Packable jacket recommendations?

Did you have a look at Gelert Rainpod Jacket ?
For me, no.1 as for price (really reasonable), even if maybe a bit bulky.
Hood including is anyway a good solution for "not programmed" heavy rain...

 

I learned how to "ply" it into one of the pockets... ;-)

 

I have 2 of the Columbia Packable jackets. It doesn't get very cold here, so this is just a thin windbreaker with a hood. I got the lighter model for about $39 at a national sporting goods chain store in the US.

 

Thanks for the tip! I looked it up on Gelerts webpage ... is this the model you are referencing?

There is no picture of it packed ... can you please share one, or post the dimensions?

TIA!

 

Hi,
that's it.
Sorry, i have no pics, and the jacket is actually "not reachable" (...)
Dimensions packed in its sacket: a roll of 10x16cm approx.
Nick

 

I always carry packable rain gear in my EDC pack. Weather changes quickly around here, and even if it's not raining, snowing or sleeting, it can be a welcome additional layer if I have to stay outside longer than planned on one of those really cold days.

The jacket I currently carry in my EDC backpack is a Rab Spark jacket, it might sound a bit expensive for a just in case jacket to have in my backpack, but it's also my current lightweight hiking jacket. Backpacking-/ hiking.trips never coincide with EDC use, so it's a complementary dual purpose.
It's supposed to be slim fitting, but I bought mine in a generous size (US M) so I can wear it over a warm mid layer.
I bought the Rab jacket on a bit of a whim, but it has held up nicely and done its job when I've needed it.
For an alternative with a bit more track record, I would look at Haglöfs L.I.M. series.
I still use my LIM GTX pants for EDC and backpacking, and they must have been in service for about 15 years now. I've had more expensive GTX gear decay just from hanging in the closet in shorter time than that.

 

K-Way, the original

 

Decathlon NH100 Rain Jacket - half or full zip models available, usually around US-$15 / €15 / CAN-$20.

 

Lot of solutions hinted here... so, @rodia77, could you tell us what's your choice and why ?

 

Full zip, hands down

 

@rodia77 I have both, half and full zip, and would go only with the full zip model.

Reasons are: easier take on and off as well as you could regulate temperature & partly amount of sweating with the (full) zip,

 

half zips only makes sense in very certain applications, e.g:
- safety critical. The old style anoraks were half zips for safety reasons. If the zipper breaks more than half of the "jacket" is still fully closed, and when you button up the wind baffle on the top half you can usually get by in pretty rough weather.
- weight critical. A full zipper adds some weight and complexity to the design and for insulation layers it also creates a bridge for heat loss that has to be compensated for by more material.
- layering. In situations where you depend on several layers of clothing it's practical to have zip's for easily taking getting layers on/off, but all those zip's stacking up on each other in the front can become uncomfortable. Having some layers with only half zip's, offset zip's or similar can help mitigate that effect.

Rule of thumb; if you don't know that you specifically need a half zip, you don't.

 

Outer layer raincoat REI Storm bolt.
It is easily compressed and stowed. Wear layers, so long as it's not in the negative temps would help keep you alive and angry if stuck outside.