Shell-Rain Jacket UL/SUL recommendations

Honestly? I do a ton of hiking in the summer months in Michigan. I get wet. It's hot and humid and nothing feels better than a drenching rain to cool off. I have several rain jackets for bike commuting here in Chicago that I use for backpacking as well…rab demand smock (love it! 10 oz) and I'm trying a rab kinetic for the Sierra (much lighter, hopefully stays in my pack the whole time). But hiking in the summer in Michigan? Embrace the rain and get wet.

It can be so darned hot and humid at times you'll be just as wet in the jacket from sweat as from the nice, cool rain.

I can't stand being wet. Not to mention, it was in the 40s while hiking just a couple weeks ago for us here in Michigan.

Either way, I'd love to hear some rain jacket recommendations for a 3 season hiker. Pit zips are great.

Until then, I'm off to search some more old threads here for some additional ideas…thanks!

This SUL in the Mountains Part 4B would be worth the price of membership if you're in the market for gear: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/rietveld-mountain-sul-4b.html#.UctdDzuOSh0

The westcomb LT hoody got the "above average" rating and seemed to be WR's pick, though there were a number of contenders that fared well. The Sierra Designs Cloud Airshell is only around $75 and it weighs around 4 oz. and holds up to some degree of bushwacking. I think it may breathe a little less than an e-Vent Rab or Westcomb, but probably worth the money.

For Michigan Summers I pack an outdoor research Helium, I got mine used for 50-60$.

I agree with you that pit zips are great.

I picked up a zpacks cuben rain jacket. Less than 6 ounces and has pit zips. Seems like it might fit your needs.

Yep Nathan, I was looking at that one & ZPacks™ Waterproof Breathable Cuben Fiber Rain Jacket also. The breathable version didn't get many good reviews in regards to the breathablity part of the claim, at least reading here that was the case.

Pit zips rule!

Brain, yes, that Sierra Designs Cloud Layering System seems like a good one. The rain jacket is got my attention. THanks

I gave a helium 2 a whirl last weekend because I wanted to eliminate my poncho and windjacket from my quiver. While it certainly didn't breath as well as my houdini in wind jacket form, it was very tolerable and performed this task better and more comfortably then any of my previous rain jackets (quite a few). As a rain jacket it didn't wet out after an all day hike in consistant rain. No pit zips, but with proper layering and venting out of the main zipper, I was comfortable with it. Not the lightest thing, but no slouch either at 6-7ozs.

I have had jackets for about 10 years with Pitzips, ranging from Goretex Xcr to Event and can say I used the pitzip about as much as I smile when getting out of bed on a Monday morning.

Montane minimus smock, it's made of pertex gl and has a kangaroo pocket. This almost eliminates the need for a wind shirt.

Lukes Ultralight makes a 4 oz sil nylon rain jacket. I think is about 4.5 oz ith pit zips and two-way zipper (venting).

I am going to seam seal it soon for my CT thru so it should be proof after that.

But I do not know of any lighter jackets out there at the moment… although I think I would have went with the new Montane shell if it would have been out when I purchased Lukes jacket.

Clint, I was just looking at Lukes jacket that Stick reviewed. Might order it just like he ordered his, maybe a different color!

It is in the running…

I have spent a lot of time in my Arcteryx Squamish, and it wets out less than my Gore-Tex. I bet it's coated, but I would be remiss if I didn't share my go-to jacket in a thread like this. I don't go for Arcteryx often but the three pieces I have, I love.

If you are looking for a hooded rain jacket, then consider the one that AntiGravity Gear makes. Very waterproof, not very breathable. 4.5 ounces in medium. Since I bought mine a couple of years ago, I believe that they have one with pit zips. No frills, no pockets.

–B.G.–

"I have spent a lot of time in my Arcteryx Squamish, and it wets out less than my Gore-Tex."

First, it sounds like you've got something wrong with your gore-tex jacket. I've got a Squamish and it wets out in heavy rain pretty quickly. My gore-tex stuff never does.

Second, the Squamish is not a rain coat and was never intended to be. I wouldn't recommend it as such.

whatever one you get make sure it has a no questions asked unlimited warranty ….

UL rain jackets are known for delaminating … or having durability issues … just search the forums

i personally use the OR helium, ad if a bear eats me, my relatives can salvage it from the bear scat and ask OR for a new jacket

;)

I have been following this thread hoping for ground breaking info.
As I also need the " perfect" rain shell. But itstill seems at least IMHO that I have to choose between a very highly respected cottage mfr. of Cuben Fiber clothing and an "Infinite Warranty".
Which is exactly where I started at.

Seems that Pertex Sheild+ is the newest Winner of over the counter rain shells.

Is this actually the case?

del

"or embrace the suck."

Seems to be a pretty common theme I've been reading around here when it comes to rain gear. Do people really find it a good trade off to get soaked every time it rains just so you don't have to carry proper rain gear?

Perhaps it's a financial decision which I could understand a bit more.

For me, I choose to suffer the extreme agony of lugging around a few extra ounces in my pack that will keep me dry when it rains. Hopefully my back and knees will hold up to the torture.

Summer is minimum rain gear as suggested-Embracing the Suck- which is typically fine in summer.
My point is that late fall/winter rain gear seems more of a requirement at least to keep insulation dry.
So in flatlands in the summer I "embrace" it. But in winter I like rain gear that works all day everyday.

That way I don't take the " Long Kiss Good Night"

I guess I don't consider it embracing the suck. Here in the Midwest where I do most of my hiking, the summer is hot and humid. Wearing a jacket of any kind sucks.

When run and it's raining, I get wet. When I bike and it's raining, I get wet. Walking the dog? Same thing. So honestly, when it's 85 degrees and humid has hades out there, the rain feels GREAT. Wearing a shell and sweating the bejeezes inside it is the suck.

Granted, when it's 40 out, that's a different story. So spring and fall yes, I take a rab demand, because cold and wet does suck. I'm trying the pulse lately but I'm cognizant of the delamination issues. But in the summer?? Embrace the rain!!!

I really like my Rab Pulse jacket. Reasonably light (sub 8 oz for XL on down), Pertex Shield+, and some very fantastic DWR.

I think they've changed their jacket line-up, though, so I'm not sure what is equivalent now. Personally, I don't miss pit zips, and I hike very hot. I just vent through the main zipper.

It's interesting to see the wide difference of opinion on rain solutions. I'm pondering whether I want to purchase a Patagonia M10 (discounted) or just go with the significantly cheaper poncho solution.

A poncho is OK if you are at relatively low elevation with no wind. When in wind, sometimes a poncho will whip around. In contrast, a jacket that zips up or buttons up will hang on your torso better, and it retains your body heat much better. If you were going to be up at relatively high elevation, then there is only one logical choice.

–B.G.–

"Seems to be a pretty common theme I've been reading around here when it comes to rain gear. Do people really find it a good trade off to get soaked every time it rains just so you don't have to carry proper rain gear?"

It depends a lot on where your are and the storm. In eastern NA is is quite humid and in the summers the rain maybe warm enough to tolerate. Additionally if it is a thunderstorm the rain may not last long.

However if you are in the PNW, where the numidity is typically quite low, and the rain is typically cold, and it frequently rains all day, getting soaked may be a quick way to get Hypothermia. Even in the sierra nevada mountains of california the weather can get really bad if there is a strong flow of moisture from Mexico.

Personally after growing up in the PNW and now living in California I don't take the chance. I always carry rain gear I can trust and put it on when it rains.