Best 'packable' waterproof jacket?

I have a nice shell, but am looking for a minimalist shell (with hood). Something to pack into my pocket or the like "just in case." If my criteria in order of importance are:
1) Waterproof
2) Packs very small
3) The thing won't instantly shred
4) Prefers zip to pull-over

What are the best/cheapest jackets I can get?
I recall seeing adverts for a jacket stuffed into someone's mouth and the like, so I know that this type of product exists. I just don't know who makes it, how much it costs, and if there are breathable options (like Goretex or Triple Point).

What do you have, what have you had, and how has it performed for the criteria listed?

Tony,

I had a Marmot Precip jacket, and liked it (for the most part). Well priced (~$100), light, and waterproof. Downsides were that it didn't fit me very well (too baggy), and it did not breathe well, either. I replaced it with a Marmot Rim Jacket, which is a couple of ounces heavier, but much more breathable, and the fit is excellent. I currently take it when I do not need a full-on Gore Tex shell (ie summer forays in the Rockies, etc). They have them on sale here:

tinyurl.com/quk45

Another similar jacket that gets rave reviews is the Mountain Hardwear Epic jacket.

Tony,

If you have to have a hood, this won't work, but the one I carry is a sierra designs shell I bought at REI. It's very small, fits in a 3" x 2 1/2" stuff sack and waterproof. The only thing I don't like is that it is coated and does not breath. For something to hook on the back of my harness, it has served me well.

And, since they are $30, I care a lot less if I drop it or some other bone-head move than if I had the $100 version.

I don't think they're available anymore, but I carry a Sierra Designs Backpacker Jacket (non-breathable coated ripstop nylon, 12oz, stuffs into its own pocket):

trailspace.com/gear/sierra-…

i second the marmot precip suggestion. it comes in both a pull over and zippered version and has a hood that fits over a helmet. it is a bit baggy, but i like that for layering. i never really carry a heavy shell anymore - softshell most of the time, and i put the precip over it when the going gets really wet.

For a true long lasting jacket I vote for Gore Pac-lite:(taken off the web)

GORE-TEX® PACLITE® is 'Guaranteed To Keep You Dry'® and uses a protective layer on the membrane that allows water vapour to pass through, but prevents contamination from oil cosmetics, insect repellent and food substances which could otherwise affect the garment’s waterproof performance. The ultimate in waterproof, breathable, lightweight and packable weather protection, PACLITE® by GORE-TEX® is so light (every garment weighs <500gms!) and easy to stow away, you’ll take it with you everywhere. The perfect travel companion.

Most other waterproof breathables are not chemically inert like Gore's PTFE so if you get white gas or deet or another caustic chemical on them the waterproofness goes away...

So other than Mike's suggestion, which packs down to < 3" sq. how small do the rest pack down to? My jackets are all way bigger, and I'd love to get something baseball-sized or smaller. Tennis ball sized is even better.

I use a marmot precip jacket as well. They're inexpensive and if you find the right sized stuff sack they can be made really small so you can just hang it off your harness next to your trail shoes. It fits in the palm of your hand.

They're great for climbing in the Park when you get caught in an afternoon storm. They're not just shower proof but rain proof!

Also the warranty is great. I used my for a couple years, every weekend while doing the 14er's and biking the Colorado Trail and at the end of the two summers it had started to deliminate around the in places where I was wearing a pack. Since I used to work in the outdoor gear business, I sent it back to marmot so they could take a look at it and told them that it had been used practically every day and I wasn't asking for it to be repaired as I had already purchased another one, but thought they might like it for R and D.

Needless to say they sent me another one!

I have Northface's Lightspeed Jacket with gore-tex paclite. It weighs 14 oz and packs to about a baseball. I really like it, and its great for climbing because it has core venting, not pit zips to get caught on stuff while moving around. I also looked into the Outdoor Research Zealot jacket, but decided against it, opting for a bit heavier shell. The zealot is also paclite lined but packs down to tennis ball size. Drawbacks are that it lacks any venting options, and obviously, price.

The lightspeed can be found at a decent price here:
sierratradingpost.com/produ…

The Marmot "Essence" Jacket packs much smaller than the Precip. It is made of "pre-cip" material, but has no pit-zips or pockets for your hands. I love mine. The medium weighs only 7.5oz. It comes with a full front zipper.

Tony, I've the Cloudveil Zorro. I think it's a little bigger than the small light shells @ 14.5. But I think it's solid protection and I can't seem to damage it in alpine chimney or Vedauwoo OW.

It's zipper with large outer hand pockets also zippered (but no chest pocket - interior or outer), has draw strings to seal head and torso, and velcro to seal over wrists & chest zipper - been kept totally dry in monsoonal rains. The only thing I think better & more durable would be an Arcterix, which needs a small mortgage.

I am a Precip fan as well. My Precip pullover, silk balaclava and windstopper gloves and a chemical handwarmer fit in a stuff sack smaller than a coke can.

The Specter pullover (Patagonia) is on sale if you are a size M or smaller:

tinyurl.com/lgjyz

I use the Arcteryx Alpha Comp Hoody and it's awesome. GoreTex where it counts and soft shell for the rest. One of the best jackets I've ever had. Completely waterproof, yet not quite as hot as a full GoreTex setup. A little pricey if you pay retail, but search around and you can do pretty well. The other nice thing about Arcteryx is they have a bomber warranty for life.

The new North Face Allproof Stretch is pretty comfortable and definitely light/packable. Thinking about trying it because my current rain jacket soaks through after more than ~2 hours in heavy rain

Tony B wrote: I recall seeing adverts for a jacket stuffed into someone's mouth and the like, so I know that this type of product exists.

If you want this end of the spectrum, it was probably an ad for the the patagonia houdini. It is really useful for how small you can ball it up, but I'll throw the caveat out there that it's not really super waterproof in a significant downpour. It'll get you a few miles in light to medium rain if necessary though, before gets saturated and starts soaking through. Maybe you could nikwax it or something, but I've never looked into it for mine.

Outdoor research helium.  Light almost as small as Houdini but actually waterproof.  Cheap too

OR heliun two. DWR coated windbreaker, packs small, and the zip pocket can hold a headlamp and still compress down.

Eric Seiler wrote:

If you want this end of the spectrum, it was probably an ad for the the patagonia houdini. It is really useful for how small you can ball it up, but I'll throw the caveat out there that it's not really super waterproof in a significant downpour. It'll get you a few miles in light to medium rain if necessary though, before gets saturated and starts soaking through. Maybe you could nikwax it or something, but I've never looked into it for mine.

Houdini isn’t even close to water proof. I’ve tried DWR’ing mine twice too. Not sure how yours works better. 

Interesting to see a thread from 2006, full of recommendations for  product which is still available. PreCip is forever, I guess?

I've got an OR Helium 2 and a Rab Downpour. The Helium definitely is smaller but not a lasting as the Downpour. I don't believe any single or double layer (like the Downpour) will keep rain out for hard extended time unfortunately. 3 layer with Gtx is the best for longevity and hard weather. I'm not sure the quality of their Paclite as I've never used it but it's definitely making waves in the light weight rain protection categories. Might be worth looking at.