Review: lightest commercially made rain jacket on earth

[FatCanyoner]

G'day folks,

A friend of mine has been trying out this amazing ultralight rain jacket from ZPacks. He mainly got it for climbing, but it has become a stock standard item in his walking kit too as it is so light and compact that it is barely noticeable.

The ZPacks Ultralight Cuben Fiber Rain Jacket is just 127g, about half the closest competition from another commercial brand.

I'll summarise his review with this: A rain jacket should be waterproof, which this is absolutely, relying not on a treatment but using an inherently waterproof fabric. It should fit well, which this also does. It should be light weight, which is where this jacket is in a league of its own. And it should last well, which so far this has.

http://fatcanyoners.org/bush-guide/zpac ... in-jacket/

[wayno]

sierra designs are putting one out that weighs 90 grams...

[FatCanyoner]

sierra designs are putting one out that weighs 90 grams...

Wow. My old 500g one is looking more and more like a dinosaur!

Soon we'll all be carrying weights on bushwalks for extra fitness training because our packs are now too light!!!

[wayno]

YEAH BUT IT AINT CUBEN, it's purely for rain showers.... fragile is the operative word
actually the sierra jacket is four ounces, so its at least 113 grams.

http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-546-clou ... -mens.aspx

[findbuddha]

Curious how these compare to say some of the lighter Goretex Active shell jackets, especially for durability and breatheability.
I just ordered my first hardshell, an Arcteryx Tecto: ~280 grams, Goretex Active. (No pit zips )

[wayno]

active shell is the most breathable gore tex waterproof membrane... pit zips add weight

[ULWalkingPhil]

sierra designs are putting one out that weighs 90 grams...

Wow. My old 500g one is looking more and more like a dinosaur!

Soon we'll all be carrying weights on bushwalks for extra fitness training because our packs are now too light!!!

more like. We will carry weights so the breeze don't blow our packs away.

I am out walking. My pack weight total is 10kg. But it feels like a tonne today. Just spent the past 4 days painting a unit. Sure wouldn't mind one of those cuben jackets. I been eyeing them off for a while now.

[KANANGRABOYD]

I was reading a review a while back about Joes jacket, and it isn't as good as they were hoping for. Can't remember the exact reviewer, but could of been jolly green giant.
If BPL members count, I don't think many of them have gotten them yet.

Last edited by KANANGRABOYD on Fri 31 May, 2013 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

[wayno]

i cant find any stats on how breathable they are and havent read anyone comparing them to other known garments.
zpacs did their own review but its vague

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/wpb_jacket.shtml

[ULWalkingPhil]

I read a review recently. Cant remember where. Reviewer was disappointed with the lack breathability. For me where I live is no such thing as breathability. The weight is the thing that has me keen on them.

[wayno]

US$200 and no information on how breathable it is... all good manufacturers release stats on breathability and waterproof rating

[wayno]

if theese stats can be believed, this is one of the least breathable rainshells on the market
a decent shell should have a rating of at least 10,000 and can go over 20,000
http://www.suluk46.com/RandD%20-%20RD26 ... acket.html

COMPARE TO OTHER FABRICS
http://www.shop-denali.com/gg_wbbrands2.aspx

[ULWalkingPhil]

After all. Cuben does look and feel a bit like a shopping bag. Works great for my Duomid and tarp.

[DaveNoble]

Or you can go to the bay and buy a Froggs Toggs DriDucks parka and overpants. The parka weighs about 160g. Not that well made or likely to last too long but for $25 or so - not too bad. It too is "breathable" and not recommended for scrub.

Dave

[Onestepmore]

Here's John Abela's one year review of the Zpacks Cuben fibre jacket

http://hikelighter.com/2013/05/23/one-y ... in-jacket/

Note he intends to have it modified and add pit zips - despite the added weight