Despite the nitpicks, the Beta is undeniably a special piece of gear, and youd be hard-pressed to find a more premium rain shell. For more background information, see our rain jacket comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Finally, we've had consistent issues with the jacket wetting out fairly quickly in heavy rainfall (it's also slow to dry). The single cinch does mean if you really have to tighten the jacket, it will pull a bit to one side, but its often negligible and worth the weight savings. Rain jackets dont offer as much variation in features as some other types of outdoor gear, but there are notable differences between models. We at Switchback Travel dont feel the waterproof ratings are very helpful in the buying process and have chosen not to list them with our specs. Youll see this referenced in every performance-oriented rain jacket on the market, typically seen as: 2L, 2.5L or 3L. As a result, daily use jackets are either budget-oriented or designed with style in mind, and some of our favorites include the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (which crosses over nicely into the hiking category below) and Marmot Minimalist. But the overall formula remains the same, which were happy to see: The venting system is functional for a number of outdoor activities, and with a relatively light weight the jacket feels fairly nimble and multi-sport-ready. The construction is undeniably thinit feels almost paper-like along the interiorand the zippers are fairly stiff and have a cheaper feel to them. These jackets are the most basic, and typically require a mesh liner to protect the jackets inner coating (hence the 2-layer name). Category: Daily use/hikingWeight: 11.6 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L DryVentWhat we like: Another versatile rain jacket for under $100.What we dont: Falls a little short in hood design and zipper quality. We outline other key measures in our "Sustainability" section below. As such, we give the edge to the burlier Beta LT for year-long use (plus, the Beta's larger hood makes it fully functional as a backcountry ski jacket). 
If youre in the market for a casual shell for light drizzles or quick dashes between the car and the climbing gym, the Cielo fits the part.See the Men's Cotopaxi Cielo See the Women's Cotopaxi Cielo. jackets for the backpacker, spring skier, and daily wearer..See the Men's Outdoor Research Foray II See the Women's OR Aspire II. rain marmot rei precip jacket jackets Designs like Outdoor Researchs Motive and Black Diamonds StormLine and FineLine incorporate fabrics and a waterproof internal membrane that flex surprisingly easily. The climbing community loves Montbell and for good reason: the company offers well-thought-out technical pieces that come in cheaper than brands like Arcteryx and Patagonia. For fast-and-light alpine trips when the forecast looks favorable, the Highline certainly can do the trick. While this is great, its doesnt necessarily mean the jacket is that packable. Look to weight as a great indicator of how packable a jacket truly is. Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0). When the wind is blowing, you want a hood that conforms to your head, while retaining enough structure around the sides and the bill that you can still see out. To top it off, the StormLine is aggressively priced at $159. That said, the Versalite checks a lot of boxes from a performance standpoint and deserves consideration from ultralight backpackers and minimalist summer-time adventurers.See the Men's Montbell Versalite See the Women's Montbell Versalite. And a note on sizing: The Rab has a fairly trim, technical fit, so it might be worth sizing up for more room or if you plan to wear the jacket as an everyday pieceRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Rab Kinetic Alpine See the Women's Rab Kinetic Alpine. The Forays truly unique feature is the full-length side zips that extend from the armpit all the way to the bottom hem. Hiking rei jacket minimalist marmot rain You dont get a ton of room for layering (we can fit a thin midlayer underneath, but not much more), and the sticky interior places function first and comfort second. rei jacket minimalist marmot rain Category: Hiking/performanceWeight: 11.9 oz.Waterproofing: 2L Gore-Tex PacliteWhat we like: Multi-sport functionality, updated design with great fit and feel.What we dont: Pricier than the Marmot Minimalist and not everyone will love the side vents. You wont often see add-ons like helmet-compatible hoods or exposed, water-resistant zippers in this category, and daily use jackets dont prioritize weight-savings or packability (in fact, theyre often quite thick and durable). And while it doesnt stack up as well in performance testing, good seam sealing and a reliable build make it a solid option for daily use or as a just-in-case shell when bad weather isnt in the forecast. marmot precip backcountry On the lightweight end of the spectrum are hiking-ready shells like the Arc'teryx Beta and Outdoor Research Motive (10.6 and 10.9 oz., respectively), while designs that are more feature-rich and durable for crossing over for daily wear often add a bit of weight (including the 14.9-oz. The interior is also quite comfortable for a rain shell, and we found it wasnt prone to feeling clammy even when working up a sweat in Washingtons Hoh Rainforest. 
Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking isdearest to our hearts. rei jacket minimalist marmot rain For years, the Marmot Minimalist held the top spot on this list, which has a softer-feeling shell that wears extremely well around town. But these are pretty minor complaints, and what you get with the Minimalist is a tough, outdoor-ready jacket that wears well every day of the weekRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Marmot Minimalist See the Women's Marmot Minimalist. Their Cielo is case in point: The rain jacket is built with a 100-percent-recycled shell with PFC-free DWR finish, and its vibrant color blocking and classy fit and finish make it fun to wear both on the trail and around town. We break down the pros and cons of each below:2-Layer A waterproof jacket without DWR wont breathe as well in heavy rain because the water will pool up and soak into the exterior fabric layer. Many of todays top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon For high-output activities, its hard to beat a softshell jacket. Like many hybrid soft/hardshell pieces, one of the primary compromises with the Rab is outright weather protection. 
Its a close call between the two, but as long as you can get a good fit, we think the REIs cost savings and modest improvements in comfort and durability give it the edge.See the Men's REI Co-op Rainier See the Women's REI Co-op Rainier. How do they differ? Serious shells, such as those offered by Arcteryx, often place the hand pockets higher up on the torso to avoid interfering with your packs hipbelt. 
As a general recommendation, the following works well for us: wash the jacket in warm water with liquid detergent, and run it through a second rinse cycle to clear out any detergent residue. For those that want a well-rounded option, weve found the 9- to 16-ounce range is typically the sweet spot. Some cheaper rain jackets are barely breathable at all, but almost all of the fabrics used in todays models are at least somewhat breathable and promoted as such. Its also worth noting that Gore-Texs Paclite waterproof laminate, a proven winner for jackets in this category, has been recently updated to include a 100-percent-recycled face fabric. For a list of our top picks, you can check out our in-depth softshell review. The Beta is one of the only jackets on this list to feature 3-layer Gore-Tex waterproofing, which is about as premium as it gets for a rain shell. In general, a stretchy rain jacket will cost more than a standard shell (for example, the BD StormLine is $159 compared with the $100 Marmot PreCip Eco), but its a nice upgrade that comes with plenty of tangible benefits. In terms of durability, the basic face fabric and waterproof laminate will likely have a shorter lifespan than pricier options, but it should do the trick for casual applications. Key measures include recycled materials, PFC-free DWR coatings (traditional coatings use perfluorocarbons, which is a chemical known to be harmful to the environment), bluesign-approved fabrics, and Fair Trade Certification. Over the past few years, there have been a growing number of waterproof rain jackets featuring built-in stretch. The Torrentshell 3L tops our list with its impressively balanced design, but for a step up in performance its worth checking out the Calcite here. Line drying typically is best, although weve had some eVent and Gore-Tex jackets that instruct you to put it in the dryer on warm heat to replenish the DWR finish. Rab is best known for their technical hardshell and insulating jacketstheyre a climbing company at their corebut theyve been making consistent strides in the rain jacket market of late. In the end, the Beta is the more well-rounded pick for most hikers, but the Storm10 is worth a look for those focused more on weight and packabilityRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Storm10 See the Women's Patagonia Storm10. marmot precip raincoatslive With a recent reconfiguration of their lineup, theyve moved their rain shells away from the Zeta collection into the versatile Beta series. Patagonia shook up the rain jacket market with the release of its Torrentshell 3L in spring 2020. Heavy downpours can overwhelm the thin build, causing the fabric to absorb moisture and feel wet against your skin. marmot rei gtx gore kurtka The second REI Co-op rain jacket to make our list is their entry-level Groundbreaker 2.0. The ultimate expression of how effective a pit zip can be is the Outdoor Research Foray. The hood is nice and thick and comes with a substantial bill that can withstand heavy rain and wind. When fully unzipped, this creates a poncho-like opening for awesome venting on the traila great way to dump excess heat while still retaining coverage. 
The benefits of the Velcro style are simplicity and weight: they dont require a cord or toggle, both of which add a bit of bulk. One notable exception is a jacket like the Patagonia Calcite that uses Gore-Texs new Paclite Plus, which has a minimalist, protective treatment on the interior in place of a hanging liner to minimize weight and bulk. No piece of outdoor gear offers total protection from outside moisture, but most of todays rain jackets are listed as being either water-resistant or waterproof. Many light rain jackets, windbreakers, and softshells are water-resistant, meaning that they shed water in light to modest precipitation but arent completely waterproof under extended exposure. Category: Daily use/hikingWeight: 10.6 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L NanoProWhat we like: Proven performance for a great price.What we dont: The REI Rainier above matches it in most categories yet costs $10 less. We also like the large hood and how well it cinches down, although we arent crazy about the single drawcord toggle at the back (its difficult to pinch, making loosening the hood a pain). Waterproof jackets have a built-in laminate layer like Gore-Tex or a coating that essentially blocks outside moisture from entering under most conditions. Below are our top trail runners of 2022, from Hardshell jackets are designed for the alpine: theyre highly windproof, waterproof, breathable, and durable. The primary compromise is pocket placement as some hand pockets sit high to accommodate a climbing harness or backpack hipbelt. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Arcteryx is known for top-of-the-line quality and prices to match, and the British Columbia-based brand has long been our go-to for premium weather protection. Daily Use Category: Performance/hikingWeight: 13.9 oz.Waterproofing: 3L Gore-TexWhat we like: Strong combination of weight, breathability, and comfort.What we dont: The priciest rain jacket on our list at $399. A long-time ultralight favorite, Outdoor Researchs Helium Rain Jacket, was overhauled a few seasons back. However, for just $50 more, you can bump up to the Arcteryx Beta, which features 3-layer Gore-Tex and drops almost 4 ounces off the build of the Calcite. 
In addition, theyve covered the basics for mixed daily wear and hiking uses with a reasonable 11.6-ounce weight, stuff pocket, and layering-friendly fit. Of note: OR also offers the 3-layer Helium AscentShell ($399), which combines the Heliums durable fabric with a more breathable AscentShell membraneRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Outdoor Research Helium Rain See the Women's OR Helium Rain. Our favorite from their collection is the Kinetic Alpine 2.0, which marries a stretchy knit face fabric with a waterproof membrane and full seam taping. Category: Daily useWeight: 16 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5LWhat we like: Fun styling and sustainable materials.What we dont: Will not hold up to heavy rain; more expensive than other budget designs. 
rei jacket minimalist marmot rain Features like a helmet-compatible hood, stuff pocket, and pit zips give the StormLine a clear performance slant, but the large fit isnt ideal for the backcountry. Traditional softshell jackets are not fully waterproof. You can take note of the number when its available, as it will often correlate with other characteristics like fabric thickness and durability, but dont base your buying decision on that alone. But for skiing, climbing, or bike commuting, youll need a helmet-compatible hood, and the LTs pit zips are an undeniable benefit for those working hard on the trail. The big news is the stretchy 2.5-layer construction, which offers greater comfort than a standard rain jacket like the REI Rainier above. Just about every major outdoor brand offers a budget-oriented rain shell for about $100, and The North Faces entry is the popular Venture. Finally, it doesnt excel for true performance usethe lining is prone to getting slippery and clammy and there are no pit zips to dump heat. A quick look at our comparison table above reveals that rain jacket weights correlate closely with their intended use(s). The jacket also is well-equipped and competitively lightweight with two hand pockets, a coated front zipper, and an all-in weight of 10 ounces (for our mens medium). Unless you prioritize the Watertights small upgrades in waterproofing and features, we think the REI is the better buy Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Columbia Watertight II See the Women's Columbia Arcadia II. Performance 
Its true that the Minimalist isnt perfect as an all-around piece. Reapplying the DWR is done through a fairly simple process, and weve found that the Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On works well.Back to Our Top Rain Jacket Picks Back to Our Rain Jacket Comparison Table. Other factors like seam taping play a major role in waterproofness, so the number doesnt truly determine how dry you will stay in a downpour. Priced at just $60, the shell is an impressive effort: the budget category is well-known for its plasticky, uncomfortable materialsthis includes the Columbia Watertight II belowbut the REIs polyester face fabric and interior mesh lining are soft to the touch and have a surprisingly quality feel. If youre noticing that the jacket isnt beading up water anymore and putting it in the dryer for a short stretch doesnt fix the problem, you may need to reapply some DWR (this is common as the coating diminishes over time). All in all, the Groundbreaker is a solid emergency rain shell that excels for around-town use in mild conditions. Finally, the Beta does not feature a helmet-compatible hood, although most hikers will appreciate the more close-fitting design. The Foray was lightly updated for spring 2022, and the II features a lighter weight, modernized design and colorways, and availability in a wider range of sizes (S to XXXL). 2.5-Layer But is the Calcite worth its $299 price tag? In addition, the REI has a slightly more substantial face fabric and improved comfort with a fleece-like lining covering the collar (weight goes up a bit as a result). For performance use, the benefits are obvious: while climbing, hiking, or other activities where youre moving your arms a lot, a stretchy jacket is less restrictive. As with most of their offerings, Cotopaxi did something a little different with the Cielo, and we really like the result. At 13 ounces its on the heavier end of the spectrum, the fabrics are relatively thick, and you dont get a stuff pocket for easy packability. This adds a bit of bulk than a comparable 2.5 layer, but increases durability and further improves moisture wicking and next-to-skin feel. We prefer the toggle style for adjusting the back of the hood over a rip-and-stick Velcro tab for its improved performance. Jackets in this category include the Arc'teryx Beta LT, which impressed us with its performance during a wet and slushy winter in the PNW. The treatment is thinner than the sprayed-on coating of a 2.5-layer jacket (more on this below), so we consider the Calcite a 2-layer piece. rain marmot precip jacket rei jackets A true 3-layer construction incorporates three separate pieces of fabric, with the actual waterproof and breathable membrane in the middle and a more substantial fabric on the interior. rei jacket minimalist marmot rain Why do we have The North Face Venture 2 ranked here? Below we break down the best rain jackets of 2022, from entry-level models for hiking and daily use to performance pieces for backpacking and climbing. In the world of rain jackets, Marmot just seems to get it, delivering good fit and performance at reasonable price points. In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. In the end, if youre looking for versatile rain and snow protection but dont want to spring for a full-on Gore-Tex Pro hardshell, the Beta LT is hard to beat Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Beta LT See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta LT. Category: Performance/hikingWeight: 8.3 oz.Waterproofing: 3L H2No Performance StandardWhat we like: Strong 3-layer performance in a minimalist package.What we dont: Not great for daily use and less of an all-rounder than the Beta above.
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