Rain jackets less than 8 oz

Rab women's kinetic is 8 supposedly.
Marmot Mica is 7 according to REI.
Super Mica: 9 oz.

I would be interested to know which of all these is most durable. Say for some brush or a heavier than UL pack.

For instance with the shoulder and hip patches they added to the Super Mica after the Mica, you'd think there must have been some problems just from a pack.

Durability, that's the question isn't it?

There are quite a few jackets in the 11-8 oz range, with far fewer under 8. Begs the question of what drives this (given that 6 oz WPB shells have been around for half a decade or more): market demand, durability, technology?

Interesting to note that many difference membrane technologies are represented in the jackets I've listed.

I just bought and received O2 Rainjacket. (Listed as Original Hooded Jacket for $31.95).

The pants and jacket together are under 10 oz.

http://shop.rainshield.com/products/productdetail/Original++Hooded+Jacket/part_number=1010/4889.0.1.1.0.0.0.0.0?

http://shop.rainshield.com/home/index/4889.0

Website for the company does not list the weight.

Amazon list the weight as 5.5 oz

http://www.amazon.com/O2-Hooded-Rain-Jacket-Drop/dp/B001M9J2OS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1305743497&sr=8-2

P.S. This is not a pull over…has a full zipper.

-Tony

It could be that people really want their features: full front zip, pit zips (especially with the lesser breathability of some of these materials), hand pockets, waist cinch, inner pocket.

There are also many light bicycle jackets I haven't investigated because the usually do not have an attached hood.

No other 3-layer besides Montane Spektr? Watching the guy struggle with it on video really turned me off. The Montane Air is like 10 oz.

If you know, it would be nice to show denier for each of the materials, even if that can't tell the whole story.

Rab Demand is 3-layer event and 9 oz, but also a pullover.

I have a Montane h2o aqua cycling jacket which is 5.5oz in a UK X-Large
No pit zips but a full front zip and a big vent across the shoulders.

Used a few times and seems fully waterproof. Didn't get too sweaty either.

Good topic. I want to drop my current 15 oz jacket. Does the Marmot Essence hold up? Father's day approaches, it is on sale, and since it is a present, I don't violate the no new gear pledge I took.

A buddy of mine just tested this jacket for a magazine and after 2 months of use, you could compare the waterproofness (is that a word) to a cotton t-shirt. It's sad.

My Driducks XL jacket comes in at 6.1oz (FYI)
Durability is a issue.

Tim, is the Essence on sale online somewhere?

The OMM Cypher is 8.6 oz for the pullover version and is made of 3 layer event.

They do a jacket version too.

Tony, what's the material like on the O2? It looks like it might want to be something like the FroggToggs/Driducks sort of papery material.

.

The First Ascent BC-200 is a 3-layer full zip. My large is 10.9 oz. I've been beating it up since I got it and it's held up great. It seems more waterproof and significantly more breathable the the Precip I replaced with it. Get it on sale at Eddie Bauer when they have a sale and it's only $160 and comes with their 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I think it was backcountrygear $140

So it sounds like I didn't miss anything. Good. ;)

Marmot Nano jacket depending on size…

Diane,

My understanding is that the O2 Rainsuit is like the DriDucks, but without the durability issues.

I have not seen the Driducks in person, but the way that you describe it, I think they are very similar.

The O2 Rainsuit does have a paper like feel to it and has a uniformly speckled texture/pattern to it.

Very light, but does not seem like it would tear easily.

Workmanship seems well enough without any sloppy, loose threads hanging off of it.

Jeremy used it on our Mt. Diablo trip last year and it rained on us for a few hours and he stayed dry and did not have any issues with it tearing.

Definitely would not take it bush wacking off trail.

-Tony

"Montane Spektr 6"

7.4oz according to this review.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/just-in—montane-spektr-smock/8297.html

I rate Montane highly but I think this is overpriced. Event on very light substrates is not very durable. The H2o velo jacket I have is 5.5oz and I paid $30 new here on gear swap.

My ultralite solution is to use the velo as a showerproof jacket, and add a bin-bag style 2oz disposable poncho in a downpour. This covers my pack too. Not stylish, but very effective, and light.

Backcountry.com says 7.4oz in size large. (http://www.backcountry.com/montane-spektr-smock-mens)

Shells this light come with compromises that not many are willing to live with. Arc'Teryx makes a killing with heavy-duty fabrics because it gives people peace of mind.

"Shells this light come with compromises that not many are willing to live with."

Not at those prices anyway.

Yep, which is why I love my Arc ALpha LT (granted at 60% off on geartrade how could I NOT indulge my consumerism?).

I am trying to find something lighter and less bombproof for general backpacking and have been less than enthusiastic so far by the options. Maybe if I lived in a wetter part of the country where I'd need rain protection more often. Here in AZ I don't worry about summer rain because it can literally feel like a warm shower and those three weeks of winter find me indoors usually. If it weren't for the fact that our good trails in the desert are rockier than most unmaintained trails in the rest of the country and there is merciless catclaw everywhere, I would love to just go cheap and effective with some froggtoggs, but oh well.

I will probably eventually end up getting a Helium, maybe a Mica depending on what kind of sale I can find. The Helium seems the most cost effective, having few frills and low weight with a more durable material than many others. I also like that it easily packs into an included pocket. Anyone know of anything else that might be comparable?

the mica is the only one i know in roughly a similar weight and price … but OR's warranty is better …