Finally!!

By rel3249196 Ranked #54 - Women's Rain Jackets September 13, 2009

This is the 5th rain jacket I've bought, and the only one I'm finally fully satisfied with. I'm finally happy. I am 5'2" and 115 pounds, muscular, solid build.

I started out with the Columbia Kona (size small), which I would have kept had the pockets had zippers.

Next I tried the North Face Venture in XS. It was shorter than I'd like, and also had a sort of exaggerated hourglass shape cut to it, which doesn't work for me.

Then I got the Marmot PreCip in XS. I was very pleased with the fit, but the hood was very... shallow? It didn't hang over my head at all; rather, it ended right at my hairline, which is no good in a rain jacket.

Then I tried the Merrell Venus (size small). I found the fit to be a little bit tighter than the XS Marmot. I would have kept this one, but the inside had a sort of sticky rubbery feel to it, as well as a funky smell. It felt more like a plastic coating and would have been uncomfortable to wear.

Finally, I ordered the Patagonia Rain Shadow in XS (and got a deal on it from another site for $100). It is long enough, fits me well, has zippered pockets, and the hood actually covers all of my head. It's perfect! I won't wear bulky layers underneath it; if it's that cold it's likely to be snowing, in which case I'll wear my winter jacket.

View Details: Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket - Women's

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