Arc'teryx - Squamish Hoody - Windproof jacket tested

Needed this much sooner, but a windproof jacket (or windshirt) is perfect for those autumn/spring days when a fleece might be warm enough but you a) need a little extra insurance or b) you expect to encounter variable wind which would blow right through the fleece.

The Squamish is extremely light, and packs away into its own chest pocket. Perfect to just throw in a backpack even a small 18-20L pack. Or just tie it to the outside if you're that pushed for space.

I've worn it over a fleece, or without a fleece (long sleeved shirt), depending on temperature and winds.

That said, like any jacket of this type, it's a pity that the wrist cuffs lack an absorption layer of cloth where it contacts the wrists. The material will not absorb sweat. Easily managed with keep the adjustable cuffs over my shirt/fleece cuffs. This would definitely not be something to wear with a short sleeved shirt where your whole arms are in skin contact.

Not a mark against the Squamish Hoody, but I would have opted for a non-hooded variant in hindsight. I'm not big on hoods, and having a useless (to me) flap of cloth on a windy day leads to a bit of tucking away and fiddling. There is a hoodless variant...somewhere...but haven't found a UK source for it.

--- review of an older model ---