Rain Jacket

before everyone else tells you to use the search function, here's what I learned when asking this question recently. To make a long story short, the OR Helium 2 or the Montane Featherlight seems to be the way I'll go based on the response. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=86060

I had looked at the OR Helium, I liked the price and weight but I was concerned about the lack of pit zips for venting options. Just worry about having same issue as the Dri Ducks. The montane looks nice but it is lacking the hood.

I just picked up an EMS Helix anorak on sale for $125. 12.8 oz, neoshell, huge pit zips.

Wow those are some huge pit zips. Just found a super Mica for 135. Any thoughts on these?

I have a PreCip jacket and an Essence jacket (which is the 6 ounce non-pit zip version of the SuperMica). The Essence jacket is always in my backpack. It is very lightweight and I wouldn't expect it to hold up bushwacking for days at a time, but the rain jacket is something I hope to not wear that much, so it's just the right tradeoff, especially in warmer weather.

The PreCip jacket is much more robust material. If you are going to be hiking for days on end in the rain, it will probably hold up better.

I have also used the Essence jacket around town. Stuff it into its own pocket. Takes up no room, but handy for getting caught out in the rain.

Don't tell anyone. I found the Essence jacket at TJMaxx for $59. I grabbed it as fast as I could.

I've had a Super Mica jacket for about two and a half years now and use it primarily as an everyday rain jacket here in the Pacific Northwest, but I also use it backpacking.

I have no real complaints about the jacket. It's been durable enough for my purposes, hasn't wet out on me yet, is fairly lightweight and decently breathable, and it's much cheaper than many very similar jackets.

I also recommended Marmot in general because they are great about standing behind their products. They replaced my old Precip jacket three times due to delineation issues and never hassled me about it once. They are a great company.

Their sizing is also very consistent between product lines in my experience, which I'm finding is a rarer and rarer trait these days for clothing manufacturers.

In short, I'd give the Super Mica a look if you want a reasonably priced, lightweight rain shell but don't want to skimp on features such as side pockets and pit zips. The hood is decent as well. It has a lightweight brim that does a good job of keeping the hood off your face.

It's a well designed product.

Should have mentioned. My search also lead me to Luke's Ultralight, where I found that I could get waterproof, waterproof breathable, or goretex options made to order. Relevant to your venting question, pit zips tend to be regarded as useless. I don't care for the weight, but full length zippers, pit-to-hem, are available from Luke's and generally regarded as a proper way to vent a WP or WP/B shell.

Not sure it is what you are looking for, but I am a heavy sweater and have used the driducks as well as precip, both of which would make me wetter than just letting it rain on me unless weather was below 50.

I have the golite poncho tarp as well as the chrome dome. If it is warm weather, I usually just get wet and change when I make camp, as I seem to sweat more when humidity is at that level. Otherwise, I use the poncho (it seems cooler than a jacket for me). I have not used the umbrella yet, it is a newer purchase, but I am looking forward to giving it a try. Good Luck!

Just deal with being wet, or for a slight improvement and large price jump outside of your budget, get a jacket or Packa with eVent. :)

Fleece is great for being warm when wet.

I have gone back and forth on a poncho. I have used my USGI, which is NOT breathable at all as well as a cheaper one. I like the concept of covering the pack and all. I just don't like hiking in them much. Would rather use a jacket and pants if need be. Not too sure about an umbrella as well, seems they would get hung up in the trees and such. I also use trekking poles.

Think I have it narrowed down between the precip and the super mica. Precip is heavier but cheaper, Super Mica may be more breathable and double as a wind shirt? Have to poke around some more I think. Appreciate all the feedback.

OR should come shortly with a version of the Helium II with pitzips, the Helium HD.

The GoLite Malpais Trinity does not have pit-zips. There's a review of it here:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/golite_malpais_trinity_jacket_review_2012

I have an extra one which I am going to list in the Gear Swap section.

Great review of the Malpais. I had looked at it originally as I hiked with a few folks that had it and they were completely dry while I was wetted out in the Dri Ducks. I would certainly need an XL I suspect but the lack of pit zips I think will make me pass. Seems every review I read everyone says that would not buy rain gear again without them.

Scott,
Neither the Super Mica, nor any other "waterproof breathable" jacket will even come close to the breathability of a lightweight wind shell (i.e. uncoated 1.1oz nylon and its ilk). A rain jacket will block the wind, but it will not breathe like a wind shell, so I don't think it can ever function nearly as well as a wind shell in windy conditions when you are on the move and it's not raining.

I think a lot of people really want to be able to double dip here, but it just never seems to pan out in my experience. While on the surface, the two items seem very similar, they are actually quite distinct in usage, IMO.

That is true. I have used my Dri Ducks in the past but they are a little steamy :) My DIY Tyvek jacket is working pretty nice so far. May end up replacing it but so far the price is right. I decided to pull the trigger on the Super Mica. Will see how it goes. Will be much better than the dri ducks on my up-coming River to River trip. I know there will be some rain on it so this will help.

I generally hike with a windshirt/hoody AND the Marmot Essence rain jacket. The Essence is almost as light as the wind hoody, but doesn't breath as well. I would grab the wind hoody every time unless it is actually raining. The Essence or Super Mica will be more comfortable than the PreCip because it's lighter, not so much because it breathes better. Of course, they claim it does, but I don't think any rain jacket really breathes well when doing physical activity.

For double dipping: I would go with the SuperMica as a rain jacket in your pack and light duty summer/warm weather/travel rain jacket. The PreCip would be better suited if you want to double dip as a hiking rain jacket and a winter/cold weather shell (like for skiing, commuting, sports watching, etc.).