[A self-paying comparison review without any consideration] I like the things that are not just light, but also comfortable and convenient! We compared the lightweight "running" rainwear that's popular this season

In Japanese mountains where the weather is changing, rainwear is a must-have item, whether climbing or trail running.

When it comes to choosing this item, which is more important than ever during the rainy season, fortunately or unfortunately, the way you play in the mountains has become more diverse, and these days, you have to choose from a wide variety of models, including colors, designs, materials, weight, and functions, which are at a loss.

So this time, we've picked out models that have been attracting attention this season, especially the rain jackets that are designed for activities that are often "running" in the mountains, such as trail running and fast packing, which have been attracting a lot of attention in recent years, and compared and evaluated them.

A comparison review of lightweight rainwear for trail running and fast packing

Select a comparison candidate

Activities such as trail running and fast packing are basically light and small loads to act quickly, accompanied by high amounts of exercise (sweating). Of course, I'm also going to run more often.

The rainwear we chose this time is supposed to have characteristics suitable for such activities. For example, it can be weight, or it can be difficult to get stuffy even if you sweat. Recently, there have been a number of models that have not only these basic features but also features that are designed with more detailed details on the user, so the key to choosing one is that they have such interesting gimmicks. This place was a big problem, but no matter how light it is, I haven't chosen a model that is more suitable for mountain climbing or UL hiking this time.

The above framework is basic, but other

• As much as possible, it's a new release (or almost new release) of this season
• It's an old work, but I've never experienced it and have an interest
• To prevent the materials and fabrics from overlapping with each other's comparison candidates
• budget(!)

This is a great opportunity for this kind of thing to consider, so please understand that unfortunately this model has been missing. So, here are the best candidates for the sixth place that Outdoor Gearzine chose this time with, "This is!"

Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket

This innovative rainwear has been wanting to try it out since its release in 2020, and has been made to make you think, "I've done it!", given its appearance. I love these crazy products. Lightweight rainwear with the same name originally existed, but this jacket was also significantly updated when Patagonia completely revamped its mountain running lineup last season. I'm curious as to what it actually is!

THE NORTH FACE Hyper Air GTX Hoodie

The GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ has been released for a long time, and has been used in the rainwear that has been used, with its radical structure, with its waterproof and breathable membrane exposed. From these, we have picked out this Hyper Air GTX hoodie . The development is based on the concept of how to continue running the trail functionally and comfortably by working with top athletes. This is a sharp piece that was developed exclusively for running. *The model tested this time is one before the current latest model. Some parts have been changed in the latest model (back waist pocket), but I thought that it would not have a major impact on the evaluation, so I tested it with the previous model.

OMM Kamleika Jacket

OMM which has been focused on "How to make work gear with the Original Mountain Marathon," has developed an innovative waterproof and breathable jacket that has not emerged from the history of mountain climbing rainwear. That's the Kamleika Jacket , the most representative protective action jacket of OMM . Although it is waterproof as the Rainwe, its unique functionality and ease of use, with outstanding stretch and breathability like a softshell, is not a new model this year, but it cannot be removed from its list.

Teton Bros. FEATHER RAIN FULL ZIP JACKET 2.0

Teton Bros. , which has a huge following among trail running and fast packing enthusiasts, FEATHER RAIN FULL ZIP JACKET 2.0 , a three-layer rainwear made from 3-layer fabric that is balanced with comfort, durability and functionality despite being quite light . This type of new tools for activities is inevitably being pushed by overseas brands, but I hope they will do their best as a representative of Japan!

mont-bell versalite jacket

Speaking of rainwear for mountaineering in Japan, it goes without saying that Mont-bell Daimyojin is the place to be, and there's no reason to let it go. Montbell has a lineup in all directions, but this time we have selected the lightest trail running shell within the brand, with GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ fabric. It's not just about cost performance, but will they show unexpected abilities?

inov-8 ULTRASHELL HZ

British trail running shoe manufacturer Inov-8 has developed a rain jacket that is surprisingly light yet has solid waterproof and breathable properties. Although it weighs less than 100g, it has the performance to meet the standards of essential gearlists for trail runs and mountain races without any problems, making it a truly waterproof shell for racing. It's true that the use may be limited, but this is probably enough! With the hope that this may happen.

I have also conducted a comparison review of these lightweight rainwear in the past, so it should still be useful, so please take a look if you like it ↓

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Rating points　

In this test, each model was evaluated based on the following seven evaluation criteria:

1. Waterproofing...the first thing to consider as rainwear. Not only is the water resistance of the fabric, but it also comprehensively evaluates whether rain is less likely to get inside the clothing when it is actually raining.
2. Difficult to get stuffy... Breathability evaluations may be published by each brand, but the conditions may not be the same. For this reason, in addition to the moisture permeability of the specs, we have comprehensively evaluated the difficulty of stuffiness during activities, including ventilation due to ventilation.
3. Comfort: We appreciate the comfort of the item, such as the feel and fit when worn.
4. Mobility: In this test, which often runs, we evaluated how comfortable it was to wear during movements, such as whether the intense movement of the upper body is less stressful and whether it is easy to move around.
5. Durability: Evaluates the strength of the fabric against friction and scratches, the ease of breakage of parts, and the low deterioration caused by washing. This is only for reference only as it is a short-term, subjective evaluation.
6. Functionality: We appreciate the overall usability at a practical level, including ease of adjustment of the hood, sleeves and hem, as well as ease of pockets and packing.
7. Weight: Based on the actual weight, we also evaluate the weight you feel when you actually wear it.

Test environment

From May to June, we tested a day trip with ups and downs on a trail in Kitashinshu, Nagano Prefecture, by walking and running wearing each item. In addition to wearing it in the rain for waterproofing, we also conducted shower tests to help prevent heavy rain.

Test results and spec comparison table

If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here

Impressions of each model

Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket

It goes great with the best-shaped pack! Rainwear for train running is perfect for comfort and comfort

Patagonia Official Website Men's Storm Racer Jacket

created by Rinker

• Patagonia Men's Storm Racer Jacket

This is ◎

• Can be worn over a backpack to protect the entire item from the rain
• You can access the inside of the pack while wearing it
• Excellent ventilation

This is △

• The fabric itself is fairly breathable
• If you want to take out the contents of the pack, you have to take it off.

What stands out most is the zipper line that runs from the neck to both armpits. It has a eccentric design that looks like it's an apron. The zipper on the left opens completely downwards, and the right side stops to the bottom. It may be difficult to raise or lower at first, but once you get used to it, you will be able to open and close quickly, so don't worry. Rather, once you get used to it, you may not be able to let go of the many high functionality that this structure has made possible.

The zipper is placed on the left and right sides of the line, not on the front.

First of all, note that this rainwear is not only meant to be worn as is, but also intended to be worn over a thin vest-shaped backpack. A thin trailer running pack of less than 10L is not too cramped and can be worn over it.

The primary aim of this quirky zipper structure is that if you open the zipper in this state, you can easily access the bottles and small items on the front of the vest-shaped pack. It's a great thing that allows you to quickly take off and take off while carrying your backpack, keeping the pack wet even while you're on, and replenishing water and food while still wearing it (although it's actually a hassle if you want to take out the contents of the pack after you've worn it...).

Another new convenience that this zipper structure provides is more dynamic ventilation. With all the zippers closed, it is breathable, but if you open the left and right zippers all the way down to the bottom of the chest, you can get plenty of outside air (I thought it would be a little easier to use if it could be opened from the bottom too). Of course, if you open it too long, it will get wet, so that's within the realm of common sense.

The other side goes down to this position and uses bold ventilation to encourage ventilation.

In addition to its excellent functionality, it also has a very comfortable rainwear feel. Patagonia's unique H2NO 3 layers have a smooth lining, and the clever three-dimensional cutting makes it slim yet stress-free, and I really like the comfort. The hem is long to increase heat retention and waterproofness, but it has a snap button slit to prevent your thighs from getting caught when you want to concentrate on climbing or running. The small details around this area have a significant impact on comfort.

The hem is long, but it has snap buttons to make it easier to lift the legs.

Another great feature is that the packable design allows you to flip the pockets over and store them compactly.

It's convenient to be able to make it smaller easily.

Using a unique, reliable lightweight and comfortable fabric, the fabric was carefully crafted and the details were more satisfying than I expected. This jacket is easy to use for trail runners, as well as fast packing and speed hikers.

The only thing to note is that of course, the convenience of being able to be worn over a pack or access the front storage of the vest is only available when carrying a backpack that matches the usage. It is well made as pure rainwear, but it does not benefit very much from people who use a backpack of over 15 liters and do not have a bottle on the front. Incidentally, if you carry a backpack from above, will the zipper not interfere with it? I thought so, so I checked, but it seems that I'm avoiding it (photo below).

In that sense, this jacket was the most recommended item this time for combination with a vest-shaped pack of less than 10 liters, but adding the versatility perspective, I think it would be a better basic model, and the strong aesthetics were also memorable.

THE NORTH FACE Hyper Air GTX Hoodie

Unparalleled water repellent and convenient features of the vest-shaped pack ensure peace of mind even on hard trail runs.

[The North Face] Jacket Hyper Air GTX Hoodie NP62070 Black M

created by Rinker

THE NORTH FACE

• Amazon
• Rakuten Market
• Yahoo Shopping

This is ◎

• Water repellent
• Breathability
• Can be worn over a backpack to protect the entire item from the rain
• You can access the inside of the pack while wearing it

This is △

• Durability of the outer fabric
• If you don't carry a backpack, the fitting will be slightly looser.
• If you want to take out the contents of the pack, you have to take it off.

When you put the sleeves on, it is very supple, and the lining is soft and smooth and comfortable to the touch. And what's particularly noteworthy is the high water repellency and waterproofness of the GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ garment. The smooth outer material does not seep into it at all even when poured on water, and the water droplets fall off like the surface of a vinyl. Plus, this water-repellent power doesn't fall off when washed.

Water repellent properties last even after pouring water on the hose for more than 20 minutes

The fact that one less layer of water vapor passes through also has an effect on breathability. Normally, the GORE-TEX fabrics start to move and feel stuffy, but this model rarely feels that way. This extraordinary water repellency and breathability make it comfortable in the rain still stand out compared to other models.

of Hyper Air GTX Hoodie is that it goes well with the best-shaped pack. There is a small gusset on the back, so there is room for backpacks that weigh up to around 15 liters to be able to be worn over the top.

In addition, there is a ventilation and inner access zipper from the shoulders to the chest, allowing you to open it straight away, allowing you to access bottles and accessories. This zipper can significantly improve ventilation performance when there are high amounts of energy, and you can use it to water and replenish energy while wearing a jacket.

Furthermore, the cord on the back of the head makes it easy to fit tightly, and thanks to the large brim with a core material, it won't let you get inside the hood even in heavy rain, and not even touch your face.

The fitting of the hood is stress-free, as if it's sticking to your head.

In addition to its excellent waterproofness and comfort as rainwear, its high functionality, based on a small vest pack, will make it an even more reliable ally, no matter how harsh a trail or hard a race. However, it may be a little too rough for a slightly lighter runner or hiker.

Also, if you are not carrying the pack on your back, the fabric on the body will be slightly overlapped, so you need to be careful about the tools you use when combining this model. Also, although the durability of the fabric itself is not a problem, it is undeniable that the outer material is not to be considerate of external damage such as friction and scratches.

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OMM Kamleika Jacket

It is excellent as both a rainwear and a windproof jacket. Handyman outerwear that can do anything in one piece

This is ◎

• Excellent ease of movement
• Sam Hall
• Large pocket

This is △

• It's easy to get stuffy
• weight

First of all, we cannot help but touch on the ease of movement, which is clearly different from other models. OMM's unique Kamleika fabric has sufficient waterproof and breathable properties equivalent to regular rainwear, but has outstanding stretchability that stretches in four directions, making it exceptionally comfortable to wear. The socks are more like wearing soft shells than rainwear. This is not only a stretchy fabric, but it is also a wonderful cutting process, including the fabric arrangement, which calculates the direction of extension and contraction.

Above all, it has excellent stretchability. Is this too? It grows to the point of view.

The elastic hood fits perfectly. The collar and brim are sufficiently tall, making it waterproof.

The hood fitting is also excellent. If you adjust it properly, the hood will come in to match your face movements.

As is familiar to OMM, the cuffs are fastened with a Velcro to create a thumb hole-like shape. The sleeves can be protected deeper, making them even more waterproof.

Thanks to the thumb hole, water is difficult to get through the sleeves, which tend to get flooded.

The Camreika jacket combines basic performance as rainwear with extremely easy movement , making it a versatile rainwear that is useful not only as a rain gear against unexpected rain, but also as a windproof outerwear when it's not raining. It reduces the amount of luggage as much as possible, and is versatile and is reliable in emergencies, making it perfect for fast packing for just a few days. It's also perfect for trail running during low temperatures, which you can use as a cold jacket.

On the other hand, since it is slightly heavy, I would like to recommend a different model for short-distance trail runs, and even if you are using it in the midsummer of Japan where it is hot and humid, it seems difficult to recommend it due to the limited ventilation and the sticky lining.

Teton Bros. FEATHER RAIN FULL ZIP JACKET 2.0

Teton Bros. Feather Rain Full Zip Jacket 2.0 M Black

created by Rinker

Teton Bros.

• Amazon
• Rakuten Market
• Yahoo Shopping

This is ◎

• No drawbacks as a lightweight rain jacket

This is △

• None in particular

Teton Bros. FEATHER RAIN FULL ZIP JACKET 2.0 is a three-layered rainwear that boasts light weight, less than 200g, and excellent wear resistance and durability. First of all, I was impressed by the smooth lining of the three layers and the lightness that makes it feel good on the skin. I'm captivated by the slim, lean silhouette that fits perfectly with your body type and how comfortable it is. Although it is not stretchy, I am also satisfied with the fine three-dimensional cutting that supports stress-free movement. Of course, the fine sewing parts were covered in seam tape, so there were no issues with waterproofing.

There are a lot of sewing points, but the seam tape does not expose the waterproofness.

Considering its use in humid Japan, the company has been given great consideration for ventilation despite its light weight. The underarm area is equipped with air passages (ventilation) to prevent rain from entering, creating even a slight flow of air. The high moisture permeability of this fabric was not as high as I expected. In particular, since it has three layers, it is likely that the lining is treated to some degree of water vapor.

Two ventilations are placed under the armpits.

It has the comfort and durability of three-layer fabric, but also has the waterproofness, stuffiness and lightness. And it's highly engineered and looks great and comfortable to wear. Even a Japanese person is proud to have achieved such a high level of perfection without losing any part of what is necessary for a lightweight rain jacket. Rainwear with no holes in that much. If these three options apply, including warm seasons, relatively short periods, and high activity levels, this is a piece that can be recommended by people of any level, no matter what outdoor activities. Of course, we do not recommend this to anyone who is consciously looking for a model that specializes in a specific activity or something that excels in one feature.

mont-bell versalite jacket

This is ◎

• Lightweight
• Cost Performance

This is △

• The lining is sticky
• The fitting is slightly looser
• Low adhesion of the hood

Why not make a lightweight waterproof jacket with the minimum required weather resistance and functionality? The material used in the Versalite jacket developed by Montbell with this mission This does not pass Gore's storm test like traditional rainwear, so Gore does not guarantee that its products are overall waterproof, but it is a complicated type of GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable material, which is a complicated type for users, but the actual fabric composition is not disclosed, so please refrain from getting too deep into it.

Anyway, it's thin and light. The fabric itself has a two-layer structure, consisting of ultra-thin 10 denier nylon and a GORE-TEX membrane. Despite being a GORE-TEX product, it weighs an extraordinary 136g.

The fabric is very thin and the print on the front side can be seen through the back.

Due to its thinness and high breathability, it can be said that it has high breathability despite the fact that it does not ventilation other than the front zipper. However, when used in Japan in high temperatures and humidity, the moisture permeability of the fabric cannot keep up with it, and it is inevitable that it will require some ventilation vents. When you consider this, it's a shame that the high breathability of the product has not been fully utilized.

Also, since it has a two-layer structure, if you start sweating with short sleeves, the lining will become sticky on your skin.

Also, I'm concerned about the loose fit that matches the loose body shape, and the flapping while moving, which is common to Montbell's clothing, and the K-Mono cut is a concern, considering its lightweight and waterproofness, but to be honest, the "K-Mono cut" cutting is not comfortable in terms of ease of movement, and it makes me feel a bit stressful. I felt even more thrilled when it was sticky.

The fitting is loose overall, so it flutters in the wind.

The hood is made quite loose, just like the body part, and is highly adjustable so you can adjust it to the shape of your head, but people with small heads have too many excesses, wrinkles are quite high, leaving them waterproof.

The hood is large, but can be adjusted in detail.

I've also put a lot of complaints about it, but the most important thing about this jacket is that it offers a higher level of lightness and waterproof and breathable material than anywhere else. It's easy to get sticky if you sweat a lot, but in the unlikely event that you're in a dry situation, it's a good idea to think of it as a wind jacket and rain jacket for fast packing or trail running that can be hidden in the unlikely event. Above all, it is irreplaceable with just these specs, which is affordable and cost-effective.

inov-8 ULTRASHELL HZ

The lightness and transparent design are perfect for lace

INOV8 (Inoveit) ULTRASHELL HZ M Ultra Shell Half Zip Men's NOMOGK03 (M)

created by Rinker

INOV8 (Inovate)

• Amazon
• Rakuten Market
• Yahoo Shopping

This is ◎

• Anyway, lightweight
• Double zipper front

This is △

• It's difficult to take off
• It's easy to get stuffy over long periods of time
• It is prone to flooding through the gaps on the front for long periods of time.
• Durability that will tear quickly

It weighs less than 100g, and is a lighter rain jacket in the world, not only for this test. The fabric is very thin, and partly because it uses a translucent white colored fabric, the shirt below can be seen through. The colour is also tailored to the regulations that keep your bibs visible at all times during the trail running race.

Also, this is an unusual pullover type in comparison. This makes it difficult to put on and take off, but it also reduces the weight considerably.

The waterproofness of the fabric itself is 10,000mm, which is the minimum level for so-called rainwear for mountains, so even if it's not a problem with light rain, it's inevitable that it will be flooded if you wear it for several hours after a heavy rain. In addition, there are no flaps or anything at the end of the chest, so the flowing rain will soak in, so the waterproofing properties are the most important thing to be careful about.

The fabric is thin enough to allow the base to be transparent, making it lighter than 100g.

Furthermore, when the temperature is high or the amount of exercise is high, it is likely to get stuffy and it is not easy to let sweat out. However, the double zipper front zipper that can be opened and closed from above and below allows for ventilation while also reducing the intrusion of rain by opening from below. I liked that. It can cause stickiness easily, but the back of the fabric is treated to prevent stickiness and stretches horizontally, minimizing the obstruction of stickiness due to stickiness.

The double zipper design minimizes rain entry and encourages ventilation.

The moving parts such as the elbows and shoulders are cut slightly, and the surfaces are firmly reinforced with seam tape. The hood fits perfectly on the face, but elastic is placed from the back of the head, forehead, and cheeks, so it fits firmly.

The seams are smaller to reduce weight, and the back is securely fastened with seam tape.

Its lightweight, its three-dimensional cutting and stretchiness that do not interfere with movement are outstanding. It may be more accurate to wear it than to wear it.

On the other hand, this does not truly meet the need to act comfortably in the long rain. It's not something you can take with you when you're hiking a mountain where you're likely to wear rainwear or entering a deep field, but I recommend it because it's not a burden to carry it on races that are managed by people or routes where you can get off the mountain immediately, so it's not a burden to carry it in the unlikely event of an emergency. In other words, this is a piece to hide in a pack as a charm if you don't want to add even a gram.

summary

Finally, for reference, here is a comparison of fittings for all models reviewed this time.

This time we compared rain jackets for trail runners and fast packers who value lightness and high mobility. The new products over the past few years have now come to a "spec competition" in terms of weight and breathability, such as the like, and I feel that they are beginning to differentiate themselves in a practical sense based on comfort and ease of use. This is something that should be welcomed in itself, but it is becoming more difficult for those with no experience or beginners to understand the differences, so I hope these steady reviews will be of some help.

As mentioned in the comparison, even lightweight rainwear for activities with the same high activity ranges from models that can withstand tough heavy rain, such as THE NORTH FACE Hyper Air GTX Hoodie, to those that can just be relied on as rainwear, just like the inov-8 ULTRASHELL HZ.

If you can have a lot of rainwear, it's natural to use different models that are specialized for each one depending on the situation, but there are not many cases where there is much room for them. If you're going to wear one of these in such cases, an all-rounder jacket like the Teton Bros. FEATHER RAIN FULL ZIP JACKET 2.0 should be by far easier to use. If you don't even have a softshell outerwear, the OMM is really easy to use, so you'll be sure to be happy if you have one. It's a difficult choice of rainwear because it evolved with dog years, but I hope this information will help you to find the perfect piece for you.