Best Sub-10 oz rain jacket

The only sub-10oz jacket I can speak a bit to is the Outdoor Research Zealot at 7.75oz for my size large. I had one for a couple years before selling it last year after getting nice price on a Arcteryx Alpha LT on ebay and not being able to justify keeping the Zealot too.

I didn’t put it through a lot of bushwhacking, and the Paclite is pretty thin, but I did snag in on branches a few times squeezing through manzanita in Pt Reyes and didn’t put a hole in it. It also withstood some granite abrasion when I was careless. But probably not the extent of abuse you’re talking about.

BPL reviews in here but the reviewer doesn’t really go into long-term durability.

Have you considered the Integral Designs eVent Jacket? It doesn't have many features, but seems pretty durable and should breathe great.

That ID eVent looks nice. 11 oz in my size is pretty attractive. Man have to contemplate that a little more.

Thanks,

Luke

Luke, the TNF Triumph Anorak has had great reviews. Fully waterproof and only 5.6oz.

I use the Marmot Essence about 7 oz.

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

Not bombproof, but totally sweet for the type of jacket that it is.

bit expensive bu Patty M10 jacket. huge pit zips and a chest pocket. feels really durable

The M10 is the best climbing jacket out there, hands-down. If you don't need the climbing specific features, the $400 price will be unreasonable. A guy at Patagonia Seattle said it won't make it to Web Specials this fall, either.

I have the Marmot Essence. It's a very good jacket, and the fabric is impressive. I would strongly recommend one of their jackets with this material – either the Essence, Mica, or Super Mica should fit your needs, and are all excellent products at a good price.

The Marmot Super Mica and Mica are good. I have the Montbell Outpace Parka. Around 9 oz. and works really well. The Breeze Drytec fabric is awesome. I climb an awful lot and never had any complaints. It's cut a little close though, so if you want to layer you may need to go a size up.

I was at the MH store in Seatlle and tried this on. Runs true to size but cut in a very snug way.

Not sure if it's worth the cash at full 225 MSRP but worth a look. I'm looking for it to go on sale then I'll snag one. I'm seeing last years for around 120 and that seems well worth it.

If the highest breathability is desired, then two great options are:

1. Driducks – super cheap, not for bushwhacking but not that fragile either.

2. ID Event.

I have Dri ducks, which wear out easily and aren't windproof, which requires a windshirt that gets me back to the 13oz realm.

I recently switched to an AGG Rain Jacket at 5.5 oz for an XXL. It doesn't breathe, but has a full length zipper and is bulky so it doesn't stick to me as easily.

I'm a fan of the Marmot Essence. Very breathable and waterproof, Approaching eVENT if you believe the specs and less than 7 oz. Nice piece of kit. Worth a look.
-Mark

+1

Seems I'm running contrary to popular opinion, but I find the breathability of the Essence to be just decent and its abrasion resistance poor. I carry it in my pack as a summer "in case it rains" shell and enjoy the light weight, but mine hasn't stood up well to pack strap abrasion. When I know there will be weather (most of the time around western WA) I always have eVent along for the occasion.

I bought a MH Quark in 2008 to replace a Precip.

I found the fit of the Quark to be a bit odd. Snug body, long baggy sleeves, and big floppy hood.

I also didn't find it to be very waterproof — I returned it, and replaced it with an OR Zealot…

Thomas,

You make some good points about the Essence. Here in California, rain gear is mostly just in case it rains. If I wear it over a T shirt, my arms really feel clamy and makes the rest of me feel the same way. But with a highly breathable long sleve shirt it is much more comfortable. Regarding the abrasion… yes it is thin material, to be expected considering the weight of the jacket. However I have worn it under a pack with no sign of wear. Keep in mind that my pack weight is pretty light.

Like everyone else, I am still seraching for the UL/WB Holy Grail Jacket. Hmm… that might be great great marketing name for a jacket :) The Holy Grail!!

+1 ID eVent jacket.

I use mine as a windshirt too on ridgeline and summit walks. Super breathable.
Love the hood over a cap.
Pocket can hold Golite Reeds and some gloves.

cheers,
fred

I went ahead and bit the bullet on a ID thru hiker in sz medium. 11 oz (so I caved a little here) but the $200 for a chance to try out eVent was too attractive to pass up. We'll see how it holds up. Looking forward to trying this out.

Thanks again

Ouch 200 is a lot. I just got my Marmot Mica in the mail from mountain gear and scored on their 27th anniversary sale that was posted in gear deals.

Got it for 100 dollars and size large weighs less than 10 ounces.

Good buy, feels great, I'm excited to use it.

Although eVent is great stuff. I guess it depends on what kind of climate you hike in or use the jacket in

Originally was wanting the Super Mica but I opted for the Marmot Nano as I wanted something a little more durable to take climbing. For $50 more and the same weight, I think it was a great choice… it seems burly enough. I also considered the Arc'teryx Beta SL, but the Marmot fit better on me and weighs 3 oz less for the same price (8.5 oz on my scale size medium). It's still new and I haven't had need to wear it yet, so I can't comment on the rain performance and breathability. I expect it will perform just fine, though.

Yeah $200 seems like a lot until you consider what I paid for my Marmot Alpinist. :D Yeah rain gear needs are very dependent on the climate you plan on being in. If in the high Sierras you can get by with a lighter less durable rain jacket. Here in AK rain is a given much like PNW. So I opted for the better breathing and HOPEFULLY more durable thru hiker jacket. We shall see how it works.

"I have Dri ducks, which wear out easily and aren't windproof, which requires a windshirt that gets me back to the 13oz realm."

Not saying Driducks is the end-all solution, but it is windproof.

As a couple of other posters have mentioned, the extremely light Marmot shells may be close to optimal in drier climes. It is awfully nice to be able to carry such a minimalist piece.

In a place where the weather can fall out of the sky like a bomb on very short notice, you'll never regret having the slightly heavier eVent jacket. I'm still waiting for the perfect eVent item…it could be one of the new ones from Westcomb, Montane or Rab, which are hard to find…but in the meantime you've made a good choice.

"So I opted for the better breathing and HOPEFULLY more durable thru hiker jacket. We shall see how it works."

I don't think you'll be disappointed, Luke.