chest pocket without a problem.
Final thoughts
Other than the lack of hand pockets, I have nothing bad to say about the Mountain Equipment Aerofoil. This jacket has completely changed my prejudices about windproof jackets and now it’s the added security I didn’t know I needed.
