While the price of high-tech outerwear continues to climb, Hi-Tec continues to put out well-made jackets at a good price.

Best known for it’s outdoor footwear, Hi-Tec puts out a line of apparel too and this Roaring River windproof jacket is the second item of theirs I’ve tried. Like the Mystic Mountain Coat I reviewed earlier, this one is a screaming bargain compared to its competitors. So first the price: it lists for $90, which is about half what many comparable shells cost, and you can pick it up for $40 to $70 (depending on size and color) at online retailers like Amazon or offline at Modell’s or Sports Authority

First things first: I look good in this jacket. Despite all the marketing specs companies throw at is, that’s what really makes people plunk down their money. The only performance shell I’ve worn that’s been cut to my (very average) frame as well as this one was the $150 Marmot Leadville one I reviewed at the end of 2009.

That one had Gore-tex Windstopper technology, while this one uses Hi-Tec’s own windproof solution. This version probably isn’t as highly rated in a wind tunnel test, especially if you’re running 10 miles at the same time, but in my months of real-world tests in blustery conditions, it did a great job as a warm windbreaker.

The Roaring River shell has a lot of features you don’t find in cheaper jackets: fleece-lined hand warmer pockets with pull-tab zippers, two elastic cinch drawcords around the bottom cuff, and a fleece-lined collar that zips up all the way. The two-layer lining is warm and substantial without being too bulky. A front chest pocket with a sealed zipper and flap-covered top is the right size for a smart phone.

There’s just enough spandex to make it form-fitting and trim, but not so clingy that you can’t wear a sweater or base layer under it. I faulted the Mystic Mountain waterproof one for being swishy-loud where the fabric rubbed together, but that’s not the case with this jacket.

This isn’t some micro-jacket that stuffs into a little sack, but then again it’ll keep you a whole lot warmer than one of those. Think of this as a that last layer on vacation or something you would take on a trip when you know it’s going to be cool and windy, but not much below freezing. It looks far more expensive than it is and is two-tone stylish without screaming, “I’m on an adventure tour!” So it can be your one and only jacket on a trip.

You can toss this jacket in a washer and dryer with no worries, but if you do have to sink-wash it and drip dry, it should be dry in a few hours. It’s not completely waterproof, but the flip side of that is it won’t trap all your moisture by your body if you’re active in it.

Besides the brown version with black accents you see here, there’s a red version and a solid black one. It’s not nearly as puffy as it looks in this photo—this is a fitted windbreaker shell that is true to size.

Check prices on the Roaring River Softshell at Amazon.

See more reviews of travel jackets.