3 oz. Rab Phantom Pull-On

Waterproof/Non-breathable tight fitting with a half zip.

I be just as wet from the inside as from the outside.

Greg,
I thought RAB had lost their mind, so checked the product page on the RAB site, and buried in the ‘click for more info’ was a statement that the fabric is Pertex Shield.  AFAIK, that is claimed to be a waterproof breathable fabric. However, I bought a Pertex Shield jacket and found that it did not breathe well. So gave it away to someone on BPL.  And judging from the forums, I am one of the less sweaty ones on BPL.

So would suggest a Patagonia or Montbell product. Both use proprietary WPB that I’ve found better than GTX for breathability. But the very light waterproof breathables are much worse in my experience.  And for running?  It might work on one of my shelties, who perspire only from the mouth.

Greg:

I can confirm Sam’s statement.  I tested breathability of  Pertex Shield in an OR Helium II from last year.  It is near the bottom of breathability  in wpb membranes I have tested.

Steve

It looks like a promising option for a rainshell that you expect to stay in your pack most of the time – like for a trip in the Sierra.  It’s certainly not a shell I’d want to wear all day in sustained rain.

I’ve found most 2.5L jackets to get clammy pretty quick, and if I’m going to be in all day rain, I always prefer a 3L shell.  For an emergency/occasional use shell though, it looks like an impressive piece.  It weighs less than my windshirt!!!

Sizing looks really slim – they should have sized up on the model!

I no longer believe in waterproof breathable. I’m a fan of waterproof + oversized.

^This right here. Big +1

Just found one of these for 60% off in my size at a local store, so I bit. We’ll see how it works out. I justified it based on the amount of trail running and biking I do. For backpacking in the mountains, sustained rain usually = very cold, so I want something more protective. I have a MB Versalite, but it feels kinda chilly for some reason. Anyway…

Diane – what’s your rain kit these days?

I have and have used the full zip version of this shell. I used it on a recent trip in the Sierra, that included dawn to dusk off and on rain and thunderstorms. I worn a Kuiu fleece under it (it was cool). I’m fastpacking (did 33 miles in about 11 hours that day). So, I’m generating some heat. I was reasonably comfortable.

I tend to be of the school of thought that a breathable rain jacket doesn’t truly exist. That said this jacket is more of “Just in case” than a expecting weather shell.

Oh, sizing is indeed a tad slim. It has elastic on cuffs and a pretty good hood, considering the weight.

It’s 3 oz.s. What should we expect? That said, I’m a fan of Rab. And yes, Rab typically sizes a bit small. Even gloves. And their gloves are excellent. Ex-Nordic skier here.

It works as a temporary rain shell originating for runners.  I’ve packed one for a few years for west coast trips early-to-mid summer as an “extreme emergency shell” … as it spends 99.9% of my hiking time in the pack.  It performs “ok” to fend off the surprise downpour but lacking features like pit zips, full venting, etc … it may not bs suitable for most in continuous rain on a multiple day trip.   The kicker is I mostly use a Montbell Tachyon wind jacket almost negating the weight savings, but being much more comfortable using the latter when it sprinkles, sunny but cold wind, etc..

I probably won’t ever sell the Rab taking it on city walks and jogs (high viz color) as it’s UL and stashable.

My rain kit depends on the location. For the AZT it was a disposable poncho, Cosowe brand from Amazon, with sleeves. Surprisingly durable. I bought a 5-pack with the idea that I could go through a bunch of them for less weight and less cost than a rain jacket. I’m still on the first one. I only experienced one real storm where I needed to wear it. The only thing I didn’t like was I couldn’t get it on over my pack when I was out on the trail. I could do it at home but not on the trail.

For the CDT Wyoming section it was a vinyl poncho, until after a few storms it tore and I replaced it with a Frogg Toggs poncho, which didn’t cover me very well and also tore the first time wearing it.

My next attempt at rain protection for the CO CDT will be an Exped Pack Poncho UL. It is closed down the sides, has longer sleeves than a normal poncho, has an expandable pack bulge, and has a snap between the legs so it’s not so flappy.

Hi Diane

Try a Packa poncho. Very good.

Cheers

I’ve owned this rain jacket for years: http://ultralightinsights.blogspot.com/2016/04/gear-review-berghaus-vapourlight-hyper.html. I have no idea how it compares, other than being really lightweight, and quite effective. It isn’t fragile (like Propore) but I wouldn’t go bushwhacking with it either. It may not be the most breathable, but on the West Coast, that tends to be less of an issue. When it rains, it is cold. There are exceptions, but not enough to worry about. I going to put on something underneath a rain jacket (no matter what rain jacket I use) and the breathability of that is going to matter more (e. g. fleece versus a puffy jacket). In short, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this, but again, that is for the hiking I do.

Let me just add that the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pants (75g in medium) work really well for me.