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Any recommendations for a decent waterproof windbreaker jacket?

A

arcas

Platinum Member
Until now, my only windbreakers have been nylon athletic warm-up type jackets. They do okay in dry weather but they're no good in even a drizzle unless I spray them with silicone. So I'm looking to upgrade but I'd like to keep my costs to $100 or less. This will be worn daily around town in cool weather in addition to hiking trips.

Criteria:
* Lightweight though I'm not looking for a 2oz shell type thing (tried one, didn't much care for it). But I'm not looking for a winter parka, either.
* Comfortable when wearing a short sleeves underneath. Lands End has a couple that have rough mesh inside the arms. Felt like wearing sandpaper.
* Must be breathable

A few that I've looked at/considered:

* Marmot "Storm Front". A little pricier and maybe a little heavier than I wanted.
* Marmot "Precip". Lighter than the Storm Front and it's on clearance at a few places online. Generally good reviews though some complain that rain does soak through and it gets clammy.
* North Face "Venture". Gets good reviews but haven't seen it in person. On clearance online.

So...any recommendations?
 
I've been looking for something similar, but with arm pit zippers as well. The North Face jackets are nice, but obscenely overpriced.
 
PCU Level 5

I have one in ARPAT that I wear when I'm in uniform, and one in Alpha Green that I wear when I'm not. Blocks wind really well, sheds water decently, and layered over a fleece, keeps you decently warm.

EDIT: has pit zips too
 
Originally posted by: arcas
* Marmot "Precip". Lighter than the Storm Front and it's on clearance at a few places online. Generally good reviews though some complain that rain does soak through and it gets clammy.
Click to expand...
The Precip doesn't leak and is truly waterproof. People are confusing condensation on the inside of the jacket for soak through. This would be my recommendation for a cheap, light, waterproof shell.
 
I've got an uninsulated Guide Series TecH2O shell from Gander mountain. I couldn't find any pics of it online, but it's green and black, not the camo one they have on their site now. It's light, water/wind proof, has a ton of pockets, and has armpit zippers. I wore it when I was in the Blue Mountains in Australia a couple summers ago, and it's great. I've been wearing it year-round since I got it, and it's still holding up perfectly. I think it cost about $105 with tax.

I'll snap some pics of it when I get off work tonight.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: K1052
Text

It's a little more but worth it.

Or it's insulated brother: Text
Click to expand...

Looks pretty good. Is it truly water proof?
Click to expand...

Yep, I own the lighter one. Nothing gets through the material no matter how hard it rains.

Nice for when it's warm out but still raining like a SOB.
 
Originally posted by: K1052

Yep, I own the lighter one. Nothing gets through the material no matter how hard it rains.

Nice for when it's warm out but still raining like a SOB.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I really need a lightweight outer layer for rain/wind in the 40 degree area. I also need to pick up something similar for legs. Mainly for camping/fishing.

Any recommendations? I'm used to skiing gear and have stuff to handle that, but I don't know what to do for legs above 40 degrees when it's wet and windy. If I use my ski pants/uppers I'll be burning up but they keep me fine in 0 degrees or lower. I'm in between.
 
Originally posted by: arcas
Until now, my only windbreakers have been nylon athletic warm-up type jackets. They do okay in dry weather but they're no good in even a drizzle unless I spray them with silicone. So I'm looking to upgrade but I'd like to keep my costs to $100 or less. This will be worn daily around town in cool weather in addition to hiking trips.

Criteria:
* Lightweight though I'm not looking for a 2oz shell type thing (tried one, didn't much care for it). But I'm not looking for a winter parka, either.
* Comfortable when wearing a short sleeves underneath. Lands End has a couple that have rough mesh inside the arms. Felt like wearing sandpaper.
* Must be breathable

A few that I've looked at/considered:

* Marmot "Storm Front". A little pricier and maybe a little heavier than I wanted.
* Marmot "Precip". Lighter than the Storm Front and it's on clearance at a few places online. Generally good reviews though some complain that rain does soak through and it gets clammy.
* North Face "Venture". Gets good reviews but haven't seen it in person. On clearance online.

So...any recommendations?
Click to expand...

northface denali
windproof waterproof fleece.
$85
 
A $300 jacket from EMS will last a VERY long time. It costs more up front but saves over the long term. I got my shell about 8 years ago for $250. I would do so again. It's still like new 8 years later. It only needed a new ziper which EMS repaired for $5!

Also, The North Face sucks it. It is inferior to EMS branded jackets. EMS jackets have better stitching and everything else is pretty much the same. And with EMS you don't pay for a label that says The North Face. It's like buying a Mercedes instead of a Lexus. Some people want to pay 20% premiums for a label that is 0.0001% of the cost.

 
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
A $300 jacket from EMS will last a VERY long time. It costs more up front but saves over the long term. I got my shell about 8 years ago for $250. I would do so again. It's still like new 8 years later. It only needed a new ziper which EMS repaired for $5!

Also, The North Face sucks it. It is inferior to EMS branded jackets. EMS jackets have better stitching and everything else is pretty much the same. And with EMS you don't pay for a label that says The North Face. It's like buying a Mercedes instead of a Lexus. Some people want to pay 20% premiums for a label that is 0.0001% of the cost.
Click to expand...

Any links? Because I need what the OP is wanting on the top and bottom.

Sorry for the hijack arcas
 
Originally posted by: JEDI
Originally posted by: arcas
Until now, my only windbreakers have been nylon athletic warm-up type jackets. They do okay in dry weather but they're no good in even a drizzle unless I spray them with silicone. So I'm looking to upgrade but I'd like to keep my costs to $100 or less. This will be worn daily around town in cool weather in addition to hiking trips.

Criteria:
* Lightweight though I'm not looking for a 2oz shell type thing (tried one, didn't much care for it). But I'm not looking for a winter parka, either.
* Comfortable when wearing a short sleeves underneath. Lands End has a couple that have rough mesh inside the arms. Felt like wearing sandpaper.
* Must be breathable

A few that I've looked at/considered:

* Marmot "Storm Front". A little pricier and maybe a little heavier than I wanted.
* Marmot "Precip". Lighter than the Storm Front and it's on clearance at a few places online. Generally good reviews though some complain that rain does soak through and it gets clammy.
* North Face "Venture". Gets good reviews but haven't seen it in person. On clearance online.

So...any recommendations?
Click to expand...

northface denali
windproof waterproof fleece.
$85
Click to expand...

😕 The NF Denali jacket is neither windproof nor waterproof. It's just 300 weight fleece. I should know since I have one
 
I bought an REI jacket in 2001 ($225) that I still have and wear occasionally. My current shell (used it today) was a $30 Columbia jacket I picked up from reioutlet.com last August on clearance. It's really lightweight and fits my long arms perfectly. Consider looking at cheaper jackets when you see them on sale...some deals can be had.


If you get a Gore Tex jacket from anyone, there's a spray bottle you can buy called "Revivex" ( http://unrealfind.amazonwebsto...nic&utm_source=froogle ). You just spay that stuff on your jacket while it's hanging up to get maximum coverage, then thorw it in the dryer for 30 minutes. Works great to reseale the seams for a year.

Some advice. Don't expose your shell to cigarette smoke. The smoke gets into the fibers and can cause problems...not sure what, but I've been told not to expose my good jackets to the bar/club scene to be the 'hiker' guys you always see walking around the city.

Pay a little extra to get the features you want. The worst jackets are ones that don't have enough ventilation for the warmer months and the ones that don't have enough pockets. Most shells Gore-Tex or not have adequate water-proofing for the first 6 months after you get them. The time you can expect to get wet is when there is a slow drizzle and your jacket simply cannot shed the water.... I've had really nice jackets basically absorb rain from a steady drizzle simply because the drops were too small to bead up and ended up soaking through the shell. If you want something to stop that, get a poncho.
 
Originally posted by: arcas
Until now, my only windbreakers have been nylon athletic warm-up type jackets. They do okay in dry weather but they're no good in even a drizzle unless I spray them with silicone. So I'm looking to upgrade but I'd like to keep my costs to $100 or less. This will be worn daily around town in cool weather in addition to hiking trips.

Criteria:
* Lightweight though I'm not looking for a 2oz shell type thing (tried one, didn't much care for it). But I'm not looking for a winter parka, either.
* Comfortable when wearing a short sleeves underneath. Lands End has a couple that have rough mesh inside the arms. Felt like wearing sandpaper.
* Must be breathable

A few that I've looked at/considered:

* Marmot "Storm Front". A little pricier and maybe a little heavier than I wanted.
* Marmot "Precip". Lighter than the Storm Front and it's on clearance at a few places online. Generally good reviews though some complain that rain does soak through and it gets clammy.
* North Face "Venture". Gets good reviews but haven't seen it in person. On clearance online.

So...any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Unless, you go Goretex, you are not going to get a very breathable waterproof shell.

I have the Marmot Precip and it's a nice waterproof light shell. But can get clammy from physical exercise b/c it's not very breathable.

Based on your price range, I'd throw into the mix a REI Ultralight jacket

fwiw - For REI members, you can get 20% off a single item at regular price til Sunday
 
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
A $300 jacket from EMS will last a VERY long time. It costs more up front but saves over the long term. I got my shell about 8 years ago for $250. I would do so again. It's still like new 8 years later. It only needed a new ziper which EMS repaired for $5!

Also, The North Face sucks it. It is inferior to EMS branded jackets. EMS jackets have better stitching and everything else is pretty much the same. And with EMS you don't pay for a label that says The North Face. It's like buying a Mercedes instead of a Lexus. Some people want to pay 20% premiums for a label that is 0.0001% of the cost.
Click to expand...

NF replaced the zipper on my ten year old Mountain Light Jacket for free. NF is definitely not inferior to EMS stuff.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: K1052

Yep, I own the lighter one. Nothing gets through the material no matter how hard it rains.

Nice for when it's warm out but still raining like a SOB.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I really need a lightweight outer layer for rain/wind in the 40 degree area. I also need to pick up something similar for legs. Mainly for camping/fishing.

Any recommendations? I'm used to skiing gear and have stuff to handle that, but I don't know what to do for legs above 40 degrees when it's wet and windy. If I use my ski pants/uppers I'll be burning up but they keep me fine in 0 degrees or lower. I'm in between.
Click to expand...

They have rain pants that go with them with the same construction/material: Text
 
I have a all goretex rain jacket I've and for nearly 10 years now and while it does a good job of keeping me dry it does tend to feel almost like it's weighed down after awhile of being in the rain.

Not that it comes through but almost like the outer material becomes saturated without letting anything through.

One thing to check when you try them on is how well does the hood cover your head, does it come out far enough to hang past your face a good amount? If not then you'll be getting rain in your face all the time.
 
Originally posted by: JEDI
Originally posted by: arcas
Until now, my only windbreakers have been nylon athletic warm-up type jackets. They do okay in dry weather but they're no good in even a drizzle unless I spray them with silicone. So I'm looking to upgrade but I'd like to keep my costs to $100 or less. This will be worn daily around town in cool weather in addition to hiking trips.

Criteria:
* Lightweight though I'm not looking for a 2oz shell type thing (tried one, didn't much care for it). But I'm not looking for a winter parka, either.
* Comfortable when wearing a short sleeves underneath. Lands End has a couple that have rough mesh inside the arms. Felt like wearing sandpaper.
* Must be breathable

A few that I've looked at/considered:

* Marmot "Storm Front". A little pricier and maybe a little heavier than I wanted.
* Marmot "Precip". Lighter than the Storm Front and it's on clearance at a few places online. Generally good reviews though some complain that rain does soak through and it gets clammy.
* North Face "Venture". Gets good reviews but haven't seen it in person. On clearance online.

So...any recommendations?
Click to expand...

northface denali
windproof waterproof fleece.
$85
Click to expand...

TNF denali is not windproof nor waterproof. It's just a very warm fleece. I would recommend a patagucci jacket like this one:

http://www.patagonia.com/web/u...le_color=84285-763&ws=

 
Originally posted by: arcas
Until now, my only windbreakers have been nylon athletic warm-up type jackets. They do okay in dry weather but they're no good in even a drizzle unless I spray them with silicone. So I'm looking to upgrade but I'd like to keep my costs to $100 or less. This will be worn daily around town in cool weather in addition to hiking trips.

Criteria:
* Lightweight though I'm not looking for a 2oz shell type thing (tried one, didn't much care for it). But I'm not looking for a winter parka, either.
* Comfortable when wearing a short sleeves underneath. Lands End has a couple that have rough mesh inside the arms. Felt like wearing sandpaper.
* Must be breathable

A few that I've looked at/considered:

* Marmot "Storm Front". A little pricier and maybe a little heavier than I wanted.
* Marmot "Precip". Lighter than the Storm Front and it's on clearance at a few places online. Generally good reviews though some complain that rain does soak through and it gets clammy.
* North Face "Venture". Gets good reviews but haven't seen it in person. On clearance online.

So...any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Here's a great site for reviews on all kind of rain jackets and bottoms.

http://www.backpackgeartest.or...Jackets%20and%20Pants/

 
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