Rain jacket pick-a-mix

Dri Ducks Ultralite2

Breathable, $22, and 5oz (10oz for both jacket and pants)
https://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/DriDucks.shtm

Only downside is that they can be a bit fragile. Don't try to put the pants on without removing your shoes. At $20 they are practically disposable though, so if you happen to tear it, patch it with some tape and replace it when you get home.

I could replace this whole set 4 times for $100.

P.S. What's with all the raingear threads? There is at least 3 separate threads on the first page talking about rain jackets or umbrellas, lol.

"At $20 they are practically disposable though"

And there is another thread on being a conscious buyer too…

;)

I meant that it wasn't a financial hardship if you do need to replace it, unlike having to shell out another $100 to replace a different rainjacket if you tear it.

I haven't had to replace mine yet, I think 4 sets would last me more than a lifetime.

If you really want to be a "conscious buyer", go buy gear made from ballistic nylon and you can pass it down to your great grandchildren. Oh, and don't buy specialized gear, like two sleeping bags for different weather, just buy one 0* bag. Don't ever replace your gear with the newer lighter items, etc.

Being an UL backpacker and a conscious buyer is borderline hypocritical. Sure we can try to mitigate our impact, but lets not split hairs in one instance an lie to ourselves in every other.

If you are looking for something lightweight, then consider the AntiGravity Gear hooded rain jacket. Mine weighs 4.5 ounces and is sewn from silnylon. I think the price was $80.

–B.G.–

I 2nd the Driducks recommendation. I just replaced the one I've had for two years, and only because it got lost on a ferry ride somehow :(

I use driducks for on-trail stuff (which is >90% of hiking I do), and a heavier MH goretex proshell for mountaineering/bushwhacking/etc.

I have the MH plasmic (not the lightweight version though) and it lists at 10 oz. I like it a lot and bring it wherever I go, but for backpacking I have gone the poncho route (actually the poncho/ tarp route on most trips) to save weight.

If I were going to bring a rain jacket backpacking instead of my cheap vinyl 7oz poncho, I would be going with a silnylon jacket from either luke's or AGG (or maybe they are the same idk).

Now if I were somewhere like the PNW and doing off trail hiking, the plasmic would very likely be what I would bring. I find it fairly comfortable in the rain (important for all-day drizzles) and can't imagine anything normal puncturing that jacket with it's soft-shell type outer.

+1 on the Plasmic. Picked one up on steep and cheap for $69. Great jacket and I use it a lot around town. It breaths well and keeps the rain out.

Funny I picked mine up there too. That site can be useful once in a while.