Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell Review: Lightweight Protection
Zach Waymire Zach Waymire

Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell Review: Lightweight Protection

Tiny, packable, and surprisingly protective, the Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell feels best on windy hikes, scrambles, and alpine approaches. This review covers where it shines, where it runs hot, and why it makes more sense for mountain days than hard runs or rides.

Read More
Janji Zephyrunner Review: A Wind Shell Built to Move
Zach Waymire Zach Waymire

Janji Zephyrunner Review: A Wind Shell Built to Move

The Janji Zephyrunner is one of the better running wind shells I’ve used. It blocks enough wind to matter, breathes well once the pace picks up, stays impressively quiet on the run, and packs down small enough to disappear into a vest. The tradeoff is weather resistance, as it wets through sooner than some other jackets in this category.

Read More
Patagonia Houdini Jacket Review: Tiny Pack Size, Big Wind Protection
Zach Waymire Zach Waymire

Patagonia Houdini Jacket Review: Tiny Pack Size, Big Wind Protection

The Patagonia Houdini Jacket is light, tiny when packed, and excellent at cutting wind, but it is not the do-it-all windbreaker its reputation might suggest. After hiking, backpacking, and running in it around Reno-Tahoe, I came away with a much more specific take on where it shines and where it starts to show its limits.

Read More