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A highly breathable wind shell is a great piece of gear for backpackers and aerobic athletes. It works like an extension of your skin, creating a microclimate in which your thin summer insulating layers work in a mostly dry, wind-free environment. End game? You stay comfortable longer in threatening environments.
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This extremely versatile garment can be worn from deep winter as a midlayer or aerobic shell or tucked into a backpack in summer as a part of a foul-weather layering system.
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This year, Outdoor Research released the Helium Hybrid Jacket. With its waterproof/breathable Pertex Shield+ in the shoulders and hood and super breathable stretch nylon arms and torso, OR puts water protection only where absolutely necessary. We tested it to see where it washed out.
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