Comparison review: We compared ultra-lightweight rainwear that is great for mountain climbing and running [Summer 2016]

Rainwear, which is said to be one of the essential equipment for outdoor activities, nowadays, comes in a variety of types depending on the season and purpose.

this in detail in this article, " How to Choose the Best Rainwear ," but personally, I think that recently there are fewer opportunities to carry old-fashioned heavy, bulky rain gear. What we can no longer let go of is ultra-lightweight rainwear that is as light as a blade, and is becoming more and more high-performance, multifunctional and convenient as the years go by.

Here we will continue from last year's "best lightweight rainwear" that has evolved significantly, with ultra-lightweight rainwear of approximately 300g or less, which is based on the latest major models of each manufacturer and evaluated them from various perspectives.

Click here for the latest comparison review for [2018 Spring/Summer Model]↓↓↓

Comparison Review: Which rainwear is the most useful on a trail run right now? Runners actually tried it 2018

table of contents

• About the items we compared and tested this time (trends from 2016)
• Test results and spec comparison table
• Summary of evaluation results - Recommended rainwear by type -
• Detailed reviews of each item (Page: 2)

About the rainwear we compared this time (trends from 2016)

As the name suggests, the most important feature of ultra-light rainwear is that it is basically just light and compact. While traditional rainwear can weigh around 300-500g even if it's just a jacket, all of the items we've picked this time weigh around 300-100g. While these are difficult to use for heavy rains all day long or for traverses for several nights due to durability, their excellent portability and breathability make them perfect for use in calm environments (high temperature seasons, day trips, low mountains, etc.) for high sweating activities.

This year, the latest models were released by many brands more than last year (2015), so we have significantly increased the number of test items, including models that have continued from the previous time. We have picked out a total of 14 items (items that have not been remodeled since last year are tested on models purchased last year again this year).

A major trend in 2016 was that models that were generally made lighter based on the concept of mountain climbing rainwear, but this season, many models have been introduced that were designed primarily for trail running. In this comparison, taking these trends into consideration, we first took into consideration the differences to ensure that the rankings were not biased. We have also reviewed the evaluation axis and evaluation content to make it easier for users of various purposes, such as hiking, fast packing, trail running, and motorcycles to compare and refer to them.

Test environment

The test period for ultra-lightweight rainwear is approximately six months from March to August 2016. The authors conducted the test multiple times, repeating multiple times, in alpine areas ranging from low mountains to 2,000m in alpine areas, where all items were walked and run in good weather (at least one day) and rainy weather (at least one pitch), and compared clothing in as many situations as possible. Conversely, we have not been able to test in autumn and winter or in mountainous areas of the 3,000m level. Although we don't get hit by rain in the mountains all the time, we change clothes for a short time and experience rainfall on all of our clothing. In addition, we have reproduced extreme conditions as practical as possible, such as heavy rain tests in the shower, or comparing how much sweat is removed by wearing them on a running in the city.

Test results and spec comparison table

Summary of evaluation results - Recommended rainwear by type -

No.1 overall ability

The following two models achieved the highest overall score based on the evaluation criteria set this time. Although it is a different approach to running or alpine climbing, it has the same approach in that it has high performance that matches each needs, while also achieving the basic defensive ability and ease of use required of rainwear at a high level, and its shrewdness is a major reason for its high praise.

1) MONTANE MINIMUS 777 JACKET

The first MONTANE MINIMUS 777 JACKET is a three-layer material that is soft to the touch, suppleness of the fabric, and breathability, but it also has an incredible weight of 143g, a significantly reduced weight from the previous model. Although the adjustment functions on the hood, sleeves and hem have been omitted to reduce weight, the excellent three-dimensional cutting and flat elastics placed everywhere make it easy to fit your body, and in addition, it reduces slippage and fluttering. Furthermore, details are also made with ease of use, such as a reflector that is safe even at night and a reflector that can be stored in the chest pocket. When it comes to the 3-layer low 100g range the THE NORTH FACE Strike Jacket is a competing spec, but this one was slightly different in terms of wear and ease of use. It is generally considered to be a model optimized for running, but due to its high basic quality, it is also quite suitable for short-term mountain hiking such as trekking and climbing.

2) Rab Flashpoint Jacket

Rab Flashpoint Jacket ranked first overall this year, following last year's comparison test. Although the impact this year has faded as much as last year, the three layers, which still offer waterproof and breathable properties and comfort that are never inferior to traditional rainwear, boast an advanced, thorough construction that can withstand harsh environments, including a helmet-compatible, perfectly adjustable hood and a light, lightweight waterproof zipper that boasts perfection that is unrivalled. This season's model has a slimmer silhouette and improved mobility, but (just the feeling) the surface fabric has slightly less clogged, which makes it seem like the waterproof (water-repellent) power has been reduced. This jacket is designed for technical situations such as climbing, but this is also an all-around lightweight rainwear that can be used for all outdoor activities, from hiking to running.

No.1 in cost performance

THE NORTH FACE Strike Jacket

Who could have predicted that rainwear, which is light in the 100g range and comfortable to wear, could be purchased for less than 20,000 yen? The Strike Jacket is a top-class model in this category, while still being able to obtain it at a relatively low price while still being able to get it relatively easily (in fact, many people were spotted at the trail running tournament this May this year). First of all, the newly released unique material, HYVENT?Flyweight, has high breathability and a supple feel in the three layers, and is as comfortable as you would expect. The slim silhouette, compact hood and less crispy outer material reduce stress while running, and the highly sensitive cuffs made of flat rubber and velcro make it easy to prevent rain from entering, and in terms of functionality, there are no areas where we have ever been cut corners. It's certainly perfect for trail running, but it's also not particularly problematic for day hiking and trekking in the summer. This design blends in with the city, so this one piece is incredibly versatile. As a result, it is definitely the No. 1 cost performance this year. The Strike Trail Hoodie has also been released as a more specialized model for running.

No.1 recommended for hiking and trekking

THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket

THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket scored the highest score when rating items that are thought to be mainly necessary for mountain climbing (waterproofing, breathability, comfort, durability, usability) from the overall evaluation criteria . C-Knit Backer, a new technology from Gore-Tex, a waterproof and breathable material with excellent reliability, delivers high performance that is undisclosed in terms of waterproofness, despite the fact that it is still Gore-Tex's name. I was particularly impressed by the sustained water repellent and the natural absorption of the lining, which made it less discomfort in the rain. The soft, round knitted knit with a lining is more flexible and comfortable to the touch than any other model. The large helmet-compatible hood allows fine adjustments to suit the size of your head, making it suitable for tough weather. Although the silhouette is slim, it is a little loose in this case, so it does not feel cramped even when wearing an inner layer or something similar.

While many of the latest models are becoming lighter and lighter for running and fast packing, as with this model, there is certainly a need to preserve the comfort, weather resistance and durability needed for mountain climbing, and for such users, this is the best option rather than choosing a lighter model.

No.1 recommended for trail running

Berghaus Vapor Light Hyper Shell Jacket

The Berghaus Vapor Light Hyper Shell Jacket was the highest score when rating items that are thought to be mainly necessary for running (waterproofing, breathability, mobility, weight, storage) were extracted from the overall evaluation criteria . For better or worse, it is the most radical model, specialized in "running". The weight of 86g, the storage capacity is smaller than a fist, and the high mobility of both items are the top of all items. Although it is so light that you'll even forget you're wearing it, it can only be amazing because it will play well if it's just normal rain. The specs published regarding breathability are low (10,000g/m2/24h), but the thickness of the fabric makes it seem even higher than the specs intuitively.

My favorite is the texture of this fabric, with little sense of crispness typical of waterproof jackets, making it quiet as if you were wearing a windshell. The shoulders, arms and body are all neat and slender silhouettes that make it easy to move around in, and the wind doesn't flutter, making it an overall experience of unbeatable driving comfort.

However, in exchange for exceptional running suitability, the waterproofness, comfort, durability, and ease of use as a clothing item are all at the lowest level. Of course, manufacturers are not just about making these easy to use from a comprehensive perspective, but rather that this jacket is that it can maximize performance when it comes to lace, such as when it comes to "the best" so if you are using it for that purpose, you should choose this one without hesitation.

Next page: Go to detailed reviews for each item

Detailed reviews of each item

Waterproof

Since rainwear is a gear that protects you from the rain, waterproofness is the most basic evaluation point. First of all, all the items we have picked up this time are made of fabric with a waterproof membrane, with the surface being treated with a durable water-repellent coating called DWR (Durable Water Repellent), and the seams are crimped with a waterproofing agent called seam tape to prevent water from flooding into the inside of the clothing, and have passed product tests by various manufacturers in labs. In this regard, all of them have basic weather resistance to rain (and wind, too), and even if they were standing for a few minutes in a typical intensity of rain, the falling rain itself would almost never pass through the fabric and flood inside, and there was no significant difference.

However, this is not the case when a large amount of water is exposed to a lot of force and for a long time, such as heavy rain, from various angles.

It is rarely possible at this time that moisture will pass directly through the fabric and soak in through it, but it is more serious about wetting the body, as it gradually gets flooded from various places such as the hood, cuffs, zippers and pocket edges, or when the water repellent properties that existed on the surface of the fabric are lost, causing moisture to remain on the outer fabric, making it difficult for moisture inside the clothing to be expelled outside.

When comparing the waterproofness of ultra-light rainwear, which is only water resistant, which is originally not as good as authentic rainwear for mountain climbing, this is the point where the differences between each item is different, rather than what the specifications of each item are. To compare these, we conducted a test in which we tried to move our bodies while taking a shower (as a reproduction of the shower) for a certain period of time.

As a result, the most waterproofing functioning in heavy rain was GORE-TEXⓇ C-Knit Backer's THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket . The reliable water resistance and long-lasting water repellent, highly airtight zippers and cuffs, a large brim and a hood that fits easily on the head will firmly protect you from rain. Additionally, the Rab Flashpoint Jacket has been changed to PERTEX Shield+, its high waterproofness, including the overall sealing properties, including the hood, is still intact. On the other hand, the Berghaus Vapor Light Hyper Shell Jacket , the hood and cuffs absorb moisture and are prone to flooding from there, and the small, unadjustable hood was not of any use in heavy rain. These should be used under the assumption that they can descend before the rain falls.

Breathability (ventilation performance)

Ultra-lightweight rainwear, which is often used in summer or intense exercise, is particularly important how smooth (comfortable) your body will remain in sweat or humid conditions.

However, "breathability" as used here does not mean just the moisture (water vapor and water molecules) permeability of the fabric in the strict sense, as expressed by certain numerical values. This is a very important point of evaluation, but waterproof and breathable jackets can also keep your body dry by absorbing sweat (moisture absorption) from the lining and ventilation (ventilation) from the zipper under the armpits, and expelling moisture from the clothes. From a user's perspective, the breathability and ventilation performance of clothing, including these, should be evaluated.

, the Teton Bros. Breath Jacket, which uses Polartec Neosell, which has excellent moisture permeability, is also a perfect sweat absorbing function due to ventilation and lining In addition, the MILLET W7 50000 ST JKT , THE NORTH FACE Strike Jacket , MONTANE MINIMUS 777 JACKET, THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket are all made with a three-layer material with high breathability that is comfortable regardless of the clothes you wear.

Also, although the fabric is 2.5 layers, it is not particularly spec-wise, the NORRONA bitihorn dri 1 Jacket , was also difficult to throw away in terms of overall comfort.

Comfort and mobility

The models we have picked this time have a wide range of comparisons, from general climbing to extreme running, so even though they are all about comfort, the expected activities and clothing worn underneath differ, so the comfort required is different, and for this reason, the method of evaluating comfort has been significantly changed since this year's test.

One of these are the factors that are essential when walking while wearing rain gear, such as the feel and lack of tension when worn, the fit of the cuffs, and the bites of the mouth, and these were evaluated as "comfort." The other is the comfort you would want when running, such as the lack of fluttering in the clothing against intense movements, the ease of movement caused by stretching, the displacement of clothing when swinging the arms, and the lack of crunchy sounds.These were newly independently evaluated as "mobility."

the most comfortable thing that was thought to be the most comfortable walking, such as hiking . The knit-like lining is extremely comfortable, and the slightly looser cutting (top left side of the photo below) makes it stress-free to wear the middle piece inside. The hood and cuffs are also well-made, as mentioned above. In addition, the Rab Flashpoint Jacket has excellent three-dimensional cutting, and despite its slim silhouette (lower left side of the photo below), it has a more natural fit and ease of movement than you imagined.

With mobility intended for driving, the THE NORTH FACE Strike Jacket and the Berghaus Vaporlight Hyper Shell Jacket look like they've surpassed the head. As you can see from the photo above (top and bottom on the right), it reduces the toned body flapping just right for thin innerwear, and it also has material characteristics, so you won't be bothered by the sound of rubbing your clothing while you are on the move.

weight

Every year, I am amazed at how light the new products are, but this time I think it's 86g (actually measured S size) of the Berghaus Vapor Light Hyper Shell Jacket If you could compare this lightness to the image below, it is the photo. One bag of instant noodles costs about 100g, so it would be easier to understand if you imagine it to be lighter than that (?). Basically, models weighing up to the early 100g are so light that they don't feel like they're wearing clothes.

However, in exchange for its lightness, you have to be prepared to give up on various aspects, including durability, and if you are using it safely on a variety of terrains such as mountain climbing, it would be wise to set it to a standard of around 200g or more.

Storageability

The small packing size is closely related to the weight, but in reality, it is probably quicker to look at the packing results (photo below). By the way, models without a stuff sack (⑤, ⑧, ⑪) are simply rolled up and wrapped in a hood, so they are not necessarily fully compressed. The models with excellent storage capacity, including these, were ③ Berghaus Vaporlight Hyper Shell Jacket, ⑦ Patagonia Alpine Houdini Jacket, ⑨ MONTANE MINIMUS 777 JACKET, and ⑭THE NORTH FACE Strike Jacket It is becoming common for people to be smaller than a fist.

Durability

Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide long-term use or limit strength testing, so it is not possible to mention durability in depth and accurately here. For this reason, we can only infer aspects such as friction and tear strength based on the thickness, weight of the fabric and impressions from several trial tests, but we have also thought that it is not appropriate to mention it here at all, so we have added it as an evaluation item.

The minimum thing to say is that, if the material is the same overall, the thicker the fabric (the larger the number of deniers), the more durable it should be. At least the thin 2.5-layer material on the outer material can only rely on the surface for strength, and the upper lining is coated only and is weak to friction, making it a disadvantage in terms of durability. In that sense, I am concerned about the strength of the Berghaus Vaporite Hyper Shell Jacket and the Mont-bell Versalite Jacket

On the other hand, with three layers, at least the lining not only prevents deterioration of the membrane due to friction, but also increases the overall thickness of the clothing, resulting in relatively higher strength, which is advantageous in terms of durability compared to 2.5 layers. In reality, the strength will probably differ depending on the fiber weaving and clogging (sewing techniques?), but the manufacturer has not revealed this so it is hard to say. With the impression that the THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket and MILLET W7 50000 ST JKT are made from three layers of sturdy fabric, making them highly durable.

Easy to use

Here, we have mainly used the following five points to consider when evaluating the impression as much as possible.

• Number and location of pockets
• Easy to open and close the zipper
• Easy to adjust the hood, cuffs and hem
• Nighttime reflector (reflective mark)
• Ease of packing (with or without a stuff sack, packable design, etc.)

Looking at these points, the mont-bell versalite jacket . After all, Montbell is excellent in terms of its precise features that make the visual appearance of these kinds of things. the MONTANE MINIMUS JACKET which received high ratings in last year's test, is still the best in terms of usability, with a large chest pocket, ease of use of the zipper, adjustable hood, reflectors and stuff sack included.

summary

So this year, we've also compared a lot of ultra-lightweight rainwear, which is where each brand is fighting for supremacy. Have you found your favorite piece?

To be honest, choosing the best rainwear for you is not an easy thing to do. In this regard, I have tried to unravel various and complex comparison elements as clearly as possible so that this comparison can be of any use to make it even a little easier for you to choose rainwear, but there may have been some aspects of the test being inevitable that this may inevitably be involved, and there may be some aspects of the test being insufficient due to physical constraints. We would like to continue to improve this, so please let us know if you have any comments or requests.

We also recommend this article about rainwear.

• Check out the types of rainwear and how to choose them before purchasing
• Rainwear for mountaineering that you can't miss this season [for hiking and trekking]
• Ultra-lightweight rainwear that you won't miss this season [for trail running and fast packing]
• Comparison review: Which rainwear you should have if you're going to climb? ?