Ultra-lightweight rainwear you won't miss this season 2018

Rainwear, which is said to be an essential item among outdoor wear, is packed with new items this year as well. Continuing from last year, I would like to check out the new releases that are annually.

The models featured this time are mainly new releases and model changes for the 2018 Spring/Summer season. So, if you'd like to know the entire lineup that's on sale this year, I think you'll be even more fond of it if you also read last year's introduction article (Ultra-light rainwear you shouldn't miss this season 2017)

As usual, the basic premise for picking up is whether you want them to try on everything in the store and try them on. Based on this research, I will be starting to actually review comparisons, so the models mentioned here are literally the No. 1 candidates for this season. However, even with similar specs, some of them were unfortunately not caught on the appearance and whether or not there were any slight designs. This is a story that relies solely on a person's sense, so please read with a broad heart if you think, "No, that's just this."

table of contents

• Topic 1: The evolution of GORE-TEX® ACTIVE is incredible
• Topic 2: Stretchy material makes it extremely mobile and rainwear is incredible
• Topic 3: Lightest, specializing in races, super comfortable... There are a lot of other models too, too.

Topic 1: The evolution of GORE-TEX® ACTIVE is incredible

There is no sign of the popularity of more active and light activities, such as trail running and speed hiking, which have become a major trend in recent years. Taking this trend, rainwear has been reduced in weight at an incredible speed. I feel like I've been saying this for the past few years, but it's become commonplace to find that rainwear weighing in the 200g or less, or even less, is so obvious that it's hard to tell where it's lightweight.

However, regarding the "KING OF Waterproof and Breathable Material", there was no denying that there was a slight delay in the competition for lightweight materials. The old (old) GORE-TEX® ACTIVE product for high-load activities has not yet become a heavy competition.

the GORE® C-KNIT™ backer technology, which has been introduced to make up for the delay, has limited lightness, and the GORE-TEX® SHAKEDRY™ products are not suitable for the general public due to their durability and price, and in that sense, it was hard to say that both of them would slash the competition so far.

It is certainly easy to imagine that it is not possible to easily let go of the "iron wall waterproofing" brand image that has been built up for a long time by simply riding the trends.

This giant has finally lifted his own back. the GORE-TEX® ACTIVE that has evolved this season . To put it simply, it is easy to understand if you consider that the previous GORE-TEX® ACTIVE, which was created to maximize breathability, has been further improved, lightweight, and comfortable by using a lining made with GORE® C-KNIT™ backer technology.

Actually, when C-KNIT appeared, I suddenly thought about how I was casually fantasizing, "If it had ACTIVE's breathability and the comfort of the C-KNIT lining, it would be the best." This is now becoming a reality in front of us, so beyond surprise, our mouths remain loose.

As usual, this year, the debut season will be released only from a limited number of brands, and although prices are still not yet high, this will likely settle in the future. This time, we will introduce two particularly hot models.

NORRONA bitihorn Gore-Tex Active 2.0 Jacket

Weight★★☆ Waterproof★★★ Breathable★★★ Comfort★★ Function★☆☆

NORRONA, which has produced many models that are particularly high-spec models that can withstand particularly harsh environments among stylish Nordic brands, has been completely renewed with the lightweight series "bitihorn." Among these, this new waterproof jacket uses the evolved GORE-TEX® ACTIVE, which in addition to outstanding breathability, it is extremely comfortable to wear and has a lighter, lighter than ever before. It is probably the lightest of several models that have been released for the first time this year, using GORE-TEX® ACTIVE. In addition, as usual, I don't have to worry about the tension and the lifting of the hem due to the lifting of the arms. Of course, it is not only GORE-TEX®, but also durable and waterproof. I've seen a lot, but I have to say that this is the most popular model this season.

Mountain Equipment Impella Jacket

Weight★★☆ Waterproof★★★ Breathable★★★ Comfort★★ Function★☆☆

This is the latest GORE-TEX® ACTIVE rainwear from Mountain Equipment, a brand from the UK that is also well known for its high-end, uncompromising manufacturing. This was also the best in terms of speed and light activity applications, and personally I was confused by the bitihorn above until the very end. What's amazing about this is that the outer material is the "GORE Micro Grid Backer" that has been used in the lining of GORE-TEX® PRO and other materials, so I can imagine it to be even more highly breathable and durable. Personally, I've won the best in terms of how well it fits when I put it on, but no matter which one you choose, I'm sure I'll never regret it. It's absolutely amazing!

Topic 2: Stretchy material makes it extremely mobile and rainwear is incredible

Rain gear is made from hard, rough fabric, and we have to throw away these stereotypes at the end of this year. The trend of rainwear called "lightweight and stretchy" has been seen a lot since last season, and this year it's finally becoming more and more difficult to overlook. Here are three popular models of stretchy rainwear.

RaidLight Hyperlight MP+ Jacket

Weight★★★ Waterproof★☆☆ Breathable★★☆ Comfort★★☆ Function★★★

I've been interested in this since last year (released in 2017), but this year I realized once again how amazing it is, so I've picked it up a bit late. First of all, I am truly amazed at how light it is, at 115g, thanks to its unique laminated membrane and the two-layer structure of the outer material. Due to its thinness, the inner bib can be seen. The shoulders and sleeves are made very tight, but despite this, there is no discomfort when swinging your arms, as it is stretchy throughout the fabric. Other things like reinforced shoulders to cover the low durability that is due to the thin fabric, and the left arm is made of watches visible while wearing the jacket, making it worthy of respect for not only lighter, but also for the ease of use of runners.

MONTANE Minimus Stretch Ultra Jacket

Weight★★☆ Waterproof★★☆ Breathable★★☆ Comfort★★☆ Function★★★

MONTANE, which has been boldly taking on new technologies on a daily basis, has been working on stretching rain jackets since early on. The Minimus Stretch Ultra Jacket, which appeared last season, has been further lighter and has been brushed up for running purposes. The VIA Trail series is designed for trail running, but the cutting is not too tight, and it also comes with two pockets (and there is a hole in the earphone cord), so in that sense it is good that it can be used for a wide range of running activities, not just races. Another great feature is that they pay attention to small areas such as snap buttons located at the chest and hem to prevent them from flapping even when the zipper is fully opened, and reflections seen on the front and back.

Black Diamond Fine Line Stretch Rain Shell

Weight★☆☆ Waterproof★☆☆ Breathable★☆☆ Comfort★★★ Function★★☆

Since Black Diamond is mainly resistant to climbing activities, and to put it in a way that has a large amount of activity, it's understandable that they will develop stretchy rainwear at this time. Despite its slim size, it is easy to lift your arms, and the three-dimensional cutting is sturdy, so there is less hem lifting, making it easy to use even when wearing a harness. Also, unlike running, the large hood with a brim that is designed to be a helmet, making it easy to adjust, and even more exciting, it has a packable design on the chest pocket. But what's amazing is this affordable price. The clean silhouette and clean look are also attractive. However, BD jackets generally have a longer length and you choose your body type, and the fact that it's not that expensive in terms of waterproof and breathable specs is probably the price.

THE NORTH FACE Optimist Jacket

Weight★★☆ Waterproof★☆☆ Breathable★★★ Comfort★★ Function★★★

A few seasons ago, THE NORTH FACE opened the door to "3-layer ultra-lightweight rainwear" with its own unique material, HYVENT Flyweight. It seems to be popular, and every year, the range of variations has steadily expanded depending on the purpose. this Optimist jacket has been released in addition to main strike trail hoodie While using the same HYVENT Flyweight, the outer material is also highly stretchy, making the silhouette sharper and easy to move. It seems to be used well for activities that require a lot of energy, but as for the finer designs, such as the two large pockets that emphasize convenience and the included stuff sack, it's not too light and is perfect for wearing on the street.

Next page: "Topic 3: Lightest, Race-specific, Super comfortable...A variety of other models are amazing"

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

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