NF Triumph anorak vs Marmot Essence vs Marmot Mica

I recently picked up the Mica, haven't used it on the trail yet but have to say that it's a jet fighter lookin jacket. If it doesn't perform, at least it looks rad : ) Haha, but I did do a bit of research before making the purchase and heard nothing but good on it. That's what made my decision, the looks are just a bonus!

You're looking at some very nice jackets.

I have the Marmot Essence (see avatar) which I chose over the Mica because it has pit vents (not pit zips, just vents which don't work that great). The Essence and Mica are basically the same jacket but features vary. The Mica has dual hip pockets, where as the Essence has pit vents and 1 napoleon (breast) pocket instead. My size medium weighs 6.5oz.

I wanted to buy the Triumph Anorak but I couldn't find it anywhere near the same price. I got my Mica new on eBay for ~$70. The Triumph Anorak is a pull over which is the main difference. It saves weight with the 1/3 zip. Breathability is supposedly similar between these jackets. The Triumph Anorak has a lot less seams than the Marmot jackets since it's made from just 1 or 2 pieces of fabric so there are less seams to leak. With that said, I've been out in the rain several times in my Essence with no issues. All of these jackets should be waterproof and have mediocre breathability. The Triumph is the lightest (~5.75oz medium) so if you don't mind a pull over then that might be the best way to go. The pit vents in the Essence are a nice idea but they are mostly covered with a fabric flap and it doesn't seem like much venting actually occurs although trimming the flap could improve this at the risk of some water entering.

If money was no object, I would buy the Triumph Anorak and add some #3 pit zips via the nice method shown recently in the MYOG forum.

Are any of these jackets mid thigh in length. Do any of them cover the hips. Do they come in a "tall" version

flume

Where are you finding either of these for $100? If so, get the Essence. They're $160 on the Marmot website so you're getting a deal.

I will suggest another jacket for you. The Patagonia Houdini. 4.3 oz.

Isn't the Houdini a windshirt? DWR coated windshirts have their place, but I would never replace my rain jacket with one. I've never encountered a DWR yet that I couldn't wet out after more than an hour of rain.

For 2010, I believe Marmot has replaced both the Essence and Mica with the new 'Super Mica' which is heavier (8oz?) but it has real pit zips, reinforcement patches for where your pack sits and a higher price tag ($200).
http://marmot.com/products/super_mica_jacket

No jacket is going to be truly breathable, waterproof, and windproof. I have a closet full of many brands to prove it :)

The only thing I have not tried is eVent, and am not willing to buy another expensive jacket with the same results.

So far, my Essence has worked better than anything I have used, including a very expensive PacLite. So here are some thoughts…

– I get cold easy. So others might sweat in the conditions that are just perfect for me.

– The pit ventilation doesn't seem to do anything. On jackets with pit zips, I can feel some difference but not enough to regulate my torso.

– Works pretty good as a wind jacket, but not as well as my Montbell UL wind jacket. Of course it is cooler/breathes better than the wind jacket.

– I don't need or want hand pockets. I like the chest pocket for my small camera. I also usually hike with a Rail Riders Eco-Mesh shirt, and am in the habit having a chest pocket for my camera.

– When using the Essence as a wind jacket and wearing a T shirt, my arms feel clammy against the material. Feels much better with a long sleeve shirt.

– I don't like the elastic sleeves. Seems it would be cooler with sleeves that are loose around the wrist. I often wear it with the sleeves pushed up around my forearms.

– I am 5'11" and thin. My size should be a medium, but I like size L in jackets. I can wear my Montbell Ex UL Down Jacket under the Essence without compressing the down.

– The bottom of the jacket just covers my buttocks, when not wearing a pack. I have never paid attention to how low it goes with a pack on.

– I like the full length zipper vs an anorak. Gives me more ventilation options. But I have never liked anoraks at all… just a personal thing. Also the zipper is opposite of a convential jacket… like a woman's jacket here in the U.S. That is a minor incovenience. Sometimes in windy weather, I will zip it almost all the way down, and my pack straps and belt keep it from flapping around and it helps to keep me cool.

– I use it a combo rain/wind jacket.

– Keep in mind that when it rains here in the west, it is usually cool or cold, unlike other parts of the country in summer.

– It is light at 6.7 oz.

– I bought mine last year on clearance somewhere. I think it was under $100, but I had to settle for a caution orange looking color.

So it is not perfect by any means, but it works better than anything I have used before. I really prefer a poncho, but they suck in wind. I have used the Essence a lot, and often wear it around town. This winter I wore it every morning when walking my dog. I probably need to wash it, as it is starting to get stinky.

mica is still around for 2010, the super mica replaced the essence.

+1 for the marmot ones. the TNF anorak's elastics in the waist and arms sucks probably won't last more that a season or 2 of use.

Few more comments:

– The non-adjustable elastic wrists of the Essence aren't that great. They aren't tight enough to keep bugs and rain out. I think the Mica has velcro wrists which you can adjust to be as tight or loose as you need. This is better.

– I usually take a windshirt in addition to my Essence because it's more comfortable on my skin (over a t-shirt) as Nick mentioned. The windshirt is also there to take more abuse than the Essence can handle. For sitting around a fire (sparks) or bushwacking I wear the windshirt although the Essence is reasonably durable. I have bushwacked with it on a bit.

– I'm 5'11, 165 lbs and happy with the fit of my medium Essence.

I have had a bunch of different rain shells. After a while they all "wet out". I've had the north face anorak for sometime. It still beads off water like its new. I've been super happy with it. Weighs nothing. Great shell. Just used it on a 5 days backpacking trip in Alaska. Rained everyday. I was the only one that didn't look soaked!

mica is still around for 2010, the super mica replaced the essence.

Not true! The Essence is still available!

http://marmot.com/products/essence_jacket?p=110,170,74

A bunch of useful replies. Since I want to carry just one jacket for 500 non-stop miles in the Colorado Rockies, often above tree line, wind protection is important to me.

The loose wrists can be fixed by a rubber band you wear on your wrist I guess.. I have to often do this since I have pretty skinny wrists.

Can anyone who owns the Anorak be able to tell me if they can hike in this anorak when there is no rain but there is some mild wind? I'm afraid that it might be too warm to hike in and too wind-chilly to hike without..

.. in which case, it makes sense to go with the Essence / Mica since they have full zippers.

PS: Durability — does wearing the pack on any of these jackets wear them out too fast?

Durability — does wearing the pack on any of these jackets wear them out too fast?

Haven't had mine long enough to know.