Arcteryx has traditionally lagged behind here, but some of their recent releases have begun incorporating these best-known practices. That said, the Versalite checks a lot of boxes from a performance standpoint and deserves consideration from ultralight backpackers and minimalist summer-time adventurers.See the Men's Montbell Versalite See the Women's Montbell Versalite. One thing that threw us off is The North Face doesn't run the usual Hydrostatic Test for waterproofing. That incredible lightness of being comes from a lack of the usual features: the Helium has no armpit zips for ventilation and no hand pockets, though there is a chest pocket that the jacket can pack down into. Category: PerformanceWeight: 14.5 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L Gore-Tex Paclite PlusWhat we like: Durable shell with premium waterproofing.What we dont: Relatively heavy and bulky. A fresh DWR is an impressive thing and can offer excellent protection in light to moderate conditions, although heavy and sustained rainfall will eventually overwhelm the coating (thats where the waterproof membrane comes into play). Some rain jackets offer pit zips and/or full side vents, while basic models do not (as well as taped seams on more expensive rain jackets for extra protection from the elements). Your conditions, the expected weather, and temperatures will influence your decision on which rain jacket to choose. Ventilation is less important in cooler temps, which is one of the reasons 3-layer jackets often dont have pit zips. While those California mountains can be sunny during the summer (and were for most our trip), you'll want to only carry this jacket in the warmest of rain. 22 February 2021 by nadia. For the occasional chance rainstorm encounter. Generally, we recommend renewing your DWR at least once a yearat the beginning or end of a season is a great time! Price: $425. You decide. These jackets are the most basic, and typically require a mesh liner to protect the jackets inner coating (hence the 2-layer name). While Switchback Travel complains about how large it is, suggesting its too large for the backcountry, user reviews suggest the sizing isnt as straightforward as all that. Photo by Jill Duncan. In the end, if you want a high-performance piece for serious outdoor use, you may want to up your budget to an alternative like the Arcteryx Beta LT below. Full unzipped, the jacket becomes a poncho. You also get pit zips for dumping heat and a higher-quality hood with better adjustability, which are worthwhile upgrades for most hikers. 80 degrees and raining on a humid East Coast hike in July will require a very different rain jacket than is useful when its 35 degrees and raining in the Canadian Rockies. For outdoor adventurers, access to your phones GPS and mapping apps gives confidence when navigating, especially when weather conditions make finding your way trickier. A longtime ultralight favorite, Outdoor Researchs Helium Rain Jacket, was overhauled a few seasons back. Photo by John Carr. In cool weather, ventilation is less necessary for moisture management. When Layer 1 is saturated with water, its called wetting out or soaking through. Youll know your jacket has wetted out when the face fabric is so wet that it clings to your skin. The most notable update was the inclusion of Pertexs Diamond Fuse fabric, which boosts durability and tear resistance without a weight penalty. The cord wraps around the sides of your head and pins the fabric down in a uniform way when cinched, which keeps the hood on your head even in really windy conditions. Rave reviews from professionals and everyday folks alike secure this jackets spo tas a winner. Patagonia ranch jacket vs barn coat. 7. The hood is roomy and two-way adjustable, it now stows with a simple hook, and it features a fleece-lined neck for added comfort. lct321 . Men's Torrentshell 3L Jacket Color: Sedge Green (SEGN) Size: | $179.00 Checkout (0) Reviews. (And yes, they switched the name from the Helium II back to the Helium, so while its hard to get an original, keep that in mind when youre bargain-hunting.) Waterproof Material: 3-Layer Futurelight 20D recycled polyester, Waterproof Rating: 100% waterproof (does not use hydrostatic test and has a different rating system), What we liked: Ultralight, packable jacket that strips extraneous features while sticking to the primary function of the jacketkeeping a waterproof jacket comfortable while its raining, What we didnt like: Too minimal for some for its price; some users will prefer a more generously cut jacket, sizes are limited, What we liked: breathability, lightweight, ventilation, What we didn't like: price, slim cut and limited sizing maxes at XL, no pockets or pit zips are not the best design for general use outside of running. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. Black Diamond took the plunge into the rain shell market with their StormLine. For more background information, see our rain jacket comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Whats more, its 2-layer build helps keep weight in check at 12.5 ounces without compromising on useful features like two hand pockets and a chest pocket, adjustable cuffs, and a climbing helmet-compatible hood. Weighing in at 411 Grams and coated with 2.5 layers of heavy-duty Gore-Tex, weight and packability aren't the Calcite's biggest strength. Casual users appreciate a couple of hand pockets, and thats one of the most notable omissions in using an ultralight shell for daily use. Both jackets have large fits (sizing down is recommended unless you want room for layering), stuff away into a pocket, and weigh about the same (the REI is 1.2 oz. One of our favorites is the Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket (click here for best deal).The Torrentshell is a very simple-looking jacket but it has some very cool features that make . Prime Try Before You Buy. The benefit of this interior finish is that the mesh found in 2-layer jackets is no longer necessary. Moreover, Outdoor Research updated the fit to a trimmer cut, and the jacket now stuffs into its exterior chest pocket. Waterproof jackets have a built-in laminate layer like Gore-Tex or a coating that essentially blocks outside moisture from entering under most conditions. Category: Hiking/daily useWeight: 10.9 oz.Waterproofing: 3L AscentShellWhat we like: Lightweight, breathable, and a good price.What we dont: Missing some useful features like wrist cinches and hipbelt-friendly pockets. Other factors like seam taping play a major role in waterproofness, so the number doesnt truly determine how dry you will stay in a downpour. Weve donned this jacket throughout many a PNW rainstorm and while backpacking in Patagonia, and have come away very impressed with its all-around performance: Its lightweight at 10.6 ounces, super comfortable against the skin with Gores C-Knit backer, and features a trim fit and streamlined hood that look the part both on the trail and in the city. If you listen to consumer reviews, nearly every rain jacket fails out of the box for some people. A couple final notes: Rab products come with a left-hand zip (which might take some getting used to), and the Downpour lacks a chest pocket. Photo by Robert Curzon. The Highline sticks to BDs roots with a climbing helmet-compatible hood (its too small for a standard ski helmet) and includes useful features like pit zips, hand pockets, and a tall collar. . Performance & security by Cloudflare. Just a light sprinkle, a fine mist, or intermittent rain? This waterproof jacket goes up to size XXL, with tall sizes and womens plus sizes available as well. The newest version has a 3L construction, which provides a step up from the previous 2L and 2.5L models . And we gotta say, it looks sleek too - yet another reason it landed as our winner. If you want to save some money and be protected in most wet weather conditions, this is a good pick. In fact, the packable rain jacket was originally created to keep the jacket clean and the membrane free from oils and dirt that reduce breathability. Photo courtesy Tiffany Searsdodd. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, were acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. And for a shell thats intended for hiking and backpacking, wed prefer the hand pockets sit a little higher to be accessible when wearing a hipbelt (the interior chest pocket is generously sized, however). Layer 2 also cant do its job if Layer 1 is saturated with water. A final note related to DWR is that there has been a recent push to move away from traditional coatings that use perfluorocarbons, which is a chemical that has been linked to environmental and health issues. Need to go fast and light? Pockets give us the option of easy access to snacks as we move towards less rainy conditions. Despite claims of being waterproof and breathable, many rain jackets are just plain stuffy. Generally for emergency use or for situations where youre able to get to safety quickly. Marmot Minimalist: REI Co-op XeroDry GTX: Marmot PreCip Eco: Water Resistance (30%) 8.0. Do womens models have a long enough torso for tall women or a wide enough size range for plus-size women? Our tester, Treeline editor Naomi Hudetz, tested both versions. broyhill autumn cove swivel glider assembly instructions. You can read more about how waterproofing and breathability ratings work here. To show you only the most rave-reviewed rain jackets for your outdoor adventures, we compared reviews from Adventure Alan, Adventure Junkies, The Big Outside, Greenbelly, Clever Hiker, Gear Patrol, Outdoor Gear Lab (two separate guides), Outside Online, REI, Section Hiker, The Strategist (two separate guides), and Switchback Travel (see Sources). By repelling oil and dirt, it also helps keep Layer 2 clean. . Home; Shop. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission, without costing you an extra cent. Credit Cards. Check out the Marmot Men's Minimalist Jacket at Enwild: https://www.enwild.com/marmot-mens-minimalist-jacket-2022.html?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=desc. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the only 3-layer jacket in our review. 217.160.129.9 The Co-ops in-house offerings are often great values, and the XeroDry is no exception, boasting a well-regarded Gore-Tex Paclite construction for just $169. The Helium packs into its own chest pocket with a carabiner loop for easy transport for "just-in-case-it-rains" days on hikes or for keeping in a car for emergencies. It also doesn't state breathability measured as MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) RET (Resistance to Evaporating Heat Transfer) like our other rain jackets. The hood on the Flight Futurelight is running-specific, on the smaller side compared to some jackets, so dont count on it fitting comfortably over a helmet or bigger hairstyles. Marmot Minimalist $220 at Marmot. This layer actually doesnt prevent water from getting through. The Minimalist and the Foray utilize polyester face fabrics with a much longer-lasting Gore-Tex Paclite membrane. Weight: 13.7 oz (mens) / 13.7 oz (womens). We also ran customer reviews through Fakespot, a service that analyzes and judges the veracity of reviews. Youll want to have room for a warm layer (such as a light fleece jacket) underneath, but little additional extra room. The 2.5-layer shell is softer and more pliable than most 3-layer designs here, and Pertex Shield has a long track record for being hardwearing and weather-protective. A jackets packability can be looked at and measured in a couple ways. Columbia Arcadia II - Women's. . 100% ripstop nylon: Like so many other waterproof jackets, the Marmot Precip is made of 100% ripstop nylon. This jacket is protective, well made, and has the zealous flair for aesthetic style that makes Patagonia more than just an outdoor brand. With its 50D ripstop nylon shell, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is one of the more robust budget-friendly models. On the lightweight end of the spectrum are hiking-ready shells like the Arc'teryx Beta and Outdoor Research Motive (10.6 and 10.9 oz., respectively), while designs that are more feature-rich and durable for crossing over for daily wear often add a bit of weight (including the 14.1-oz. First, there are the jackets that can stuff into their own pockets. Another thing to keep in mind is in our testing, sizing ran big and sleeves ran long (though they come with adjustable cuffs). burger . Pit Zips, Side Zips, and Core Vents That's a reason why even though this is a higher-end rain jacket, we'd give it the award for Best Plus Size Rain Jacket. For years, the formula has stayed largely the same: proven 2.5-layer waterproof construction that does well in light to moderate conditions, seam taping, and reasonable weight. Higher numbers mean a more water-resistant fabric. Of note: This article includes picks for both men and women, but weve also written a dedicated round-up on the best womens rain jackets. Combining 3-layer Gore-Tex construction with a host of technical features (including a helmet-compatible hood and pit zips), the Beta LT blurs the line between rain jacket and hardshell and delivers trustworthy performance for four-season hiking and backcountry exploring. By lining some of their designs' handwarmer pockets with airy mesh, they double as vents when unzipped. Our testers love the Stormline Stretch for its comfort. Hiking jackets are built to be light and packable to bring along on a backcountry trip, and their performance in heavy rain and wind is admirableparticularly the more substantial Gore-Tex Paclite models (including the Marmot Minimalist and Outdoor Research Foray II). Fitted with pit zips and Gore-Tex Paclite technology, this is a super warm yet breathable jacket that can . Hiking-focused shells vie with those in our daily use category for the most common type of lightweight rain jacket. Expect cold and wet weather? Bluesign works at each step in the textile supply chain to approve chemicals, processes, materials, and products that are safe for the environment, safe for workers and safe for the end customers.. See our weather section for more info on this. Still, the PreCip Eco isnt bad for a Budget Pick. The North Face says the lab tests they commissioned from UL, an independent lab, rates it at 100% waterproof and included dumping 200 gallons of water per hour on the material. The Montbell Versalite is made of 2-layer Gore-Tex Infinum Windstopper with an added 10-denier nylon ripstop face fabric and Durable Water Resistance (DWR) coating. But for skiing, climbing, or bike commuting, we appreciate the LTs more hardwearing 40-denier shell (the Beta is 30D), and the helmet-compatible hood and pit zips are an undeniable benefit for those really getting after it. the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, was one of the less expensive ones at $149. The elastic shock cord and tensioning piece are minimal but not finicky; they stay out of the way when needing to cinch the hood tightly over your face for maximum weather protection. Category: HikingWeight: 6.3 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L Pertex Shield Diamond FuseWhat we like: Ultralight yet reasonably tough.What we dont: Too streamlined for around-town use; doesnt breathe very well. And while she loved the waterproof zippers, she did share that it was a bit of a fight to unzip them sometimes. There are two reasons to clean your rain jacket. Weve placed the latest AscentShell jacket toward the bottom of our list, however, because its finer details are somewhat disappointing. Also of note, the 3L is less clammy than its 2.5-layer counterpart. Our tester in the Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket. Black Diamond makes another model, the men's and women's Highline Stretch, that is a little bit heavier because it's a 3-layer jacket. Category: Daily use/hikingWeight: 11.6 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L DryVentWhat we like: Another versatile rain jacket for under $100.What we dont: Falls a little short in hood design and zipper quality. And everyone wants to have their phone in easy reach to get a photo when that rainbow pops out of the clouds. Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket. Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket. Click to reveal If youre noticing that the jacket isnt beading up water anymore and putting it in the dryer for a short stretch doesnt fix the problem, you may need to reapply some DWR (this is common as the coating diminishes over time). The downsides our tester shared were pretty technical. In fact, they are both made of Gore-Tex and function in much the same way to make them waterproof. Be sure to bring your hands to shoulder height to test how far the sleeves ride up while youre moving. Almost all rain jackets have hoods included, but some are cut big enough to fit over a bike or climbing helmet and the style of the cinch varies significantly. Despite the sizing complaints, we think the Black Diamond Stormline Stretch is a rain jacket thatll suit most folks for most of their rainy day needs. A quick look at our comparison table above reveals that rain jacket weights correlate closely with their intended use(s). Breathing (that moisture movement) technically happens in Layer 2. As a result, the interior fabrics are also much less prone to clamming up, and often have a premium, soft feel. Men's Glennaker Sherpa Lined Rain Jacket, Waterproof. Patagonia has also added another zipper to their pit zips, meaning more customizable ventilation and easier zipping and unzipping. However, in saving some money, you give up some in material qualitywe found the XeroDrys shell cheaper-feeling and faster to absorb moisture in heavy rainfall. Photo by Naomi Hudetz. Its not perfectopening your pockets to vent means that anything stored inside could fall out and it doesnt dump heat as quickly as the traditional pit zipbut it does save weight while offering a boost in ventilation.Waist Adjustments Generally, companies split outdoor apparel lines into womens models and mens models-and while that doesnt quite mesh with our understanding of gender diversity, the outdoor industry hasnt quite yet caught up with reality. In terms of sleeve cuffs, youll generally find two types: an elastic cuff, which isnt adjustable, and a velcro cuff, which you can adjust as you need to. The packed sizes can vary widely for these packable shells, with the ultralights resembling a small envelope and others, like the cheaper Columbia Watertight, measuring about 3x the size. Further, the 3-layer Gore-Tex with C-Knit technology is impressively breathable, but you dont get much in the way of venting (no pit or core vents), which will be apparent on mild or particularly high-output days. Even as technologies have advanced and full waterproof softshells have become available, they still cant compete with the waterproofing performance of a traditional rain jacket. Some cheaper rain jackets are barely breathable at all, but almost all of the fabrics used in todays models are at least somewhat breathable and promoted as such. The OR Helium also doesn't have as good of a waterproofing or breathability rating as the Versalite. Most ultralight shells go without hand pockets, instead opting for a chest pocket for storage. Its a membrane, which is coated or laminated and layered under the face fabric. Offering more protection than a rain jacket but a step below a full-on winter hardshell, the light and packable Beta hits a sweet spot for three-season Patagonias Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is about as popular and well liked as it gets in the outdoor apparel space. Second, the main zipper has a coil design that lacks the smooth, confidence-inspiring action of the Marmot and REI. This is an especially great budget option because it is made .

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