Outdoor Vitals Nebo Windbreaker - Best Windbreaker ???
“JW Schmotzer is a participant in the Outdoor Vitals Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to their websites.”
”If it looks like an affiliate link, it probably is...”
Up until a few years ago I never had a “real” windbreaker. From my many years of hammock camping, I certainly knew the value of preventing the loss of heat by convection, but when I was out and about running errands and such, it never really occurred to me to simply wear a windbreaker, well, to block the wind and prevent or reduce convective heat loss. That all changed a few years ago when I finally got my first windbreaker, though, and ever since, I have drastically adjusted my layering system. Today I want to tell you a little bit about the newest windbreaker in my stable: the Nebo Windbreaker from Outdoor Vitals, a company that I’ve really come to appreciate in the past year or so.
For full disclosure, while I do participate in the Outdoor Vitals affiliate program, I paid for the Nebo Windbreaker myself, only getting the Spring launch discount that was available to anyone.
The Nebo Windbreaker is available in two colors: Black and Dark Forest, and it’s available in sizes Small through 3XL. I bought the 2XL, and it’s a big snug on me compared to the 3XL version of the Vario Active Jacket from Outdoor Vitals, which I find to be very comfortable. Outdoor Vitals lists the Medium Nebo Windbreaker as weighing in at an impressively ultralight weight of a whopping 4 Ounces, and on my scale, my 2XL registers at 4.8 Ounces!
Pros:
While I kinda wish that I had gotten the 3XL size so that it would better fit over bulkier mid layers, the 2XL fits more snug, which is perfect for wearing it with just a baselayer.
The weight. Oh, yes. The weight is glorious! At 4.8 Ounces, I won’t even notice it in my backpack or haversack.
The packability. Yeah. This thing packs down small. Again, I won’t notice it in my backpack or haversack once it’s compressed.
Another legitimate use for the Nebo Windbreaker is throwing it on for protection from mosquitos and biting flies, as the nylon material offers a lightweight barrier of protection from biting insects. On a cool night when the bugs are out, this might just be the layer to go to!
Cons:
Well, since I didn’t match the size of my Nebo with my Vario, it’s not going to fit so comfortably together, but that’s no reflection on Outdoor Vitals. I’m sure that the 3XL Nebo would pair nicely with a 3XL Vario.
Pockets. While the Nebo sports an impressively large Napoleon pocket, it does not have inside or outside pockets otherwise. I understand that Outdoor Vitals was trying to focus on ultralight weight, but I’d personally be okay with the Nebo weighing a bit more if it at least included outside pockets. It’s annoying, wearing the Nebo in everyday life (as opposed to on the trail), to have to lift it up to put my keys in my pants pocket instead of just putting them in an outside pocket of the Nebo. However, since the Nebo is designed so ultralight for backpackers and such - not for everyday use, I suppose that I can’t blame Outdoor Vitals for not including features that ultralight backpackers might not care much about.
Summary
I really like the Nebo Windbreaker from Outdoor Vitals, and I’m glad that I bought it. I have a windbreaker from another company that is bigger and has more pockets, so I think that one will be better for everyday use, while the Nebo Windbreaker from Outdoor Vitals will excel at more focused uses such as when I’m actually hiking or backpacking! It’s good to have options!
