Sierra Designs: 4.3 oz Waterproof Breathable Rain Jacket

[Ryan Jordan]

Companion forum thread to:

Sierra Designs Nanolite Rainshells – Isotope and Neutron Jackets First Look (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2005)

[Alex Orgren]

Any info on how waterproof or how breathable?

[David Lewis]

That’s pretty great. I didn’t think there would ever be anything lighter than a RainShield… let alone a jacket made of fabric with pockets and a full zipper, etc. Can’t wait to check this thing out next Spring : )

[SAM LAMBERT]

Does anyone have a report on the performance of the Epic fabric rain suit sold by the adventure racing supplier, MandatoryGear.com? The whole suit weighs 9 oz.

[EndoftheTrail]

Ryan:

I’d appreciate if you can clarify this jacket’s breathability rating. Alan’s article states:

“Nanolite: nylon ripstop waterproof/breathable silicone coated shell with DWR, 3,000 mm waterproofness, 3,0000 g/m2/24 hrs. breathability.”

What is 3,0000? The comma looks like it’s in the wrong place — or there is one zero too many??? 3,000 g/m2/24 is barely breathable; yet 30,000 would mean AMAZINGLY breathable (I think Goretex XCR is only 13,500). So which is it? Thanks in advance.

[EndoftheTrail]

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[kevin davidson]

I know it ain’t going to be as breathable as it’s more expensive rivals–I’m betting on 3,000. We aren’t going to see the magic pill yet (say eVENT in a full-sized sub 6 oz. jacket) when it comes to ultralight W/B rainwear.

And I just noticed that the original article now has the corrected figure of 3,000g/m/2/24 for breathibility.
Check it out, Ben.

[EndoftheTrail]

Just noticed that the above article has been corrected. This Neutron and Isotop jackets both have 3,000 g/m2/24 hrs. breathability.

Fantastically light weight, but alas, not all that breathable.

[Nicholas Couis]

Figures for the PreCip are Waterproof- 15,000/
Breathability-12,000/RET 65
For the PreCip Plus are Waterproof-25,000
Breathability-15,000/RET60
These are European independant tests.As you can see the PreCip may be heavier but is much more waterproof and breathable.
I would like to know the figures for the Patagonia Specter Jacket if anybody can get hold of them.

[David Lewis]

So this is an old thread… but now that the North Face Triumph is out… at 5.4 ounces… how do these two jackets compare in terms of waterproofness and breathability? I can get an Isotope right now on sale at a local store for 50% off… but it still wasted money of it doesn't perform… or if the NF jacket performs better.

[Phil Brown]

I tested out my triumph in the pouring rain for the first time today, and it works amazing. It kept me totally dry and really shed the rain, and I didn't get too clammy underneath. The hood is snug fitting and does a fantastic job. The only problem I can forsee is that without pitzips it may not ventilate as well in warmer weather, but for 5.8 oz I can deal with that.

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