REI Rainier Rain Jacket Assessment

Backside Line

The REI Rainier is one among our prime picks for rain jackets and it comes with a extra affordable price ticket. In a market flooded with jackets of various high quality and value, this one stands out for its efficiency and affordability. REI’s Rainier is unbeatably priced for a jacket with 2.5-layer building and considerate options.

The Rainier impressed us with its consolation and mobility. Nicely-designed arms didn’t pull on the physique when prolonged, and Velcro cuffs stored the wrists safe and dry. Nonetheless, the physique match ran giant, and we needed to measurement all the way down to get an correct match. Whereas the arms stayed the identical size between a males’s medium and small, the torso was a lot bigger in a medium. This made for an enormous and awkward match, however it was rapidly remedied by sizing down.

With its 2.5-layer building, the Rainier presents higher climate resistance than anticipated for the worth. Whereas it blocked rain properly for the primary couple of hours of testing, we discovered that it wetted by means of in heavy rain after a few hours of publicity. Whereas this jacket may not be the one to usher in the heaviest rains for an extended interval, the Rainier works nice for going out and in of sunshine to reasonable precipitation.

Consolation & Mobility

The REI Rainier is designed with a match that appeals to a variety of our bodies however might run too giant for slender our bodies. This resulted in a barely boxy and overly roomy feeling with plenty of extra materials. Whereas this wasn’t essentially the most comfy slot in our preliminary testing, we determined to go down a measurement, leading to a a lot better match. These with bigger torsos can be extra comfy with this selection.

We by no means felt stretched, tight, or restricted in our actions when sporting this shell. The REI Rainier is properly thought out, with consolation and mobility often present in costlier choices. We appreciated a velcro tab on the again of the hood and twin cinches on the entrance after we wanted to hunker down and retain physique warmth on cool days. A brushed cowl over the zipper on the chin retains the zipper from snagging and is comfy on the pores and skin.

Climate Resistance

At such an affordable value level, we went into our testing with dampened expectations however have been pleasantly shocked with how properly it carried out below gentle to reasonable precipitation ranges. For the primary couple of hours, it repelled water excellently. The hood, specifically, supplied glorious safety with a structured brim. Nonetheless, it rapidly turned obvious that this jacket met its limits in all-day downpours.

Wetting out after a few hours of testing in a gentle rain, it was rapidly evident that this was not the best choice for all-day climate safety. One wetted out, the Rainier absorbed water across the cuffs and entrance seams, holding onto moisture and drying slowly. This jacket is greatest used to offer fast safety from reasonable rain for brief quantities of time.

Air flow

Whereas the REI Rainier comes geared up with two pit zips, we nonetheless discovered ourselves wanting extra for air flow. Nonetheless, we have been pleased that the pit zips have lengthy zipper pulls for simple attain, particularly when sporting a backpack. 

When testing the Rainier, we frequently needed to hike with it unzipped to air out perspiration and physique warmth. REI’s proprietary materials used on this mannequin doesn’t breathe in addition to Gore-Tex. Specifically, extra sweat constructed up alongside the again, shoulders, and armpits that no quantity of unzipping might vent out whereas climbing. This is probably not essentially the most ventilated possibility, however it’s enough for lower-exertion actions or shorter outings.

Sturdiness

The sturdiness of the Rainier left us questioning its long-term worth. After initially wetting it out, we observed that subsequent rains extra simply penetrated the fabric. The interior lamination confirmed some gentle indicators of wear and tear alongside high-friction areas just like the shoulder and waist. The big mesh pockets on the within are a standard characteristic of finances jackets, and the Rainier supplies the same building that’s simply snagged and pulled. The Rainier is a superb possibility for light-duty adventures however not one that we are going to anticipate to maintain utilizing in heavy circumstances 12 months after 12 months.

Weight

The REI Rainier just isn’t your best option for these trying to find the lightest rainshell. That mentioned, this jacket fell solidly in the course of the street and didn’t really feel like a hindrance when being worn or stowed in a pack. We appreciated that it zips into its personal pocket, packing down smaller than a water bottle. This made it simple to retailer in a day pack or shoved right into a nook of an in a single day pack. For a finances jacket, the Rainier is a stable possibility for individuals who don’t thoughts just a few additional ounces of their pack.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Rainier?

In terms of worth, it’s powerful to beat the Rainier. It’s onerous to discover a cheaper jacket that also supplies enough safety. Balancing affordability and high quality, the Rainier delicately walks that line. The jacket carried out properly in gentle to reasonable use however struggled to maintain up throughout all-day rain. The REI Ranier supplies some options of costlier jackets, like a brimmed hood, tightening cinches, and the flexibility to pack into its personal pocket. Offering reasonable breathability however a cushty and cell match, we advocate this jacket for these occurring gentle adventures and needing to dam the rain for a shorter outing.

What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Think about?

Marmot Precip Eco Assessment: Equally low value, the Precip Eco is one other of our picks for greatest worth.

Outside Analysis Foray II Assessment: When you’re after extra air flow with greater vents, then take a look at the Foray II for top-of-the-line air flow.