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Favorite Summer Rain Jacket

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180

I have a Rab Kinetic, it has a helmet hood which I prefer. I think I wore it a year an a half ago, I rarely use a hard shell so it doesn't get much use.

climbskihike · · New Mexico · Joined May 2011 · Points: 250

I'm not sure as I've never owned or used one, but I didn't think the SD microlight was supposed to be waterproof - the product info says it is water resistant.

Is it actually made with a waterproof material, such that sealing the seams would actually make it a functional, waterproof rain jacket? If so that might make it a decent option.

Kevin · · California · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 0
David Appelhans wrote: The SD microlight is not factory seam sealed, so it should be no surprise that when you fill the jacket up with water and squeeze it, water drips out the seams. Most of the reviewers on REI.com are incompetent--it states on the webpage that the seams are not sealed; you can seal them yourself for about $2. It is true that the microlight is not as breathable as some of the other jackets mentioned in this thread, but it packs tiny, costs only $20, and is water proof.
The SD Microlight doesn't meet any widely accepted standards for a waterproof rating. 600mm (according to Backcountry) is not waterPROOF.
Danielyaris · · Salem, OR · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 20

my 5oz waterproof breathable North face triumph anorak

so light with so much protection.

Jason N. · · Grand Junction · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 10

Can any of you OR Helium owners comment on the sizing? I'm about 5'9-10" and ~150 with a 37-38" chest.

boo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 0

Jason- Call customer service 888.467.4327. They are really nice and helpful about stuff like this. I am going to guess you are a medium.

Helium II, which is the version available now, is really nice. Superlight, breathable Pertex. The jacket has a built in stuff sack with carabiner loop. It packs small and compact on your harness. The breathability is greatly improved in the Helium II. They have some stretch in them, which makes climbing in them really nice. They are pattern cut to accommodate layers.

For long routes, where space and weight are an issue, I think it's the way to go. I really like mine. Ride in it, too.

dourbalistar · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 35
Jason N. wrote:Can any of you OR Helium owners comment on the sizing? I'm about 5'9-10" and ~150 with a 37-38" chest.
Jason - I'm close to your size at 5'8"-5'9" and 145+/- with similar chest measurements. I have the old Helium (not the newer Helium II) in a size small and it fits me well. I like my jackets to be on the more fitted side, but the small still has room for a layer underneath.

Not sure if it's been noted before, but my Helium has a left-hand zip. Not a deal breaker for me, but just something to note in case that matters to you. You might be able to find a good deal online on the old Helium now that the Helium II is out.
Tom Caldwell · · Clemson, S.C. · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 3,623

My wife and I like our backpacking ponchos. We don't wear the jackets. The backpacking poncho also doubles as a rope mat. Plus, you get to look like Quasimodo when you hike out.

Ryan Hill · · Denver, CO · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 30
Jason N. wrote:Can any of you OR Helium owners comment on the sizing? I'm about 5'9-10" and ~150 with a 37-38" chest.
5'6", 140lbs with a size small. Just big enough to fit their down sweater (size small) underneath.
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Jason N. wrote:Can any of you OR Helium owners comment on the sizing? I'm about 5'9-10" and ~150 with a 37-38" chest.
the helium is fairly slim ... im ~160 lbs, 5'7" and i take a med ... enough to layer a light puffy underneath just in case
snacyhook · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 0

Marmot Precip.

ethlogo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 0

I have a PU coating (similar to Precip) jacket from sherpa adventure gear that retailed for $70. I got mine for $35. It is waterproof. It is 4 years old.

ThreeDee · · Manhattan, KS · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5

Marmot Essence. It weighs something like 6oz and I can fit in my back pocket.

Nathan Stokes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 440

For what conditions? Wear a synthetic t-shirt, carry a synthetic long sleeve and suck it up if you are just hiking out in warm summer conditions. I've never found a rain shell that does more than keep the wet rain from mixing with my warm wet sweat when I am cranking towards the trail head on the way back from somewhere (but those are east coast super humid summer conditions).

DannyUncanny · · Vancouver · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 100

I would get the Helium just because those kind of lightweight jackets tend to rip easily and OR has the best and friendliest warranty around.

Andrew Mayer · · Driggs, ID · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 131

Resurrecting this thread as I am looking for a new minimalist/lightweight/just-in-case shell.

I am torn between something like a OR Helium (6.4 oz) that claims to be waterproof and something even lighter like a Patagonia houdini (4 oz) or other DWR treated windshirt. I already have a Patagonia super pluma pro-shell for when I know its going to be real wet and stormy which isn't too heavy at 15 oz

So should I go the cheaper and lighter option for the Houdini or will I regret it cause I will get wet when I actually need it?

B Gilmore · · AZ · Joined Nov 2005 · Points: 1,260

another vote for OR Helium, love it.

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Andrew Mayer wrote:Resurrecting this thread as I am looking for a new minimalist/lightweight/just-in-case shell. I am torn between something like a OR Helium (6.4 oz) that claims to be waterproof and something even lighter like a Patagonia houdini (4 oz) or other DWR treated windshirt. I already have a Patagonia super pluma pro-shell for when I know its going to be real wet and stormy which isn't too heavy at 15 oz So should I go the cheaper and lighter option for the Houdini or will I regret it cause I will get wet when I actually need it?
helium ... if you want rain protection ...

when you REALLY need it ... ie it start really raining when yr 10 pitches up, and you have to do multiple raps in the pouring rain, or when yr partner takes a bad fall and you have to wait for SAR on the ledge in the rain the night ... DWR wont cut it in real rain (not talking about the occasional sprinkle or shower) ...

the downside is that the helium will get ripped to shreads if you climb in it where there is a lot of body contact (wide cracks), but then so will the houdini or other windshirt .. and its not too breathable, so not a very active layer

carry a windshirt if its something you are going to wear climbing all the time, but dont expect any extended waterproofness in downpours ...

OR also has one of the best warranties in the business ... you can return it for ANY reason at all at any time .... (cue in those ranting about returns)

i bought my UL rain jackets from OR for that reason alone, delamination is not uncommon in WPB even among the "best" gear makers

my helium is my least used, but most carried shell ... its for those "oh fcuk everything has gone to shiet" situations
Mike · · Phoenix · Joined May 2006 · Points: 2,615

I have had the Arc'teryx alpha LT for a few years now and it has been fantastic the 15 or so times I've used it.

ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25

Summer I like the old Marmot Oracle, slimmer fit than the newer stuff. Winter I like the new Marmot Oracle because it fits over my down hoody. Same marked size, different actual size. The new ones are lighter and breath better, but the older style works just fine.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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