December 19, 2000


What is the best waterproof jacket for summer backpacking?

What is the best waterproof jacket for a five- to eight-day backpacking trip in the summer?

— David Schonberg Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Ummm...well, depends. WHERE do you intend to go backpacking in the summer? Patagonia? Gates of the Arctic? Oregon Cascades? The destination will make quite a bit of difference. If you're going someplace where it's apt to be rainy and potentially even cold on occasion, then you'll want a standard-issue three-ply Gore-Tex or equivalent parka (parkas are cut a little longer than jackets). An oft-cited example on this page: L.L. Bean's All-Conditions XCR Parka ($299). Very serious rainwear.

Other summer trips might call for a much lighter piece. For starters, you could look to something made from Gore's fairly new PacLite material, which is a Gore-Tex fabric that's fabricated so it does not need a liner to protect it, thus eliminating a layer of fabric. A stellar example of this material put to good use is the Mountain Hardware Borealis Jacket. It weighs only 16 ounces, versus more than twice that for the Bean parka (keep in mind the Bean piece also is longer). Alas, the Borealis sells for a not-so-breezy $380. Ouch!

Another good choice for a trip where extended rainfall is not expected would be Lowe Alpine's Adrenaline Jacket ($115). This is a great light (14 ounces) jacket —- very packable, admirably waterproof, and priced so it doesn't put a dent in your wallet. For trips where what you need is something to ward off the occasional or unexpected shower, that's the ticket.

Somewhere in between would be a jacket such as Sierra Designs' Peak Bagger ($189). It's another non-Gore-Tex jacket, and a good one. It's light (16 ounces), and has basic features and good venting. Really, something like that probably is the best choice for most summer trips in the lower 48.

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