Testing rain jackets requires a healthy dose of drizzle, rain, and snow, and the Pacific Northwest has given us plenty of that for most of the past ten years. More recently, we've also tested on the other side of the country, from Michigan to New England. We took these models up glaciated peaks, on rainforest hikes, on ski tours and fall hikes, and backpacking in the sleet and rain. We also wore them around town, biking and walking through November Farmers Markets. We've been testing these jackets for many years, and our objective approach to testing is what sets us apart from any other review you'll find online.
Testing Metrics
Water Resistance
Each jacket has seen its fair share of water and adventure. We note features that add water resistance for each jacket, like a stand-out hood or protected/waterproof zippers. For consistency, we perform a standardized shower test where we stand in a running shower rotating for 3 minutes, subjecting these jackets to water pressures much higher than they'd see in a natural rain storm, noting any spots where moisture seeped through.
Breathability
To see how well each jacket breathes and vents, we did 45 minutes of moderate physical activity across the same course. We then rated each jacket based on how damp or dry we were. We also note features that allow off-loading of heat, such as pit zips and mesh pockets.
Comfort and Mobility
We took each jacket on outdoor adventures like climbing, hiking, skiing, and more. The jackets with thoughtful features and softer, stretchier, more flexible fabrics typically do better here. We score each jacket based on four aspects: layering, bunching, coverage, and the hood. For layering, we try every jacket with a midweight layer underneath, and for comfort, we assess how streamlined the jacket feels and note any bunching under the arms, at the chest, or in the waist area. We stretched our arms in all directions and measured how much the cuffs and hems moved for the mobility portion. Finally, we took a detailed look at the hood and its available features, such as toggles, how well we could maintain visibility and peripheral vision after tightening, and whether the hood could move with the head as we moved.
Weight
A great shell should feel light and airy and pack down small. We weigh each jacket on a scale and score it based on an objective formula relative to other contenders. We also stuffed and compressed each one and noted its size compared to a Nalgene water bottle.
Durability
While testing, we assess all seams, zippers, toggles, and the longevity of waterproof membranes and DWR coatings. After our testing period, we note and continually update our findings on the relative durability of each model. We look for wear and tear, stuck zippers, stretched-out elastic, peeling seams, reduced waterproof performance, and other issues that might become an issue down the road.
