All,

I'm trying to find a jacket that I can pack that takes up as little space as possible. All I really need it for, is wind protection and if it has any water proof capabilities that would be a big plus. Insulation isn’t important due to the regions I live and visit, but I could be interested in something that can provide more warmth as a second jacket.

I was looking on www.golite.com, at their ‘ether wind jacket’ and also at their selection for waterproof jackets. But curious if any of you guys know of any others out there that are worth looking into.

The biggest thing that it has to do is pack up small as possible to be in a brief case, messenger bag or pack and look good enough that you won’t get stares in a city.

Thanks,
Kris

Hi Kris,

You should take a look at the Montane Jetstream. The lightest most compact windproof jacket in the world. I keep one in my Snow Peak 300 Titanium Cup.

XCR Gore-Tex is the best choice for waterproof/windproof.

One point that you might want to consider:
If the SHTF and you wound up stranded on an island that has no fresh/clean water, your jacket might have to be used as
a)an improvised rain trap.
b) a liner for a hot rock boiler.

Leigh_Ratcliffe,

As for the suggestions... This jacket is ment to supplement what I will be currently carrying. Thats not to say i'll bring it with me every time, but will be encluded in my pack (whether business or hiking) if I feel the need to carry it.

I have plans to have a poncho that will act as a shelter/tarp if need be. And this is included in my regular gear.

Besides, wearing a poncho in NYC when it rains is 'out of the norm' and you stand out to the sheeples (sp?).



Bentirran,

Good link!!!!


Thanks for your suggestions,
Kris

If you are not looking for totally waterproof there are a lot of options. I like the Patagonia Houdini Jkt; highly water resistant and windproof. I use it for trail running, hiking and rock climbing when I don't need fully waterproof. In fact I rarely use waterproof-breathables very much these days since the water-resistant products breath better and may are ALMOST waterproof.

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/...CKETS#sku.24016

I have a GoLite Reed jacket & pants, and they are awesome. I can roll them both up & stuff em in a buttpack, without sacrificing alot of space. I see they dont make the Reed jacket anymore though...I could be wrong on the model though. Its water/windproof. May not stand up to tons of abuse though, as most ultralight stuff wont. I've had mine for a while, and I've no complaints though!!!

Many would say eVent is a better fabric than XCR - just as waterproof but much more breathable.

But for the uses stated here, I'm with the others: the GoLite, Patagonia, Montane, and similar waterproof-breathable jackets would be great.

I have a Patagonia Dragonfly anorak that packs down to the size of an apple and weighs only few ounces, and a Montane jacket made out of Pertex that is somewhat more waterproof. Both are excellent for wind and light precipitation (and much more comfortable than Goretex when I'm active).

I haul out the XCR or Paclite jackets for howling winter rain and snowstorms - otherwise the others are all I carry.

I have a Travelsmith lightweight jacket made of microfiber that sheds water really well, dries very quickly and has a number of pockets and could pass for a sports coat. I haven't worn it in the woods, but the material, which feels good to the hand, could be suseptible to picking from branches, etc. It packs small, sheds wrinkles is washable and dry cleanable. It is an excellent country coat or travel coat, warn and windproof over a light wool sweater and cool enough in most summer weather over a regular shirt. It buttons up all the way around the neck but has no hood. You can see it here, reasonably priced. http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1597&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C251%2C466&iProductID=1597&sortBy=0

Thanks all for your help!!!!

I like my Sierra Designs Microlight jacket. It comes with it's own stuff sack. Packs down to the size of a soda can, just a little thicker. It's extremely light and has a hood. It lives in my messenger bag that I carry to work and is always ready to get worn if the weather gets nasty. My daily commute is a 30-minute walk.

Sierra Designs Microlight jacket

It sells for 32$ MSRP. Although I love my 300$+ Gore-tex XCR Arc'teryx jacket for mountaineering, this Microlight gets the job done for my daily commute!

Highly recommended.

Cabela's windcrest jackets are light,can be rolled into a ball or folded down neatly,are lightweight,waterproof and are only around the $30 range-they have pullovers too.Works well but you need to wear a hat as it has no hood.

I had been looking for an unlined Gore-Tex parka for both casual and when I have to wear a sports coat or suit--something to fall back on when caught in inclement weather. I had hoped to find something cut loose enough to go over a jacket and with an adjustable hood, armpit zippers, and some cargo pockets. If I remember correctly, I found a nice parka at Eddie Bauer (I think it was lined) but it was not long enough to cover a sports coat. So I finally ordered the Frogg Toggs raincoat in black as shown on http://www.froggtoggs.com/separates.htm and had it shortened to just cover a sports coat by a few inches. As the Tyvek used in making these does not dye evenly, there is a variegatedness to the color. Also the pockets are actually reach through slits with snaps. The Tyvek is almost as thin as unlined Gore-Tex and the cut-down parka is not too large in the briefcase.

Does anyone have any comments about the Marmot PreCip Jacket (http://www.rei.com/product/718330?vcat=REI_SSHP_MENS_CLOTHING_LD)?

Its a little 'heavier' then the ones mentioned here (by a few ounces) but looks to be quite usuable when needed (and even has pack pockets).

So far, i'm liking Bee's choice... the Sierra Designs Microlight jacket.

Kris

If you do go with GoreTex, or another membrane type product, you actually want some kind of liner, even it it's just a light mesh or something like that. The membrane can be snagged easily if there isn't a liner, and can tear. I now have a rain jacket without an insulating liner, but, it does have a light nylon mesh that keeps anything from contacting the GoreTex membrane that is applied to the inside of the outer layer of jacket. It's in my car kit at the moment, but, I think it's from Pac-Tec.

The reason I mention it, is I ruined a jacket without a liner when I wore it over a fleece that had a couple exposed zippers. Then I put my backpack on top of everything and by the end of the hike, the zippers rubbing against the membrane had torn it up.

The Marmot PreCip jacket can not be beat in terms of price/usage/weight. I am on my second jacket and wouldn't look elsewhere. You will not be disappointed with this jacket, and that's a rare thing.

Sierratradingpost.com has this jacket in limited sizes and colors on sale for $15.25 if anyone is interested.