7 oz 3-layer Gortex rain jacket—apparently so

[Lawnboi]

The cuffs aren’t velcro closures, but some kind of elastic closure that works very well for sealing. Well enough that if you had very big wrists it might be a bit of a pain in the ass getting it on /off.



If there was a likely chance of steady rainfall lasting hours or into days, I’d pick the regular Dewpoint. When it looks like occasional showers (or no precipitation) this is the jacket I’d choose—which in Montana anyways is the vast majority of time.

Also if you know you’re going to be busting a lot of brush, you might want a heavier fabric rain jacket.

If you get a chance a close up photo would be appreciated of the wrist area

 

[Macintosh]

If there was a likely chance of steady rainfall lasting hours or into days, I’d pick the regular Dewpoint. When it looks like occasional showers (or no precipitation) this is the jacket I’d choose—which in Montana anyways is the vast majority of time.

Also if you know you’re going to be busting a lot of brush, you might want a heavier fabric rain jacket.

5-day august backpacking trip in the wind river range to fish. No option to reschedule, your week off is your week off. Obviously the forecast even 5 days out can vary. Which one you bringing?

 

[mtwarden]

You can bet there’s a strong chance of afternoon showers which the UL can handle no problem. If the forecast just before you leave calls for five days of steady rain, I’d choose another one.

I use NOAA’s spot forecast and Meteoblue to try and get the most accurate forecasts. If they closely agree, there is a high probability it’s an accurate forecast (knowing that forecasting mountain weather is just a forecast).

 

[Speaks]

I would pay the weight penalty for pit zips. Anyway interesting. I lost my versalite in Colombia last fall and replaced it with a helium. Still have mixed feelings about it. I do like a small light weight packable rain jacket to just keep in the pack though.....

 

[fngTony]

I’ve become more found of this class of rain jacket. For the majority of the mountain west we’re not getting five days of rain so you’re really choosing for durability based on how thick the vegetation is. Maybe @mtwarden remembers the name of the Sitka windbreaker from their non hunting line? It was rated at 10k, no pit zips but I was quite surprised at how little I missed them.

Really liked the idea of the SG x1 but in person it just seemed overpriced for a minimalist jacket. Had it used a more robust fabric (can be done with minimal weight) and a known membrane & dwr I would have tried it.

My helium jacket has become my go to for most things. Don’t mind the elastic cuffs or lack of pockets until it’s cold all day but I can manage for a cold morning mild afternoon. The hood blowing off is annoying but I started using a rubber coated paper clip to lock it down on the bill of my cap.

Mtwarden, can you pull the curtains back a little more yet? Full zip, pockets, fit?

 

[mtwarden]

^ I think it was called the Nimbus

Full zip, two zippered slash pockets (no chest pocket), fit is slightly athletic

Here's a pic of the cuff—very effective I have to say

 

[cq0302]

Correct—no PFAS

I’ll be very curious how this works. I panic bought two sets of chugach when it still used it because everything I was hearing was that all of the non pfas membranes weren’t even close…

 

[mtwarden]

So far only light rain, no problems—just a matter of time (I hope) for heavier rain

 

[cq0302]

So far only light rain, no problems—just a matter of time (I hope) for heavier rain

I wish you nothing but the best in said heavier rain, might be worth trying closer to shelter first lol

 

[Macintosh]

@mtwarden may your skies be grey and the wind in your face.
For science

 

[2ski]

So far only light rain, no problems—just a matter of time (I hope) for heavier rain

You could always do the old tried and true jump in the shower!

 

[mtwarden]

You could always do the old tried and true jump in the shower!

true that, but hiking in rain sounds a little better

 

[DC93]

Thanks for the review! will be following to see how it does in heavier rain

 

[mtwarden]

Well chalk up another couple of steady light showers; never got the heavier rain we were expecting.

 

[cubdriver84d]

I've been real curious about the Beringia Dragonfly, which comes in at similar weight to the dew point UL. Or, the Lightheart Gear rain jacket for a non-breathable option.

Dragonfly Rain Shell

BERINGIA creates beautiful, functional technical apparel that helps you explore the outdoors in the most direct and unmediated fashion. Distinctive design, global mountain expertise and highest-test quality are the marks of every BERINGIA garment.

beringia.world

Rain Jackets - Seam Taped

Made in North Carolina, U.S.A. Why Buy LHG Rain Jacket? Keeping dry in the rain while hiking is more than just a challenge. You either get wet from the outside by the rain or you get wet from sweat from the inside. Even though “waterproof breathable” jackets are a truly novel technology and...

lightheartgear.com

 

[mtwarden]

I think manufacturers are realizing that the DWR treatment plays a lot larger role, especially in sustained rain of keeping you warm and dry.

From a recent backpackinglight article

When the face fabric wets out, the laminate changes state. The garment gains water mass, and conductive and evaporative heat losses increase, while the vapor-pressure gradient across the fabric system is reduced. At this point, internal condensation becomes more likely. The wearer may experience the garment as wet from the inside even when hydrostatic resistance (resistance to penetration by outside precipitation) remains intact. In this condition, a shell can satisfy a laboratory definition of waterproofness while failing to provide acceptable comfort while hiking.

 

[Macintosh]

100% the DWR makes or breaks a waterproof breatheable shell—thats not new. If the fabric wets out, vapor aint getting thru it regardless of how breatheable the membrane is. Might as well be wearing a plastic bag at that point. Without the pfas dwr treatments, its questionable whether the fabrics now will ever be as good as they were a few years ago. The manufacturers all say they are great, but my limited experience since then says otherwise and friends who still work for some of the big fabric manufacturers echo that. I would love to see an arms race on this over the next few years.

 

[cubdriver84d]

I think manufacturers are realizing that the DWR treatment plays a lot larger role, especially in sustained rain of keeping you warm and dry.

From a recent backpackinglight article

When the face fabric wets out, the laminate changes state. The garment gains water mass, and conductive and evaporative heat losses increase, while the vapor-pressure gradient across the fabric system is reduced. At this point, internal condensation becomes more likely. The wearer may experience the garment as wet from the inside even when hydrostatic resistance (resistance to penetration by outside precipitation) remains intact. In this condition, a shell can satisfy a laboratory definition of waterproofness while failing to provide acceptable comfort while hiking.

This is why the lightheart is intriguing. No wetting out to worry about and big pit zips for venting. Not to mention the price is way nicer than “breathable” options.

 

[Dust Rider]

The Sitka UL is going to be a good fishing, hiking and Mountain Biking jacket for those fast rolling afternoon storms that blast thru the mountains.