Layer 2 also cant do its job if Layer 1 is saturated with water. You can read more about how waterproofing and breathability ratings work here. Weight: 6.3 oz (mens) / 5.6 oz (womens). As such, we give the edge to the burlier Beta LT for year-long use (plus, the Beta's larger hood makes it fully functional as a backcountry ski jacket). Even so, the Marmot Minimalist is a good fit for budget-conscious travellers. So the jacket that you soaked through, is not the same jacket OP is looking at. The one complaint we have about the REI XeroDry GTX is while it has two hand pockets, it doesnt pack down into either of them. lct321 . For a list of our top picks, you can check out our in-depth softshell review. For most people, having the lightest jacket isn't going to be necessaryand most people aren't willing to pay for that. What has it got in its pocketses?! But what sets the Foray apart is its full-length side zips (called TorsoFlo) that extend from the armpit all the way to the bottom hem. You decide. In testing, material quality has been a common theme: Everything from the thick-toothed main zipper to the pit zips and three-way adjustable hood have a solid and reliable feel. The rain gear field of contenders (which also includes the nebulous terms "rain shell" and "hardshell jacket"), was much broader than other gear categories weve published here at Treeline Review thus far. Get a friend you trust, close your eyes, and experiment.) And while, sure, some fabrics and some jacket builds do better than others, its important to know that if youre exerting a lotparticularly in warm weatheryoure likely going to sweat at least a little bit. 1. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the only 3-layer jacket in our review. Most notably, we found the fit of the Rainier to be very large (depending on how you plan to layer underneath, it may be best to go down a full size). Weight: 11.3 oz (mens)/ 9.5 oz (womens), What we liked: mobility, sleek look, ventilation, pockets, packability, What we didn't like: not as waterproof or breathable as other jackets. Full unzipped, the jacket becomes a poncho. Marmot Minimalist. The North Face states that the Futurelight uses their premium waterproof-breathable technology, and we believe it. $159 - $160 . A hood should fit well over your head, with room for your hair, hats, and helmets you may wear. All told, the XeroDry is a nice option for anything from daily commuting to extended hiking trips. Hood on the Outdoor Research Helium. Your camp mates insist on hiking downwind of you. 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 Minimalist and the Foray utilize polyester face fabrics with a much longer-lasting Gore-Tex Paclite membrane. Arc'teryx has used its extensive knowledge in waterproofing technology to create a lightweight and feature-packed rain jacket. In particular, weve seen some breakdown of layers. MENU MENU. Hiking Then we took a look at the highest review scores that these two Rain Jackets received. Since we were evaluating lightweight rain jackets in this gear review, pretty much everything was best packable rain jackets. Generally speaking, the more you spend the more breathable the jacket will be. Photo by Robert Curzon. One of the most sought-after features in a waterproof rain jacket is breathability: the ability for perspiration and other moisture to exit the jacket without outside water coming in. The DWRs job is to keep Layer 1 from getting saturated with water. You can count on Patagonia to offer all this performance with 100% . For how to do that, read our tricks and tips section, or watch this video from Canadian outdoor store Mountain Equipment Co-op (full disclosure: we did not consider any of their jackets). This serves to protect the jacket from dirt when you are not using it. What are the compromises in choosing the Helium Rain? The Patagonia Torrentshell jacket is another pullover option that combines practicality with style. It's right at the $300 price limit we set in this piece, but is one of our favorite pieces of gear. On the outside of Layer 1 is a Durable Water Repellent coating (DWR)literally water repellent that is durable, so you dont have to reapply it every time you go outand unless youve got an ultralight jacket made directly of waterproof fabric, youve got durable water repellent on the shell. While the weight penalty is minimal, the 3-layer H2No technology in the 100% recycled fabric offers enough additional weather resistance to impress. It strikes a great balance - between price, weight, stretchiness, and features. The nearly-always-on-sale Marmot PreCip Eco will get you through that commute, light rain shower, or brief rain. Theyre part of a rain jackets ventilation system, and a jackets either got em, or it doesnt. The North Face Resolve 2 Jacket. With the lack of pockets and pit zips, this isnt necessarily the best choice for commuting or going out on the town in the wet. 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. So how do I know how waterproof a rain jacket is? That comfort meant our tester got double use out of itshe thinks its perfect as a wind shell, too, making it a constant companion on her hikes, no matter the weather. The REI XeroDry GTX comes in at 28,000+ mm and is rated for multiple days of rain. Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking isdearest to our hearts. Another potential explanation is that those reviewers simply werent ventilating enoughand the water that they feel is really their own sweat, not rain. 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. Yes: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L: $149: 12.5 oz. 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. broyhill autumn cove swivel glider assembly instructions. A jackets ability to keep you cool is greatly enhanced with the inclusion of pit zips, which we discuss further below. 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 Outdoor Research Helium does not have pit zips. The DWR coating on the outside of the jacket is stellar and holds up better than most of the other jackets in this price range. The only thing its missing compared to the Minimalist is a chest pocket and the Minimalist offers womens plus size options, whereas Patagonia has yet to do so. Specifically, the jacket has lost its high-end feel: Prior models featured premium fabrics and thick and oversized touch points like zipper pulls and toggles, but the latest model feels plasticky and cheap by comparison. Some manufacturers succeed better than others at this concept. For more background information, see our rain jacket comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Photo by Liz Thomas. Men's Climbing Jackets & Vests. 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. A standard expression of waterproofing measures the amount of liquid (water, snow, rain, sleet) in millimeters (mm/24 hours) that can be suspended on the fabric in a one-inch square tube before liquid starts to soak through over a 24-hour period. Hood size can be a big consideration when rain jacket shopping. 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). Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket. In the end, your intended use will dictate your final decision: The Beta is arguably the better hiking design, while the Calcites hardwearing shell and helmet-compatible hood make it a great option for climbers and backcountry skiers (on par with the performance of many 3-layer hardshells)Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Calcite See the Women's Patagonia Calcite. Men's Climbing. When looking for a rain jacket, youre essentially asking for a jacket that will keep out rain but let out your sweat. Itll protect you from the elements better than most competitorsbut youll pay extra for the technology that helps you skip that half-layer. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket. Instead, softshells remain a better choice for those looking for a breathable and water resistant outer layer. With its 50D ripstop nylon shell, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is one of the more robust budget-friendly models. Layer 3, if a jacket has it, is the interior protection. Patagonia jacket is a high-performance insulated jacket that is not only comfortable to wear but is also protective of both you and the environment.. Hood sizes and cinches are a small feature that can make a big difference on a rain jacket. The seam-sealed DryVent 2.5L fabric is rugged . In theory, we agree with them, but in practice, that might be a different story. Marmot Minimalist Jacket. But it serves the same purpose as Layer 3: protecting that layer-2 membrane from oil, dirt, and other junk. They share their supplier information with consumers, including the specifics of how and where the Torrentshell is made. Its not that any of these features is a dealbreaker, but rather, you have to decide what you must haveand what you could do withoutbefore going hunting for a jacket. Category: Daily useWeight: 13 oz.Waterproofing: 2L Omni-TechWhat we like: Great value, lots of color options.What we dont: Cheap construction has a plasticky feel. Spurning labels, youll want to choose the jacket that works best for your body: this author, for example, owns a mens rain jacket to fit her apparently-broad-for-a-woman shoulders. Considering a deluge, or planning long hours out in the rain? Of note: OR also offers the 3-layer Helium AscentShell ($399), which combines the Heliums durable fabric with a more breathable AscentShell membrane Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Outdoor Research Helium Rain See the Women's OR Helium Rain. The test is a strange one: It doesnt mimic real-world conditions and many manufacturers choose not to list it at all. The 10-denier fabric of the Versalite means this jacket won't be the one you turn to outside of thru-hiking or ultralight backpacking. But if youre looking for ways to make running in the rain more comfortableand live some place where it rains a lot this might be the jacket for you. This is an especially great budget option because it is made . For its reasonable $179 MSRP, youll be hard-pressed to find a better-made, better-looking, or more protective shellRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Torrentshell 3L See the Women's Patagonia Torrentshell 3L. The Patagonia Torrentshell jacket offers top-quality performance. We loved the mens and womens Marmot Minimalist in earlier rain jacket reviews and our own years of testing make us think this is still a great jacket. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! Best Women's: Columbia Women's Arcadia II. At $185, the Downpour Plus 2.0 slides in between popular rain jackets like the Patagonia Torrentshell above and Marmot Minimalist below. Plus, Marmot makes sure you get a full range of motion without moving the hem above your waistline. Then we tested them in in Pacific Northwest such as the Oregon Coast Trail all the way to the Appalachian Trail, and in conditions from drizzly daily commutes to mountaintop downpours. So what does it mean when your jacket is 2.5-layer? . After reviewing 80 lightweight breathable rain jackets, we tested the most promising from the rainy Pacific Northwest to the Appalachian Trail to find the best lightweight rain jackets for most hikers, runners, travelers, and commuters. 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. For comparison's sake, our top-ranked Patagonia Torrentshell 3L weighs 12.4 ounces and is about 1.5 times the size of the Norrna when packed into its pocket. Youll see this referenced in every performance-oriented rain jacket on the market, typically seen as: 2L, 2.5L or 3L. 4. Fully-lined pockets are better for cooler weather, and also wont allow any water to leak through to your torso if your pockets are open. You also get pit zips for dumping heat and a higher-quality hood with better adjustability, which are worthwhile upgrades for most hikers. Their Cielo is case in point: The rain jacket is built with a 100%-recycled shell with PFC-free DWR finish, and its vibrant color blocking and classy fit and finish make it fun to wear both on the trail and around town. Patagonia Torrentshell and 13.9-oz. Marmot Minimalist. Alternatively, for $100 more, you can bump up to the Arcteryx Beta, which features 3-layer Gore-Tex and drops almost 4 ounces off the build of the Calcite. FREE delivery Wed, Mar 8 . It's worth noting that nearly all premium performance jackets to make our list have a 3-layer construction. Many of the jackets in our review pack down into one of their pockets-and each of them can stow down into their hoods, as shown in this video from Wilderness Supply. Heres the story: This hardshell-like design includes a 3-layer variation of their in-house BD.dry membrane, has a light amount of stretch incorporated into the nylon build, and keeps things pretty light at 12.7 ounces (our mens medium is slightly more at 12.8 oz.). Best Ultralight Rain Jacket: Rab Phantom Pull-On Men's & Women's. Hey, ounce-counters Rab has you covered. Patagonia has also added another zipper to their pit zips, meaning more customizable ventilation and easier zipping and unzipping. You dont get a ton of room for layering (we can fit a thin midlayer underneath, but not much more), and the low weight and streamlined feature set makes it one of our favorite emergency layers. One standout is Arcteryxs StormHood (as seen on the Beta LT): With a single pull at the back of the hood, you adjust evenly around the sides and back of the head. 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. For example, we often rely on customer reviews to understand how these jackets fit a diversity of bodies beyond the body type of our own testers. Having pit zips or pockets whose backs are made of mesh can vent some of your excess heat in warm weather. Moreover, Outdoor Research updated the fit to a trimmer cut, and the jacket now stuffs into its exterior chest pocket. Just about every major outdoor brand offers a budget-oriented rain shell for about $100, and The North Faces entry is the popular Venture. Photo by Robert Curzon. Hiking-focused shells vie with those in our daily use category for the most common type of lightweight rain jacket. 7.0. . The Arc'teryx Norvan SL was even lighter at 4.4 oz, but has been discontinued. Velcro adjustable cuffs can be made wider than your wrist, allowing most of that rain to drip onto the ground instead of your hands. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about rain. Patagonia Calcite Jacket - Weight and Packability. Photo by Trey French. It is a great jacket to have if you are going to be in persistent wind or rain. The North Face Antora - Women's. $89. Our Patagonia Men's Torrentshell 3L Jacket has a trusted reputation for providing exceptional waterproof/breathable performance, comfort and durability. Avoid over washing, as that can cause damage, tooyoull want to wash once every several uses. Photo by Robert Curzon. Its still a developing technology and key brands like Patagonia havent made the full switch yet (for more, heres Patagonias breakdown of the process), but PFC-free options are becoming more prevalent on the market. The hardwearing 3-layer build offers . In addition, theyve covered the basics for mixed daily wear and hiking uses with a reasonable 11.6-ounce weight, stuff pocket, and layering-friendly fit. When your jacket advertises it has Gore-Tex or eVent, its always in Layer 2. A utilitarian men's rain jacket: Columbia Men's . One thing to note about Montbell is that sizing can run small. Each proves to be able to handle anything we could hope a backpacking-oriented rain jacket could take. Mesh pockets allow for a little extra ventilation and are better for warm weather. If you're in the market to find that perfect rain . When comparing the Marmot vs Patagonia rain jacket models, the fit is the same. To start, the cuffs sit awkwardly around your hands: Theyre too loose to create a good seal and would benefit from a Velcro cinch. Secondly, Patagonia products usually cost a little bit more than North Face products. At over 300 grams, the Marmot Minimalist is neither the most lightweight nor minimalist. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Waterproofing measures waterproofing and soak-through over a 24-hour period. These rain jackets will keep you protected, though remember to get one that works best for the conditions you most often encounter. Overlay - 3 Column; Overlay - 4 Column; Default - 2 Column In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. For more of our Outdoor Apparel recommendations, see our most popular Gear Guide stories: Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. And for those who dabble in climbing or mountain sports, the shell is well equipped thanks to a helmet-compatible hood, hand pockets that are accessible over a harness or hipbelt, and a slim fit. The Marmot Minimalist and the Outdoor Research Foray have a design that is almost identical. Its worth noting that the Gore Infinium construction alone technically isnt waterproof, but Montbell added a nylon ripstop face fabric, minimal seams plus seam taping, and a DWR coating, making this jacket well equipped for fending off moderate rainfall. In fact, the innovative K-MONO Cut reduces seam lines, where all rain jackets are most likely to wet-through. As a result, the interior fabrics are also much less prone to clamming up, and often have a premium, soft feel. In the end, the Beta LT is the more well-rounded pick for most mountain-goers, but the Storm10 is worth a look for those focused more on weight and packability Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Storm10 See the Women's Patagonia Storm10. Ventilation is less important in cooler temps, which is one of the reasons 3-layer jackets often dont have pit zips. 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. Category: HikingWeight: 6.4 oz.Waterproofing: 2L Gore InfiniumWhat we like: Great combination of weight and breathability.What we dont: Compromises in protection and durability, and its not an around-town piece. 4. Marmot Minimalist Jacket ( MEN | WOMEN) The Marmot Minimalist is an affordable and protective rain jacket that is packable, waterproof, windproof, and breathable. (Plus, drying it keeps away the mildew.). I would appreciate it if you would edit your post to clarify this and avoid misinformation. Heavier rain jackets have cinches on each side for a more even fit. 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. (66 feet is ~20k mm.) 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. On a budget? heavier). With rain jackets, most reviews we saw generally defaulted to mens models and presumed that the womens models of the same jacket were essentially the same. Hyper-fancy, high-performance rain jackets can cost close to a months rent, but we think the men's and women's REI Co-op XeroDry GTX offers the performance at about half the price of similar jackets. A true 3-layer construction incorporates three separate pieces of fabric, with the actual waterproof and breathable membrane in the middle and a more substantial fabric on the interior. Our tester in the Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket. face oil for gua sha; Finally, the Beta does not feature a helmet-compatible hood, although most hikers will appreciate the more close-fitting design. Another place the outdoor industry is catching up: some companies, like Arcteryx, dont offer the same range in womens rain jacket models as they do in mens. Professional reviewers raved about the REI XeroDry GTX. Just turn the pocket inside out, smoosh the jacket in, and zip it shut. MSRP: $179 WEIGHT: 14.1 oz. Rave reviews from professionals and everyday folks alike secure this jackets spo tas a winner. Dinesh Kumar. So if youre mostly splashing around in warmer rain, then, youll want ventilation rather than breathability (see more below). One of Patagonia's flagship jackets, the Torrentshell is a hardwearing and 3-layer jacket that is ready for the elements. The Marmot PreCip Eco is rated at 10,000 mm and the Outdoor Research Helium is rated at 15,000 mm. A dirty rain jacket is less waterproof, not to mention stinkier. . Arc'teryx Beta LT). We prefer the toggle style for adjusting the back of the hood over a rip-and-stick Velcro tab for its improved performance. If you value comfort and stretchiness in a rain jacket, its pretty ideal. All of our rain jackets have hand pockets save one: the Outdoor Research Helium, again, likely to save on weight. Photo by Trey French. 2. By opening up the jacket under the arms, you can release a lot of air without sacrificing the jackets waterproof design. We at Switchback Travel dont feel the waterproof ratings are very helpful in the buying process and have chosen not to list them with our specs. Wash your rain jacket according to the manufacturers instructionsmost prefer it if you avoid using detergent, though something like NikWax Tech Wash helps to restore the fabric. Marmot Minimalist $220 at Marmot. 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. 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. Weighing just 6.4 ounces, their Versalite rain jacket is a prime example: You get impressive breathability, good comfort, and features like pit zips and hand pockets for around $250. For those who want a well-rounded option, weve found the 9- to 16-ounce range is typically the sweet spot. At just 6.3 ounces for the heavier mens medium, its essentially half the weight of each of our other winners. Price - $149. Breathability does suffer compared with the performance shells below and the cheaper jackets won't last as long, but hiking shells are a nice middle ground of price, weight, and protection. Although it has a higher price tag as compared to some of the other jackets in this review, we think its the best bet if you foresee a lot of rain in your future. But these complaints are to be expected in a sub-7-ounce shell, and the Helium Rains low weight and impressive packability, reasonable price, and surprisingly good toughness make it our top ultralight pick. This jacket is more protective and durable than previous versions of the Torrentshell. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L. See our guide to the Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets for some extra warmth to layer under your rain gear or our Best Rugged and Waterproof Cameras to document it. You can either get one with velcro or drawstrings to fit it close to your body. Outdoor Research Dryline Rain Jacket - Men's. (0) $126.73. The Top 7 Waterproof Jackets in 2023. These can reach over the top of most climbing helmets for added weather protection. The big news is the stretchy 2.5-layer construction, which offers greater comfort than a standard rain jacket like the REI Rainier above. If youve ever had a lightweight rain jacket stick to your skin while wearing short sleeves, you know that it not only feels kind of gross, but it actually makes you colder. However, there are a few key differences in the two companies. A lightweight jacket will better serve you in multiple situations from hiking through an autumn storm to tossing in a suitcase to travel. As a general recommendation, the following works well for us: Wash the jacket in warm water with liquid detergent, and run it through a second rinse cycle to clear out any detergent residue. You can take note of the number when its available, as it will often correlate with other characteristics like fabric thickness and durability, but dont base your buying decision on that alone. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Men's Torrentshell 3L Jacket Color: Sedge Green (SEGN) Size: | $179.00 Checkout (0) Reviews. Patagonia ranch jacket vs barn coat. Keep that in mind, and youre likely to be happier with any rain jacket you purchase. In testing the Rainier, we were struck with how many features it shares with Marmots PreCip Eco below. Firstly, Patagonia is more focused on the environment than North Face. Over half of the professional reviews we read included the Marmot PreCip Eco as a solid pick. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale!Save Big on Kestrel, Kyte, and Hydration Packs now . Hand pockets are a convenient place to warm your hands up when rain mittens are out of the question. Photo by Mike Unger. That half-layer isnt quite as good as a full-out third layer at protecting your second layer membrane. $169.00. Our tester Jill loved this change, noting that she never worried about the new cuffs being too tight. This measurement tests both general water repellency as well as performance under pressure. One downside? Gear Patrol adds to the list of quality features, saying it repels water on par with more expensive jackets.. 2.5-Layer Still, the PreCip Eco isnt bad for a Budget Pick. ", 42F and dumping rain, running alongside the creek and Juniper Pines in the Eastern Sierra in The North Face Lightriser.