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Cheap, light-ish fully waterproof full-zip jacket?
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Cheap, light-ish fully waterproof full-zip jacket?
- This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 3 months ago by Tyler S.
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Nov 21, 2017 at 4:12 pm #3503293
I was wondering if there was a cheap, light-ish fully waterproof full zip jacket out there? Can be PU coated or whatnot as long as it doesn’t rely on DWR for being waterproof. I have an OR Rampart but it is close to a pound and the dri-Ducks are not durable. Thank you.
Nov 21, 2017 at 5:15 pm #3503304Hi Brett,
I have the OR Helium 2 which is really great but not that cheap, it does go on sale for around $120. I also have the Marmot Precip which is also pretty great, heavier, but I found mine for $60. on sierra trading. Both are still waterproof after several years of use but the helium has a few small holes that I’ve repaired with tenacious tape from campfire embers. I really don’t think you can beat Marmot’s Precip in jackets and pants on price for the quality you get. I think there’s a study out there somewhere on various fabrics and the precip beats gore-tex.
Jeff
Nov 21, 2017 at 5:44 pm #3503308I was thinking more of something that doesn’t need the DWR like those do. Just some cheap thing that may be made out of silnylon or whatnot that is always waterproof. Could even be some cheap plastic jacket that can take a scrape or two. Thank you..
Nov 21, 2017 at 5:52 pm #3503310Frogg Toggs has the Xtreme Lite jacket that I’ve been waiting for a review. https://www.froggtoggs.com/xtreme-lite-jacket/ . It appears to have no vent options and I suspect it will do as well as a Helium. If you just want a simple seam taped PU coated nylon jacket, look at the Red Ledge Thunderlight (about 14oz) https://www.sierratradingpost.com/red-ledge-thunderlight-parka-waterproof-for-men-and-women~p~162nw/?filterString=s~red-ledge-thunderlight-jacket%2F
DWR effects breathability, but the membrane *should* remain waterproof on a 2.5 layer jackwt if the DWR wets out. Proper laundering will help maintain DWR and the breathability and service life of the membrane. Detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets are verboten.
Nov 21, 2017 at 6:01 pm #3503311Yes, it will be nice to get some reviews in on the Frogg Toggs. I think the Red Ledge is pretty close to what I already have in the OR Rampart. And yeah, not dealing with DWR anymore.
Nov 21, 2017 at 6:15 pm #3503312The Frogg Toggs are cheap and light and they work well enough for occasional use, but the material is very prone to damage with rough handling or bushwhacking. After two years of moderate use (2 or 3 dozen nights of backpacking per year), my Frogg Toggs jacket has many small tears in it. They would be easy to patch with some DCF repair tape or something similar, but I have not done this yet. For sustained rainy weather I would choose a different option, maybe a Packa or well-made poncho, or supplement the Frogg Toggs with an umbrella (this works well).
Nov 21, 2017 at 6:59 pm #3503315The Xtreme Lite is a different product than the Ultra Lite stuff that has been out for years. Frogg Togg and DriDucks make a bunch of different rainnsuits now.
Nov 21, 2017 at 7:32 pm #3503323Nov 21, 2017 at 8:02 pm #3503328How about Columbia Outdry Ex?
Waterproof without the use of a DWR, still breathable, and has pit zips. I just picked one up for $60 and the size small weighed just under 12 oz.
Cheap, lightISH, no DWR
Nov 22, 2017 at 6:38 am #3503453Where did you find it for $60?
Nov 24, 2017 at 1:19 pm #3503805STP with 25% off coupon.
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