Casual users appreciate a couple of hand pockets, and thats one of the most notable omissions in using an ultralight shell for daily use. Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket. Our favorite from their collection is the Downpour Plus 2.0, which offers a strong dose of performance at a very reasonable price point. The market leader has long been Gore-Tex, particularly in their high-end "Active" and "Pro" offerings, but a number of fabrics are now challenging the paradigm, including AscentShell by Outdoor Research. Both the Marmot PreCip Eco and the Outdoor Research Helium are 2.5-layer jackets. It is a great option for hikers and backpackers seeking a lightweight balance of features and minimalist design. The Patagonia Storm10 gives the Arcteryx Beta LT above a run for its money as our top performance pick, but in the end, the two jackets have slightly different intentions. We recommend you evaluate these products based on your needs, including where you are going, how many hours (or days) you expect to be out in the rain, and how hard it will be raining, as well as the temperature and season. This especially applies to lower-cost rain jackets, as, in some regards, you get what you pay for. The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch does just thatit stretches with movement. This Marmot jacket might be called Minimalist, but its features are anything but that. Everything from the REIs hood design to pocket layout and even smaller touches like mesh pockets and the Velcro covering the center zipper reminded us of the Marmot shell. Most noticeably, it causes water droplets to bead up and roll off. Fully-lined pockets are better for cooler weather, and also wont allow any water to leak through to your torso if your pockets are open. Waterproofing: 2L Gore-Tex with Paclite Plus & 3-layer Gore-Tex with C-Knit. Its one of only a few Gore Tex Pac Lite plus jackets on our list and normally, namebrand waterproofing like Gore Tex costs a premium. Its a membrane, which is coated or laminated and layered under the face fabric. 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. When Layer 1 is saturated with water, its called wetting out or soaking through. Youll know your jacket has wetted out when the face fabric is so wet that it clings to your skin. Weighing in at 411 Grams and coated with 2.5 layers of heavy-duty Gore-Tex, weight and packability aren't the Calcite's biggest strength. Still, youve got to choose the best rain shell for your budget, and well always try to find you the best deals at our links. Yes, a rain jacket protects you from the wet, but it needs to be dry to effectively do so. One criterion that guided us was a commitment to finding a lightweight jacket (as compared to a raincoat) that we felt was on the more affordable end of the gear buying spectrum. Fabric: 50D ripstop . We loved the mens and womens Marmot Minimalist in earlier rain jacket reviews and our own years of testing make us think this is still a great jacket. 45. Marmot Men's Minimalist Jacket - YouTube The Columbia will save you around $25, but the Rainier's 2.5-layer design is more breathable, and theshell and interior are noticeably softer to the touch. (Dont believe us? Photo by Robert Curzon. Have a larger hairstyle? The hood on the womens Outdoor Research Helium 2. Some rain jackets offer pit zips and/or full side vents, while basic models do not (as well as taped seams on more expensive rain jackets for extra protection from the elements). It does come with what REI calls Core Ventilation, which is essentially the same mesh pockets you'll find in most 2.5 L rain jackets.
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