How to Choose Rainwear

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Built for flash-storm protection, the women's 100% waterproof, super-breathable Helium II weighs an incredibly light 5.5 oz. and packs down to the size of a granola bar!
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View the Outdoor Research Helium Product LineView all Outdoor Research Women's Multi-Sport Rain JacketsBest Use | Multisport |
---|---|
Fabric | Nylon |
Lining Fabric | None |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | Pertex Shield+ 2.5-layer waterproof breathable laminate |
Hood | Yes |
Packable | Yes |
Back Length | Hip-length |
Gender | Women's |
Weight | 5.5 |
XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | 1X | 2X | 3X | 4X | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16W | 18W | 20W | 22W | 24W | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bust | 28 - 30.5 | 30.5 - 33 | 33 - 35.5 | 35.5 - 38.5 | 38.5 - 41.5 | 41.5 - 45 | 45 - 48.5 | 48.5 - 52.5 | 43 - 47 | 47 - 51 | 51 - 55 | 55 - 59 | 32.25 | 33.5 | 34.75 | 35.75 | 36.75 | 37.75 | 39.25 | 40.75 | 42.5 | 44.5 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
Sleeve Length | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 32.5 | 32.5 | 33 | 33.5 | 34 | |||||||||||||||
Waist | 21.5 - 24 | 24 - 26.5 | 26.5 - 29 | 29 - 32 | 32 - 35 | 35 - 38.5 | 38 - 42.5 | 42.5 - 46.5 | 39 - 43 | 43 - 47.5 | 47.5 - 51.5 | 51.5 - 55.75 | 26 | 27.75 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32.75 | 34.5 | 36.5 | 38.5 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
Hip | 30.5 - 33.5 | 33.5 - 36 | 36 - 38.5 | 38.5 - 41.5 | 41.5 - 44.5 | 44.5 - 47.5 | 47.5 - 51 | 51 - 55 | 45 - 49 | 49 - 53 | 53 - 57 | 57 - 61 | 34.75 | 36 | 37.25 | 38.5 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 41.5 | 42.5 | 44.5 | 46.5 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 |
Inseam | 30 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Short: Some pants are available in short sizes, which generally means an inseam that is 2 inches shorter than regular sizes. Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated.
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You wont find a better lightweight shell layer for the price. Tested and true, OR makes great gear. This jacket has been worn on all of my runs this wet season and is an overall great active layer against the wind and rain. Size up though so you can fit a puffy/ midlayer beneath! I first had gotten the small then ended up returning for a medium because its just so much more convenient. Oh also, definitely get the womens version ladies! I prefer mens fit normally but I tried the mens small and the wrist cuffs are just too large, not worth the swampiness! Overall if you want a super lightweight, packable, "just in case" or everyday use shell, this is a bomber lil jacket :)
Vermont is notoriously one of the wettest states you could hike through. I brought this jacket along on a thru hike of the Long Trail and could not have been more pleased with it. When the jackets of other hikers were soaking through, I was staying completely dry. With temperatures in the 30s and rain, this jacket saved me from potentially hazardous conditions. I lived in this jacket.
I heard a lot about this jacket and decided to buy it when it went on sale. I love love the night/ultraviolet color. However, I found out pretty quickly that, while the size Small was the right size to get (I'm 5'4", 120lbs), the jacket is just too short. It didn't fully cover my down puffy and rode up pretty easily. Also, the hood cinch looks a bit funky and didn't properly cover my face from rain. With that being said, it did keep me dry during some extended showers, though I would expect it to wet out after a while. I like it but the negatives are enough that I'll be returning this and looking for another jacket.
I have never been one to write reviews, but I feel compelled to write this one because it was my favorite piece of gear for my 3 month long hike last summer. It kept me dry for the most part, but dried out really fast. It dried just with my own body heat, and was light enough to wear in the summer, but also worked as an additional layer for when I was chilly. This jacket stays in my car 24/7 now and I still use it frequently. I will not hike without it. I recommend this jacket for UL backpackers, runners, or anyone looking for a super functional jacket that you could even just store in your purse of glovebox. The drawstring on the hood for adjusting is a nice touch. Bottom drawstring was less useful.
Loved how lightweight and packable this jacket is, until I took it on a backpacking trip in Alaska in the fall. The jacket was 100% saturated after the first drizzly day (not raining hard, but constantly wet); by the end of the day, my outer fleece baselayer was soaked all the way through and my inner baselayer shirt was partially soaked. We were fortunate to reach an alpine hut that night so we could dry off, but if we hadn’t, it would have been a miserably cold and wet few days out of the mountains. Would only recommend for day hikes or windbreaking, not for multi-day trips where actual rain and cold weather is forecasted.
I bought this to replace a light weight shell which I use backcountry skiing when I am climbing hill. It worked well to block out the wind and the snow recently. So I can't comment on warm weather use yet. I bought a large as I have broad shoulders inspite of being 5'7", 130# and thin. So it fits well at the shoulders though I have a bit extra room around the waist, but it also allows me to put it over layers and still fit. Having a hood was very important to me for use in the backcountry. I wish it had at least one side pocket in addition to the breast pocket, so perhaps why I didn't give it a 5 star rating. Pit zips would be nice also, but for my purposes pit zips aren't necessary.
I wanted to love this coat badly. It’s 5.5 ounces and packs down to nothing. It’s roomy enough to add layers underneath and the hood sinches down nicely to keep the wind away. All of these features made me want to love this coat. Then, I took it in the rain and wind. When I returned from a two hour hike in inclement weather, I came back pretty damp from the coat leaking. At first, I speculated sweat, but the leaking also occurred also in the hood area and other areas that clearly were not sweat. So, unfortunately if you plan to use this for adverse weather I’d look at other options
Horrible rain jacket, not waterproof whatsoever. I teach outdoor education and it was down pouring all day today, I started getting soaked about an hour into the day and I was uncomfortable and cold. For the amount of money I spent on this jacket I expect it to be waterproof. Not happy Outdoor Research.
So disappointed in this thing. I did a ton of research before purchasing. Why on earth this thing kept getting on best buy lists when the reviews say it's a big hit or miss, I'll never understand. But I'm an avid hiker, backpacker, camper, and lasted one trip before it's waterproofness failed. Now it barely holds up on a rainy walk in our local park. Even after I washed it with gear aid!
Really shield you from the rain and wind, and packs down into it's own pouch/pocket! Only complaints are no side zipper or velcro pockets, and does offer much of an insulation, but if worn with a fleece or down jacket underneath would be a great pair!