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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.

(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...
Ground Zephur Jacket (Outdoor Retailer 2004 Winter Market First Looks Review)
Arc’Teryx launched the Powershield craze with the Gamma MX product line, GoLite lightened Powershield with their Kinetic Jacket, and a new company with an ambitious apparel line has finally made...
NEOS Trekker Overshoes (Outdoor Retailer 2004 Winter Market First Looks Review)
NEOS introduces its Trekker Overshoe, designed to slide over running shoes or lightweight boots to provide completely waterproof protection with a treaded sole in a high-gaiter design. We’ve been hard...
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
MSR launches a revolutionary new snowshoe design in the high-end MSR Lightning Ascent series. The MSR Lightning Ascent will be available in both men’s and women’s specific shapes (and colors),...
Pertex Equilibrium: Fabric Technology and Performance Overview

Technical, construction, and performance information about Pertex Equilibrium.

Winter 2004 Gear Watch: Backcountry Equipment for Climbers, Skiers, and Snowshoers
Winter Market ’03 Updates! Backpacking Light will be reporting from the 2004 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, January 29-February 2, 2004, Salt Lake City! If you want to stay informed of...
Black Diamond Zenix Headlamp Review
Summary of Specifications The Black Diamond Zenix weights 4.54 oz (129 g) with 3xAAA batteries. It is a 3-LED headlamp with two modes that alternate between a central, “hyperbright” LED...
Petzl Tikka Plus Headlamp Review
Summary of Specifications The Petzl Tikka Plus headlamp weighs 2.54 oz (72 g) with 3xAAA batteries. It is a 4-LED headlamp with batteries in the lamp housing (front). The headband...

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