GoreTex Windstopper Fleece - does it work?

**SquawMan** · 04-10-2005, 05:48 PM

due to all the end of season sales, I am looking to possibly pick up a fleece jacket to go under a down vest to ski in Spring conditions

does anyone have any good/bad experiences with GoreTex "WindStopper" fleece?

NorthFace has then 60% off locally

does it stop the cold at high speeds while skiing? if so, how cold can it protect you at? how about when sitting on a lift?

is it still breathable because it's made by GoreTex?

does the fabric need any special care to maintain?

would appreciate opinions by current users

**glademaster** · 04-10-2005, 05:51 PM

I have a windstopper vest and love it. Had it for like 4 years now, prolly worn it 1000 days and its still great. It isn't super warm when you're stationery and isn't the most breathable stuff out there, but I still love it. 110% windproof, reasonably breathable, great for spring skiing with Silkweight capilene and a hoody.

If its a vest or jacket with vents, go for it, you'll love it. Not as breathable as a softshell, but IMHO, far more practical. I give the stuff 4 thumbs up.

**Nate Dogg** · 04-10-2005, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by glademaster

I have a windstopper vest and love it. Had it for like 4 years now, prolly worn it 1000 days and its still great. It isn't super warm when you're stationery and isn't the most breathable stuff out there, but I still love it. 110% windproof, reasonably breathable, great for spring skiing with Silkweight capilene and a hoody.

If its a vest or jacket with vents, go for it, you'll love it. Not as breathable as a softshell, but IMHO, far more practical. I give the stuff 4 thumbs up.

Must be pretty durable too if you've worn it every day for two and three quarters of the last four years

**schuss** · 04-10-2005, 07:25 PM

YES

I have another variety of windproof fleece, the EMS windbloc, and after 6 years it's still my favority outdoor garment. Once you know the joys of 2 layers of wind-blocking, you'll never go back.

**bad_roo** · 04-11-2005, 06:28 AM

I've got a North Face windstopper fleece that zips into a jacket. It's a useful piece of kit. A little bulkier than some layering garments and there are the usual TNF quality issues (elastic went in one of the cuffs after a couple of weeks) but it does its job extremely well.

**Core Shot** · 04-11-2005, 07:24 AM

Windstopper fleece feels different to me. The "hand" of the fabric is stiff and clunky. You can feel the stiffness of the membrane inside. My new Arcteryx softshell is Polartec "Power Shield" which also has a membrane inside, but feels softer. Both are windproof.

As an outer shell, I think it is good (either WS or PowerShield). It really stops most of the wind. When skiing you feel a bit of a draft, but no bone chilling flow through.
Also, most of these jackets no longer have pit-zips, so you lose that venting feature.
Also, if you are spring skiing, try to get a lighter color so you dont bake in teh sun.
As long as it aint raining (or windy and facking cold), WS or any soft shell will be cozy warm, even in winter.

As a layering garment, I prefer regular fleece. Windstopper is thinner, not as warm and nowhere near as breathable as fleece. A WS vest is OK for me, but using a long sleeve WS jacket underneath means you cannot vent and breathe properly once you overheat.

**SquawMan** · 04-11-2005, 07:55 AM

good comments so far guy, thx

doing my research, I found a good article that compares the various windstopping fabrics in case you are interested

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/ar...98438328981256

**Mountain Junkie** · 04-11-2005, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by SquawMan

does anyone have any good/bad experiences with GoreTex "WindStopper" fleece?

I've had a Windstopper fleece for 7 years. Due to newer, better fabrics, I mainly use it as a go to the bar jacket.

Originally Posted by SquawMan

does it stop the cold at high speeds while skiing? if so, how cold can it protect you at? how about when sitting on a lift?

The material cuts wind very well. As for warmth, the material offers the same amout of 'warmth' as a conventional fleece in zero-wind conditions. Layer accordingly.

Originally Posted by SquawMan

is it still breathable because it's made by GoreTex?

BWAAHHAAAAA!!!!!

Originally Posted by SquawMan

does the fabric need any special care to maintain?

No.

Originally Posted by SquawMan

would appreciate opinions by current users

IMHO, if you can afford it, there are more versatile jackets out there. I have been sporting a Patagucci Dimension jacket this spring. Possibly the best jacket I have ever had. Windproof, waterproof soft shell (breathable).

**SquawMan** · 04-11-2005, 09:04 AM

NorthFace trash-talking the Windstopper.....

Description of The North Face WindWall 1 Jacket - Men's :

The North Face Men's WindWall 1 Jacket expands the boundary of traditional Gore WindStopper jackets to offer greatly increased breathability, mobility, and comfort. WindWall is a TNF proprietary fleece fabric that provides awesome wind protection, yet allows enough air permeability for aerobic activities. Unlike WindStopper, which can uncomfortably trap moisture and excess heat, WindWall keeps you dry, warm, and operating at your highest performance level. Perfect for outdoor activities as diverse as backcountry skiing, hiking, or just an evening stroll around town, the WindWall 1 may well help you forget about traditional fleece and WindStopper jackets altogether.

Bottom Line: Protect yourself from the gale with the WindWall 1.

**Shin-to-Win** · 04-11-2005, 11:38 AM

I heart my North Face Sentinel windstopper fleece. Great for sunny days on the hill and for heading to the bar. I wear it constantly off the hill becasue it's a perfect weight for the cool-but-not-cold weather in the PacNW. I washed it last month for the first time in 4 years and it came out looking and feeling like new.

As others have said, it's not ideal for layering under something because it doesn't breathe as well as normal fleece or capilene. It can get clammy when hiking.

**Meathelmet** · 04-11-2005, 12:17 PM

Have personally the Arcteryx Gamma SV (powershield) and Mammuts Castor panties (shoeller extreme) and have nothing but praise of them.

I used to use some (berghaus?) windstopper but as stated here, it was hot, clumsy and the first ones around here were with the usuall fleece, which got
more snow stuck to it than... well, something.

I have had the gamma for 3years now, and i now understand better why people praise arcteryx chlothes. I use it propably 100+ days a year, climbing,skinning, running and as a everyday jacket and it looks brand new. It keeps the wind out, breathes very well and even keeps out the rain for 1-2 hours. The only gripe that i dont use it even more is that it doesnt have a hood. Otherwise, A+.

The pants are exelent too. Use at the same rompings, have taken lot of abuse and no problems. Exept the sticky insides of the shoeller material makes it a bit uncomfortable on hot days, if you use them without your capillenes. Their "waterproofness" is allso a bit poorer than on powershield,
but they dry pretty quickly.

13 · 04-11-2005, 12:30 PM

6 years with a TNF windstopper fleece. It got me through 4 cold, moist, and windy winters in Michigan as my only layer 85% of the time.

"Stiff and clunky?" WTF? It's fabric.

**Core Shot** · 04-11-2005, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by 13

"Stiff and clunky?" WTF? It's fabric.

Talk to anyone in the clothing biz and its called "hand" - ie. how the shit feels when you put your hands on it.

Its the difference between a $200 suit at Sears and a $800+ suit at a real store.

"Stiff" is a relative term compared to my new Arcteryx softshell which has "Polartec Power Shield" fabric, which is not as stiff, and is actually a stretchable fabric.

the point I was trying to make is that I prefer Power Shield. YMMV

**Spats** · 04-11-2005, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by SquawMan

Unlike WindStopper, which can uncomfortably trap moisture and excess heat

And all this time I thought outerwear was supposed to keep you warm! Maybe that's not a feature of the new technical garments.

I have a full Windstopper layer, jacket and pants, which I wear under my hard shell. I like it because it forms an effective vapor barrier near the skin, and as such is incredibly warm for the weight.

IMO, "breathability" is way overrated, and venting way underrated. A couple square inches of venting will pass more moisture than an entire Gore-Tex jacket. If you buy Windstopper, make absolutely sure it's got pit zips.

**SquawMan** · 04-11-2005, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Spats

And all this time I thought outerwear was supposed to keep you warm! Maybe that's not a feature of the new technical garments.

I have a full Windstopper layer, jacket and pants, which I wear under my hard shell. I like it because it forms an effective vapor barrier near the skin, and as such is incredibly warm for the weight.

IMO, "breathability" is way overrated, and venting way underrated. A couple square inches of venting will pass more moisture than an entire Gore-Tex jacket. If you buy Windstopper, make absolutely sure it's got pit zips.

will do, THX