Current Lighweight W/B Jackets

Also:

Patagonia M10 $399 11.4 oz
DriDucks Ultra-lite2 $25 6.0 oz

As usual, Patagonia doesn't give breathability/waterproofness ratings. A Patagonia rep on Backcountry claims 30K/30K, but who knows where that info came from and how much it says about performance in the field.

It'd be interesting to use this data to create a coefficient showing what gives you the lightest weight, most breathable jacket for your dollar. Limit usefulness because of breathability being so subjective, but we could use the spec'd info as a start. Just an idea! :)

I believe the North Face Triumph Anorak is back for 2011 and it's about 5.5oz.

Thanks for the input! I was trying to keep the price reasonable and almost left out the Arctryx. But also was leaving out the cheap stuff. Maybe I should have said the not too expensive/not too cheap w/b jacket list. :)

These lists are always never ending and I have about 35 jackets listed keeping it under 1 pound. To make it manageable I kind of have to find a way to leave stuff out. I will add the Patagonia and remove the upper price limit because some people have a lot of money. I figure Dri-Ducks, Frog Toggs, ProPore are kind of in a league to themselves, semi disposable rain gear.

Thanks again!
Jeff

the made in canada westcomb spectre lt ….

A cutoff around 12.0 oz seems like a good line- if 12.x is OK, you can add:

Arc'teryx Alpha LT $499 12.9 oz

Here is what I have been able to find on waterproof and breathable specs. I left out Paclite and eVent. The first number is waterproofness and the second is breathability. Not sure how accurate they are in comparing with one another. Sorry the format does not carry over.

Eddie Bauer Weatheredge Pro 20,000mm 25,000g/m 24hr
Marmot MemBrain Stata 20,000mm 20,000g/m 24hr
Montbell 3-layer Breeze Dry-Tec 25,000mm 15,000g/m 24hr
Precip 15,000mm 12,000g/m 24hr
Eddie Bauer Weatheredge Plus 10,000mm 10,000g/m 24hr
Pertex® Shield® DS 2.5L 10,000mm 7,000g/m 24hr

Thanks Aaron! I added it to my long list of 35 jackets.

I have the Alverstone, and love it. Long in the back, stiff brim, and pitzips under 11 oz. in XL. On sale under $120 as well.

EDIT; Sorry, last years product…

Great jacket, I like Mammut stuff. Alas discontinued and bit too heavy to make the list.

RAB Momentum $285 12.0
RAB Demand $250 10.0
RAB Kinetic $140 9.0

At $229. the REI Kimtah eVent PARKA (not jacket) weighs 16 oz. for size medium.

At $99. my Cabela's Rainy River GTX PacLite parka weighs 15 oz. in size Large, Tall.
But it ain't' nearly as breathable as the Kimtah.

It appears that when getting below the one pound weight in a W/B parka durability begins to be compromised. Perhaps a grid of ripstop Dyneema in the fabric is the solution to this problem. I dislike shiny, noisy W/B fabrics and bright colors don't help either. W/B Cubic Tech is not where I want to go.

Ideally a light W/B parka can be used year 'round. In summer downpours and winter XC skiing trips. But can it hold up to the all day abrasion of pack straps or falling on crusty snow? "There's the rub!", as Will Shakespeare would say.

P.S After looking at the Eddie Bauer BC 200 parka (WeatherEdge Pro material) I think it may be the real competition for eVent parkas. Their material is good enough that they publish their W/B stats. All companies selling W/B garments should do this.

This started as a personal search and thought I would share what I found. I left out Anoraks because that was not in my preference. I went to the RAB website a half dozen times so no clue why I left them out but have now added them. Thanks for that!

The Westcomp Specter Lt Hoody was a nice surprise! Thank you!

The Cabela's jacket is no longer available and is above the 12.X oz.

I don't XC ski but I downhill and use separate gear for that. I don't think you can have an ultralight shell that is durable enough for skiing. OK Maybe some of the Arcteryx stuff and maybe a couple of others but doubt much sub 12oz. I do like the ideal of multiple use though.

Keep throwing others models my way. I will post the list when the suggestions stop.

I didn't realize that Pertex Shield was at the bottom of the list on waterproofness/breathability- was looking at the Helium

hmmmmm

-integral designs jackets
-arcteryx alpha sl pullover $275 11.4oz
-marmot nano $250 8oz

All the jackets I have listed claim 2.5L Pertex Shield DS. I have no way of knowing how accurate those numbers are and if they are comparable to other technologies. I know there are a couple of ways to measure. GoLite is the only one to give these figures under the Tumalo Jacket.

http://www.golite.com/clothing/mens/outerwear/waterproof-breathable/tumalo-pertex-25-layer-storm-jacket

If anyone has good experience with 2.5L Pertex Shield DS in a rain jacket I would be interested in hearing your experience, especially how well it maintains waterproofness under a pack strap and hip belt.

Norrøna Bitihorn Dri1 Jacket

Waterproof Rating: 20K
Breathable Rating: 20000g
Core Venting: Underarm zips
Pockets: 2 Front
Hood: Yes
Weight: 9.8oz (280g)

$274.95 ($150's when they are on sale)

Thanks Val! One of 3 jackets with pit zips 10 oz or less.

I also added the Montane Atomic DT 2.0 (also Stretch version)

No problem! SMALL bitihorn weighs 9.15oz!

Sorry the format does not carry over.

Thank Sierra Trading Post for adding to my info!

WATER BREATH
PROOF ABILITY
MM G/M 24HR
Gore-Tex Pro 2L & 3L 28,000 25,000
Event 30,000 22,000
Gore-Tex Paclite 28,000 15,000
Eddie Bauer Weatheredge Pro 20,000 25,000
Lowe Alpine Triple Point 20,000 20,000
Marmot MemBrain Stata 20,000 20,000
Moutain Hardwear Conduit 20,000 20,000
Norrøna 20,000 20,000
Montbell 3-layer Breeze Dry-Tec 25,000 15,000
Precip 15,000 12,000
Eddie Bauer Weatheredge Plus 10,000 10,000
Columbia Omni-Tec 10,000 10,000
Entrant DT 10,000 8,000
Pertex® Shield® DS 2.5L 10,000 7,000

jeff,

ive had no issues with pertex shield so far in terms of water resistance … ive sold of all my dead bird rain jackets… ive now got 2 OR rain jackets, their torsion flo vent system is the best ive ever seen and very climber friendly … im also waiting for the new wpb fabric coming out

like anything else ill eventually need to revitalize the dwr

i know that mr skurka had a pertex shield rain jacket that wasnt the best on his great trip according to posts, but then he was out for months with no chance to revitalize the DWR

the way i look at it, id rather have OR's infinate guarantee on a pertex shield helium than marmots "lifetime warranty" (of the product) for the mica

breathability is average

Thanks Eric,

Lots of variables in w/b and keeping the DWR certainly is a real important one. I went back to the OR site and watched the Video on the Helium jacket. Funny, the person in the video, Melanie, I worked with when I repped Cloudveil. Smart designer and hard core
user. That torsoflo on the Helium does looks good and harness friendly!

the helium doesnt have the torsion flo a far as i know ;)

my OR revel has it …

Double-sliding zippers allow for excellent temperature regulation while providing maximum weather protection.

Double-sliding zippers open fully for unparalled poncho-style ventilation while providing all-weather coverage.

Yes, you made me curious so I checked out the Helium to see the torsion flo!

I think everyone will enjoything, here is an article about WP/B fabrics that are up and coming:

http://www.adventure-journal.com/2010/11/guaranteed-to-make-you-buy-three-new-fabrics-take-aim-at-gore-tex/