Hi everybody. I am trying to buy a WP/B jacket to last me a few years. The BPL search does nor work properly when sorting for date. Google (which works better) doesn't seem to find much either. Since the forum has NO STICKY FEATURE (Come on!!), i cannot find a WP/B jacket main thread either. **I would like to compile a list of waterproof/breatheable jackets & pants that people on the forums are currently using/anticipating use of.** It has been very difficult for me to make a decision in this area because of the lack of a central thread to go by, hopefully this list will help myself as well as others. I will list some of what i have seen to be popular on the forums, as well as some upcoming items. I would ask that items be under 12oz(generous i think).

please list the jacket, the material, and the weight. Price is subject to change, i would rather not list it. You can also list any relevant info: pitzips, thumb loops, etc.

Or if you want just say what you are currently using, the weight, material and features.

Hopefully this will give people an easy place to go to help them decide on what they need and prevent 20 more waterproof jacket threads from popping up, confusing matters even more.

Let the fun begin

Haglofs OZO 180g 7oz
Goretex paclite
thumb looops
1 front pocket
NO pitzips
seam taped
hood

Marmot Mica 7 oz
Nylon Membrain Strata
2 handwarmer pockets
seam taped
hood

Golite Tulamo 9oz
pertex/poly
2 handwarmer pockets
2 hood drawstrings
hood

FroggToggs UL Rainsuit 14oz
(Including pants therefore under 11oz)
hood + hood stowe compartment
reach through "pockets" on pants (not really pocket, just a hole)
Undersized hood-baseball cap needs to be worn with it

Marmot super mica 246g 8 oz
Nylon Membrain Strata
reinforced design
pit zips
2 hand warmer pockets
seam taped
hood

Eddie Bauer first ascent BC-200 11oz
Unknown material
velcro cuffs
2 handwarmer pockets
1 chest pocket
hood

Edited by isaac.mouser on 04/15/2010 14:43:04 MDT.

I handn't looked at the new golite until now. It has pitzips too though.

The following are my rain jackets and experiences with:

DriDucks (still available)
$15
5oz
no pockets/no pitzips
hood
used for over a year and 300+ miles
passed it on to a friend when I bought the DIAD
pants worthless IMO

North Face Diad (discontinued model 2008)
paid $110 shipped
8ish oz (large)
Pit zips
Chest Pocket
Great shaped hood and hood/waist cords
I accidentally melted a big hole with a pot and have yet to repair it.
I love it though

GoLite Virga (2009 - disappearing fast)
only bought because so cheap on mpgear.com last month
9 oz size large
enormous hand pockets (I'm not sure if I like them yet)
hood
no pit zips
no waist draw cord
not enough experience with yet to rate performance

Marmot PreCip Pants
mine weigh 7oz
paid $55
I like them alot. Not as light as Reeds (no longer available) but more durable

I know they aren't necessarily current but I hope that might help the decision making process. That being said I personally like the feature set and weight of the DIAD/Super Mica. I spent a long time researching last year and decided the eVent jackets were too expensive for me. Although the super mica price range is approaching eVEnt (and DIAD was but I got on clearance).

This article was helpful in my decision making but was current when I was looking.

I hate spending more than $100 on raingear (as a poor college student) and would probably buy the mica on sale and add my own pit zips. Or see if you could find a coupon code for one of the places that has the SuperMica on sale now. At the moment, I would buy a womens XL virga on mpgear.com for $15 now and ignore the fact that its womens :)

edit: xl virga is actually $23, large was $16 but out of stock I guess.

Edited by stephen@bodiya.com on 04/15/2010 18:41:36 MDT.

thanks for the contribution, yea i was a poor college student, now im a poor graduate! =) Anyway, I like the mica as well, what i as leaning toward too. Either that or driducks. I agree, eVent is largely a ripoff right now. Just think how much your paying per oz, hard to justify. Im surprised goretex paclite is still so expensive, its been out for awhile now.

My situation is i've never really used any of these super light, super thin shells before. I've always used ponchos and driducks, which is why i think this thread would be helpful. Im wary of them though honestly, whether such a thin layer is truly waterproof in sustained downpours. I am not a heavy sweater, so im leaning toward somethin in paclite, at least i will know its water proof for sure.

Edited by isaac.mouser on 04/15/2010 22:11:11 MDT.

The Propore fabrics (O2, Drop Stoppers, etc.) are quite waterproof and breathable. I think they are better (in those terms) than many options that approach that weight (like water resistant wind shirts or some lightweight Goretex alternatives). I've had my DriDucks out in very wet weather and they performed well.

The only problem (repeated many times) is that they are very fragile. Crazy fragile, really. To the point that you should be careful when you decide to step off the trail to take a bathroom break. All it takes is one little branch and you've got yourself another little hole. The nice thing, though, is that the hole is easy to spot and fix. This is much better than when Goretex (or similar fabrics) fail -- they don't give you much warning.

Isaac,

I would consider the long term value of some of these jackets. For example, is it worth spending nearly twice as much on a super mica for what really amounts to the same jacket with pit zips given that the fabric is so thin and will probably not survive more than 2-3 years of regular use? I do like the idea of the reinforcements, but its not like you are going to be wearing it constantly. I would say the likelihood of you wearing out or wetting out a normal mica in these locations is much lower than you snagging a sleeve on a super mica due to the nature of the material.

Personally I am considering picking up a Paclite jacket at around 11 oz, for use when I know it is going to rain and using my Mica to pack when rain is not expected. Some of the Paclite jackets out there are absolutely bomber and will last for years. If you are just looking at one shell, ask yourself if 4 oz is a worthy price to pay for a shell that will last you 3+ times longer.

M TNF Triumph
weight 5.5oz
1 chest pocket
Hyvent fabric

Breathability is not great. Price is too high, but if you can find one on clearance like I did than it will be the best jacket ever. I hate pit zips, They do not do enough to justify them in my opinion. If I am that hot I shouldn't be wearing a jacket. If I would be wearing a jacket all day, than I would opt for something more breathable, but if you are like me and your jacket spends most of the time in your pack than you cannot beat the weight of this thing.

I too have the NF triumph in size Large 6.02 oz 5.98 with no zipper pulls. Durable for trail brush so far. Fits over several layers. Also have an OR Zelot M full zip 7.41 oz. Golite Reed M pants 3.85 oz. 5 years old and like new.
On thing to note on a jacket is the hood brim stiffener. Both of these are good.
I'm 5'7" 170 lb (lift weights) I always try test fit before I buy.

yes the coveted reed pants, how much is it going to take to pry those from your hands? =)

Yea thats why i was considering paclite, heavier but durable. THe haflofs oz (new one is ozo) is like 6.5oz in paclite. Its selling online for around 80-100 bucks in other countries, but it seems to be sold out in most places. still looking though. Would be cheaper than some of these other shells once shipping is thrown in if i could score it.

Out of stock, but if i could find it at this price...:

http://www.planetfear.com/item/Brand_HaglofsOzQPullover_1614_0_27140_1.html

Edited by isaac.mouser on 04/16/2010 05:26:37 MDT.

Isaac,
I just picked up an '09 Marmot Essence from o2gearshop.com - MemBrain Strata fabric, pit vents, draw cord hem, one chest pocket (I prefer the no hand pockets option...those zippers irritate me with a hip-belt). Weight is 7oz (not sure if that's MED or LAR) It's on sale for $118 and you can use the word SPRING as a coupon code for another $20 off. With free shipping my total was $98. Not too bad - check it out.

Outdoor Research Helium

Pertex Shield DS (2.5 L 20D PU)
single-pull hood adjuster
drawcord hem
elastic cuffs
single chest pocket
stuff pocket @ side hem w/ velcro enclosure
water resistant zip with storm flap
6.8 oz in size L
MSRP: $140

Edited by simplespirit on 04/16/2010 05:49:13 MDT.

thanks nathan, I will investigate.

checking out the helium, hows the water resistance chris?

Equinox Gazelle Anorak 6.7oz:
1.1oz silnylon
9 inch chest pocket
hood

Cloudveil Stash creek 7oz:
water REPELLANT not waterproof
hood
elastic cuffs
1 chest pocket

Edited by isaac.mouser on 04/16/2010 06:53:05 MDT.

I just ordered one from O/R yesterday so I haven't tried it yet. It's the same material as the Golite Tumalo which Skurka is using on his AYE trip. Usually his endorsement is good enough for me.

Hydrostatic rating is 10000mm

Edited by simplespirit on 04/16/2010 06:57:25 MDT.

i agree with that, i noticed he had been using the golite phantom for a long time. That seems like a good option, bit heavy, but im sure more durable.

Edited by isaac.mouser on 04/16/2010 09:06:14 MDT.

I've got an old pair of GoLite Reed pants and am currently using the MH Quark Jacket, its 10 oz. in size XXL so probably lighter for smaller sizes.

Mountain Hardwear Quark

• Welded, waterproof zWeld seams stretch for mobility
• Micro-Chamois™-lined chin guard prevents zipper chafe
• Superlight, welded pit zips for ventilation
• Adjustable Velcro® cuffs for quick fit adjustments
• Dual hem drawcords seal in warmth
• Attached, rollaway hood with extra-beefy brim for added protection against the elements
• One-handed, single-pull hood adjustment system for quick fit adjustments
• Chest-high handwarmer pockets play well with packs and harnesses

Edited by tactics on 04/16/2010 08:23:06 MDT.

•The Quark is made from Incite™ printed nylon tricot with a Conduit™ waterproof, breathable 2.5-layer laminate

http://www.rei.com/product/785692

It's a bit pricier than other options, unless you use your discount + dividend like I did.

I haven't had it very long, and it hasn't been in any particularly unpleasant weather, but so far I'm liking its comfort and lightness.

Too heavy unless it will be worn nonstop. I have one of the original models before they added things like the Recco patch to it. Mine comes in at 15.5oz I think. I only use it for the days where I will be wearing the shell non-stop, mostly just for skiing and day hiking up here in AK winter. Breathability is GREAT, but once the jacket comes off it is a giant super heavy dead weight. Unless you can get one cheap, less than $200, its not worth it.

You could also check out the Marmot Precip (~$100) and the almost identical LL Bean Waterproof Storm Jacket. Both great TEK2.5 fabric jackets at around 13oz (depending on size). I have a precip for sale (my wife bought me the LL Bean jacket for Christmas!) in the gear swap (in medium, forest green), if you were interested ($50 shipped CONUS)...



PM me if you are interested... :-)

I'll have to weigh mine... it doesn't SEEM particularly heavy, but that's compared to the older ArcTeryx GoreTex XCR jacket that I have. I wonder if they've lightened it in the newer models.

Consider looking into Montane and Rab, since they both offer lightweight eVent jackets and Montane has one in Entrant DT, called the Atomic DT 2.0, which is almost as breathable as eVent -- and it's lighter and packs smaller. DriDucks can be a ideal choice, depending on the circumstances and your needs.