Breathable outershell

Lancslad

Lancslad

Day Walker
Looking for a recommendation for an outer layer. My 15 year old RAB has given up the ghost and requires regular proofing. I also have a Craghopper but it doesn't breath well, and I overheat on low level walks. I prefer the baselayer outershell combo even in winter and only don a midlayer when I stop. So it needs to be very breathable and obvs waterproof. Willing to go up to £200, but rather looking around the £100. TiA
 
Sack the Juggler

Sack the Juggler

Backpacker
in terms of breath-ability, either event or neoshell works best for me, and pitzips as I also struggle with overheating. I tend to use a base layer and windshirt combo if its light rain, because the heat I'm generating will tend to dry out my layers anyway, I only move to a hardshell if its really coming down. I've heard people recommending umbrellas, but on the hills rain always seems to come with the wind, so I find umbrellas impractical most of the time.
 
H

Hd8ekownio24ugh5

Thru Hiker
I was one of the early adopters of the Columbia Outdry Ex Featherweight about a year ago. Have a couple of hundred hours now in rain. One of the few non wet out of the new breed. Still like it very much. My clothing combos trial comments are here -The [Richard Nisely series A NEW PARADIGM FOR UNDERSTANDING WPB FABRICS"] on BPL-If you haven't read it from the beginning it is an excellent read. Bought it from the UK to OZ. One of the few that is backpack compatible. Look for out Fearless Fly! That's me. Cheers.
 
Enzo

Enzo

Thru Hiker
Good to hear positive reports after a good use period. I have the featherweight, not used it much though as you can't really button down the hatches and its not much lighter than my more protective, if potentially less reliable coats. Perhaps I should look at some of their heavier jackets.
 
Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
I'm on lookout for a new rain jacket, my 3 year old Marmot Essence was useless this week - you can see daylight through the high wear areas.

I'm after something of an 'athletic' fit, half decent hood at least a phone pocket and sensible weight and a price below £100.

Any further suggestions?

Cheers Ade
 
H

Hd8ekownio24ugh5

Thru Hiker
Enzo said:
Good to hear positive reports after a good use period. I have the featherweight, not used it much though as you can't really button down the hatches and its not much lighter than my more protective, if potentially less reliable coats. Perhaps I should look at some of their heavier jackets.
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The only trouble is their heavier jackets don't have the same non wet out technolgy, only the Caldorado model which is about 150 grams has it as well. But it is not backpack compatible. My Featherweight in large weighs just over 200 grams and I find the hood really acceptable you can boost its efficiency as well by wearing a peaked cap under the hood. Worn it strong wind, rain in face, no real issue.
 
Shewie

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Davy said:
I'm on lookout for a new rain jacket, my 3 year old Marmot Essence was useless this week - you can see daylight through the high wear areas.

I'm after something of an 'athletic' fit, half decent hood at least a phone pocket and sensible weight and a price below £100.

Any further suggestions?

Cheers Ade
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OMM Aether eVent pullover any good or do you prefer a full length zipped jacket? I really like mine, kept some serious rain out on the SUW. Might need to stretch the budget a smidge though.

Been puddling by with an Alpkit Pulsar as well for the not so seriously wet stuff, it does okay but after a couple of hours of sideways rain it gives up, dries quickly though lol
 
Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
Thanks Shewie. Will measure myself tonight as I've shifted a bit of timber over the last couple of years and am between medium and large for a few brands..

I don't get the use out of these jackets, they get carried about a lot but worn in anger little and unfortunately they seem a bit disposable so don't want to spend too much. Can you easily get the smock over a down jacket?

Will dig out Mrs Davy's Marmot Precip as well as a comparison as I recall whilst cheap and dry, she wasn't impressed with the cut or hood.
 
Shewie

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
The OMM is an athletic fit so you might have to size up to wear over a down layer, suppose it depends on the down through, is it a micro baffle type or a big puffy?
 
gixer

gixer

Thru Hiker
My Aether wet out like a middle aged, married woman at a Chippendales show, at last years Lakes meet

I washed it and reproofed it, i'm willing to give it another go, but so far i wouldn't recommend it
 
Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
Just ordered a Marmot Precip Anorak for a whole £32 delivered. Not the lightest but the colour combo of Late Night/Tomato clinched it...
 
tom

tom

Thru Hiker
Berghaus hyper jacket (90g) combined with zpacks Cu poncho (140g) - 3 years regular use and good as new. Saves pack cover too ...
 
Enzo

Enzo

Thru Hiker
I like my hyper too. But sans poncho found in heavy rain the water curls round the hood and comes in under my chin.
Compared to my pulsar which cinches round the waist and has a hood and top of zip that can be really strapped down the featherweight is very much a summer option. 260g v's 220g. Though for multiday from the reports I've heard the fw would be more reliable. Fast and light I use my hyper.
About 10g of different design choices and the fw would be my goto. Summer drizzle it'd be my choice though.
 
H

Hd8ekownio24ugh5

Thru Hiker
Enzo said:
Though for multiday from the reports I've heard the fw would be more reliable.
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Yes, highly reliable (in my experience) but don't now enough myself, to say 'more' though. Can say in consistent days of rain and wind, going to bed in the wet (four days max for me), it works very well under a 7-9kg (my walking experience) rucksack i.e.
it works as it says it will as a real raincoat. Very happy after a year of sporadic use.
 
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Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
Precip was waiting for me when we got back this evening.

Its 250g, big enough to go over a down jacket and rocking an early 90s Millets colour vibe. (not good). Linked handwarmer/map pocket is spacious but is largely covered by the hip belt on my pack.

On the plus side the hood is better than expected, hopefully it'll keep some weather out and it was £32...
 
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Jamess

Section Hiker
I'm a precip fan - mine is several years old and the hood on the new ones is better.

I'd much rather have a jacket that is properly waterproof and has pit vents than a posh breathable fabric that requires a lot of maintenance to keep it working.

Can I ask where you picked one up for £32. That's a bargain in any colour except maybe barbie pink.
 
Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
Just realised there are no pit zips on the Anorak.... Got the last one in large from Amazon.
 
Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
Possible, was heavily discounted and had all the tags. Will check it against Mrs Davy's tonight.
 
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