Lightweight wind shell with rock-resistant strength [Wind River AP Hoody]

We received his impressions of the Wind River AP Hoody from Takanobu Mizuno, a mountain guide who enjoys all-round activities including year-round mountaineering, variation routes, various climbing activities, and backcountry skiing.

Takanobu Mizuno [ TAKANOBU MIZUNO ] https://guide-mizuno.com/

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Teton Bros. has released the Wind River AP Hoody, an alpine model that emphasizes durability of its classic spring/summer wind shell, the Wind River Hoody.

I knew that the material used was HPPE (high-strength polyethylene), which has excellent abrasion resistance and tear strength, but I headed out to the rocks to try it out in the field and gain some confidence...

I tried climbing in the cracks of Squeeze Chimney, rubbing the clothing against rocks to the point that it would tear. As a result, even when it came into contact with rocks, the fabric did not get rubbed or torn, so I was very satisfied with the durability.

Another requirement for an alpine wind shell is that it be light and compact.
When climbing, you need a lot of equipment, such as belay devices, carabiners, slings, and ropes, so when it comes to clothing, you want to be as light as possible and face the rocks lightly without sacrificing durability. In that respect, I felt that the Wind River AP Hoody, which weighs about 100g and is packable and compact, would be superior to rainwear or soft shells.

Now that it's possible to move around in just a base layer (T-shirt), you'll likely find yourself racking the Wind River AP Hoody onto your harness and heading to the mountains. When the wind picks up or you get cold at altitude, you can put it on quickly by leaving the jacket on and putting one sleeve through, without worrying about it blowing off.

This is one piece of gear I can't live without this season.

<Photo: Worn clothing>

Wind River AP Hoody / Axio Lite Hoody / Ridge Pant