The Outdoor Research Guardian Jacket is a highly feature-rich, performance-driven rain jacket designed to protect you from various elements, including wind, snow, and rain. This jacket uses AscentShell technology to create a 3L construction that breathes faster. If you are on an active adventure, you’ll love this jacket. Its unique design keeps you warm even during the day’s hottest hours without sacrificing comfort.
Patagonia’s Rainshadow
The Rainshadow is an all-around, multipurpose jacket that works well in the city and on the trail. Its higher hand pockets are great for stashing a handwarmer or phone. The hood, with three adjustment points, is a nice size and offers good coverage. The hood is also windproof so you won’t sweat for long. And it features a DWR treatment that helps repel water, making it an excellent choice for those prone to rain.
The Patagonia Rainshadow Outdoor Research Guardian Jacket is built for multisport use with its H2No Performance Standard fabric and three-layer waterproof material. In addition, the Rainshadow has well-designed details, including long zip pulls and generous pit zippers. It also has a hood that rolls down with a convenient cord and hook. And, because of the high-quality fabric, you can pack it into a chest pocket and use it as a handwarmer in between activities.
The Torrentshell is Patagonia’s most popular rain protection, and the company’s Backcountry Uinta has several hiking-friendly features, such as adjustable hoods and underarm vents. And the Guardian has a high-tech hood that can be used off-trail, too. It packs three layers of material and is durable enough to withstand the worst elements.
The Rainshadow is the same waterproof jacket as the Women’s Rainshadow, albeit with slightly different materials. The Rainshadow weighs 12.2 ounces for women and uses the same three-layer H2No Performance Standard construction. Similarly, the Rainshadow for men uses recycled fabric and has an adjustable hood. It has a similar price to the Rainshadow and is also environmentally friendly. The Rainshadow is not a screaming deal, but it does deliver better performance than its competitor.
The Patagonia Rainshadow is worth checking out if you’re looking for a rain jacket that offers comfort and protection. Although it’s $50 cheaper than the Torrentshell 3L, it shares similar performance standards and 75-denier face fabric. Despite its lower price, the Rainshadow is quieter and softer against the skin. And it has a larger chest pocket.
REI Co-op’s Stormbolt GTX
REI Co-op’s Storm bolt GTX Guardian Jacket is a great choice for an affordable hardshell. It offers durable water repellent renewal and a three-layer shell for a combination of breathability and waterproofing. A hood and chest pockets keep the jacket comfortable, while a waterproof zipper protects against water and wind. A pocket is also included on the front of the jacket, and the sleeves are adjustable with Velcro for easy movement.
The jacket’s price is a bit high, at $279. However, you can get similar GORE-TEX shells from other brands for $150 less. The Stormbolt is a good jacket for active outdoor enthusiasts who want a durable shell that’s both breathable and weatherproof. Regardless of what kind of outdoor activity you’re into, this jacket will keep you comfortable, protected, and dry.
While the Stormbolt is a great all-around jacket for the four seasons, it’s not made to protect against snowshoeing. In addition, the jacket’s baggy fit can limit mobility, especially when worn with other lightweight layers. However, it has enough ski-ready features to keep you warm and dry on the trail. It’s also one of the most affordable hardshell jackets in the sub-$300 price range.
Patagonia’s Interstellar
While Patagonia’s Interstellar isn’t as light as the Helium, it does provide reliable breathability and waterproofing. The thin, light construction means you can stuff it into your left-hand pocket. It’s lightweight and easily attaches to a harness or pack. Though it can’t compete with the Helium in weight, it’s still lightweight enough to take you on a hike or a day at the beach.
As far as pockets go, Interstellar has plenty of them. Its spacious sealed pockets are large enough to accommodate gloves and mitts, and its mesh-backed zippers double as efficient vents. The chest pocket has enough room to hold a phone, and the handwarmer pockets are large enough for several bars. So if you plan on doing any hiking in Interstellar, it’s a solid choice.
Aside from a spacious chest pocket, the Interstellar features two hand pockets. One sits above the harness, while the other sits below the hip belt. The hand pockets are roomy and include a key clip. The chest pocket is lined with fleece for extra warmth, and the pit zip is reinforced with an additional zipper for greater ventilation. Its YKK water-resistant zippers glide easily, even with gloves.
While the Interstellar is a more lightweight rain jacket than the Arc’teryx Zeta SL, the Zeta SL is a more durable, burly hardshell. It weighs just under 11 ounces, and it’s the lighter of the two, so many people will find it the perfect compromise. In addition, Interstellar is available in both women’s and men’s sizes, making it a versatile option.
The company is conscious of its environmental footprint and has significantly reduced its carbon emissions and re-use materials. For example, its ads for its new Interstellar Guardian Jacket, a two-layer, waterproof-breathable jacket made of 100 percent recycled Gore-Tex face fabric, are both stylish and environmentally friendly. They also encourage their customers to repair and recycle their gear, and its campus has the largest garment repair facility in North America.
Black Diamond’s HighLine Stretch
The high-quality design of Black Diamond’s HighLine Stretch Outdoor Research® Guardian Jacket makes it an ideal choice for mountain trekking. This lightweight, packable shell jacket perfectly balances protection from the elements and ease of movement. The Highline Stretch shell is cut to fit snugly around the neck, shoulders, and underarms. It has generous flaps on the hand pockets, but they are not waterproof.
It weighs 9.5 ounces, but its main benefit is a stretchy face fabric for better mobility and comfort. The high-tech material also offers a range of colors to match any outfit. However, it is not as breathable as traditional Gore-Tex, which makes it unsuitable for high-output activities. It can also feel a bit sticky when wet and can cause irritation. The men’s version runs a little big and is not ideal for backcountry use.
This women’s version of the Outdoor Research Microgravity Jacket costs $249. It features a softshell feel and a helmet-compatible hood with Hood Lock. It’s lightweight, coming in at 11.9 ounces. It comes in four colors. The AscentShell fabric is comfortable and offers excellent breathability. The jacket is also very durable. Considering its lightweight design, the Highline Stretch could be a winner.
Another benefit of the HighLine Stretch Outdoor Research Guardian Jacket is its flexibility and comfort. It has two hand pockets, a chest pocket, DWR pit zips, YKK Aquaguard Zippers, and a hood compatible with a climbing helmet. Aside from this, the Highline is lightweight and packable, making it a perfect choice for outdoor activities. In addition, it’s highly breathable and offers excellent protection in wet weather.
The OR Microgravity cuts $50 off the Interstellar price and adds weight to the mix. The BD Highline Stretch weighs 12.7 ounces in a medium, which is more than half of the Interstellar. Another direct competitor is Patagonia Rainshadow, which weighs 11.8 ounces. The REI Co-op Stormbolt is a 3-layer, 14.6 ounces.