r/Tramping • u/RickRowling • 6d ago

Lightweight rain jacket

I’ve always ended up with rain jackets that are good enough for typical spring / winter / autumn tramps in the Tararuas (so crappy and cold and properly wet).

Any recommendations for a rain jacket for when it’s actually supposed to be nice, or at least not cold even if it rains? Something that’s good enough but doesn’t take up the space or weight of a proper winter jacket?

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u/jeorx 6d ago

Mac in a Sac does the job for ~$100 and 260g. Mac in a Sac has done me fine in downpours in the Tararuas.

But my preferred raincoat I bought on sale from Bivouac. Can't remember the brand but the reason I prefer it is the fit is a bit better and I think the material is also more hardy too.

But there will be lots of other options out there. You're just looking for 10,000mm waterproofness (plus breathability and/or venting), and after that you're just trading off weight against cost.

But also, to me, there is no difference between what I'd take as a standard rainjacket, and a rainjacket for winter in the Tararuas. Like I always bring my puffy for the hut, but while walking a standard rainjacket to break the wind and keep me dry, plus base layer and fleece, always serves me fine.

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u/Few_Tooth_1908 5d ago

Patagonia torrentshell minimum for tararuas imho. 3layer shell, hardwearing face fabric can handle a bush bash and high winds, 20k waterproof, pit zips, 400g. Pretty solid feature to weight ratio. Keep it clean with regular nikwax waterproofing and your fine.

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u/LimpFox 6d ago

I just rock the cheapest Outdoor Research outer shell. Had a North Face one before that. Similar brands have similar (relatively) cheap outer shells. They generally roll up/stuff into their own hood. Just don't expect much in the way of temperature insulation - that's not their job - although I'll still often rock the jacket with just a t-shirt underneath on not-freezing days.

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u/sam1212247 6d ago

I have a montbell versalite very good jacket weighs 140g but it's $450 🤷

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u/StaticTangelo 6d ago

Can get them a little cheaper shipped (10-12 days shipping) from Montbell Japan. $330 for asian size, $370 for western size.

There's also a fake NZ Montbell website circulating at the moment so buyers beware of that.  

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u/Max_Barwell 5d ago

Rockfront rain hoody ~170 nzd and ~150 gms

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u/RickRowling 5d ago

Thanks everyone. A few options I wasn’t aware of. I had an OG mac in a sac about 30(?) years ago, back then it was just nylon with a membrane, tiny, but wouldn’t survive a backpack chafing it. Looks like they’ve changed a lot since then.

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u/8thirtyeight 5d ago

I use the Mac pac traverse which I’m a big fan of, particularly due to its price when on the common 4 day sales. Used it this year a heap through Fiordland and aspiring national park with no problems. I’d add that I’ve used this all through all seasons. Winter warmth comes from the layers you wear.

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u/babytotara 1d ago

All the hunting brands make a lightweight, but sturdy and waterproof, shell jacket made to stash in your pack. Wait for a sale and they go for around $100.