Brave the Rain on Your Next Trek with These Jackets!

In an attempt to put together all the necessary equipment you could ever need on your trek, you might end up overlooking the most important aspect of the trek which could make or break your experience: your clothes. You want to make a very, very informed decision regarding what to wear and what clothes to pack for a trek. These clothes should be sturdy yet comfortable and keep you ready to face any change in weather. They should also be lightweight. You don’t want to lug around a heavy backpack on a trek just because you packed heavy clothes or end up leaving behind other equipment to make space for those. One specific part of your clothing that you must pay close attention to, is a jacket. Some jackets are targeted towards protecting you from the rain while down or synthetic jackets are geared towards keeping you warm in chilly weather These days, brands have launched different kinds of lightweight jackets for backpackers, all suited to their convenience. In this article, we will be taking a close look at the best lightweight backpacking jackets available in the market which will help you stay dry in the rain:

1.       Patagonia Storm Racer: Weighing super light at only 6 oz, this unisex rain jacket is simple and does what it is meant to do: keep you dry and comfortable in the rain. With an adjustable hood and hem; and half elastic wrist cuffs, it is good at keeping the rain out. Although this does not come for cheap, the high-quality material makes sure this jacket turns out a superior performance for the next few years, whenever you go on a trek.

2.       Arc’teryx Zeta FL: This lightweight and unisex backpacking jacket weighs only a 7.2 oz. and is a great choice for anybody who wants to keep their backpack light. With this style, the brand has opted for a thin material for the body which keeps the backpacker dry in the rain while keeping his skin feeling comfortable. The design is simplistic and practical, and hence a favourite with many.

3.       Marmot Pre-Cip: Although this jacket is slightly heavier than the ones we have mentioned before, we assure you that the high-quality material is totally worth the 11.4 oz. The functionality of this jacket is impressive. It has great features such as adjustable/ stowable hood, hand pockets, and pit zips, which will make hiking in the rain not just bearable, but a real fun experience. The material is comfortable yet sturdy, assuring you of a durable performance.

4.       Outdoor Research Helium II: This unisex trekking jacket is lightweight at only 6.4 oz. The material is very comfortable, and the jacket looks quite stylish as well. The design is simplistic, to keep the weigh to a minimum and making your trekking experience comfortable. It has a single chest pocket for easy storage of emergency utilities and is thus a great choice for minimalistic backpackers.

5.       Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow: This unisex backpacking jacket is perfectly suited for wearing in the rain, thanks to its stretchy and comfortable fabric that allows you to move around freely. It is this breathable H2No Performance Standard shell fabric that makes this jacket an absolute favourite with backpackers and makes it worth the 10.4 oz it weighs.

These were our favourite rain jackets that we would love to take on our next trek. Take your pick from any of the above and start your trek in style!