Anyone try any of the wind/rain hybrid jackets?

I think this type of jacket would pair well with a poncho/tarp. All the protection you'd need when your poncho is in tarp mode. If the OR Helium Hybrid used a similar fabric placement as the OR LodeStar Jacket, which is a softshell with PolarTec PowerShield Pro on the hood, shoulders and all the way down the tops of the arms but breathable in the body, it would be more protective. If OR just ran the Pretex Shield+ further down the arms, I think it would find some room in a few people's quivers.

Are these types of jackets developed for climbers? If it starts raining or the rock face is dripping, if you're hugging the wall the water will pretty much only hit your head and shoulders, so I can see the use for these in a climbing application.

If OR would just extend the WP section down the arms, it could be quite useful IMO.

I think climbers, but guessing also runners, day hikers and short backpacking trips where the weather outlook is decent

I agree- running down the top part of the arms (leaving the under alone) would make it better :)

most of these jackets are meant for short intensive endurance events where dryish cold or a low chance of rain is indicated, but you still want a bit more protection for certain areas from drip while ice climbing or from snow travel for example

remember that in higher output activities body heat will push the moisture out of the core, providing its not too wet … but the arms and head likely dont generate enough heat for that

now one can take both a softshell/windjacket and a UL hardshell … but in climbing anyways theres always the matter of "faff" … ie opening up the pack, pulling out the shell and putting it on and off constantly at belays … with a single jacket one simply leaves it on and zips/unzips it as required … the polartec alpha and nanopoofay air are built around the same "faffless" principle

they arent meant for long term or intense precipitation ….

think of them as a "softshell/windshirt plus" …

heres a few reviews

http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=6216

https://climbinggearreviewsuk.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/arcteryx-alpha-comp-hoody-climbing-gear-review/

;)

+1
Such sort of hybrids are not new and (nearly) always meant for climbing activities.

A bit off topic, but i took a completely waterproof poncho, cut a large section of the front chest/stomach area off and sewed some Nextec EPIC fabric onto it. Shoulders, back, etc are all water proof. Hood is mostly the waterpoof fabric, but i did cut out a section of that, and sewed both the EPIC fabric and a layer of thin polypropylene "base layer" (from a Terramar bottoms) fabric beneath that. This will act like a sort of Paramo system for that area.

But, i still would bring a windshirt. A relative few more ounces for a lot more comfort is worth it to me. If the EPIC fabric starts to wet out too much, the windshirt would keep me from getting soaked. It also helps that i often use a fishnet baselayer in cool rainy weather. Very helpful in potential hypothermic conditions, because it keeps wet clothing off the skin and traps a thin layer of air even if everything else is soaked. Besides, when i'm alone i can get real Right Said Fred, and whom doesn't like busting out the "I'm too sexy…" song and dance?

(this poncho is not to be confused with the one that i sewed some Maxima ESD fabric to the front core. I've decided to take that off and put the true EPIC fabric on).

sounds very interesting :)

I think the SOL Survival Poncho are available at Amazon USA:

http://www.amazon.com/Survive-Outdoors-Longer-Survival-Poncho/dp/B00HJTH7JM/ref=sr_1_1?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1437948904&sr=8-1&keywords=Adventure+Medical+Kits+SOL+Survival+Poncho

If I didn't have the Thermal Jacket already I would totally get this one, or I still might.

I agree with many others that this thing definitely has a niche (and by Niche, I mean as I, an Ecologist would use the term, as in, it has a place in the world).

Can definitely see its niche as a running/racing/FKT type product.
-For me once I start pushing hard enough, there is very rarely enough rain/cold/wind to make me need a fully waterproof jacket. My Tachyon Windshirt does fine. Literally has to be 0-5C and wind blown cold rain for several hours on end. Problem also negated with waterproof mitts and a light beanie (that I happily let get wet-gets wet with sweat anyway).
-Go a bit colder again, and by then the precipitation is starting to get dry. Greatly reduced need for complete waterproofing, breathability more paramount.

I can definitely see its usefulness for poncho/cape users. Especially in heavier weather when you are more likely to, by chance, spend time in camp outside your pitched poncho/cape. Especially if you are with another person/group and you want to spend a little bit of time socialising in camp with them (and outside of your shelter). If pushing very hard, the type of hard where a poncho/cape is unweildy and slows you down slightly, this jacket could be an option in that scenario where your speed is great enough that you are still warm.

In bad conditions hiking solo it probably works better than with a group. Why? Because you choose your pace. If you need to push harder or run to stay wet-warm, you only have to motivate yourself to do so. You don't have to make everyone else run with you. There are only a couple of people I hike with that move fast enough for me now, if hiking with anyone else (eg taking Scouts out, or my toddler), I need a waterproof layer or else I'd get cold waiting for them. That could be my Gatewood Cape.

The Slabs option is expensive though for the weight. I was hoping to see something more like 3oz.

Also agree with other's comments that a strip of WPB on the upper of the arms would be handy. Particularly forearm.

A Tachyon Anorak with a slightly longer, waterproof zip, and WPB Cuben panels would be pretty cool.

Adam, I have the Tachyon Anorak too and it agree it is really good in the rain (indestructible too). There have been times when naturally slowing down or on long cold days with continuous hard rain that I was fine in it, but wished it had waterproof shoulders and a hood.

Do they still sell the Anorak abroad? I think they changed to full zip (and small arm pit vents) and lighter weight here in Japan.

well I found one for a good price and snagged it; out of the bag I was pleasantly surprised it weighs a couple of tenths under spec- it also has a very nice hood and it's adjustable, adjustable hem and a large front pocket I did a rudimentary breathing test with my breathe and it appears to be line w/ my 2012 Houdini- so that was good. I took it out for a run this afternoon- low 40's, wind 10-15 mph, jacket performed excellently as a wind jacket. Cut the wind nicely, but stayed pretty dry even with some good elevation gain (exertion). It started spitting a cold rain and everything just beaded up- so the DWR is decent. It didn't rain hard enough that I can say it outperforms a windshirt in the rain, but if I were a betting man my guess would be it will. I certainly won't be selling my hardshells anytime soon, but think the Hybrid will find my way into my running pack and daypack on days with favorable forecasts and I'll leave my hardshell behind.

"my thought is it would replace a rain jacket (AND windshirt) for certain occasions and certain trips" Assuming it's breathable enough, I would have welcomed the opportunity to try something like that while in the Sierras a couple of weeks ago. Sprinkles, then sprinkles and quick showers on back to back days, then a day of mostly light rain occasionally giving way to short showers and higher wind. With the daytime temps on the rainy day hovering ~40F, hiking in a synthetic T was a bit brisk, but I run hot enough that a rain jacket was too much, even with pitzips(don't know why people make so much of rain at around freezing, when a baselayer and shell are about perfect). As it was, I preferred to just put on my Helium HD when the rain got harder and/or the wind picked up, and stayed drier overall than my friend who kept an OR Revel on for most of the day over a merino T(that TorsoFlo is a neat feature, but he was still soaked with sweat the whole time). It was mostly my upper chest and shoulders that were wet, so I imagine we both might have been happier with that Hybrid.

Owen- those sound like the conditions that the Hybrid should cover pretty nicely Mike

I got to take the Hybrid out on a 3-ish hour run the other day with almost steady drizzle and intermittent light rain. The DWR on the non-Pertex sections really did a good job, never wetted through- nice and beaded. As one would expect the Pertex + sections had no problem with this weather. Temps were in the mid 40's, which could combine for some miserable conditions, but I was just fine through the entire run. Using the zipper and hem adjustment to vent I was able to do a pretty decent job of venting while running; it's not perfect though as running can overwhelm almost any windproof layer (and completely overwhelm any waterproof layer!). When done with my run my base layer (OR Echo) was slightly sweaty, but not overly so. Being completely comfortable in steady drizzle in the mid 40's is win in my opinion :)

I would be interested in a jacket if anyone ever finds one in the US, please let me know.

just a little update; I’ve been running/snowshoeing using this jacket (OR Helium Hybrid) all fall and winter- it does exactly what I was hoping for- breathe decently and fend off light rain/wet snow that would otherwise overwhelm a “typical” windshirt.  I think the breathability is a little less than my 2012 Houdini, but on several occasions this winter that was a good thing.  running/snowshoeing generates a lot more perspiration than hiking, so I think this hybrid would do even better under less aerobic activities

I’m not going to be selling my hard shell anytime soon, but I’m going to be carrying it less :)

Arcteryx has been making a hybrid for at least 6 years I would guess. One of my friends seems to enjoy it fwiw.

do you know what’s called by chance?

alpha comp hoody … which often go on sale as most latte sipping dog walkers dont buy em because they arent a full rain jacket

in fact i just bought my favorite climbing partner one for ~160 maple syrup dollahz (normally $400+) … shes pretty happy as its a nice purple and has a very visible logo

;)

As a Montbell fanboy I have to mention the Versalite, which has quickly become my fave for this role. I really gave the OR Helium II a good try-out for the job but never could make peace with the hood (especially — that funky cinch system didn’t work for me) and the non-adjustable cuffs and the lack of pit zips. I was okay without the hand pockets and really did like the ‘Napoleon’ chest pocket on the Helium II, however.

But if anyone is interested in the OR Helium Hybrid, there are some deals to be found now, such as this one at EMS. $62.50 if you’re confident of the sizing, which runs quite small IME. M always fits me perfectly with Montbell, but I needed a L for the Helium II.

I believe OR is discontinuing the Hybrid (or possibly revamping it????) as it’s not on their site anymore.  The one thing I would offer as an improvement is add Pertex to the top of the arms- a one ounce hit in this area would be worth it.

as far as sizing, my Helium II and Hybrid are both size Large, my normal size (including several Montbell pieces)- they may be a little small if you typically run at the very upper end of your size range

they may be a little small if you typically run at the very upper end of your size range

I am a bit chubby right now!

Mike, I think the hybrids are aimed at runners and other short duration, high output activities, where you go out for a few hours and back rather than multi-day use. Day 3 in the Olympics might find you a wee bit damp :)

I looked them over at OR and came to the conclusion that it makes a heavier, not as breathable windshirt and a rain shell that won’t keep you dry when it hits the fan. Houdini and poncho for me.

Dale- agree it’s a niche product. I do see some use for shorter 2-3 day trips in the Mountain West where the forecast is very positive. I’ve used it for several long day outings, again with a positive weather outlook.

True that, Dale.

I’ve been over to your neck of the woods (north Cascades… aptly named) a few times and felt the wrath of non-stop rain and drizzle and cool temps.

I’ve got an eVent Packa that I would use if anticipating rain such as that, but I could see where, at times, a simple poncho might be even better. Which poncho do you use?

I use a Golite poncho for day hikes or SMD Gatewood Cape when taking it for solo shelter.

The poncho is great for a day hike backup shelter. I carry an AMK space blanket bivy too.