Looking for a light, waterproof and breathable jacket at a modest price (North Face Venture, OR Foray and Revel, Marmot Aegis, etc)...yeah yeah, don't want to pay the big bucks but there it is, and I'm at an age (over 60) where pack load weight matters. Most trips in Colorado high country or Utah canyons. I'm a "hot" hiker and sweat easily, so breathability is a pretty big consideration for me. I have a five year old Marmot PreCip (no mesh liner) that worked pretty well in rain, even in Bali, but got clammy fast to the point of why bother wearing it? It's "tired" and the interior laminate failing. The newer (post-2005) jackets get FAR more consumer reviews than any other I've seen on Web. But they don't help much - range from it being a glorified urban windbreaker (not waterproof/not breathable/no durability) to best thing since Wonderbread. Insight from folks w/ backpack experience in my neck of the woods would be appreciated. Thanks. - G. Dinko

No jacket will perform well in Bali heat. And, quite frankly, every jacket you've listed above for your purposes are functionally the same. Remember the fabrics are all sourced -- hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they are coming off the same factory floor -- and marketing claims aside it's not like there are super secret scientists in labcoats re-inventing the wheel for every sub $150 rain shell. If you're an overheater (like myself) you may want to go with "highly water resistant" -- not saturated with a PU coating, and good enough for most conditions short of a continuous downpour. Thinking more like cycling or jogging specific jackets here or even just windshirts (OR & Marmot both make excellent ones) -- Pearl, Sugoi, for ex. But really, you just have to go on fit and function; if there's a difference in brands it's usually on fit. That said, as far as waterproof rain shells go, you may like the Rain Shadows (or whatever the updated version of it is) or the new Torrentshells from Patagonia. I only recommend them on the basis of being a much softer, quieter hand and a far less clammy interior. My Rain Shadow weathered far better than the Precips (notorious for delamination short of 5 years).

i have the Venture and like it, but i also have a GoLite which is ultra thin, ultra light and i also like it, but it's not a "durable" jacket, just meant for fast and light trips where minimalism counts. in my opinion, none of the waterproof/breathable jackets do any breathing. pit zips are mandatory..