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Sierra Designs DT Tech Jacket REVIEW

Excellent ventilation and fit, but a poor DWR and zipper durability issues.

Montane eVENT Superfly Jacket REVIEW
Introduction The Montane eVENT Superfly is the most breathable shell we’ve tested. At an honest 15 oz (425 g) the Montane eVENT Superfly is also the lightest hooded jacket using...
Montane Hydra-Lite Smock REVIEW
Introduction The Montane Hydra-Lite Smock is (as far as we know) the lightest fully waterproof rain shell on the market (Smock is UK for anorak or a half-length front zipper)....
MEC Aquanator Jacket REVIEW

A solid choice for the sloppy mountains of the Pacific Northwest, but deviates unnecessarily from the basic design of general purpose backpacking rainwear.

Mont-Bell Versalite Jacket REVIEW
Introduction At 11.4 oz (320 g), the Mont-bell Versalite Jacket is lightweight and full-featured waterproof/breathable rainwear. The jacket includes some very long (18 in, 45 cm) pit zips, two pack...
Haglöfs LIM Ultimate Jacket REVIEW

At this time, the lightest Gore-Tex (Pac-Lite) jacket available in the world - 8.8 oz.

Arc’Teryx Sirrus SL Jacket REVIEW
Introduction There are two schools of thought for making apparel lighter. The first one, employed by the majority of manufacturers, is to decrease the weight of materials used in the...
2004 Raingear Review and Gear Guide Overview

Gateway page to BackpackingLight.com's 2004 rainwear reviews and rainwear gear guide.

Montane Superfly Jacket REVIEW (2004)
Overview The Montane Superfly Jacket uses a two-layer polyurethane-coated ripstop nylon (30 denier) face fabric in what is one of the lightest fully waterproof rain shells on the market: our...
Patagonia Specter Pullover REVIEW 2004
Overview Patagonia promises simplicity and ultralight durability with their new generation of rainwear for lightweight aficianados, and they appear to deliver with the Patagonia Specter Pullover. Patagonia has stripped away...
MontBell Torrent Flier Jacket REVIEW
Overview Slipping into Mont-bell’s Torrent Flier jacket is like going to a concept car show and having one of the dealers hand over the keys. This jacket is loaded with...
GoLite Phantom Rain Jacket REVIEW

The GoLite Phantom Rain Jacket weighs less than 12 oz yet provides full weather protection and good breathability with Gore-Tex Pac-Lite III fabric. This is a full-featured shell providing parka-length coverage, pit zips, and generous pocket space.

Outdoor Retailer News
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004 Outdoor Retailer Announces Plans to Remain in Salt Lake Through 2009 – Show Floor Space to Increase 40% – Outdoor Industry Association Dilutes Wilderness Protection...
(Archived) – BearVault BV100 Review
About this Archived Gear Review This product reviewed in this article has been discontinued and replaced by the BV500. See our latest BearVault 500 (BV500) Review for updated info about...
Waterproof Breathable Fabric Technologies: A Comprehensive Primer and State of the Market Technology Review
Editor’s Introduction. BackpackingLight.com Product Review Program Director, Alan Dixon, knows more about waterproof breathable technology, rainwear garment design and function, and the relationship between ventilation and rainwear performance than anyone...
McMurdo FastFind Personal Locator Beacon First Looks (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)
McMurdo claims that they manufacture the smallest and lightest personal locator beacon (PLB). The McMurdo Fastfind personal locator beacon weighs 9 oz (255 g) and measures 6 x 3 x...
Jetboil Stove (Personal Cooking System) First Looks (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)
Overview of the Jetboil Stove Tucked in the back corner of the industry’s largest trade show is a closet booth rented by a tiny company with big aspirations to revolutionize...
OR News – Day 2 Dispatch: January 31 (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)
Daily Feature: JetBoil Stove (Personal Cooking System) A 14 ounce self contained canister stove system that employs an integrated heat exchanging unit to squeeze 12 liters of boiled water out...
ACR Electronics TerraFix 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) First Looks (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)

Smaller and lighter, the ACR TerraFix 406 will garner more attention for its decreased weight and size.

OR News – Day 1 Dispatch: January 30 (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004) – PUBLIC VERSION

New products announced today at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.

Suunto X9 GPS Watch First Looks (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)

A complete navigation solution in a wrist sized package.

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