Light waterproof Jacket

The Sierra Designs Isotope and the hoodless Montane featherlite H2O are less than 4.5oz each, and also less than 1/2 the breathability of eVENT.

Jackets made from Propore such as DropStoppers are fragile, but cheap, weight around 6oz, and a more breathable than gore-tex (not as good as eVENT.

More info (with a number of links back to bpl.com) can be found on my Recommended Rain Gear page.

The lightest functional hardshell I've yet found is the Patagonia Specter Pullover @6.5 oz. in a men's L. It offers a degree of breathability (not in eVENT or Gore Paclite league), has a very decent hood, a semi-athletic cut w/ a drop seat (far better cut than the ID jacket), durable for it's weight (I find the SD offering fragile) and most decidedly waterproof. It's light enough that I can carry both and switch between my 3.5 oz. windshell (far better suited for venting and expelling body moisture when cranking uphill compared to even eVENT) and my hardshell as conditions warrant.

You can read various users take on the Specter in this site's Reader Reviews.

The Specter is or was offered seasonally by Patagonia (not this season) and you can sometimes find them on close-outs or ebay—which hopefully is the way to buy it as it is extremely $$$ otherwise.

Regarding the DropStoppers Gear. It is inexpensive and light, so I tryed it. I also have Marmot Precip gear which was left at home. I was on the AT last week and it poured all day. We hiked all day in the rain and the DropStoppers gear worked wonderfully….as a matter of fact…perfectly. It kept me dry with no moisture build up. I have found that with any Ultra Light gear is to be gentle and don't force anything. Drop Stoppers gear gets a thumbs up.

John