Women’s Windshell Jackets at Arc’teryx
A women’s windshell should stay out of the way. It blocks wind on exposed ground, breathes when you push the pace and stows when the sun comes out. The jackets here differ most in length, fit and pockets, with the Solano suited to everyday hiking, the Naya and Altira cropped for day hikes and the Norvan Jacket the ultralight option.
What cut of women’s windshell jacket suits your stride?
For a cut that suits your stride, the Solano Hoody has been updated with a shorter length for more room to move, and it keeps two-layer GORE-TEX on the body, hood and sleeves for focused wind protection in exposed, variable conditions. If you prefer a higher hem, the Naya Cropped Jacket and the Altira Cropped Jacket sit shorter still, and the Altira adds relaxed shoulders and a hem cinch to lock out drafts. Add women’s hiking pants cut for the same stride.
Is a women’s windshell good for humid summer storms?
Australian summer storms arrive warm and wind-driven, so a women’s windshell has to breathe as well as block gusts. The Naya Cropped Jacket pairs windproof protection with a next-to-skin backer engineered for breathability in humid summer storms, and the Solano Hoody adds highly breathable fabric under the arms for sticky climbs. When the downpour sets in for the day, switch to a women’s rain jacket.
Do women’s windshell jackets have useful pockets?
Pockets change how a women’s windshell works on the trail. The Emaris Relaxed Jacket carries six utility pockets, two of them dual-entry with bellows, the Liatris has WaterTight zips on its chest pockets to protect electronics from moisture, and the Norvan Jacket stows into a zippered hip pocket so it travels with you. When the kit grows beyond your pockets, add a women’s hiking backpack.
Women’s Windshell FAQs
Which women’s windshell jacket has room for layers underneath?
In a women’s windshell, the Emaris Relaxed Jacket has a layer-friendly fit, and the Liatris is a relaxed-fit jacket with space for layers underneath. Both suit a women’s hiking fleece on cold starts. Check the fit notes on each product page and try the jacket on with the layer you plan to wear, since a relaxed cut and a trimmer cut leave very different amounts of room.
Which women’s windshell jackets come with a hood?
The Solano Hoody has a hood with the same two-layer wind protection as the body, the Altira Cropped Jacket has an adjustable StormHood and the Norvan Jacket has a fully adjustable hood with a small brim. The Solano Jacket is built to provide weather resistance without a hood, which keeps the neck clear if you like less bulk in a women’s windshell.
Which women’s windshell jacket is lightest to carry?
The Norvan Jacket is the ultralight pick for a women’s windshell, with a packable design and a stowable zippered hip pocket. The Naya Cropped Jacket is a lightweight, breathable layer for day hikes, and the Solano Hoody adds focused wind protection without adding bulk to your worn weight. Check the weight on each product page, since it varies by size.
How do I look after a women’s windshell jacket?
Wash your women’s windshell when it starts to wet out. Jackets with ePE membranes can show water soaking into the face fabric slightly faster, which Arc’teryx says does not affect the membrane itself. Washing and drying the jacket removes oil contamination and brings the DWR finish back to full strength, and our wash and repair page has the details.
