5 oz, 94/6 polyester/spandex, 4-way stretch, durable water repellent finish, three-piece hood, full-zip front, sizes XS through 3XL

Key Features of the Richardson RA7400FZH

• 5 oz, 94/6 polyester/spandex stretch fabric
• 4-way stretch
• Durable water repellent (DWR) finish
• Three-piece hood
• Full-zip front
• Zippered side pockets
• Elastic adjustable pullers at the waist
• Richardson high-definition silicone logo on the left sleeve
• Available in Black, Charcoal, Navy, Red, and Royal
• Sizes XS through 3XL

About the Richardson RA7400FZH

The hooded full-zip version of Richardson's Barrage wind shell adds head and neck coverage to the same 5-ounce 94/6 polyester/spandex platform used across the Barrage line. The fabric provides 4-way stretch from the spandex content, and the DWR finish keeps light rain and wind-driven moisture from soaking through.

The three-piece hood is one of the construction details worth knowing. A two-piece hood uses two panels of fabric joined by a single seam at the center top, while a three-piece hood adds a center panel between two side panels for two seams running front-to-back. The extra panel and seams produce a more form-fitting hood that holds shape over the head, while two-piece hoods are simpler and cheaper to produce. The full-zip front lets the wearer vent quickly during activity or seal up against cold conditions, with elastic waist pullers for a custom fit.

For warmer training days when the hood isn't needed, the Richardson Barrage Wind Shirt RA7400SSQ is the no-hood version of this shell. To complete the warm-up kit, the matching Richardson Barrage Stretch Woven Training Short RA7401B uses the same 94/6 polyester/spandex fabric. For a cross-brand alternative, the Sport-Tek JST73 Hooded Raglan Jacket is another lightweight hooded jacket built for athletic use.

FAQ

What's the difference between a wind jacket and a soft shell?
Wind jackets are lighter and built primarily to block wind chill, while soft shells are typically heavier and often bonded with a fleece backing for warmth. Wind jackets like the RA7400FZH are designed for warm-up, cool-down, and sideline use, where they can be carried and thrown on quickly. Soft shells function more as primary outer layers in cold conditions.

Can the DWR finish be reapplied after it wears off?
Yes. DWR coatings gradually break down through use and washing, especially when exposed to heavy detergent or fabric softener. The bead test tells the story: spray water on a clean, dry garment, and if water beads and rolls off, the DWR is still working. The coating can often be reactivated by tumble drying the clean garment on low heat. When that no longer works, a spray-on or wash-in DWR treatment from any outdoor retailer restores the finish.

What decoration methods work on the stretch poly/spandex shell?
Heat transfer and embroidery are the typical choices. Screen printing on polyester carries the risk of dye migration. Polyester dyes can sublimate at temperatures around 265°F, while plastisol typically cures at 320°F, which can cause fabric dye to bleed into the printed ink. The DWR coating can also interfere with ink adhesion. Most programs use heat transfer or DTF for full-color graphics on this style.