Outdoor Research Cirque Windshirt
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THE SELL: A tough, stretchy, streamlined pullover. THE TEST: At first we didn’t know what to make of the Cirque Windshirt, with its unique side zip and texturized fabric. But the tightly woven fabric—one tester described it as “lightweight, stretchy Cordura”—breathed surprisingly well on a colder trail run. Then we took it into a limestone cave to see if the fabric was as tough as it seems. Yup: it was unfazed by tight squeezes through jagged rocks that would have shredded (or at least ripped) weaker shells. THE VERDICT: What it lacks in features (there’s just one pocket and no waist or wrist closures) it makes up in durability. Windshirt is a bit of a misnomer—it’s more like an indestructible lightweight soft shell. Take it bushwhacking or climbing.
Wind/water resistance: 3.5
Breathability: 4.5
