Thoughts on UL rain jackets

I won't try to tell you what you shoiuld get or avoid as everyone is different, but I will tell you what I got and why. I also live in drought stricken California and do most of my hiking in the San Gabriel's and Sierras. I always carry a rain jacket, as I have been caught by surprise at least once. I tried "breathable" jackets, but found that they either didn't breathe much (if at all) or didn't keep the rain out for an adequate length of time. I tried Dri-Dicks, which kept the rain out and I would use it again, but it didn't breathe much at all. I ended up going with a cheap UL nylon cycling rain jacket that weighs 5.6 oz, doesn't let any water in and has a large neck zipper to vent when conditions allow. It cinched nicely around the face and allows the use of a ball cap to divert water from the face. It doesn't breathe much but again, I didn't find any others that really did., and it doesn't have pit zips, which are important to some.

I have a "Rab Pulse" which I bought in 2012. Overall I like the jacket. It's lightweight enough (190g in S), great hood and good fit. I don't like the zip, it is not very smooth and deforms a little. I have used it more or less as a regular hard shell to protect me from wind and rain during extended hiking trips, climbing trips and daily commute. It has kept me dry enough during extended heavy rain. The "breathability" of the Pertex Shield+ is OK, but nothing more. Walking with a pack during heavy rain it gets clammy. It has recently started to show wear and started to delaminate around the neck (multiple areas). I have washed it and DWR treated it but I don't know if I would trust the waterproofness for extended heavy rain any longer. Especially not the sleeves or shoulders. From a performance standpoint I guess it is comparable to the OR Helium II. The Pulse has better hood though and if I remember correctly the fabric of the Helium feels more "plasticky". I'm satisfied enough with the Pulse that I just bough the RAB Flashpoint Jacket which was on sale. I would say that the designs of the two jackets are very similar but the Flashpoint is much nicer – splendid workmanship (it better be for the price they are asking), more features (adjustable cuffs, waterproof chest pocket), much better zip and ~20 grams lighter in small. Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to test the breathability or waterproofness yet.

the nice thing about the Helium II (besides the 6.1 oz weight) is that OR has one of the best warranties in the industry; eventually jackets will delaminate- I know a lot of folks who had trouble getting any warranty work w/ Marmot, no troubles w/ OR

I appreciate the thoughts. I know this is an overdone topic on here, but like most other pieces of gear, it is one that is consistently changing. For instance, Rab no longer makes the Pulse, which got high ratings on here. Same story for the Haglofs Ozo. I have narrowed down my list. Ironically, if I lived somewhere it rained more often, I would get the Helium because it is so light. (I would be carrying it more often.) I almost never carry a rain jacket in California and don't plan to start. I want a rain jacket that will do a decent job of keeping me dry when I know I'm very likely to encounter rain. Alaska, PNW, etc. So some extra weight is worth it, to me. With that in mind, I've narrowed the list to the Rab Flashpoint and the Arcteryx Beta LT. I'm a bit surprised I'm considering the Arcteryx – it's a bit overwrought, if you ask me. I've never thought much of them. But it seems like the Beta LT would keep me drier than most other coats of similar weight and would hold up better on my scrambling/cross country ventures than the Rab Flashpoint. That said, for lightweight backpacking and staying on the trail, the Rab seems like the best option I've seen on the market now. Any other thoughts appreciated.

if I know I'm going to encounter rain, I'll choose a 3 layer jacket- mine is a Rab eVENT Momentum- no longer made, but I believe there was a close replacement- sorry don't know which model replaced it also look at Patagonia's M10 for a 3 layer

I like both of those shells. Rab has a good update of the eVent jacket you mentioned. I thought I might be able to get away with getting one jacket but realize I need two – a lightweight one for here in California – and that's likely to be the Helium – and more of a hardshell for my trips to hardcore climes. I don't have any trips planned to such locations for a while so I'll wait on that purchase.

I'm looking for a decent, lightweight, semi-durable, rain jacket that is NOT breathable. Where is it? Breathability is largely a myth, at least when it's raining. I don't ever use my rain jacket for other purposes, so I don't want to mess with the soak throughs that always afflict the eVent and Gortex junk. I'd like something durable enough that my pack straps won't wear through it, but otherwise thin plastic would do. Who makes such a thing?

Beta SL may be a better choice (rather than Beta LT). Love that jacket. Mine is from 2008, still good.

@Todd Helly-Hansen

Ken, what Helly Hansen jacket are you talking about specifically?

Yeah…I'm gonna bring up the Packa again. The thing I really hate about wearing a rain jacket with a pack is that whatever "breathability" the jacket may have is useless on your back, shoulders and waist as the pack, straps and belt are pressing everything tightly to your body. Plus all that contact abrades and degrades the fabric/DWR and hastens the end of the jacket's useful life. The packa is (to my mind) simply a "fitted"poncho…nice and loose and flowing with tons of ventilation and no need to pretend the fabric is breathable. Yes…it can be a bit awkward around camp when not wearing the pack, but I'll gladly take that for an improved day of hiking in the rain.

My eVent Packa is my go-to jacket for below 50F. Breathability is awesome due to: 1. eVent 2. long pit zips 3. full-length zipper 4. loose poncho-like fit 5. covers my pack instead of being in that already sweaty space between my back and pack If I wear waterproof gaiters, then the only thing which gets wet is my thighs. That's not really an issue with quick-drying fabrics with good DWR, especially softshells.

I'm not sure why the Montbell Versalite is often overlooked in these rain jacket discussions. I do live in a rainy climate and have lots of field experience with this jacket (I own two). At 7.1 oz for a size Large, the Versalite offers two zippered hand warmer pockets, adjustable hood, draw cord hem and pitzips. I'm pretty sure it's the lightest "full featured" rain jacket on the market. If any of these features are important to you and you want to stay dry, consider the Versalite. The light weight material that Montbell uses on the Versalite makes it feel and pack like a windtop (packs very small). If I wasn't interested in a full featured jacket, I would probably look at Luke's Ultralight Event jacket.

I have both the Helium and the Arcteryx Beta LT. The Helium does a pretty good job of keeping me dry, is very light, but the hood does not work well. In a long, protracted downpour water seems to get in and down my chest. I also do not carry it when hiking off trail or around thorny or sticky plants. The Arcteryx is indeed heavier. The hood is much better and the material is much, much tougher. Summary. I take the Helium when on trail and do not expect prolonged rains. I take the Arcteryx when in true back country, bushwacking, or expect days of rain. I agree with everyone, great rain gear is a myth. Art

IMHO, the truly UL jackets lack ventilation features and length in the effort to get the weight down. All the testing I have read showed that breathability isn't stellar in even the most expensive fabrics and that venting features were far more effective for user comfort. 2.5 layer jackets are a good balance of breathability and cost, but all are rather fragile. With careful laundering, I think that a couple years service life is about it for an active backpacker. Buy 'em on sale and use 'em up. Pit zips of some sort are helpful. A front zipper storm flap with snaps or spaced Velcro tabs allows some venting through the front with the zipper open and the snaps/Velcro keeping the flap in place. Wide cuffs with Velcro tabs can help too. Outdoor Research's Torso Flow zippers that go all the way to the hem work well for pit zip type venting and allow you to put the front of the jacket over your waist belt like an apron and eliminate the trapped pockets created by the waist belt, sternum strap and shoulder straps. I have a RailRiders jacket that has long front pocket zippers that vents the front panels well. All those features add weight and getting a jacket that also has good length and a large enough fit for layering and "bellows" effect won't be ultralight: 12-16oz (or more) is about it. I would get a poncho.

I really, really like the Rab Flashpoint. I took it to the Pyrenees and several overnighters in the Belgian Ardennes and so far it has kept me completely dry. It breathes rather well, better then my Mountain Equipment Firefox (GTX Active). It has no pitzips, or hand pockets, just a small chest zipper. It does utilize a full zipper. And perhaps the best: only 178 grams for a mens medium. It seems the new model will be with Pertex-fabric, instead of Rab's own Flashpoint-material.

Thankfully! someone besides me praising this jacket! I just can't believe no one besides me has really been talking about this one.

I wouldn't discard the Essence, as it is a different tech than the PreCip. I have a new Essence but haven't needed to use it yet so I can't comment about its performance. I'm not saying its a perfect jacket, just something to consider. Another jacket to look at is the Montbell Peak Shell. Its 3-Layer and weighs 9.1 oz. The RAB Flashpoint sounds great but I think it seems a little pricey for a UL shell. It usually lists at $325, while the Peak Shell is $175. I would have picked up the Peak Shell except I already have a RAB Momentum at 12 oz and I found the Essence on sale.

" I just can't believe no one besides me has really been talking about this one." Sticker shock?

>>Sticker shock? No kidding! Jen is so convincing I decided it was time for me to look at the Flashpoint. *If* you can find one in your size they are all up around $300. I found one for ~$230 (still WAY too much) on one, and just one, site and it was more than a bit sketchy looking.

I was lucky then. I bought mine for €180, or $200! We might not have an MLD… Or Z-Packs… But we Europeans do have cheaper Flashpoints! :)

HA! yeah, I got mine for less than $200, too. gotta love those campsaver coupons + discounts….. Not sure I would pay full price for it, that's for sure. Kind of like the Patagonia M10 that I really lusted after. Never saw it for less than $300.

Honestly, I had previously decided that when my Marmot Mica (which I really like) is done and I find I still need a UL rain shell, the Versatile is going to be it. Have yet to read a bad review and I have to admit to being very fond of every piece of Montbell gear I have owned.

The Rab Flashpoint or the Patagonia M10 come the closest to being what I want: One shell that will keep me dry and is light enough to carry. I hate the idea of buying two shells to meet these needs. If I could find either of those coats on sale in my size or not in some hideous color, I would buy one.