Marmot  Bantamweight Jacket - Men's

This jacket is very light but waterproof and windproof. I used it over a light puffy on a recent backpacking trip on a windy evening and the combo was just what I needed for warmth. I'm high on the high side of "small" but there was enough room for a base layer and my light puffy under this jacket. I have used it twice in rain and it is fully waterproof. (It is NOT an insulated jacket; if you don't have anything between your skin and this jacket in the rain it will feel like rain is penetrating but it is not. If you sweat, expect to get somewhat damp; it takes a while for moisture to migrate out of this or any waterproof membrane jacket.)

Obviously super light and packs down. This is great to have when you don't think the weather will turn, but would be screwed if it did. I have mine in a third party stuff bag that's always on my harness when climbing in the alpine. However if you know the weather will be coming in, bring a heavier duty jacket. Note on the durability: During a nice little shiver bivy under a boulder in the Winds I wore the Bantam as my outer most layer. I expected it to be full of holes in the morning, but to my surprise it survived the night without even a scratch! However, the next week it ripped while sport climbing. So is it tough? It seems to depend on the use.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I bought this almost exactly a month ago and it has literally saved my life. Okay, so not "literally", but it is spring in Kentucky which means rain, persistent rain. And whether a gentle mist or a torrential downpour this jack has surpassed my expectations. Yes, it's unbelievably light. Yes, it provides an excellent barrier to that rain. And critically, yes, I don't immediately overheat. Okay, I'm going out and buying a second.

This jacket is amazingly light weight. If you are counting grams, look no further. It is very breathable to the point that I wouldn’t make it my first choice for winter hiking. This jacket will definitely be my go to piece for the warmer seasons as a rain shell. I have tested it in light rain and it performed well. I am concerned about how durable it will be, but that’s expected at where this thing hits the scales. It packs so small that I stuff it inside the stuff pocket of my rain pants. I mean they both fit where one used to fit.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Love the material of this jacket, stretches with your movement and super breathable. Definitely the lightest rain jacket I've ever worn, and certainly waterproof. My only qualms are that the zipper comes up pretty high in the front (like a winter jacket), but I dont really need that in a super lightweight jacket that I'll only wear when its warm. Also, not alot of pockets - fits with the lightweight theme, but I expected more functionality for $275. If you can find one on sale - definitely get it!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Haven't gotten this out in the elements, but really impressed with the feel and look of this jacket. Most lightweight rain shells look like a plastic bag and feel as such. This is matte and soft to the touch, also really enjoy the stretch fabric. The pockets seem to be high enough to clear most hip belts. Its slim, but not to where you can't layer underneath, and the sleeves don't balloon out like many others I tried. Only grip is the hood is large, helmet size I suppose.

When I first got this jacket, I was apprehensive seeing how thin the material was. However, seeing this jacket withstand 50+ mph winds, rain, mud & dirt, and long days stuffed in a backpack I'm blown away with how surprisingly durable it is. This is now my go-to shell for backpacking trips, trail runs, and bike rides. Big plus for me seeing how lightweight it is while also being waterproof and compressible enough to fit inside a coffee mug. Absolutely would recommend.

At long last I have found the jacket that doesn’t compromise quality, features and compactness. Is it going to be your snowboarding shell? Probably not, but it’s going to be the go-to rain cover for 90% of outdoor and civilian life. Plus it’s so dang small and light weight that you can throw it in a bag and forget about it until you need it. It’s wild that no other companies have something that’s fully able to rival this, so I’ll sing it’s praises until they do.

Waterproof and extremely light weight as stated. Like the waist band for tightening, wish there are ones for the cuffs as well. I had the precursor of this, the "essence". It is almost the same. I tied it around my waist on a hot day, and this cracked the lining inside and the lining eventually broke off. I wonder if I tie the "bantam" whether it will crack interiorly? Not such a foolish thing to do on a hot day.

I used the Bantamweight for five days in very cold conditions accompanied by wet spray -- ice climbing. The shell outperformed expectations. It's incredibly light (great choice for alpine rock in summer t-storms), compatible (you can clip it to your harness or lid of pack), waterproof/breathable (very much so in each case). It's not a do-all shell but it will be the shell you'll have when you really need it.