Recommend me a technical "tweener" shell

[Nick D]

Hi folks –

I’m looking for a technical shell in between my Marmot 3L GTX Active and my Arcteryx Squamish. Lighter but not as waterproof as the GTX; more durable/full featured than the Squamish. Jacket will be used for backpacking (and bushwhacking) and to ward off weather in camp.

Parameters:

• Around 10oz ( will consider 12oz if its truly full featured)
• Durable outer fabric
• Full featured hood
• Light/medium rain protection (won’t immediately wet out)
• Packable (ie not a soft shell)
• Hand pockets (preferred)
• < $250
• *** Exttra bonus for pit zips!! ***

The Arcteryx Beta LT looked close to perfect…. BUT the price.

Would appreciate any user experiences or recommendations.

[jared h]

two recommendations (what i use as that intermediate layer between)

patagonia stretch rainshadow – $199 (got mine on sale for $110) – 10.4oz (M), 2.5L 30D STRETCH nylon (very comfy). pit zips, watertight zips (main, 2 hand, 1 chest).

rab kinetic plus – $225 (sale for $175) – 10.8oz (L), 3L polyester (not nylon) with breathable membrane (10k/35k). vislon aquaguard main zip, aquaguard hand zips. hood has volume adjustment, opening is stretchy.

kinetic is technically a softshell (poly inner and face fabric instead of nylon), but barely heavier, a little slimmer, and more comfortable (fabric is softer and stretchier). used to use the rainshadow, but kinetic is not the go-to for hiking/mtb/climbing approach…plenty durable unless i’m actually climbing.

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