Ion Windshirt Reviewed by Ed Crothers of the Colorado Mountain School

I have been a fan of the Marmot DriClime Jacket for years. Mid-weight insulation built into a windshell makes for a versatile, lightweight piece of technical outerwear. However, during the warmer months of the year or while engaged in high aerobic activities, the DriClime is a bit too much of a good thing.

So, enter the Ion Windshirt. Essentially, the Ion is the DriClime without the insulation and with the bonus feature of a hood. One of my requirements for any piece of gear is that it be multi-functional. This jacket fits the bill. When not on my back, it easily fits in a pant pocket on multi-pitch rock climbs, is always in a jersey pocket while out for a long road or mountain bike ride, and is around my waist while out trail running. The Ion has also made its way into my winter kit as a vapor barrier layer while out backcountry skiing and ice climbing.

As I have found with many Marmot products, there is excellent attention to detail. The thread count on all seams is high. The hood works very well over a climbing helmet and under a bike helmet and can be rolled up and secured with a simple snap when I want it out of the way. Unlike other windshirts I have owned that cost twice as much as the Ion, the zipper is bombproof. Sure, this adds a few grams to the weight of the jacket, but when things get real in the mountains, a blown zipper on a wind jacket reduce it to a worthless piece on nylon; I’ll take a few extra grams!

Whether out working or playing, there are a few items that live in the top of my pack at all times. With a superb weight-to warmth ratio, the Ion has joined the list. It is hard for me to come up with reasons for not having the Ion close at hand. Well, off-widths at Vedauwoo...but isn’t that what K-Mart sweats were invented for?

Ed Crothers
Colorado Mountain School
Boulder, Colorado, USA

The Colorado Mountain School operates out of Boulder, CO, and offers courses and guided trips throughout Colorado, Alaska, and various locations around and outside of the US. Learn more about them on marmotpro.com.