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

Rainwear is considered an essential outdoor wear item, and this year there are a ton of new items. Following on from last year, we'd like to take a look at the new items, which are an annual tradition

The models featured this time are mainly new and redesigned models for the Spring/Summer 2018 season. So, if you want to know the entire lineup on sale this year, we last year's introduction article (Ultra-lightweight rainwear 2017 that you can't miss this season) .

As always, the main criteria for selecting items is whether or not I wanted them after actually trying them on in the store. I will now begin the actual comparison review based on this research, so the models mentioned here are literally this season's top contenders. However, even with similar specs, there were some that unfortunately didn't catch my eye due to their appearance or the presence or absence of small details. It all comes down to one person's taste, so please be open-minded when reading opinions that say, "No, no, that's more like it."

table of contents

• Topic 1: The evolution of GORE-TEX® ACTIVE is amazing
• Topic 2: Rainwear made of stretchy material with excellent mobility is amazing
• Topic 3: Lightest, Race-Specific, Super Comfortable...Other Models Are Also Amazing

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

The popularity of more active and lightweight activities such as trail running and speed hiking has been a major trend in recent years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Riding this trend, rainwear has become lighter at an astonishing rate. I feel like I've been saying this for the past few years, but it's become so commonplace that rainwear weighing in at or below 200g is now difficult to determine what constitutes lightweight

However, when it comes to GORE-TEX®, the "KING OF WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE FABRIC," it can't be denied that it has lagged a little in the lightweight material race. The (old) GORE-TEX® ACTIVE, which has been a product for high-intensity activities, was no longer competitive in terms of weight

GORE® C-KNIT™ backer technology has been introduced to try and make up for this lag , but it has limitations in terms of lightness, and GORE-TEX® SHAKEDRY™ products are not suitable for the general public due to their durability and price. In that sense, it's hard to say that either product has hit the nail on the head for average runners and UL hikers, enough to blow the competition away.

Certainly, it is easy to imagine that it would be difficult to jump on the bandwagon and give up the brand image of "impregnable waterproofness" that has been built up over a long period of time

This giant has finally taken action. That's the evolved GORE-TEX® ACTIVE . To put it very simply, it's like the previous GORE-TEX® ACTIVE, which was designed to maximize breathability, now with a GORE® C-KNIT™ backer technology lining, making it even more breathable, lightweight, and comfortable.

In fact, when C-KNIT was released, I suddenly remembered fantasizing about how it would be the best if it had the breathability of ACTIVE and the comfort of a C-KNIT lining. Now that this dream has become a reality right before my eyes, I'm more than surprised; my jaw is always hanging open

As usual, this year's debut season will see only a limited number of brands releasing the new model, and the prices are still a bit unreliable, but we expect that to settle down in the future. This time, we will introduce two particularly hot models from the lineup

NORRONA bitihorn Gore-Tex Active 2.0 Jacket

Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★☆☆

NORRONA, a stylish Scandinavian brand known for its many high-spec models that can withstand harsh environments, has completely revamped its lightweight "bitihorn" series this season. This new waterproof jacket, in particular, features the evolved GORE-TEX® ACTIVE technology, achieving exceptional breathability, a superbly comfortable feel, and unprecedented lightness. It's probably the lightest of the several GORE-TEX® ACTIVE models released this year. Plus, there's still no noticeable tightness or lifting of the hem when you lift your arms. Of course, the durability and waterproofness of GORE-TEX® go without saying. After looking at a variety of models, I have to say this is this season's most noteworthy model

Mountain Equipment Impeller Jacket

Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★☆☆

This is the latest GORE-TEX® ACTIVE rainwear from Mountain Equipment, a British brand also known for its high-end, uncompromising manufacturing. It's also top-class for speedy, lightweight activities, and I personally struggled to choose between this and the bitihorn. What's amazing about this is that the outer layer is made from the "Gore Micro Grid Backer," the same material previously used for the lining of GORE-TEX® PRO and other products, which means it offers even greater breathability and durability. Personally, I chose the top because of how well it fits my body when I put the sleeves on, but you won't regret your choice either way. Absolutely fantastic!

Topic 2: Rainwear made of stretchy material with excellent mobility is amazing

Rain gear is made of stiff, stiff fabric, but that stereotype must be discarded this year. The trend toward lightweight and stretchy rainwear has been around since last season, and this year it's become something you can't miss. Here are three noteworthy stretchy rainwear models

RaidLight Hyperlight MP+ Jacket

Weight ★★★ Waterproof ★☆☆ Breathability ★★☆ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★★

I've had my eye on this jacket since last year (released in 2017), but only recently this year have I realized how amazing it is, so I'm belatedly picking it up. First of all, I was honestly surprised by its light weight of just 115g, thanks to its two-layer construction of a proprietary laminated membrane and outer fabric. It's so thin that you can even see the number on the inside. It's slim and the shoulders and sleeves are very tight, but that doesn't mean it feels uncomfortable when you move your arms, thanks to the stretchy fabric throughout. Other features include reinforced shoulders to compensate for the lack of durability due to the thin fabric, and a design that allows you to see your watch on your left arm while wearing the jacket. It's commendable that the jacket isn't just lightweight, but has also been designed with runners' convenience in mind

MONTANE Minimus Stretch Ultra Jacket

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

Montane, always eager to take on new technologies, was one of the first to work on making rain jackets stretchy. The Minimus Stretch Ultra Jacket is an even lighter version of last season's Minimus Stretch Jacket, with a design that's been refined for running. While it's classified as part of the VIA Trail series and geared toward trail running, the cut isn't too tight, and it even has two pockets (including a hole for earphone cords), making it suitable for a wide range of running activities beyond just races. Other touches include attention to detail like snap buttons on the chest and hem to prevent the zipper from flapping when fully open, and reflective detailing on the front and back

Black Diamond Fine Line Stretch Rain Shell

Weight ★☆☆ Waterproof ★☆☆ Breathability ★☆☆ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★★☆

Black Diamond, known for its strengths in climbing and other high-intensity activities, is developing stretchy rainwear at this time, so it makes sense. Despite its slim fit, it's easy to raise your arms, and the three-dimensional cut ensures minimal hemming, making it easy to wear even when wearing a harness. Unlike its running counterpart, the large, helmet-friendly hood with a brim is easy to adjust, and even better, it's packable into the chest pocket. But what's even more impressive is the affordable price. The sleek silhouette and clean look are also quite appealing. However, BD jackets generally tend to be longer and more limited in terms of body type, and the waterproof/breathable specifications aren't particularly impressive, so the price is a consideration

THE NORTH FACE Optimist Jacket

Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★☆☆ Breathability ★★★ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★★★

A few seasons ago, THE NORTH FACE pioneered the "3-layer ultralight rainwear" category with its proprietary HYVENT Flyweight fabric. Its popularity seems to have been solid, and each year the range of variations has steadily expanded to accommodate different uses, from hiking to trail running. This season's flagship trail running jacket, the Strike Trail Hoody, is complemented by a new jacket, the Optimist Jacket. While using the same HYVENT Flyweight fabric, the addition of a more stretchy outer fabric gives it a sharp silhouette while allowing for smooth movement. While it seems perfectly suited to high-intensity activities, its convenient two large pockets and included stuff sack, along with other details that aren't overly lightweight, make it suitable for everyday wear.

Next page: "Topic 3: Lightest, Race-Specific, Super Comfortable...Other Models Are Amazing Too"

Topic 3: Lightest, Race-Specific, Super Comfortable...Other Models Are Also Amazing

MONTURA RAPTOR JKT

Weight ★★★ Waterproof ★★☆ Breathability ★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★☆

MONTURA, the Italian outdoor brand known for its unique, uncompromising, and sometimes over-the-top construction, has finally entered the ultralight rainwear scene. The membrane used is a 2.5-layer Pertex Shield. While already used by many brands, this material is inherently lightweight and allows manufacturers to experiment with various creative solutions. The result is a truly impressive product, weighing in at an incredible 90g—one of the lightest in the world. Furthermore, its breathability is an impressive 40,000g/m²/24h. While the lightweight design omits features like an adjustable hood, the jacket still offers convenient features like packable pockets, stretch thumb loops to prevent sleeves from riding up, and reflectors for improved nighttime visibility. These features make this versatile piece ideal for a wide range of activities, from racing to hiking and climbing 

mont-bell versalite jacket

Weight ★★★ Waterproof ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★☆☆

Montbell the Storm Cruiser . The Versalite is a popular model favored by many trail runners due to its high specs and low price. This season's renewal not only significantly improves the waterproof and breathable specifications, but also succeeds in further reducing the weight. One of the secrets is the unique cut pattern, "K-Mono Cut." Not only has this improved performance, but the silhouette has also finally become slimmer and more sophisticated, going from the somewhat unsophisticated silhouette of the previous model, which I noticed when trying it on. If I may be greedy, I can't help but be concerned about the recent upward trend in prices for this brand.

Mountain Hardwear Leroy Jacket

Weight ★★☆ Waterproof ★★☆ Breathability ★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★☆

This latest lightweight shell from the American alpine brand, known for its innovative products, supports athletes who push their limits. Inspired by feedback from Japan's top trail runner, Rui Ueda, it's packed with features trail runners will love. The clean, well-cut sleeves prevent flapping, a staple of Mountain Hardwear's lineup, while the packable design eliminates the need for a stuff sack and the generous back allows you to wear it over a thin backpack, further minimizing weight loss during a race. The special lining keeps the jacket dry and comfortable against the skin thanks to its 2.5-layer waterproof and breathable fabric, making it ideal for activities like trail running, where sweat levels are high

NORRONA bitihorn ultralight dri3 Jacket

Weight ★★★ Waterproof ★★☆ Breathability ★★☆ Comfort ★★★ Functionality ★☆☆

One of the big topics last season was the achievement of a comfortable, durable 3-layer jacket weighing in at just under 100g. This trend continues this season, with the release of an ultra-lightweight 3-layer rainwear model made with NORRONA's proprietary dri3 fabric. This jacket also offers the premium comfort of a 3-layer jacket, along with high waterproof and breathable performance. The basic construction is similar to the bitihorn Gore-Tex Active 2.0 Jacket introduced earlier, but with fewer restrictions, the jacket has been stripped down to the bare minimum, from the fabric selection to the seam tape, resulting in a surprisingly light jacket with exceptional comfort. The extremely slim cut, while still allowing for easy movement, and the beautiful silhouette are truly one of a kind

(Reposted) What's so good about ultra-lightweight rainwear? Who is it suitable for?

What is ultra-lightweight rainwear?

Of course, there have been many lightweight rainwear models produced up until now. However, at the time, they still had many issues, such as being sticky to the touch and prone to becoming stuffy, and the reality was that even though they were light, they were still difficult to use. However, in recent years, with the spread of high-intensity, short-duration activities such as trail running and fastpacking, many brands and material manufacturers have begun jackets made from lightweight, highly breathable, waterproof and breathable materials that activities. As a result, we now have a wide variety of models to choose from that are not only light, but also vary in comfort and ease of use to suit your purpose and style.

1. It's incredibly light and thin

Traditional rainwear for mountain climbing weighs around 400g to 500g. On the other hand, most rainwear that is positioned as ultra-lightweight weighs just the outer layer in the low 200g range or less . Nowadays, it is not uncommon to find models that weigh less than 100g, which is much lighter than a 350ml can of juice.

2. Flexible, easy to move in, and comfortable to wear

The supple feel is non-stiff. The smooth lining feels instantly recognizable as you put your arms through it. While traditional rainwear had given up on that level of comfort, ultra-lightweight rainwear has made a surprising improvement. Previously, light rainwear inevitably had a slippery feel that made sweating uncomfortable. However, with the release of GORE-TEX® C-KNIT™ backer technology , which use a solid lining instead of a laminate, have become mainstream, resulting in a consistently smooth and comfortable feel despite the ultra-lightweight nature of the garment . Other models have also emerged that use stretch fabrics for ease of movement, offering a major advantage: not only are they lightweight, but they also comfortably support active activities that involve a lot of sweating.

3. High breathability keeps you dry even when you sweat

Originally designed for activities such as trail running and cycling (short bursts of movement without carrying large loads of luggage), ultra-lightweight rainwear is made from materials and constructed to have relatively higher breathability than conventional, regular rainwear . This makes ultra-lightweight rainwear comfortable even during intense movement or midsummer activities, making it the perfect outerwear that combines comfort with weather protection.

Incidentally, in terms of breathability, not only are material manufacturers such as eVent, Pertex, Neoshell, and GORE-TEX® developing their own high-performance materials, but outdoor brands are also developing their own high-performance fabrics, resulting in fabric products with an increasingly diverse range of performance and features. Furthermore, the breathability of clothing itself is also affected by the thickness of the fabric and the ventilation structure, so in the future, the key to clothing comfort will likely be not just the quality of the materials, but also the overall construction of the clothing .

4. Waterproof and windproof to withstand sudden rain and wind

Despite being so thin and light, recent models still offer sufficient waterproofing to withstand normal rain and wind. Looking at the "water pressure" used to measure durable waterproofing numerically, for example, Pertex Shield+, a representative lightweight material, has a water pressure of 20,000mm. It's said that 10,000mm is necessary to protect against heavy rain, so it's perfectly usable for day hikes and low-altitude mountain climbing. However, just to be clear, it's not necessarily sufficient for long-term mountaineering, in rainy areas, or in storms on mountains above 2,000m, so don't assume that this is the only gear you can use for all kinds of mountain climbing. It's best to consider it for calm environments like day hikes and trail runs, or for short, intense activities .

5. Incredibly small and highly packable

6. Wear it on a sunny day and there's no need to take it off afterwards

It's flexible and easy to move in, and its high waterproof, breathable, and windproof properties mean that it can be used in ways that go beyond just rain gear. In other words, it can be used as a regular outer layer, like a windshell . For example, you can put it on on a chilly morning, and there's no need to take it off when you're climbing a steep forest or on a ridgeline, or when a sudden rain shower hits. This means that even if you're not particularly lazy, you can enjoy the huge time-saving benefits, which is very much appreciated.

7. Perfect for everyday wear and a variety of outdoor activities

Originally, this type of clothing was developed with intense exercise in mind, such as running and biking. Even now, as its range of uses has expanded, it is still ideal for a variety of outdoor activities. Many of the styles and designs are slim, easy to move in, and stylish, and can be worn comfortably both as outerwear for running and as everyday wear, so you can wear it in a variety of ways with just one piece. It's sure to become a staple in your wardrobe.

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
• Must-See Rainwear for Mountain Climbing in 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