Designs like Outdoor Researchs Motive and Black Diamonds StormLine and FineLine incorporate fabrics and a waterproof internal membrane that flex surprisingly easily. Theyre part of a rain jackets ventilation system, and a jackets either got em, or it doesnt. If youre thinking about your environmental impact, the Torrentshell 3L is one of the best jackets you can buy. 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. In cool weather, ventilation is less necessary for moisture management. We expect every pocket (at least on the outside) to be a zippered pocket so rain cant find its way in. The Arc'teryx Norvan SL was even lighter at 4.4 oz, but has been discontinued. burger . We found that the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L managed to earn a rating of 9.2 from divein.com, whereas the Marmot Minimalist Rain Jacket (Men's) got its highest, 10, score from reviewers at OutdoorGearLab. 6. Treeline writer Tiffany Searsdodd wearing the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket (also shown is the Mountain Hardwear) during a storm on the John Muir Trail. Black Diamond took the plunge into the rain shell market with their StormLine. If you listen to consumer reviews, nearly every rain jacket fails out of the box for some people. The Marmot Minimalist features good quality, clean style, and an all-around rain jacket. Plus, it features the all-important pit zips for ventilation and pockets for hand warmth. Marmot vs Patagonia: {Head-to-Head Comparison in 2022} June 26, 2022. 4.0 / 5 Rating: 4.0 / 5 Based on 7 Reviews Size & Fit. Thank you for supporting us! We found that BDs 2-ounce-lighter FineLine jacket has a more athletic cut, but that model gives up valuable features like hand pockets, adjustable cuffs, and pit zips Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Black Diamond StormLine See the Women's BD StormLine. At the lowest end, you can get a rain jacket and rain pants combo for $40but dont expect them to hold up to frequent use or bushwack-y conditions. Everything about this jacket is windproof and waterproof, from the adjustable hood to the drawcord at the hem. At 6.3 ozthe lightest of the jackets we considered the Versalite still has all the features we want including 2 hand pockets and pit zips. Tentree Nimbus Short Rain Jacket. A dirty rain jacket is less waterproof, not to mention stinkier. Editor's Note: "Packable" indicates the jacket has a stuff pocket. 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. Marmot Minimalist - Women's. $199. 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. If youre looking for a starter jacket or a lightweight jacket for just-in-case, the Marmot PreCip Eco will serve you well. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Men's Climbing Jackets & Vests. Men's Climbing. Warranty Related Issues: 1-888-311-2900, Mon-Fri, 12PM - 4PM EST Since we were evaluating lightweight rain jackets in this gear review, pretty much everything was best packable rain jackets. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. . Patagonia has also added another zipper to their pit zips, meaning more customizable ventilation and easier zipping and unzipping. One step down from a full-on hardshell jacket, they're made to withstand extreme conditions: The shell fabrics are tougher, the waterproof membranes are better breathers, and the hoods are more substantial. REI Rainier - Women's. $100. The test is a strange one: It doesnt mimic real-world conditions and many manufacturers choose not to list it at all. CNN also identifed a solid, less-expensive option in the REI Rainier: . Despite these changes, its still very budget-friendly, retailing for $100 at mostthough it can nearly always be found on sale. Elastic cuffs arent ideal: when the rain runs down your arms, it gets wicked directly onto your hands, regardless of the length of your sleeves. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. And among true ultralight designs, the Falketind is particularly well rounded: The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket weighs just 6.3 ounces, but it lacks the Norrna's premium . 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. Layer 2 is the real waterproof layer. Its a 20D 81 g/m face fabric, fully recycled polyester with a soft, tacky feel unlike most slick and swishy rain jacket fabrics. We loved the men's and women's Marmot Minimalist in earlier rain jacket reviews and our own years' of testing make us think this is still a great jacket. But despite the nitpicks, the Beta is a versatile, high-performance rain shell from one of the best brands in the business Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Beta Jacket See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta Jacket. For outdoor uses, the jacket is competitively light at 13 ounces, can be rolled into its hood for storage, and features pit zips to keep you comfortable on the move. Instead, it protects Layer 2 (aka the waterproof-breathable membrane) from the dirt, sweat, oil, and abrasion that causes it to degrade over time. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L. 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). Photo by Robert Curzon. For those looking to carry their rain jacket in a running belt or running vest, and potentially racing with them, the FutureLight Rain jacket is also tailored to balance packability and weight while keeping you dry. For outdoor adventurers, access to your phones GPS and mapping apps gives confidence when navigating, especially when weather conditions make finding your way trickier. In truth, these are relatively small complaintsand perhaps magnified because we liked the predecessor so much. These are the criteria we looked at when making our decision: There are two things to look at when it comes to staying dry: the layers of the jacket, and the waterproof/breathability rating a jacket has (more on the science of that below). Another potential explanation is that those reviewers simply werent ventilating enoughand the water that they feel is really their own sweat, not rain. Firstly, Patagonia is more focused on the environment than North Face. The Torrentshell 3L is indeed a 3-layer jacket that uses Patagonia's own H2No waterproofing. 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. ultralight, permanently waterproof jacket, ski, snow gear, snow, ski socks, socks, darn tough, smartwool, stasia stockwell, apparel, men's, women's, men's apparel, footwear, women's apparel, men's footwear, women's footwear, best beginner all-mountain skis, beginner skis, downhill skis, volkl, Rossignol, Nordica, Blizzard Black Pearl, Head, Salomon, skis, main, snow, snow gear, snow sports, ski, stasia stockwell, The difference between men's and women's rain jackets, The North Face Flight Lightriser Futurelight. It also doesn't state breathability measured as MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) RET (Resistance to Evaporating Heat Transfer) like our other rain jackets. Weve tested a number of Outdoor Researchs AscentShell models over years, and the Motive is their lightest and most affordable to date. 2.5-Layer The name's a little misleading. After analyzing more than a dozen outdoor magazine gear reviews and hundreds of customer reviews, we purchased the most promising rain jackets. $148 AT TENTREE.COM. The North Face Venture 2 Hooded Jacket. DWR repels oil, grease, water, dirt, and whatever else you encounter on your adventure. Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket. From its performance to its features, from its impact to its price, we think the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the best rain jacket for most people. Generally speaking, the more you spend the more breathable the jacket will be. On the other hand, weve seen what can happen to rain jackets after a few hard seasons of mechanical wear from scrunching. 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). In our testing, we found the Black Diamond Stormline Stretch to be a packable jacket that is lightweight (11.3 oz for the heavier mens), stretchy, comfortable, and has an adjustable hood that fits a bike or climbing helmet. Keep a close eye on features and try to match them to your intended use and budget.Pockets So while it could be that those reviewers actually got wet, it could just be that the rain jacket they were using started to wet outthat is, the outer fabric started to absorb (rather than repel) the rain. heavier). The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the newest version of Patagonia's mega-popular and value-focused line of Torrentshell jackets. 4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars (36) $196.42 $ 196. If youre in the market for a casual shell for light drizzles or quick dashes between the car and the climbing gym, the Cielo fits the part.See the Men's Cotopaxi Cielo See the Women's Cotopaxi Cielo. That's probably fine for people who choose the Helium as a lightweight "just in case" rain jacket. Take these factors into account, and choose wisely. Managing rain is difficult when running since running produces a lot of body heat. A jackets ability to keep you cool is greatly enhanced with the inclusion of pit zips, which we discuss further below. burger . Plus, the 2023 version has some of the most inclusive sizing of any rain jacket we considered. Photo by Jill Duncan. The Foray was lightly updated last spring, and the II features a lower weight, modernized design and colorways, and availability in a wider range of sizes (S to XXXL). This is unheard of at this weight for any other rain jacket, including the Outdoor Research Helium. Like the Marmot PreCip Eco and REI Co-op Rainier above, the TNF features a 2.5-layer construction (in this case, their in-house DryVent design), pit zips for ventilation, and an adjustable hood. Sport. The ultimate expression of how effective a pit zip can be is the Outdoor Research Foray II. 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. Itll protect you from the elements better than most competitorsbut youll pay extra for the technology that helps you skip that half-layer. It is one the easiest ways to get outdoors for people of all experience levels, and simply put, any time spent on the trail has a way of soothing the Arcteryxs new Beta Jacket slots into the brands expansive collection as a premium hiking shell. As always, if you can try it on before you buy, youll likely be happier. We get if new runners feel hesitant to spend this much on a rain jacket. 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. Other models charge up to $100 more than the Versalite's sticker price to get the same specs for waterproofing and breathability, as well as pockets, pit zips, and an adjustable hood. The Marmot Precip rain jacket features a brim along its hood. (Plus, drying it keeps away the mildew.). We also dont like the new center flap over the main zipper, which no longer has a button to secure it in place, is relatively small and flimsy, and is prone to folding open. More on this in waterproofing below. It has better waterproofing. 4. Marmot Minimalist $220 at Marmot. They offer U.S. sizing and Asian Fit sizing, so choose the one that is right for your body. It was our previous overall winner, but given the value of the newer 3-layer more-waterproof Patagonia Torrentshell, we think it's a better choice for most folks who are ok living without the additional stretch of this Black Diamond jacket. Customer Service Hours: Mon-Fri, 9AM - 5PM EST. Built to withstand heavy driving rain and wind, the jackets are heavier and bulkier. The market leader has long been Gore-Tex, particularly in their high-end "Active" and "Pro" offerings, but a number of fabrics are now challenging the paradigm, including AscentShell by Outdoor Research. Just turn the pocket inside out, smoosh the jacket in, and zip it shut. The GORE . Most ultralight shells go without hand pockets, instead opting for a chest pocket for storage. Lower breathability . For the 2023 model, the REI XeroDry GTX is now available in a women's model and in sizing up to 3X. What are the compromises in choosing the Helium Rain? 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 . 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. Take time out of your adventures to adequately dry your rain jacket after it gets wet, when you can. Hiking Lets start with layers, what they do, and why they matter. Everything from the REIs hood design to pocket layout and even smaller touches like mesh pockets and the Velcro covering the center zipper reminded us of the Marmot shell. Also of note, the 3L is less clammy than its 2.5-layer counterpart. Instead, softshells remain a better choice for those looking for a breathable and water resistant outer layer. By qbcore server for sale. All told, if youre looking for versatile rain and snow protection but dont want to spring for a full-on Gore-Tex Pro hardshell, the Beta LT is hard to beat Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Beta LT See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta LT. Category: Daily use/hikingWeight: 13 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L PeakWhat we like: Great price for a solid all-around design; wide range of colors and sizes.What we dont: Fits very big, so we ended up sizing down. 100% ripstop nylon: Like so many other waterproof jackets, the Marmot Precip is made of 100% ripstop nylon. Over the past few years, there have been a growing number of waterproof rain jackets featuring built-in stretch. Finally, the Beta does not feature a helmet-compatible hood, although most hikers will appreciate the more close-fitting design. This designation includes big sellers like the entry-level Marmot PreCip Eco all the way up to the $400 Arcteryx Beta. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. . We're pleased to see that its sizing is among the most inclusive of any brand we testedincluding our overall winner, the Patagonia Torrentshell. Photo by John Carr. It can be difficult to tell which of these jackets one should purchase without having a closer look. We wish we lived in a world where money was no object, but alas. Category: Daily use/hikingWeight: 13 oz.Waterproofing: 2L Gore-Tex PacliteWhat we like: Good-looking and solid Gore-Tex protection at a great price.What we dont: Current version feels cheaper than predecessors. The Venture 2 Hooded Jacket is one of The North Face's most popular waterproof jackets, for good reason. For a rain jacket dedicated specifically to trail and distance running, check out Patagonia's Storm Racer Jacket ($249), which uses an innovative design that allows for access to a running vest worn beneath. Treeline Review tester Trey French found that in humid rainy conditions running in Tennessee, the Futurelight did a good job of managing moisture build up. Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket. Generally, we recommend renewing your DWR at least once a yearat the beginning or end of a season is a great time! Weight - 13.6 oz (mens medium) Material - Synthetic Blend. Constant downpours in the forecast for the seven days of your trip? If you value comfort and stretchiness in a rain jacket, its pretty ideal. The men's and women's Black Diamond Stormline Stretch is our winner for Best Stretchy Rain Jacket. A jackets packability can be looked at and measured in a couple ways. That does mean, however, that your rain jacket will likely spend most of its time in your backpack or bag. Still, it seemed to work well enough in conjunction with the superior breathability of the Gore Tex Paclite over proprietary waterproofing materials. For commuters, having access to your phone at all timeseven in the rainis important. They go as far as detailing the sustainable steps theyve made, as well as calling out where they come up short at the bottom of their product pages. It can be tempting to think of a rain jacket as a rugged piece of gear-it gets you through a lot of rugged weather, after all-but even rugged gear needs love and care. You may not see Layer 2most jackets on the market are 2.5-layer and feature a thin layer between Layer 2 and your skinbut its there, doing its job. The OR Helium, in contrast, uses a 30 denier to achieve a jacket of the same weight (but again, no pockets or pit zips). For a reasonable $199, that adds up to a whole lot of jacket. Marmot Minimalist. Reapplying the DWR is done through a fairly simple process, and weve found that the Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On works well.Back to Our Top Rain Jacket Picks Back to Our Rain Jacket Comparison Table. 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. Photo by Liz Thomas. Also, a softshell is a bit thicker than a rain jacket, and offers a negligible amount of warmth as a result. 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. Photo by Robert Curzon. Comparison in pocket placement and torso length between the Patagonia Torrentshell 2019 (left) and Torrentshell 3L (right). milwaukee chainsaw chain tension; ergobaby omni breeze positions. Photo courtesy Tiffany Searsdodd. We prefer the toggle style for adjusting the back of the hood over a rip-and-stick Velcro tab for its improved performance. At just 10.9 ounces, its on par with many budget-oriented 2.5-layer designs like the Marmot PreCip Eco, yet the Motive features a 3-layer construction that easily beats out the Marmot in toughness and breathability. The popular design features a Gore-Tex Paclite waterproof laminate, smooth and comfortable interior, and tough 50-denier shell thats both durable and highly weather-resistant. 58. You'll want an adjustable hood. Thats why ventilation and breathability are clutch when it comes to a rain jackets performance. While the weight penalty is minimal, the 3-layer H2No technology in the 100% recycled fabric offers enough additional weather resistance to impress. In that respect, the lightweight Arc'teryx Beta would still be considered quite packable," despite lacking a stuff pocket. Premium: Columbia Watertight II. Photo by Mike Unger. One exception is ultralight jackets, which cost more than cheap lightweight models but ventilate approximately the same in most cases. 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. Photo by Naomi Hudetz. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a27a6cd5b073a7f 22 February 2021 by nadia. But Patagonia upped their game with the Torrentshell 3L (see review above), a more-adjustable helmet-compatible hood, top-of-the-line waterproofing, higher eco-standards, and a price tag thats cheaper by $40. And rain gear, with its breathable fabric and waterproof membrane technology, doesnt always come cheap. An affordable women's raincoat: Columbia Women's Arcadia II Rain Jacket. 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. And when youre working hard, it can quickly become a necessity to dump some of that hot air rather quickly. The single cinch does mean if you really have to tighten the jacket, it will pull a bit to one side, but its often negligible and worth the weight savings. The downsides our tester shared were pretty technical. Weight: 6.3 oz (mens) / 5.8 oz (yes, the womens weighs more), Waterproof Material: 2 L Gore Te Infinium Windstopper, What we liked: weight, price, waterproof rating, breathability, What we didn't like: sizing, not many in-person retail locations to try it on. Comparison of expert ratings. For more background information, see our rain jacket comparison table and buying advice below the picks. And (no surprise), 2.5-layer jackets are a heckuva lot more lightweight and affordable than most full 3-layer jackets. Overall, we think BDs Highline does a nice job balancing price, weight, and protection for 3-season use, but it cant compete with the Gore-Tex-equipped Beta LT above in terms of outright protection and refinement. Popular applications include backcountry skiing and trekking in mild weather. In addition, you miss out on a chest pocket, and the shell isnt a weight or packed size leader. Hood sizes and cinches are a small feature that can make a big difference on a rain jacket. When choosing which rain jackets made our top picks list, we made the best choices we could with our own testing and other information available. . 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. Not as water-resistant as Marmot pants. One thing to note about Montbell is that sizing can run small. Finally, Marmot upped their sustainability game with the most recent model, and the Minimalist now features a 100% recycled shell fabric and PFC-free DWR coating. The newest version has a 3L construction, which provides a step up from the previous 2L and 2.5L models . A utilitarian men's rain jacket: Columbia Men's . The interior is soft to the touch and doesnt have the plasticky feel that you get with most traditional designs, and theres a noticeable amount of give in the shell fabric. First, we focused on sources that tested and rated both of them, like OutdoorGearLab, and learned that they all showed a preference for the Marmot Minimalist. 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. But the way pockets on gear are designed havent caught up to the way phones are designed. Marmot Minimalist: 189: 388: . For most people, having the lightest jacket isn't going to be necessaryand most people aren't willing to pay for that. They also can be used to store snacks and your phone. The men's rain jacket weighs 10.3 ounces in a Mediumalmost double the weight of the barebones Outdoor Research Helium (see review above). Layer 3 also helps water move from the warm inner of your jacket to the cool environment outside through the thermal gradient. This measurement tests both general water repellency as well as performance under pressure. Additionally, we have a whole section on waterproofing in our Best Mens Ski Jackets and Best Women's Ski Jackets guide. Overview. 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 This serves to protect the jacket from dirt when you are not using it. Breathability as well as compressibility increases and weight decreases with the design, making this the most popular option for hikers, backpackers, and climbers. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. That is not to say that there aren't many rain jackets made with Gore-tex, there are of course many of them. In particular, weve seen some breakdown of layers. We recommend sleeves that are slightly longer than youd try to get for a normal shirt, to give some weather protection to your hands. 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). 3L jackets are designed to better move excess heat and sweat from the inside of the jacket to the outsidekeeping you more comfortable in the process. Still, youve got to choose the best rain shell for your budget, and well always try to find you the best deals at our links. All our recommended jackets will excel for hiking and backpacking, but if you're bike commuting, we'd recommend something by a dedicated bike brand like Showers Pass. Diagonal reflective stripes now adorn the sleeves for better visibility in the dark. The Flight Lightriser Futurelight manages running in the rain and wet weather rather effectively. Treeline writer Felicia Hermosillo in the Frogg Toggs rain jacket in the Sierra. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. How does the Watertight II compare with REIs budget-friendly Rainier above? While our personal experiences are mostly backpacking experiences, were confident that these rain jackets will weather wet weather, whether youre hiking, traveling, mountain biking, trail running, fishing, or commuting. Generous hand pockets keep your hands cool on chilly days. At 13.9 oz, its on the heavier side for jackets in this review, but it comes fully loaded with welted storm flaps over DWR-treated zippers, armpit zips for venting, hand pockets for stowing, and a two-way-adjustable, stowable hood (that doesnt quite fit a helmet). 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. Photo by Mike Unger. 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. MENU MENU. For performance use, the benefits are obvious: While climbing, hiking, or other activities where youre moving your arms a lot, a stretchy jacket is less restrictive. Built with alpine climbing in mind, it has an athletic fit . Photo by John Carr. 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. 7.0. . How Waterproofing and Breathability Ratings Work. We're thrilled that for 2023, there was competition for this category (such as the Outdoor Research Heliumwhich is a good option if you want something less expensive). Marmot Minimalist: $199: 13 oz. So we simply noted if a jacket packed down into a pocket for easy storage.