Ultra-lightweight rainwear you won't miss this season 2018
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
table of contents
- Topic 3: Lightest, specializing in races, super comfortable... There are a lot of other models too, too.
- (Reposted) What's the best ultra-lightweight rainwear in the first place? What kind of person is it suitable for?
- What is ultra-lightweight rainwear?
- 1. The lightness and thinness are incredibly light
- 2. Supple, easy to move around and comfortable to wear
- 3. High moisture permeability to keep you dry even when you sweat
- 4. Waterproof and windproof performance that can withstand sudden rain and wind
- 5. High storage capacity that is impossible to achieve
- 6. Wearing on a clear day and there is no need to take off afterwards
- 7. Perfect for street wear and a variety of outdoor activities
Topic 3: Lightest, specializing in races, super comfortable... There are a lot of other models too, too.
MONTURA RAPTOR JKT
Weight★★★ Waterproof★★☆ Breathable★★★ Comfort★★☆ Function★★☆
MONTURA, an Italian outdoor brand that is unique, has no compromises, and is sometimes overkilled, and has finally made its way into the public eye for ultra-light rainwear. The membrane was adopted as a 2.5-layer Pertex Shield. This material has already been a precedent for many brands, but as it is originally a material that is easy to lighten, it can be used in a variety of ingenuity depending on the manufacturer, and as a result, it is an extremely lightweight material that has been achieved at an extraordinary 90g, making it the world's lightest class. What's more, the breathability is nominal at 40,000g/m2/24h, which is an exceptional spec. Although adjusting the hood has been omitted due to the weight reduction, it also has convenient features such as a packable pocket, a stretch thumb loop that prevents the sleeves from slipping, and a reflector that increases vision at night, making it easy to use not only for racing, but also for hiking and climbing.
mont-bell versalite jacket
Weight★★★ Waterproof★★★ Breathable★★★ Comfort★★☆ Function★☆☆
Montbell is a reliable domestic brand that always brings out high standards of rainwear, including the Storm Cruiser This season's renewal has not only significantly improved the waterproof and breathable specs, but it has also succeeded in further reducing the weight. One of the secrets is the unique cut pattern "K-Mono Cut", and when I tried on it, I realized that not only improved performance, but the silhouette was not only slightly unsophisticated, but it finally became slimmer and more subdued after trying it on. I'm greedy, but I'm always concerned about the price of this brand being rising recently.
Mountain Hardwear Leroy Jacket
Weight★★☆ Waterproof★★☆ Breathable★★★ Comfort★★☆ Function★★☆
The latest lightweight shell from the American Alpine brand, which has supported athletes who are pushing their limits with innovative products. As it reflects the feedback from Ueda Rui, a well-known top-class trail runner in Japan, it is packed with features that are loved and highly specific to trail runners. The neat and clean cut around the sleeves is already familiar to the mountain hardware lineup, but there are many efforts to minimize losses from lace, such as the unnecessary packable design of the stuff sack, and the back has plenty of room to give it a thin backpack, allowing you to wear it while carrying it on your back, making it easy to carry. Furthermore, by using 2.5 layers of waterproof and breathable material that has a dry feel thanks to a special lining, it does not feel sticky even when worn on bare skin, making it suitable for activities such as trail running where sweating is high.
NORRONA bitihorn ultralight dri3 Jacket
Weight★★★ Waterproof★★☆ Breathable★★☆ Comfort★★★ Function★☆☆
One of the major topics of last season was the fact that it achieved a lighter 100g range with three layers that were comfortable and highly durable. This trend remains unstoppable this season, and finally, a three-layer, ultra-lightweight model has been released in rainwear made from Dri3, a unique material from NORRONA. This also has the premium comfort that is unique to three layers, and also has high waterproof and breathable properties. The basic construction is the same as the bitihorn Gore-Tex Active 2.0 Jacket that I introduced at the beginning, but because there are fewer restrictions, the fabric selection has been generously stripped away, including parts such as seam tape, making it this comfortable and amazingly light. Although it is very slim, it is easy to move in, and its beautiful silhouette gives it a unique sexiness.
(Reposted) What's the best ultra-lightweight rainwear in the first place? What kind of person is it suitable for?
What is ultra-lightweight rainwear?
Of course, there have been many light rainwear made in the past. However, at the time, there were many challenges, such as the texture was sticky and stuffy, and even if it was light, it was still difficult to use. In recent years, due to the spread of short-term activities, which have been gaining a lot of activity, such as trail running and fast packing, many brands and material manufacturers develop jackets made of light, highly breathable waterproof and breathable materials that . As a result, there are now many different models that are not only light, but also have different comfort and usability to suit your purpose and style.
1. The lightness and thinness are incredibly light
Traditional rainwear for mountaineering weighs around 400g to 500g. On the other hand, most rainwear that is considered to be ultra-lightweight types are coated alone, and are in their early 200g or less . It is not uncommon for models that weigh less than 100g, and is much lighter than a 350ml can of juice.
2. Supple, easy to move around and comfortable to wear
It is comfortable to wear without any strain. The smooth lining feels great on the skin that you can see through your arms. The comfort that was previously given up on rainwear is amazingly improved with ultra-light rainwear. With previous rainwear (only light) inevitably, the smooth texture left a feeling of discomfort when sweating. , including the GORE-TEX® C-KNIT™ backer technology which was released in 2015 and the so-called three-layer structure, which uses sturdy fabric instead of laminated, has become the mainstream, and despite its ultra-lightweight feel, it always feels smooth and comfortable to the touch . Other models using stretch fabrics that emphasize ease of movement have also been released, and a major feature is that they are not only light, but also provide easy support for active activities that are often sweating.
3. High moisture permeability to keep you dry even when you sweat
Most ultra-lightweight rainwear originally designed for activities such as trail running and cycling (without heavy movements in a short period of time and without carrying large loads) are made of materials and structures that have relatively higher moisture permeability than conventional rainwear . For this reason, ultra-lightweight rainwear can maintain comfort even during intense movements and midsummer activities, and in that sense it is the perfect outerwear that combines comfort with weather performance.
Incidentally, in terms of moisture permeability, not only material manufacturers such as eVent, Pertex, Neoseshell, and GORE-TEX®, but also outdoor brands have developed their own unique high-performance materials, creating fabric products with increasingly diverse performance and characteristics. Furthermore, the breathability of the clothing itself depends on the thickness of the fabric and the ventilation structure, so it will be necessary to look at the overall construction of the clothing that will hold the key to comfort
4. Waterproof and windproof performance that can withstand sudden rain and wind
Despite being so thin and lighter, the latest models are waterproof enough to withstand normal rain and wind. Looking at the "water pressure resistance" used when measuring durability and waterproof performance numerically, Pertex Shield+, a typical lightweight material, has a water resistance of 20,000mm. The water resistance required to prevent heavy rain is 10,000mm, so it is very useful for day trips and low mountain climbing. However, just to be safe, it is not always sufficient for long traverses, rainy areas, or storms in mountains over 2,000m, so it is best not to assume that this will be suitable for any climbing. be best to assume calm environments such as day hiking and trail running, as well as intense short-term activities .
5. High storage capacity that is impossible to achieve
Example of storage of OUTDOOR RESEARCH HELIUM HD jackets. Even pit zippered clothing can be stored in this size.
Despite its features, when folded, it becomes small enough to fit on your palm. This smallness is nothing more than , including trail running and cycling, fast packing and general day climbing.
6. Wearing on a clear day and there is no need to take off afterwards
The fact that it is flexible and easy to move in, and also has high waterproof and breathable properties, it also means that it can be used in a way that does not fit into the frame of rain gear. In other words , it can be used as an outerwear at all times, like a windshell . For example, if you start to wear on a chilly morning, take tough climbs in forests, or get a sudden strong wind on the ridge, or of course, you don't need to take off your clothes. It's great that if that happens, you can enjoy the great benefits of saving time even if you're not a particularly gross person.
7. Perfect for street wear and a variety of outdoor activities
Originally, this clothing was developed with the aim of intense exercise such as running and motorcycles. Even now that the range of uses has expanded, it is still ideal for a variety of outdoor activities. Many of them are stylish and slim in style and easy to move in, and can be worn as an outerwear when running or as a street wear without any discomfort, so this one piece can be worn in a great way . There's no doubt that it's going to be a hit.
We also recommend this article about rainwear.
- Check out the types of rainwear and how to choose them before purchasing
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear you won't miss this season 2017
- Rainwear for mountaineering that you can't miss this season 2017 [For hiking and trekking]
- Comparison review: Which rainwear you should have if you're going to climb? ?
- Comparison Review: Which rainwear is the most useful on a trail run right now? Runners actually tried it 2018
