In this 2018 article, we've introduced a selection of must-have rainwear for this season What's so good about ultra-lightweight rainwear? Who is it suitable for? ", and from there, we've selected three pieces that we'd like to wear this season.
table of contents
Finally taking on the lightweight clothing world
Until now, I've always put safety first by using standard rain gear to keep out the cold and avoid hypothermia from exposure to wind and rain. However, I often go to low mountains and do day hikes on sunny days, so I've been feeling the urge to try lightweight clothing... So I finally decided to give lightweight clothing a try
The criteria are under 200g, and since I get hot easily, I chose them based on loose criteria such as breathability, comfort, and a nice appearance. I understand that there may be more requests, such as "Be more professional! Look at the details more! Consider the price more!", but I would be happy if you could just take it as an example and think, "Oh, I see, there's another way to look at it..."
table of contents
- About the items tested this time
- Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
- Impressions of each model
- summary
About the ultra-lightweight rainwear we compared this time
For this comparison, we used the criteria mentioned above, but also took into account various other factors such as brand, type of material, thickness of fabric, pockets, and whether or not there is ventilation, and as a result, we have narrowed down the candidates for comparison review to the following three items
- THE NORTH FACE Optimist Jacket
- Mountain Hardwear Leroy Jacket
- NORRONA bitihorn ultralight dri3 Jacket
Although all of them serve the purpose of being lightweight jackets for summer mountain climbing, the new North Face model is a light all-around jacket, Norrona is for speed hiking, and Mountain Hardwear is for trail running, so each model focuses on different areas
Normally, it would be fair to compare all activities, but due to various circumstances, this time I only did a summer mountain hike and a run around my neighborhood
Test environment
- Iwaki (1,625m above sea level, climbed from the 8th station trailhead at approximately 1,250m), one of Aomori Prefecture's 100 famous mountains, in early June 2018. There was no snow. The weather was cloudy and foggy. The temperature near the summit was approximately 13°C. The test was performed wearing a quick-drying T-shirt over a merino wool base layer under the rainwear
- The rainwear was worn while jogging on the beach in the early July of the same year. The temperature was approximately 30°C. The test was conducted with a quick-drying T-shirt worn underneath the rainwear (simulating humid conditions)
- Since it was a climate where rain was rare, we tested it by simulating light and heavy rain using a typical shower
Evaluation criteria
- Waterproofness: Since rainwear is gear that protects you from the rain, waterproofness is the most basic evaluation point
- Windproofness: How windproof (insulating) is the fabric in windy conditions such as on ridges?。
- Breathability...Don't just focus on the specs, but also how well it keeps your body dry in stuffy conditions
- Comfort: Not only is it comfortable to wear, such as the feel and fit, but it also means that there is no tightness when swinging your arms.
- Weight: Literally the weight of the jacket. The lighter the better
- Functionality: Overall usability, including the construction of pockets, hood, sleeves, hem, etc., and storage capacity
- Design... This is entirely subjective. Above all, it feels good to be able to wear something stylish
Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|---|---|
| item |  |
 |
 |
| Reference price | 27,000 yen | 42,120 yen | 21,600 yen |
| waterproof | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Windproof | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Breathability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Specifications | |||
| item | THE NORTH FACE Optimist Jacket | NORRONA bitihorn ultralight dri3 Jacket | Mountain Hardwear Leroy Jacket (Unisex Model) |
| weight | 195 | 120 | 171 |
| material | HYVENT Flyweight | dri3 | Dry Q Core |
| Waterproof (mm reference) |
20,000mm |
20,000mm | private |
| Moisture permeability (g/m2/24h reference) | 40,000g/m2/24h (B-1 method) | 20,000g/m2/24h | private |
| Layer | 3 layers | 3 layers | 2.5 layers |
| Cuff (sleeve) | Two-stage adjustment with buttons and elastic rubber | Elastic rubber | Velcro |
| Security pocket inside the right chest ventilation | One on the left chest (also serves as ventilation) | One on the left chest | |
| Ventilation | Two from the chest to the armpit | One on the left chest | none |
| Storage | Storage bag included | Nothing in particular | Packable into chest pocket |
Impressions of each model
THE NORTH FACE Optimist Jacket
The comfort of this jacket is unmatched! Perfect for light outdoor activities
Here's what I like about it
- Large ventilation for comfort and no stuffiness
- There is a pocket inside the right ventilation
- Sleeves are buttons instead of Velcro
- Good design, color and shape
Here's △
- Low water repellency
- The low collar allows water to get in easily
- When wearing the hood and fastening the drawstring at the back of the head, the area around the face is loose
Ventilation contributes greatly
Without any hesitation, I chose The North Face rainwear. Why? Because it has large ventilation
When I wore it on Mt. Iwaki, the temperature was low at around 10°C, and the altitude was not so high, but as I walked it gradually got hotter and hotter, and eventually I started to get sweaty and stuffy. I immediately opened both ventilation vents to full blast. It was so cool!
If you unbutton the sleeves and let in the outside air, the air will circulate, making your body even cooler and more comfortable
The presence or absence of ventilation was a major consideration for me, as I get hot easily.
When I went jogging on the beach, it was extremely humid from the start, and the temperature was high and hot, so of course I left the ventilation open. Even in the evening, it was 30°C and I was wearing rainwear, so it was really hot.
It's not the same as Mt. Iwaki. Some people are bothered by sweat and stuffiness and stay in their rainwear, but if you open the front zipper and let the rainwear air out a few times, most of the sweat will go away
I was worried about waterproofness and water retention, but The North Face has it covered
What bothers me is how quickly the rain soaks into the fabric. Even a light rain soaks into the fabric, and even more so in heavy rain
In this case, the rainwear will retain moisture, so if you are exposed to the wind or rain for a long time, your body is likely to get cold. I have to hand the victory to Norrona and Mountain Hardwear in this case. The low collar and loose hood are also a concern
However, I also like the fact that the product doesn't emphasize the "we've made it ultra-light" feel, such as the beautiful and cute colors and the intricate design of the secret mesh pocket built into the right ventilation, and the fact that the price is reasonable is also a good thing
Next page: NORRONA bitihorn ultralight dri3 Jacket
NORRONA bitihorn ultralight dri3 Jacket
Perfect protection as rain gear! Don't underestimate it just because it's lightweight - minimalist and high-tech rainwear
Here's what I like about it
- Has heat retention properties
- Soft to wear
- Elastic hem and sleeves
- High collar and cool look
- The logo placement is cool
Here's △
- High price
- It has high windproof and heat-retaining properties, so it can feel hot
- It lacks storage capacity because it does not have a stuff sack or pocketable design
- The ventilation and pockets are in an awkward position
Anyway, the design is cool
As you'd expect from Norwegian designer Norrøna, the design is flawless. It looks cool just by wearing it. It looks cool no matter where you look. Perhaps this is the power of Nordic design
What I like most is the height of the collar when it's fully zipped up
Not only does it protect you from the elements, but it also looks cool. It looks cool with or without the hood. It's so cool I wonder how many times I've said "cool" here
Don't miss the placement of the Norrona logo on the back and zipper pull
As an aside, did you know that Norrona's logo is a Viking? Norrona's Viking is not the pirate you might imagine, but a mountain hero who rescued the King of Norway by crossing the mountains in the harsh winter. I learned this for the first time recently, and it was quite enlightening. Actually, the logo printed on the rainwear (also on the left chest) is a reflective print, so it reflects light even in the dark. So the hero is protecting you even in the dark
Comfortable and windproof for peace of mind
It's the lightest of the three items, but it doesn't feel particularly light. I wonder if it's just my imagination that the Mountain Hardwear felt lighter. I try to keep my luggage light on a daily basis, but it was hard to feel the 120g lightness... The reason for this is the fabric. Compared to the Mountain Hardwear, it's thicker and sturdier. When I tested standing for one minute wearing the three items alternately on the windy summit of Mt. Iwaki, the Norrona was the only item that didn't make me feel cold, and it was also the warmest I felt while running
The elasticated hem and sleeves make it lighter, which may have given the fabric more weight. In our rain test, the fabric didn't soak in either light or heavy rain, and it repelled water very well
The fabric is just the right thickness, so it's comfortable to wear for a regular hiker. It's also soft and comfortable to wear. It's nice
If you would listen to my selfish request..
There are three areas I would like to see improved. First, I would like the pockets and ventilation to be more specifically for ventilation. Although there are small holes punched into the pockets, it is still hot and stuffy even with the zipper fully open
As someone who gets hot easily, I would be extremely grateful if they could provide dynamic ventilation under the arms or on the front. The second is storage. There's no particular storage method, so I used the standard method of rolling it up and storing it in the hood. However, it is bulkier than the other two items. If possible, a storage bag would be ideal, and even better, a packable design would be ideal. The third is price. It has a beautiful Nordic design, is ultra-lightweight at 120g, and the fabric is just the right thickness and softness, so I understand why it's expensive. I understand, but when I see the price, I stop reaching for the garment. It's such a waste. I really hope they study the cost (Kansai style) and do their best. Thank you (whispering)
Mountain Hardwear Leroy Jacket
The lightness you feel when wearing and moving is unmatched! Stress-free, fluffy, and lightweight 2.5-layer rainwear
Here's what I like about it
- Packable into pocket
- Smooth and comfortable to wear
- Sweat and water dry quickly
- Feels lighter than its actual weight
Here's △
- The fabric is thin, so it feels cold when exposed to the wind on the ridge
- No ventilation means it's easy to feel stuffy
It feels lighter than its weight and is comfortable to wear without any stress!
When I put it on, I couldn't help but say, "It's so light..." Norrona is lighter, but Mountain Hardwear feels lighter to the touch. It's light and fluffy, and feels comfortable to wear without any stress. What's more, I even wondered, "Am I even wearing anything right now?"
Dry Q, a teacher working hard with unique materials
Since it's "light and fluffy" to wear, the waterproofing must be "damp-proof," right? No, not at all. In the rain test, there was no soaking. Even in heavy rain, the water didn't soak in and it repelled it perfectly. This is amazing. The top-ranked North Face jacket soaked in water slowly and retained it, but I can't believe it can repel water despite being this thin
Furthermore, it is the only one of the three items that has a hood with a protruding brim, which prevents rain from getting into your eyes. You can really feel the passion behind it, saying, "We'll protect you from the rain."
Protects your backpack from the rain
Another important feature is that the backpack you carry can be stored inside the clothing. A trail running backpack will fit inside with ease
However, when I tried wearing it while carrying my backpack, which I use for general mountain climbing, I found it to be a bit too tight
The limit is probably around 10 liters. If you try too hard, the zipper will break, so you'll probably have to give up and use a rain cover or something similar
The ventilation and thin fabric are somewhat disadvantageous for normal mountain climbing
Mountain Hardwear was slightly behind The North Face and Norrona in the overall rankings this time. What was the reason? It was because it was hot and cold. You might be thinking, "It's not a basin!"
First of all, there's no ventilation, so the steam and heat that surrounds the body can't be ventilated. That's why it's so hot. I tested it by standing for a minute at the top of Mt. Iwaki, and it was cold because the fabric is thin and doesn't retain heat. I had to endure the cold for the last 20 seconds or so. I wish the inner fabric of the chest pocket was mesh, so that it could double as a ventilation pocket... It's a shame, as even this alone would make a difference in ventilation
However, there's a somewhat understandable reason for this. That's because this model was developed based on feedback from Rui Ueda, one of Japan's leading trail runners, and is specifically designed for trail running. Since you're constantly running and sweating, even when it's raining, you're likely to be "hot" most of the time, and there are likely to be few situations where you feel extremely cold. In that sense, it would likely have been a better fit for high-heart rate activities that involve sweating, rather than activities where you move at a normal pace like mountain climbing. The pants offer stress-free movement while wearing them, and the convenience of being packable into a pocket is undeniable
summary
"You never know until you actually try it on," is a blunt comment. Even if you buy something thinking it's super light, cool, or comfortable, you honestly won't know if it'll fit you until you try it on in person. So, I'm trying it out for you and sharing the results with you, hoping to help you decide which one to buy
All of the items were of a high standard, but everyone prioritizes different things, such as waterproofness, appearance, comfort, or lightness. The three items of clothing chosen this time had distinct characteristics that were well-defined
Even lightweight rainwear has the minimum level of protection, so I am planning to use this experience as an opportunity to move forward from the world of safety-first rainwear to the world of lightweight rainwear
We also recommend this article about rainwear
- Types of rainwear and how to choose them - things to check before you buy
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear you can't miss this season 2018
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear you can't miss this season 2017
- Must-See Rainwear for Mountain Climbing in 2017 (For Hiking and Trekking)
- Comparison Review: What is the best rainwear to have when hiking?
- Comparison Review: Which Rainwear is Best for Trail Running? Runners Test It Out in 2018