Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket Evaluation

Backside Line

The Montbell Versalite is without doubt one of the lightest jackets we’ve examined and stands out to us as one of many prime rain jackets in the marketplace for its superior air flow in an ultralight bundle. For many who depend each gram of their pack, this jacket is the apparent alternative.

Extraordinarily breathable, the Versalite comes geared up with outsized pit zips that dump warmth and inside moisture. After taking this jacket on a number of outings together with mountain runs in Alaska’s Chugach Vary, we’re extraordinarily impressed with the way it breathes and the way light-weight it’s. That is one you’ll be able to put in your pack and neglect it’s there. Coming with an included stuff sack, it crunches right down to the scale of an apple and you’ll shove it simply right into a backpack or pants pocket.

The concessions it makes for this light-weight are in climate resistance and sturdiness. In comparison with different burlier jackets in our lineup, it did moist by means of faster, significantly across the wrists and chin. However for these going out and in of the rain, or pairing this jacket with an umbrella or ultra-light poncho, it’ll hold you dry sufficient whereas saving you ounces.

Consolation & Mobility

The Montbell Versalite is splendidly designed for consolation and an in depth match. A barely slender reduce suits thinner our bodies properly and narrower arms cut back extra baginess across the cuffs. The jacket is supplied with velcro on the wrists in addition to waist changes, and a three-point adjustable hood.

Throughout our testing, we have been pleasantly stunned to search out that it didn’t trip up, and lengthening our arms to full size nonetheless left the torso lined with out exposing the midriff. We took this mannequin on a number of runs and transferring our arms whereas operating felt unencumbered and light-weight. Whereas some ultralight jackets sacrifice consolation for decreased materials to convey down the load, the Versalite nonetheless maintains a cushty design.

Climate Resistance

We examined this Montbell Versalite underneath a number of completely different climate situations in several places. On a late summer time hike within the Chugach Mountains of Alaska, we cherished utilizing it as a windproof layer, even when it wasn’t actively precipitating. As a result of it’s so mild and breathable, we had no issues utilizing this jacket to dam the wind even when it wasn’t raining.

We additionally put the Versalite to heavy use within the persistent drizzle of coastal Alaska. On hikes the place the jacket was confronted with all-day rain publicity, we did discover that it moist by means of quicker than its multi-layer counterparts. We discovered moisture coming into across the wrists and the chin however by no means by means of any zippers due to the totally taped zippers.

On a day that began fantastically sunny in Yellowstone’s backcountry, we have been glad to have thrown this jacket within the backside of the pack when a day thunderstorm rolled over the hills. When the heavy rain picked up and the hail pelted down, we have been completely happy to have carried it with us for a fast exit again to the trailhead. That is the place the jacket excels. When hikers are uncovered to transient and intense rains adopted by solar, it protects in storms and rapidly dries out afterward.

Air flow

The Versalite stands out to us as one among our prime performers for air flow. The tremendous skinny cloth simply sheds physique warmth and sweat. We have been impressed by the outsized pit zips that run from the triceps right down to the mid-torso. These large vents open broad throughout high-output actions and are a bonus in an already extremely breathable jacket.

We examined it on hikes and path runs and it breathed equally properly throughout each actions. On runs, it was simple to cinch down the jacket to retain warmth on cooler days or open the jacket as much as dump warmth. On a day on the path the place you have to prioritize air flow and breathability, you’ll be reaching for the Montbell Versalite.

Sturdiness

Within the battle between weight and sturdiness, the Versalite favors being light-weight. Throughout successive assessments, we seen the locations that wetted out first continued to moist out faster significantly across the cuffs and in opposition to the chin. That is the kind of jacket to scrub and re-waterproof typically and watch out to not snag on rocks, thorns and bushes. For these utilizing this intermittently or with solely mild publicity, then it’s going to be sure you suit your wants.

Weight

This mannequin earns excessive marks from us for weight. Coming in at a featherlight six ounces, it is without doubt one of the lightest and most packable jackets we’ve examined. The Versalite comes with a further stuff sack that packs right down to concerning the dimension of an apple. Whereas we want the jacket zipped into it’s personal pocket relatively than an simply misplaced further bag, this packability is significantly spectacular.

We love this mannequin on days when there is perhaps intermittent rain or publicity to transient durations of precipitation. It’s so mild, that it’s simple to throw in a day pack and neglect that it’s there. For weight-conscious hikers, this jacket is bound to please these weighing each merchandise of their equipment.

Ought to You Purchase the MontBell Versalite?

When you’re prioritizing weight and packability above all else in your rain jacket, then the Montbell Versalite is the one for you. It is without doubt one of the lightest we’ve got examined and most packable. With an included stuff sack, it packs right down to the scale of an apple and is well thrown in a pack and even pants pockets.

For those who want the very best degree of climate resistance, the Versalite is not going to maintain up so long as the burlier coats in our lineup. However for these encountering intermittent rain or wish to have an emergency layer they gained’t really feel of their pack, the Montbell would be the excellent alternative.

What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Take into account?

Arc’teryx Beta Evaluation: Equally light-weight to the Versalite, however with a excessive diploma of climate resistance, light-weight meets bombproof within the Arc’teryx Beta.

Outside Analysis Foray II Evaluation: When you love the breathability of the Montbell Versalite, then the Foray will probably be an excellent match. With the most important zips of any jacket we’ve examined, it’s an excellent match for hikers who run sizzling.

Marmot Precip Eco Evaluation: One other light-weight possibility, the Precip Eco suits into its zippered pocket and is just some extra ounces heavier however at half the worth.