Can anyone comment on the breathability of Patagonia’s Rain Shadow and Jetstream Jackets?

Hi, I recently bought the Patagonia Grade VI at the Patagonia sale. It is lighter at 10.5 oz. AND more durable than the Jetstream. It is amazing how solid and bombproof the Jacket feels given the weight. Patagonia says it is also more breathable than the Jetstream. Haven’t tried it yet, so can’t comment. The price is also great at 140 at Sierra Trading Post.

Can’t comment on the Montbell.

The Montane seems to be as solid and durable as the Grade vi, but it is 4 oz. heavier. The eVent fabric is prob. more breathable, but the Grade vi has better ventilation, which – according to BPL philosophy – is more important.

I agree that the Grade VI is quite bomber for the weight, but it isn’t lighter than the Montane Quick-Fire – it’s the same weight (at least by published weights, I haven’t weighed them), but less breathable. It is 4 ounces lighter than the Montane Superfly, a more feature-rich shell.

My wife snagged a Grade VI from the Patagonia outlet for $87, can’t beat that price. The material doesn’t seem very breathable, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a bit more breathable than the Jetstream or Rain Shadow. My concern with the Grade VI is that it seems to be cut shorter than all of the above jackets – quite a few ultralight jackets have a very short hem, probably under the assumption that the weight savings from the jacket will allow you to carry very light rain pants as well. With a longer hem (like the Integral Designs eVENT Jacket), I find it comfortable to keep moving in the rain without putting on rain pants in anything less than a downpour.

I am so convinced that better ventilation is important that I’d cut light plastic pit zips or waterproof pit zips into a jacket as light as the Grade VI or Montane Quick-Fire. That would only add about 2 ounces.

I have tested and found that long chest pockets do not equal pit zips for ventilation, especially since large enough pit zips allow you to take your arms out of the sleeves and put them out through the pit zips, great for uphills when you are heating up.

My ideal shell – long enough to mostly cover the crotch, weight below 13 ounces, adjustable hood with stiff brim, pit zips that open long to double as mesh pockets on the inside lower part of the pit zip and highly breathable material (and if it is at all possibly, a small chest pocket for keys/ID if you’re using the jacket to run in rainy weather).

If you see it, please holler my way!

Enjoy your jacket, it’s an excellent piece, especially if you don’t sweat a lot.