If we could only recommend one windbreaker to every hiker, this would be it

Take one step outside today and you’ll no doubt be slapped in the face with a gust of wind. If you hadn’t already worked it out, summer is well and truly over, heartlessly snatched away in an instant after months of sunshine.

Which means it’s time to chuck your shorts and suncream to the back of the wardrobe and turn to clothing that’ll actually look after you when you brave the outside world.

Heavy duty waterproof jackets may feel like overkill when the rain comes and goes in short spells, while jumpers and fleeces don’t quite offer the wind protection you need when there are gusts hitting you in excess of 50mph.

What you need, my friend, is a windbreaker.

(Oh, and we’d recommend staying away from exposed mountain terrain in conditions like this, too!).

The magic of windbreakers

Windbreakers come in various shapes, sizes and thicknesses, from wafer thin options for trail runners to heavy duty options designed to be worn by mountaineers clinging onto the side of a mountain.

While they’re technically different product categories, you’ll often find people talking about softshell jackets when they mean windbreakers and vice versa.

Not all softshell jackets are entirely windproof, but most are wind resistant at the very least. The good ones will halt cold breezes in their tracks while still allowing your body to vent and sweat to escape.

That’s why in changeable conditions they’re often preferable to full waterproofs – they’ll keep showers at bay (often via a durable water repellent coating) without sacrificing comfort and breathability.

Typically, the more windproof a windbreaker is, the less breathable it’ll be, so it’s always handy to try to achieve a balance that suits your needs.

To make that easier for you, we’ve pulled out one product that excels at wind protection over its competitors.

The top windbreaker for gusty weather

The Berghaus Ridge Roamer Softshell Jacket stands out as our top choice for a windbreaker because it combines strong weather protection with comfort and flexibility.

Although it didn’t win best in test in our best softshell jackets article, expert gear reviewer Matt Jones did score the highest score for wind protection, with a rating of 5/5.

This three-layer jacket is made from 100% recycled polyester with a four-way stretch, making it both soft and easy to move in.

It has a bonded waterproof membrane and taped seams, which means it handles wind and rain almost as well as a waterproof jacket, yet feels much softer and lighter than a typical hardshell.

The Ridge Roamer weighs just 420g, making it lighter than many similar jackets, and its fit is trim but not tight, with good length in the arms and torso.

The jacket features a comfortable, grid-textured inner, a well-designed adjustable hood, and three useful pockets.

Its weather resistance is excellent, with rain beading off the surface and wind kept firmly at bay.

Breathability is good for a membrane jacket, though it is a bit warmer and less airy than simpler softshells, and it lacks pit zips for extra ventilation.

The only real downside is the oversized cuffs, which cannot be adjusted. Despite this, the Ridge Roamer is a reliable, comfortable choice for wet and windy conditions, making it the favourite windbreaker that we’ve tested to date.

About the authors

This article was pulled together by LFTO deputy editor Rob Slade, who's been testing and reviewing gear professionally for over 10 years.

To compile this article, Rob leant on the reviews of experienced outdoor journalist Matt Jones, who was formerly editor of Scouting and Walk magazine.