A windbreaker is a jacket made of synthetic material that is intended to provide warmth and insulation in windy weather. Because of the synthetic fibers, it does not allow air to pass through the fabric where it can reach and chill the skin. Some of these jackets are lined with cotton or another organic material in order to offer warmth, but most are made of just one or two layers of nylon or a similar synthetic material.
As these types of jackets are often made without insulation, most people use them as a piece of layered clothing. This means that a windbreaker is normally worn over a shirt or two layers of shirts. Depending on the size of the jacket, it may also be worn over a sweater or sweatshirt.
This kind of garment falls into the sportswear category, so it is intended for use during outdoor excursions and exercise. It can also be worn as a jacket with casual clothing. Many sportswear clothing companies and exercise clothing companies sell windbreakers in their seasonal product lines. They are often included in summer and fall lines because they are ideal for the average temperatures during those seasons. While they are worn by both men and women, they are usually designed and cut differently for each gender.
In addition to being worn by adults, many children's clothing companies also include a windbreaker in each of their product lines. These kinds of jackets can be especially useful for children because dressing in layered clothing allows for comfort in a range of temperatures, from chilly mornings to warm afternoons. Furthermore, the synthetic fibers are much more stain-resistant than natural fibers, which is always an advantage in kids' clothing.
One of the benefits of wearing a this type of garment is that most of them are water-resistant. This is because the synthetic fibers do not absorb water in the same way that natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, do. For this reason, the jackets are often worn in rainy or damp weather to protect the wearer. They are also ideal to wear while boating.
In fact, many windbreakers are designed with a hood, which may be removable, specifically to be worn in wet weather. Alternatively, the hood may fit into a small pouch that rings the neck of the jacket. Both adult and children's styles can come with or without a hood.