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Super lightweight rain jacket for women

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

I bought this Outdoor Research jacket on sale for $99 last fall but have not worn it yet. I am currently packing for a walking tripmin the Pyrenees and am considering taking it as I like the length and the super lightweight/ minimalist design. But I want to test the waterproof-ness first, so I put it on over my clothes and stepped into the shower for 2-3 minutes. Ta-da! Kept me totally dry in the downpour of the shower.

You can read reviews here on REI:

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/143260/outdoor-research-helium-traveler-jacket-womens

But it is much cheaper on Amazon (if you are Petite):

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research-Womens-Helium-Traveler/dp/B01HV560F0/ref=asc_df_B01HV560F0/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312031442340&hvpos=1o7&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7691277478646558243&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033282&hvtargid=pla-569927908748&th=1&psc=1

Note the reviews that say this jacket runs a full size small. That is correct. I normally wear an XS ( size 2) but the Small fits perfectly in this jacket.

Posted by
7990 posts

Sounds like a perfect jacket for a great price. And having been in the shower already, So yours is also extra clean!

I take along a super lightweight shell that packs down to about half the size of a Hostess Twinkie, along with other layers, as an emergency layer just in case. I’ve got other OR gear, but will keep this jacket in mind when I need to replace my trusty Marmot. Thanks, and hope you don’t get into too many downpours, even if you’ve got the jacket for them!

Posted by
5298 posts

Hi Lola,

What a great way to test a rain jacket!

Wishing you a wonderful trip!

Posted by
17560 posts

Thanks, Priscilla. 9 days to go!

I just weighed it on my kitchen scale and it is 223 grams, or 7.9 oz. It rolls into a cylinder the size of a 12-oz. beverage can; pretty good for a jacket this long (it comes below mid-thigh on me).

And after all this I decided to stick with my trusty Patagonia Torrentshell jacket because I like the color (ivory) in photographs. But maybe I should weigh the Patagonia before I commit. . . .

Posted by
11606 posts

Terrific. We have owned several Marmot Precip jackets which also pass the water test! REI carries them too.

Posted by
5837 posts

The other dryness test wearing the jacket on a treadmill at a 8% grade and trekking speed.

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