I was wondering if anyone has found a lightweight and durable rain jacket for those that are tall? I really don't want to pay over $100 if possible. I have a TNF Diad but it is a bit short in the body. The XXL DriDucks I have fits but is not that durable. Thanks.

The Marmot Precip is available in size Tall. I usually wear an XL, but find the large, tall fits me nicely. Just tried it on in the store. I don't own it. So I can't tell you how well it protects or breathes. Tends to get good reviews, though. Fairly light. Should be able to find it for around $80.

If you look hard, you may be able to get a jacket by Rab for a little over $100. Their shells have long sleeves and long drop tails.

I've got a Patagonia Rainshadow. You can find them on clearance around 100. I picked mine up for 80 or 90 from Northern Mountain Supply when they had a 20 off of 100 or more purchase. FWIW: I'm 6'5" and have issues w/ a Large and the sleeve length on most garments, but the Patagonia fits nicely torso and sleeve length wise.

I'm 6'5" with 36" sleeve length. I second the nomination of Rab jackets.

My Rab Super Dru fits me very well, and since it's made of eVent fabric it breathes far better than any Goretex jacket I've tried.

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately I think everything suggested will weigh 16oz or better in correct size. If only the Virga had pit zips.

FWIW, my XL Rab Super Dru (which is not their lightest model) weighs 15 oz on my scale.

And, though you didn't ask, my Rab Bergen rain pants in size XL weigh 11.5 oz. They are also made from eVent fabric.

Edited by Beep on 08/03/2009 20:00:44 MDT.

Check out Cabela's online catalog. They have lots of rain PARKAS, not jackets in all sizes. But hey, a pair of scissors properly applied to a hood and you've got a jacket.

Cabela's has a lot of clothing in Tall sizes. My Rainy River GTX PacLite parka is a Large Tall so it covers my butt. It's now selling for $90., THE bargain when it comes to PacLite parkas. Plus it's well designed and of high quality with a money-back-anytime garantee.

Eric

The lightest/cheapest waterproof that RAB do right now is the slipstream - that uses Pertex shield - a sort of pacliteish fabric - and is given as 295g in large (my small is ~250g) and ~£100 in the UK (US no idea.).

*Very* long sleeves - I'm about the same height/sleeve length as the person above, take a small chest size and find the sleeves long enough (unlike their normal stuff.). Cut very much for tall/thin as opposed to tall/normally shaped - not a lot of room for stuff under it either. Ideal for me but.... :)

FWIW their lightest current Event is the Momentum at ~340g and ~£140 here. From reports of the outdoors show it seems they've got the minimalist smock thing at last - 280g event smock and a ~200g pertex shield one. Not until 2010 though.

cf Waterproofs in 'tall' sizes - I didn't realise anyone did this! Never seen it over here. Really good idea :)

(6'6"/280)

The Rab is top notch stuff, but it didn't fit me (the Rab Bergen eVENT pants fit well though). I thought it was entirely too tight around the armpits. This held true for Westcomb and Montane too. WildThings fit was "good enough", but I wasn't thrilled. Dri-Ducks were another "good enough" fit, but I didn't find it very long around the waist. The Cabela's Gore-Tex PacLite Rainy River fit wonderfully, but doesn't breathe as well as others, especially eVENT. Basically, if you're tall, big, or anything other than a "medium", assume the backpacking industry doesn't really have you in mind when designing their gear.

I 'm 6'4", 185 pounds.

I bought an Integral Designs Thru Hiker in XL. It had lots of room (I can layer it over a Patagonia DAS which is important for shoulder season stuff in the Adirondacks), but it was too short in the torso. I returned it and asked them to custom make me one that was 7" longer in the torso. Now it fits like it's supposed to (i.e. like it does in the photo used to advertise it) and it stays tucked in under my hipbelt while I'm hiking in the rain.

It weighs 13 oz. and I use it all year. Don't need another shell for hiking. The long torso works poorly for climbing and biking though.

I have this same shell and also an ID Pullover in the eVent and my old GT parkas are now never worn. I have a lot of ID gear and nobody makes better stuff, IMO.

If, Evan Jones, the owner will build you a custom-sized item, (he has told me that "sometimes we will and sometimes we won't"), in one of the many phone calls I have had with him, this is the best option.

Marie of "Wildthings" has also and very graciously done custom-sized work for me and I prefer the products of these two firms to anything else I have seen on the market, so far.

I spoke with Evan last week concerning the new eVent shelter he is introducing and I am very excited about this, but, he said that he expects it to be offered in the spring of 2010.....worth the wait, I think.

Well ID and WildThings stuff is not even close to affordable for me and probably most definitely not if it they are modified. It would be nice to find one of those RAB Slipstreams or Momentums in the US for a decent price though but it seems most of the are around $280.

Supposedly the Golite Virga XL is 30" long in the front and 31" in the back.

The Cabela's and the Marmot could probably be throw in at the same level for price and weight.

Maybe I will just stick with the Diad then which is probably about the same breathability as the Cabela's or Marmot but weighs less and pick up some Reed pants. I got the Diad for cheap on eBay months ago and it is very durable so far. Long in the sleeves but only about 2" below my waist.

6'5", 230lbs, long torso.

OK, Great as eVent is for breathability , just compare the price of the Integral Designs Thru Hiker to that of the Cabela's Rainy River PacLite parka in, say, Large Tall size for $99.

Unlike the RAB that has a "PacLitish" treatment the Rainy River IS PacLite. Unlike the noisy, shiny and pricy Thru Hiker the Rainy River is quiet and has a matte finish.

Not that I have anything against ID, I own their very nice eVent gaiters. And I like lots of RAB products. But looking at Cabela's GTX PacLite parka in comparison ya gotta see the great value.

Eric

After much searching I can say that

1. You can find a jacket in a long enough length and with a decent cost if you don't mind it weighing a pound.

2. You can get one custom made for a long length with a light weight if you don't mind paying close to $300.

You can have two but not all three. Torso lengths in the front tend to top out at 28"

Edited by brettpeugh on 09/02/2009 14:34:44 MDT.

RAB or anyone with a climber cut. The front will be short, but the back and arms are plenty long.

I believe that is why, for climbing harnesses and all.