View Full Version : Rain Jacket
fireneck
10-04-2011, 00:23
So I have a gift certificate from REI and I am looking to buy a new rain jacket. I'm looking to stay under $200.
I have narrowed down the list here (http://www.rei.com/search?cat=4500008&sortby=Price+%28Ascending%29&search=Rainjacket&jxBrand=REI&jxBrand=Arc%27teryx&jxBrand=Mountain+Hardwear&jxBrand=Marmot&jxBrand=The+North+Face&jxBrand=Patagonia&jxBrand=Outdoor+Research&hist=query%2CRainjacket^cat%2C4500008%3AMen%27s^jx Brand%2CREI^jxBrand%2CArc%27teryx^jxBrand%2CMounta in+Hardwear^jxBrand%2CMarmot^jxBrand%2CThe+North+F ace^jxBrand%2CPatagonia^jxBrand%2COutdoor+Research ).
Thanks for the input.
Hosaphone
10-04-2011, 00:50
Buy some 6oz dri ducks for $15 and save the $200 REI money for something else imo :-?
i'm not in love with any of those jackets in your price range tbh. i'd sell the gift certificate and pick up this:
http://www.onlineshoes.com/mens-outdoor-research-helium-jacket-mushroom-p_id218655
o (http://www.onlineshoes.com/mens-outdoor-research-helium-jacket-mushroom-p_id218655)r maybe this one:
http://www.hermitshut.com/gophja.html
fireneck
10-04-2011, 02:19
i'm not in love with any of those jackets in your price range tbh. i'd sell the gift certificate and pick up this:
http://www.onlineshoes.com/mens-outdoor-research-helium-jacket-mushroom-p_id218655
o (http://www.onlineshoes.com/mens-outdoor-research-helium-jacket-mushroom-p_id218655)r maybe this one:
http://www.hermitshut.com/gophja.html
The OR jacket does not have pit zips :(... I am a sweaty bastard. However, that site is a great resource! Thanks.
fireneck
10-04-2011, 02:38
Buy some 6oz dri ducks for $15 and save the $200 REI money for something else imo :-?
I found this thread (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?30331-frog-toggs-vs.-high-end-gore-tex-blah-blah)... balancing the pros/cons of the Frogg Toggs! If I go with them I will have to make my own pit vents in them with velcro!
I've had good luck with my Marmot Precip...I got it for $70 on sale at REI back in 2009.
I have a merrell sprint thats no longer available that has been through some serious southern weather ....but always said if i needed a new one i'd try the precip ... two friends of mine have it, and they swear by it ... that other option by golite isn't a bad one either ...
Just a couple of thoughts since you don't say what features you are looking for in your new raincoat.
REI will have a members coupon deal staring on Oct 7. 20% should stretch out your choices--and don't forget the outlet jackets.
If you want a lightweight choice for a few days then the Frogg Toggs will do.
If you want a servicable light jacket go with the Marmot but shop at Campmor for the best prices.
If you just want to use your REI money then, of the choices you linked, I like the OR Paladin and the REI Shuksan for durable multi season versatility and because they have pockets that are accessable while wearing a pack.
Be sure to read the reviews starting with the lowest and note how and where the reviewer used the item, look for someone who matches your needs.
atmilkman
10-04-2011, 07:50
Buy some 6oz dri ducks for $15 and save the $200 REI money for something else imo :-?
Ditto on this. Or like someone else said the Frogg-Toggs are a good lightweight setup. Combined with a lightweight down inner jacket it makes pretty warm camp wear.
Wise Old Owl
10-04-2011, 10:38
I have had bad luck with a lot of rain coats with all the new fabrics that have HyVent DT 2.5-layer waterproof breathable coating. The coating breaths the air a little and I know that works, but I sweat buckets in these jackets so I get soaked anyway. I have a hat with the same coating and its going back.
By best experience so far has been a cheaper jacket without that layer on the inside. I look for a back vent and pit zips.
My suggestion is go with REI and take a hike in the rain ASAP. A good five miles around a park, and that way - you will know....
If it doesn't work out - return it.
Marmot Mica-waterproof-fully featured- only 7 oz.--WINNER for me.
Hosaphone
10-04-2011, 11:49
I found this thread (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?30331-frog-toggs-vs.-high-end-gore-tex-blah-blah)... balancing the pros/cons of the Frogg Toggs! If I go with them I will have to make my own pit vents in them with velcro!
I own a precip and a dri duck suit... I have found the driducks to breathe much much better than the precip. I don't think they really need pit zips and they might just be extra weight/something to fail, but at $15 you can buy two pairs and see for yourself!
I wear the precip around town because it's a lot more stylish, but for hiking and backpacking it's always the driducks for me. They're half the weight AND they keep me drier... The only downsides, imo, are questionable durability and lack of style (though the cost offsets the durability somewhat, and apparently people have completed thru-hikes in them so if you take care of them they'll last a good long while. Probably a bad choice for bushwhacking though).
Oh, another possible downside is that the rain pants don't have zippers, but of course that contributes to their ~5oz weight and I find that I can fit my (men's 13EE) shoes through them without even needing zippers. The trick is to scrunch them up so you avoid getting too much dirt inside the pants.
In my experience, more expensive does not equal better when it comes to rain gear. I'm sure there are plenty of other toys you could spend $200 on at REI... titanium pots/silverware, socks, fuel if you use a canister stove, shirts/pants/underwear...
Hosaphone
10-04-2011, 12:02
Marmot Mica-waterproof-fully featured- only 7 oz.--WINNER for me.
Sexy sexy jacket, almost as light as the driducks! And only a little over 10x as expensive :p
Also, with rain gear, bear in mind that when it rains for a week straight you're always going to be damp at best. Even if a jacket existed that breathed perfectly, you'd still be damp just due to all the moisture in the air.
I'm all for spending big bucks on a sleeping bag and backpack and on your shelter, but when it comes to rain gear for 3-season hiking I just don't see the need to spend lots of money. I've never owned one of those fancy $300 jackets so maybe I just don't know what I'm missing.
hikerboy57
10-04-2011, 12:04
Marmot Mica-waterproof-fully featured- only 7 oz.--WINNER for me.second this one. a lot lighter than the precip, alot more breathable too.
I third this one, great jacket.
smokeeater908
10-12-2011, 18:28
Buy some 6oz dri ducks for $15 and save the $200 REI money for something else imo :-?
+1 I agree
I have had my Mountain Hardware Cohesion pants and Epic jacket for 5 yrs. Very nice stuff for around 100$ each. Got all the zips and stuff. Pretty light wgt. Stylish! I don't believe in that "breathable" crap, although MH uses their version of a breathable fabric. I forget what it is called. My wife has the womens version. I recommend MH. No experience with others. But, Frog Toggs are light wgt. Not very fashionable. I hear they work well. Just my 2 cents. Kevin
Snowleopard
10-14-2011, 14:40
What I've got:
Dri Ducks works great, breaths really well and is light, but is too fragile for some uses. I'll use these for 3 season use below tree line and maybe light bushwhacking in summer. Too much going through brush would shred these. I just don't trust the DD for really windy, harsh conditions -- i.e., White Mountains above tree line or winter use where you might have to detour off trail.
Really expensive Event jacket (Rab Latok Alpine). Sturdy and more breathable than goretex. I'll use this above tree line, in winter and for bushwhacking. prolitegear.com sometimes has sales and REI has a couple store brand Event jackets that might be more reasonable on sale.
Wise old owl: I have had bad luck with a lot of rain coats with all the new fabrics that have HyVent DT 2.5-layer waterproof breathable coating. Worst rain suit I ever had. It breathes badly and wasn't very waterproof. The 'waterproof' membrane flaked apart after not very much use.
Trailbender
10-15-2011, 00:24
You don't want breathable raingear, it is supposed to be part of your thermal layer. I wore mine as a light jacket, wind jacket, ect. If it is hot and raining, you just get rained on. Rain gear is for cold rain, which can be dangerous.
Trailbender
10-15-2011, 00:25
I forgot, I got my rain jacket for 40 bucks at D1ck's, cut all the pockets out and lightened it up some, have no complaints.
Cloudynesz
10-16-2011, 12:58
I would choose between Marmot Precip Jacket and Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket. The fabric of the Precip jacket is rather soft, I like that feeling. Both are Lightweight, clean design, really great fit.