
Imported.
Item 794207
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Feels too small | ||
Feels true to size | 94% (45 reviews) | |
Feels too big |
Feels too short | ||
Feels true to length | 98% (47 reviews) | |
Feels too long |
Feels too small | ||
Feels true to size | 96% (46 reviews) | |
Feels too big |
Reviewed by 59 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
I bought the Ultra Light Jacket (and pants) in the Spring of 2007 to replace my rain gear before a backpacking trip to glacier nat park. Since then I have worn it backpacking, hiking, shoveling snow, and just around town. I really like this Jacket.
DURABILITY:
My first impression was that this jacket wouldn't last unless I babied it but I was wrong. After a year or two I started wearing it a lot more - over a down sweater in winter, over fleeces, to work on our roof during a heavy rain. It still looks just like the picture (in green too) with no snags, rips, or tears despite me treating it like any other jacket.
WATERPROOFING
This has been a strong point. I have work this jacket through hail and rain in the San Juan mountains, through crazy rains in Indiana, and I have never had one drop of water get inside. The DWR has worn very well and the outer fabric only started getting "wet" on the shoulders after about 18 months and a lot of use with backpacks. I have re-applied a DWR ($10 Grangers?) once and it was like new for another 18 months.
BREATHING
This jacket breathes ok. I often find myself needing to open the pit zips during activity, especially with a backpack on - but that is what they are for. It doesn't breathe as well as eVent or high end Gore-Tex but it is infinitely better than a non-breathable jacket.
SIZE/FIT
I seem to always be right between a medium and large. I am 6', 180lbs and I bought a Medium to save a few ounces, but if I could go back, I would get the large. The jacket fits over a fleece and base layer without much room to spare. For layering a Large would work better. The jacket fits my big shoulders but doesn't swim around the waste. The hood is a good size that fits over a hat but is tight on a helmet. My only complaint about size is I wish it were a little longer.
FEATURES
This jacket is basic but it has the right features: Huge pockets, adjustable hood, bungee waste, covered pockets, and a nice soft liner inside the neck.
OVERALL this is a great rain gear jacket. It is light enough for backpacking but not so light that you have to baby it or worry it will tear if you go off-trail. I will probably buy it again when this one finally wears our, but that could be a while!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
I was looking for a basic waterproof jacket for overnight backpacking in both 4-season temperate and desert California conditions, and am reviewing the 5 jackets I tried against that use.This is a good budget attempt at a waterproof jacket. It is lightweight, packs small, and could be used for basic dayhikes and overnight trips where no severe precipitation is expected. I did not use it long enough to check its durability, but I would not expect it to last more than a handful of years, unlike higher priced jackets from the same manufacturer. It packs down very well. From what I remember, it is not able to hold a Nalgene bottle in the pockets as you would do for below freezing camping. But a chest zipper is nice for holding a small camera, lip balm, and sunscreen.Having said that, it might be a good for introductory hikers as a rain jacket and windbreaker shell for day hikes and overnight hikes, but not for avid or serious users. Several beginning hikers acquaintances in a class took them on a hike in snow where we had light sleet and drizzle and stayed dry.In my 10 minute home shower test with a fresh t-shirt underneath, my belly got 20% covered with water, my sides were 10% covered with water, and my upper back was 1% covered with water.Waterproofing weaknesses were: front chest pocket zipper and right pit zipper. Zippers on jackets in this price range are not waterproofed, just protected by a flap.General comments after testing 5 rain jackets: I found you must spend at least $200 for a jacket that is truly waterproof. Even then, expect to be wet from your own sweat in a rainstorm no matter what breathability claims the manufacturer prints. Some experienced mountaineers have told me to just buy fleece and wool midlayers that will keep you warm when wet, because you can't avoid being wet in a lengthy rainstorm.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
Wow, what a great jacket!
Kept me dry in all sorts of rainy weather. Lots of pockets to store things. I highly recommend it.
Only complaints are that the hood tends to blow off my head in strong gusts so maybe a heavier hood would be nice.
Overall, great jacket for a little over 100 bucks!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
I use this jacket almost daily on walks and short hikes and I love it. It is very comfortable, light enough to wear in warmish weather, yet it keeps you warm in cold weather. I have not used it in extended exposure to the elements so I can't comment on it, but for my usage, I love it. It looks good, too.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
I bought this because it was light weight, folds up small, its a membrane (versus spray on), color, and low price. What I didn't count on was the very first hike of only a couple miles and the velcro was fraying the sleeve. It is comfortable and has kept me dry, but I'm returning it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
A very solid all-around jacket, and I was fortunate to get it on sale. My previous wet shell was the Mountain Hardwear Epic, and that lasted a good 6 years. REI Ultra has kept me dry through a 20 mile/12 hike up Mt Mitchell, and warm in the snow (with a layer of course). Lightweight, packable, pit zips, removable hood, solid collar, chest pocket, and cinch cord are all great. I would say that the cut is athletic, I'm 5'11" 175 and it fits me great, but it would be tight to fit a regular size fleece. I normally layer with a pullover half-zip or long sleeve shirt.
Also like that the low pockets are LOW, the Epic pockets were a little to high for natural hand placement, feels like you're rubbing your belly constantly after a good meal. I would recommend this jacket, and have already gotten my uncle to purchase one as his new water shell.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
Last year's model was better designed especially with the hood. The hood rolled up and tucked under a flap in the collar. The attachment areas on the sides of the collar were Velcro. This new jacket is designed to leave the hood unrolled and hanging out. I prefer to just unzip the hood instead of rolling it up and attaching it with one little strap that attaches inside the jacket collar. With the hood on and up, the Velcro side attachments are replaced with two little plastic snaps that are nearly impossible to align correctly even with the jacket off.
If you want a good rain jacket with a stowable hood, this isn't the one.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
This has been a good rain shell. While dry and worn as a wind shell it vents decently. When wet the ventilation isn't nearly as good, an important point but every breathable wonder fabric does this.
I tore it in an uncontrolled slide on a wet trail. The repair went easily, similar to repairing a tent. I'm visiting the REI site to place an order for the Ultra Light pants for spring. I like the material.
For years I used ponchos and the ilk, I really like jackets/pants better now that I've used them. Using a jacket/pants combo does result in more of my pack contents getting wet though. Seems like a poncho variation keeps water off the shoulder strap area of the pack and this keeps the pack drier. It's a limitation of the pack cover more than anything.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
I had been meaning to get a rain jacket for quite some time, and this was the one to get! It has to be the most versatile and technical jackets I own, and has several nice features that beats what other brands have to offer. Best of all, the price is great for everything this jacket features comparatively to other jackets ranging in the $200-300 price range. Bottom line, if you want to stay dry and have a great, affordable, reliable and water resistant rain jacket, this is the one you should get!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Ultra Light Jacket - Men's:
I have the earlier version of the Ultra Light and it works very well. I have had it for about two years and have primarily used it for work, I work in the Nursery Industry, and for backpacking. It's stood up to quit a bit of abuse from work and has always kept me dry. I got one size up from what I normally wear so that I could wear a fleece vest or fleece top underneath it as the jacket is not insulated. The ventilation is sufficient and the hood has plenty of take up tabs to make it fit any head. The earlier stuff sack is a little bit larger than a soda can and the jacket fits in there with a little bit of space left over. I have been very satisfied. I would not hesitate to get another whenever mine wears out.
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