Light windproof tops are often called windshirts, though they are usually really jackets or smocks. The Rohan Ether is actually a shirt though, with a stud-fastened front and cuff s and a shirt collar. Also unusual is the fabric, a fast drying and wicking hollow core polypropylene, a material more usually found in base layers. This fabric is also very soft but not fully windproof – Rohan describes it as “highly wind-resistant”. On windy summer days I’ve found it adequate but it’s not an outer layer for winter storms. In fact it’s really a more wind-resistant hiking shirt rather than a windproof top. I can wear it over a light fl eece but it feels wrong and I’d be more likely to wear it under the fleece. The plain hem means it’s comfortable tucked into trousers. The collar has a hidden stud and fl ap so it can be held up to close off the neck. The pocket won’t take a map but is roomy enough for GPS, phone and similar items. The stud-fastened cuff s mean the sleeves can be easily ventilated and rolled up.
Rohan Ether
Chris Townsend heads into the notoriously windy Cairngorms to test the best jackets for keeping the chill out ‰ЫТ and explains why windproofs are invaluable all-year-round
Specifications
Details
MATERIALS: hollow core polypropylene HOOD: no FRONT CLOSURE: studs POCKETS: 1 chest HEM: plain CUFFS: studs SIZES: S-XXL WEIGHT: 163g ORIGIN: Vietnam PRICE: Ј70 WEBSITE: www.rohan.co.uk