Berghaus Hyper 100 – lightest rain jacket?

You might find the UK retailer, UltraLightOutdoors worth a visit. Whilst they don’t provide a full list of jackets they tend to have a reasonable listing which is sortable on weight. Handy at times to check out what is lighter and/or to get an idea of what you are looking at ranks in weight against other options.

I’m missing the breathability claims. All I see is “waterproof.” Nice looking jacket though and ~3oz is indeed very light.

Now that I look back at the link I posted, I think made a mistake.  The one I linked is the Bergaus Hyper, which is not the Hyper 100.  The Hyper is selling for 160 Euro, whereas the Hyper 100 is selling for 300 Euro:

http://int.berghaus.com/hyper-100-extrem-mens-waterproof-jacket/422015.html

Looks like maybe they replaced the Hyperlight 2.0 with the Hyper for 2017?  I originally wanted to get my hands on the Hyper 2.0.  Will Rietveld (is he still with BPL?) gave it an excellent review.  I think the Hyper 2.0 smock weighs somewhere around 2.6 oz or thereabouts.  The Hyper 100 is supposed to be a true 3-layer rainjacket and is for serious “mountaineering” use.

Definitely interested to follow along as this one gets some real world reviews. Everything sounds rosy in the gear show interviews etc, but I’m sure it always does. If it’s actually halfway durable and won’t rub into nothing under a pack, it could be very interesting! I’m in the market for a new raincoat, and was leaning towards a Rab Flashpoint, but this could be a winner if it were equally/more durable. Seems unlikely, but you never know!

I have the one WILL RIETVELD REVIEWED from last year( I have both the smock and full zip) I don’t know what the changes are so I can’t tell you how well they work but you could get them on closeout last year for around $60, definitely a bargain.

@annapurna

How do you like the Hyper 2.0 smock/jacket?  Do you see this as a replacement for a “real” jacket?

This jacket does look awesome. Though sheesh, expensive.

I’ve seen more expensive jackets.  I’d dish out the cash, but I don’t have the money right now. I went with the regular Berghaus Hyper–less breathable but half the cost.  Will Rietveld has tested it and approves.  We’ll see if it can replace my OR Helium II as my go-to jacket.

I bought the Hyper 100 in April and used it for 2 weeks of backpacking across Scotland (as part of the TGO Challenge). In short, this isn’t a rain jacket. It’s a wind jacket that can handle a quick rain shower. The fabric is waterproof but the zipper is not. It’s just a regular zipper with a strip of fabric behind it, intended to keep the water out. In prolonged rain or wind-blown rain that hits you front-on, the zipper lets water through. I got soaked from my chest down to the bottom of the zipper most times it rained, unless it was brief and/or only at my back.

This jacket is a good choice if you don’t actually expect rain and you want just-in-case protection, thus want to minimize weight. If you expect rain, there are better solutions.

That’s interesting Justin. Going back a few years, serious rain shells didn’t have waterproof zippers, they had regular ones with storm flaps, and it worked just fine. Is the flap too skinny on this jacket or something?

The flap is a good half inch wide. I should note that the flap is on the inside of the jacket, not the outside covering the zipper. I’m certain it’s better than no flap at all but water leaks through the zipper and eventually runs down and over the flap, onto my shirt. Perhaps if the flap were on the outside and had some means of staying shut, the lack of waterproof zipper would be ok.

It’s not a bad jacket, just not something you’d want to rely on to keep you dry in cold or prolonged rain.

A question for Justin (or anyone else who’s tried one):  How’s the breathability?  /  How good is it at staying comfortable (and not clammy) as the weather warms up or you become more active (whether over a base layer, or even over a t-shirt)?  (Berghaus claims excellent breathability (50,000 MVTR), but even if this Gore-Tex beating claim is true, that doesn’t tell you the whole story.)

And to what extent could this be used instead of a wind shirt, like the Patagonia Houdini (Air)?

Hey so I have one and often use it instead of a wind shirt. I don’t have much to compare it with so your mileage may vary but it’s a very nice jacket. I’ve only gotten uncomfortable in warmer, humid environs when exerting a bit, as it’s so thin it likes to “trash bag” against your skin when you get sweaty enough. It is breathable and it’s decently waterproof for up to moderate rain though you’ll want a hat with a brim since the hood has no brim or wire. The fit is super slim, so if you want to layer probably best to size up.

I actually got an extra so if you want a new or my used size XS, send me a PM.

I have the one Will reviewed, and have had it for years. I’ve used it on numerous occasions, including just recently. It has always worked for me. It has kept me dry, and it seems breathable enough. In general I find judging the breathability of a garment to be tricky, but I never felt like it needed anything in that department. I hike in the Northwest (Cascades, Olympics, Canadian Rockies on occasion) and it is usually cold when it is wet, so this may not be the biggest test of breathability. Then again, I’ve been in plenty of rain.

The only thing that is a bit of a hassle is pulling it on over the head. But they manage to save a few grams that way I suppose. But then again they put it back with a separate pocket. To be fair, I have used that pocket from time to time, and it is handy. Overall I’ve been very happy with it.