Best lightweight-backpacking rain jacket

Their website claims a watertight ™️ front zipper?

I’m pretty sure it uses the same YKK Aquaguard Coil zipper you see on most jackets (though some have the better YKK Aquaguard Vislon) which is marketed as a water resistant zipper.  We often refer to it as waterproof and is often used as such (even on shelters) but it isn’t technically marketed as such.   The Norvan SL has no storm flap and I have seen numerous reports of the zipper leaking on that jacket even though that same zipper is used on a bunch of other waterproof shells that I never see reports of the zipper leaking.   Does the storm flap make that much difference or is there something else going on?

I just received mine and it does have a storm flap in the inside of the zipper.  The zipper does not seem to have any rubberized coating.

Why are people saying rain jackets don’t keep you dry? I “discovered” rain gear a couple years ago after living most of my life in Arizona. For years I trained for road bike racing in all kinds of rainy weather. Wind vest to stay warm. Get wet but block the wind, keep active, stay fueled. Eventually I discovered rain gear is a thing as I was wanting to get into hiking/backpacking. Bought an OR Helium and some cheap rain pants. Wearing both, I could ride in downpours for 20 minutes before rain seeped through my shoe covers. I’ve been out in rain all day riding (bikepacking and other times several hours of rain at a time) staying 100% dry except for a bit of sweat, wet socks, and wet hair (wool beanie keeps me warm). I’ve taken it hiking but only a bit of hiking rain.

Maybe it doesn’t last for extended constant heavy use like a through hike? Idk. But I’ve never gotten a drop of water through mine. Mainly just curious as to when/how/if this thing will fail?

Aaron. a goodly number of people here will claim that “all rain jackets eventually wet out” and they often carry non breathable ponchos instead. The claim is that a hiker’s own sweat will wet out the jacket from the inside; and/or that the breathable membrane will become saturated and allow wetness in.

I’ve always used some variation of three ply Event or Gore, and found my jackets do indeed keep me dry. But I haven’t done a through hike, where I’m out for extended days in rain.

when you absolutely need rain/sleet protection is in cold conditions when wetting out your base layers could lead to hypothermia. I’ve always found that I never ‘sweated out’ my rain jackets in these conditions–too cold! Even climbing up to a pass I’m not sweating.  And they’ve saved my butt any number of times. They also haven’t wet out from the outside.

I religiously apply DWR refresher at the start of the season–that may explain my success with keeping rain out. I wonder if some don’t feel a certain clamminess and assume it’s their jackets ‘failing’.

Hypothetically I like the idea of a non breathable poncho that allows a lot of air circulation while remaining waterproof. In practice I find the damn things flop around in the wind, are noisy and awkward and catch on limbs and shrubs.

Hi guys

Thanks for all of the ( as always) great input

As an FYI, this is what I ended up with

https://www.moosejaw.com/product/marmot-men-s-phoenix-jacket_10361280#productSummary

between the price and “ lifetime guarantee “ on the waterproofness “, couldn’t pass it up

thanks fo