Excellent Jacket

By Russell Griggs Ranked #181 - Men's Rain Jackets November 21, 2008

If you're looking for a minimalist, very light rain jacket that will keep you extremely dry, then look no further. With the entire body made of Gore-Tex Paclite & the only frills being pitzips (waterproof zippers, so no flaps to add weight), and 2 hand pockets (also waterproof zippers), this jacket is incredibly light. However, unlike other lightweight jackets I've had in the past, this one really stands up to normal wear without realling showing it and without sacrificing useful features. For instance, the pockets aren't lined with cheap mesh, but instead are simply an additional layer of Gore-Tex Paclite layered over the body, allowing me to leave the pockets open without getting cold (although there is the downside that they can't be used for venting). This also means that if I do accidentally leave the pockets open in a rainstorm, that I still stay completely dry. The only downside I found was that when wearing the hood without a helmet, the hood requires a lot of cinching down, which creates very long lengths of cord on the back of the hood (where the hood volume is adjusted), which can flop around and hit you in the head in heavy winds. Also, it should be noted that the zippers are a little stiff when first used, but gradually become easier to use with use.

View Details: Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's

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