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Posted By: pointer HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
Anyone have experience with the jacket listed in the title? It has a lot of features that I'm looking for in a general purpose jacket.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/4/ProductID/57

[Linked Image]
Posted By: BeanMan Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
It’s not waterproof so that rules it out for me.
Posted By: RCL Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
HPG make quality outdoor gear.
I have purchased a pack and several other items from them and have been impressed.
Posted By: Formidilosus Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
Originally Posted by pointer
Anyone have experience with the jacket listed in the title? It has a lot of features that I'm looking for in a general purpose jacket.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/4/ProductID/57

[Linked Image]



It and First Spear’s. What I do are you looking for?
Posted By: BeanMan Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
I just came back from looking at their gear in the Grand Junction store. It’s fairly nice stuff that is made in America. I told them at the store that i’d l’d like to see 4 way stretch in their shell.
Posted By: pointer Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
Originally Posted by Formidilosus
Originally Posted by pointer
Anyone have experience with the jacket listed in the title? It has a lot of features that I'm looking for in a general purpose jacket.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/4/ProductID/57

[Linked Image]



It and First Spear’s. What I do are you looking for?
Just ran across it and it looks like it checks a lot of boxes for a general use jacket. That first thing to toss on over my base layers + fleece when it's mild and to wear over those things when on the move a bit when it's colder. Would still have a rain shell or puffy as the weather dictates.

I like that it's wind resistent, has pit zips, and appears to shed a bit of water. Right now I fill that roll with a Cabelas microtex jacket, but it doesn't really cut the wind enough, doesn't have pit zips, and the pockets aren't in the best places when wearing a pack.
Posted By: cwh2 Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
I think Evan did a good video on it.

Doesn't fit into what I carry for a backpack trip, as I'm always going to have a rain jacket, and that can double as a windproof layer. I can see it working really well for drier climates, and I could see using it a ton for 2-3 day trips or base camp hunts.
Posted By: David_Walter Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/28/18
These are cheap and rugged:

USA ECWCS Gen III Level 4 Wind Shirt
Posted By: CCH Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/29/18
I have had one for a while. It is the sort of jacket you can wear and still do stuff. I've got some pretty high tech rain shells, and still can't move around in them much without sweating. The Windcheater is durable and quiet, but very breathable. The pit zips make a huge difference in comfort while moving. They are definitely not waterproof, nor meant to be, but they will bead up if you just hit some sprinkles. For it to fit into backpacking, you have to look it as a shirt/jacket or else you end up with too much weight and redundant layers. I wear it over a base layer only and can move around in mild to cold weather comfortably. When stopping for any length of time, I add a puffy. Quality is excellent. It's a jacket you wear rather than carry in your pack.
Posted By: Ed_T Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/29/18
The Windcheater is a great jacket. Like CCH said, it’s a jacket you wear.
Great features with the pit zippers, Napoleon pockets, handwarmer pockets and maybe best of all, you can zip on a fur ruff.
There are lighter wind shell jackets, but I don’t think you will find a better jacket as far a features and durability.
I’ve used the Windcheater in light rain and wet snow and it did fine. The fact that it isn’t waterproof is what makes it useful to me. My true waterproof shells get very little use where I live.
Posted By: pointer Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/29/18
CCH & EdT- Thanks for that info. It appears to be what I'm looking for.
Posted By: SnowyMountaineer Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/29/18
Looks like a good cold weather action suit. I use my Patagonia Knifeblade the same way I'd use this.
Posted By: Formidilosus Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/29/18
Originally Posted by pointer
Just ran across it and it looks like it checks a lot of boxes for a general use jacket. That first thing to toss on over my base layers + fleece when it's mild and to wear over those things when on the move a bit when it's colder. Would still have a rain shell or puffy as the weather dictates.

I like that it's wind resistent, has pit zips, and appears to shed a bit of water. Right now I fill that roll with a Cabelas microtex jacket, but it doesn't really cut the wind enough, doesn't have pit zips, and the pockets aren't in the best places when wearing a pack.



It should do well for you then. The others pretty well summed it up. It doesn’t usually fit into my backpack hunting system, but for general use and as an outside layer it’s solid.
Posted By: pointer Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/29/18
Thanks guys. Will have to see if Santa can fit one in his sleigh!
Posted By: huskyrunner Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/30/18
Love the design. If I ever get to a drier climate, it is on the list for sure. The Hill Brothers are the Paul Ramers of the backcountry gear world.
Posted By: Ed_T Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/30/18
Originally Posted by huskyrunnr
Love the design. If I ever get to a drier climate, it is on the list for sure. The Hill Brothers are the Paul Ramers of the backcountry gear world.



Very good analogy. HPG makes bomber gear that has the features needed for function without fluffy bells and whistles found on so much gear today.
Posted By: huntsman22 Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/30/18
Do fluffy bells and whistles help keep the bears away?
Posted By: Ed_T Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/30/18
Originally Posted by huntsman22
Do fluffy bells and whistles help keep the bears away?


No, they just make it easier for the bear to find you.
Posted By: smokepole Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/30/18
Dang, now I have to google Paul Ramer......
Posted By: pointer Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/30/18
Originally Posted by smokepole
Dang, now I have to google Paul Ramer......
You and me both...
Posted By: Ed_T Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 11/30/18
Originally Posted by pointer
Originally Posted by smokepole
Dang, now I have to google Paul Ramer......
You and me both...


Just don’t die the way Paul Ramer did.
Posted By: BeanMan Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 12/06/18
I tried one on today and liked it very much. Maybe my Wife will make it a Christmas gift.
Posted By: NYStillHunter Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 01/19/19
Bad way to go
Posted By: BeanMan Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 01/19/19
Care to say why?

Originally Posted by NYStillHunter
Bad way to go
Posted By: huskyrunner Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 01/20/19
I think he’s referring to Paul Ramer who died of mad cow disease, not to the wind cheater.
Posted By: 175rltw Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 01/20/19
It’s certainly “roomy” enough. Be a good one to wear to thanksgiving dinner. I’d prefer it didn’t fit like an outer layer for an Everest expedition. But the first spear version is the same. Like you going to throw that jacket on over kit - I always hated that about it
Posted By: NYStillHunter Re: HPG Wind Cheater - 01/22/19
Originally Posted by huskyrunnr
I think he’s referring to Paul Ramer who died of mad cow disease, not to the wind cheater.


I was referring to Paul Ramer.

I have a First Spear version of the Wind Cheater and I live in it when out on the trail.

It blocks the wind, handles light rain and adds insulation.

It is like an OR Ferrosi on Steroids.
I wish it had the HPG version as a coyote ruff would be useful and the Napoleon pockets would be more useful then the arm pockets.

It is one of my favourite articles of outerwear.
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