This is the season for our unmissable rainwear special feature, a long-running project that has been running every year since the launch of this website
Before this column began in 2015, rainwear weighing less than 300g was considered sufficiently lightweight, but in 2016, waterproof and breathable jackets weighing around 100g appeared, specifically for trail running. Around the same time , of models with incredible breathability and lightweight (3-layer) models with a smooth feel and exceptional comfort appeared, and while competing for lightness, advances in breathability and comfort continued at an accelerating pace. Then, last year in 2018, we saw GORE-TEX ACTIVE , and rainwear incorporating new stretch materials, offering a wider variety of comfort levels to suit different purposes, and models with more distinctive features began to stand out.
This season, the overall trend of "not just lighter, but more comfortable" remains unchanged. Furthermore, there have been some interesting developments, such as the lightweight, packable, waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX PACLITE® GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus with improved comfort , the renewal of classic models from well-known brands, and the diversification GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ garments , to be optimized for a variety of uses.
We will be introducing noteworthy rainwear models for the 2019 season, broken down into themes. The models featured this time are mainly new or redesigned models for the 2019 season. For a look at the highlights of the entire lineup on sale this year, we recommend reading introduction article (2018)
As always, the criteria for selecting items is whether or not I actually tried them on in store and thought they were what I wanted. In other words, the models listed here are literally candidates for the best rainwear of the season. We hope this helps you understand the latest trends in rainwear, which evolves rapidly every year
table of contents
table of contents
- Topic 1: Introducing GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus
- Topic 2: A popular and classic rainwear from a Japanese brand gets an amazing update
- Topic 3: Focus on models using the more sophisticated and diverse GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ garment
2019 Season Topic 1: Introducing GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus
The rapid evolution of GORE-TEX material over the past few years has been remarkable
the GORE® C-KNIT™ backer in 2015 GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ in 2017 GORE-TEX Active last year , a series of highly refined materials have been released, including lightweight models, and GORE-TEX is now completely overcoming its temporary disadvantage to other materials in the lightweight rainwear field.
GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus product technology, which made its global debut this season, PACLITE® . The previous PACLITE® technology was a 2-layer (2.5-layer) fabric with a micro-textured surface, which provides a dry, comfortable feel against the skin.
And of course, the fact that it has passed rigorous storm tests and is "extremely lightweight for mountaineering rainwear with excellent waterproof durability" is another feature that clearly sets it apart from lightweight rainwear from other brands. Another major advantage is that it is now possible to obtain the same level of lightness as models specialized for trail running, while still maintaining sufficient durability for long-term mountain climbing
However, there is not much information available about this material, and personally I found it quite mysterious, so I decided to ask the manufacturer directly for more details. So please wait a little while for more details
Arc'teryx Zeta FL Jacket
Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★★☆ Breathability ★★☆ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★☆
Arc'teryx's GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus models include the Zeta SL the Beta SL , which partially incorporates Zeta FL the one that most clearly expresses the benefits of PACLITE® . I personally recommend this for three-season mountaineering and trekking.
GORE-TEX , this jacket is one of the lightest, weighing around 200g. As always, the excellent three-dimensional cut allows for a comfortable fit without any stress, even during movement. While minimal components have been stripped away, such as Velcro on the sleeves and a drawcord at the hem, the fit and waterproofness are not compromised thanks to stretch elastic. And with features like a smooth and durable front zipper, a quick-fit hood, and waterproof zippered pockets on both sides, this jacket is undoubtedly a testament to the brand's engineering excellence, which cannot be expressed in numerical terms.
MAMMUT Convey Pro GTX HS Hooded Jacket AF
Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★★☆ Breathability ★★☆ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★★
As mentioned above, GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus is that it is lightweight while maintaining the waterproof durability and ease of use of mountaineering rainwear. While it is the same lightweight rainwear, GORE-TEX Active garments, which have performance and specifications that are geared towards short, intense activities. Despite being light, it is a well-balanced model in terms of overall performance. This advantage is fully demonstrated in Mammut's latest rainwear.
The outer fabric is tightly woven with ultra-fine 13-denier threads, making it thin yet firm and highly water-repellent. The hem can be opened and closed with a drawcord. The hood is helmet-compatible, airtight, and adjustable, and the storm test is no joke. It also has subtle underarm ventilation, which is a nice touch. It's not extremely light at just 240g, thanks to the ample storage, including a chest pocket and pockets on both sides, but the clean, discreet zippers and other sophisticated design features will have you smiling
2019 Season Topic 2: Amazing Updates to Popular and Classic Rainwear from Japanese Brands
This season, there have been some interesting updates from several manufacturers, including major Japanese outdoor brands, as well as some ambitious products that aim to establish new standards
Mont-Bell Storm Cruiser Jacket
Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★★★ Breathability ★★☆ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★★☆
The Storm Cruiser, the well-known rain gear for all Japanese people, is finally getting a long-awaited revamp. a GORE® C-KNIT™ backing , offered excellent waterproofness, breathability, a comfortable feel, and light weight, making it the ultimate all-around mountain rainwear
However, there was certainly room for improvement in terms of fit and mobility, such as a silhouette tailored to the traditional Japanese body type and the feeling of tightness when moving, and for some people, this may have been an element that would keep them from picking up the product no matter how high its performance was
The new model's unique cutting pattern, "K-Mono CUT," has completely remedied that single weakness. The silhouette is slimmer, and the hem no longer rides up when you raise your arms. It remains as supple and comfortable as ever, with pockets, a hood, zipper, sleeves, and hem all designed for ease of use. The weight remains virtually unchanged at 254g. And best of all, it's priced at an unbelievable level, despite the generous use of high-end materials in this class. Just how far can this all-purpose rainwear, which is now unrivaled, go?
THE NORTH FACE Super Climb Jacket
Weight ★☆☆ Waterproof ★★★ Breathability ★★☆ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★★★
The North Face has a huge lineup of rainwear to suit different activities and occasions, and this year they have a lot of interesting models. Among them is the Super Climb Jacket, which the brand has released as their new flagship model and is suitable for a wide range of activities, with a focus on climbing. Indeed, it is impressive in many ways, with premium and special construction
The base material is 3-layer GORE-TEX a GORE® C-KNIT™ backer , but perhaps due to the stretch outer fabric, it has a gentle stretch. This slight stretch makes a big difference in ease of movement. Next, there are underarm pit zips, a feature rare in Japanese rainwear. While the stretch outer fabric can cause a slight feeling of tightness inside the garment, these pit zips eliminate stuffiness and maintain a high level of comfort. Other features include a helmet-compatible hood and hem drawcords, all of which have flat, easy-to-press cord locks of high quality. While maintaining the excellent waterproof, breathable, and comfortable properties of GORE-TEX , this jacket maximizes mobility during climbing, making it ideal for mountaineering and trekking.
Teton Bros. Tsurugi Lite JKT with Aqua Breath
Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★☆☆ Breathability ★★★★ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★☆☆
When it comes to Teton Bros. many people probably think of the Tsurugi JKT Polartec® NeoShell® and striking diagonal zipper Tsurugi Lite JKT, Aqua Breath® , developed in collaboration with Toray .
This new material boasts high water resistance and breathability, and while inheriting NeoShell® NeoShell® and equivalent breathability. It's also about 10% lighter (240g/JP size M), and while there's little visible change in appearance, it appears to be a major improvement. We can't help but be excited.
berghaus Hyper 140 Shell Jacket
Weight ★★★★ Waterproof ★☆☆ Breathability ★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★☆
Berghaus a long-established British outdoor brand, has been releasing its "Hyper Series" of lightweight rain jackets for several years. The previous model, the "Hyper 100 Jacket," released in 2017, was the world's lightest 3-layer waterproof shell at the time. This season's successor, released in 2017, is heavier, down from 100g to 140g, but is just as exciting from a different perspective than its predecessor.
The 2.5-layer Hydroshell Elite fabric feels so smooth and dry against the skin that it could easily be mistaken for a 3-layer fabric. A major improvement is the addition of two hand pockets on each side. While this model was previously positioned as purely trail running gear, it's now even more versatile and is perfectly suited for fastpacking and speed hiking. It packs down to the size of a fist, making it a very attractive option for UL hikers
2019 Season Topic 3: More sophisticated and diverse GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ garment models are also attracting attention
GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ products made a stunning debut in 2017, delivering exceptional breathability and sustained water repellency with a striking exposed membrane. While I understood that they were simply incredible, I honestly thought that at that price they were overkill for me, unless I was a runner seriously pursuing time and performance
However, this season, some models have come out that seem to be changing the trend somewhat. One is the price, and the other is the diversification of the construction. So, I personally thought it was time to review these models
Mont-Bell Peak Dry Shell
Weight ★★★ Waterproof ★★★ Breathability ★★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★☆☆
Montbell has finally released a waterproof shell made with GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ for mountain climbing, not just for biking. And as always, it's priced so low you might wonder if it's even real
The construction itself isn't particularly surprising, with a silhouette and pocket placement almost identical to the brand's Torrent Flyer. However, Montbell publishes waterproof and breathable specifications on its website, even for GORE-TEX products, boasting impressive figures of "water resistance of over 50,000mm, breathability of 80,000g/m² for 24 hours (JIS L-1099B-1 method) (reference values)"! It's also among the lightest in its class, weighing just 185g. However, I'm most curious about its durability, such as how well it can withstand friction while hiking with a backpack, and I'd like to test it thoroughly. At this price, I can test it without any worries
THE NORTH FACE Hyperair GTX Hoodie
Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★★★ Breathability ★★★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★☆☆
Finally, we have a waterproof shell specifically designed for trail running, developed through research conducted at the Goldwin Tech Lab in collaboration with top athletes. This model, too, boasts a host of impressive innovations that demonstrate the company's extensive research. While the GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ material is certainly a first-class feature, the special patterning allows it to be worn over a backpack, eliminating concerns about ease of use during races and shoulder durability. Furthermore, the lack of pockets is replaced by wide-opening ventilation zippers on both chest panels, maximizing moisture evacuation. This is a bold design that makes the comment, "It won't keep out the rain with the ventilation open," seem silly. This is a piece you'll want to carry with you every time you head into the mountains for a trail run
We also recommend this article about rainwear
- Comparison Review: Which Rainwear is Best for Trail Running? Runners Test It Out in 2018
- Types of rainwear and how to choose them - things to check before you buy
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear you can't miss this season 2018
- Comparison Review: A mountain-loving woman compares ultra-lightweight rainwear
Related reading
