REI Co-op  Trailmade Rain Jacket - Men's

As soon as the code arrived, I unpacked it and tried it on right away. The fit is true to size - my usual XL felt spot on and comfortably lightweight. The zipper operates smoothly without snagging and the hood offers a solid coverage. Overall, my initial impression was very positive while awaiting a proper rain test. I completed a field test on September 5 around zero 6:30 AM during a light to medium rain. As shown in photo one and two, the rain initially beat it up on the fabric. My dogs and I then went on a 30 to 45 minute walk in the steady rain the entire time. The next set of photos highlights a few dark areas where water eventually began seeping through, taken immediately after returning. Despite those spots, my core and upper body stayed completely dry. In my opinion, this coat performs well in light rain for every day errands. It is not built for moderate to heavy downpours or all day outdoor exposure - though I don’t believe it was designed for that level of use anyway. Considering the price point, it’s a solid value for routine wear. However, if you need reliable protection for extended hours, in what conditions, you’ll want to look at a higher tier shell. Keep in mind this test was just a standard walk without strenuous movement, which could affect performance, but for the average user, it gets the job done well for the money. 

I’ve been wearing this jacket for everyday errands and light rain, and overall I really like it. It does a good job keeping me dry in light and mid-level rain. I haven’t had the opportunity to try it outside in a heavy downpour yet. For what it’s designed for and at this price, I think it’s a solid value. One huge perk is how lightweight it is—and it’s also easy to pack. The jacket doesn’t feel heavy at all, but the material still feels sturdy and like it can hold up to regular wear. It’s also easy to layer underneath without feeling bulky. Speaking of layering—I love the fit! I sized up and I’m glad I did. The smaller size would fit me, but I like the oversized look, and it works really well with this jacket. The hood is another standout for me. It actually covers my whole head and is shaped more like a cap, so it helps shield your eyes from the rain, too. A lot of jackets have hoods that are too small to be very useful, so I really appreciate that this one actually does its job. I also really like the adjustable drawstrings on the hood and waist. I can leave the waist loose so the jacket hangs down far enough to cover my butt and mid-thighs, or cinch it in so it sits comfortably around my waist. It gives me the option to change the fit depending on what I’m wearing or what I’m doing. I’m big on good pockets, and the pockets on this jacket are noteworthy. They’re large enough to fit my phone, keys, wallet and a snack, and there’s still plenty of room leftover. They also zip shut, which is hugely important when I’m hiking on a trail or traversing through the city. Overall, I think it’s a really nice everyday rain jacket—lightweight, comfortable and practical without feeling cheap. It looks good, too!

I was immediately impressed with the weight of the jacket. While not heavy, the outer fabric feels durable and substantial. The inner liner feels soft and comfortable against the skin and the bonus in a rain jacket provides a breathable break from the outer layer in the rain and avoids the clammy wetness making you feel like you are getting wet. I was able to test out the jacket on a walk in heavy rain and it stood up to the test. Water beaded on the outside and I was kept nice and dry. The fit was comfortable and the two side zipped pockets were easy access and fit where my hands like sit while walking. The pockets are large and have plenty of room for items like my phone, keys and wallet as well as my hands. While walking there wasn’t excessive noise and the zippers were easy to open and close without binding. The size medium fit me with room for layers while not feeling oversized.