Light Rain Jackets/Shells

It appears I have lost my beloved OR Helium Jacket.

While I am at it, any recommendations for replacements? I have an Arcteryx Beta and use it occasionally ski touring but feel like it's usually overkill and maybe there's a shell that fits both needs- can handle wind, snow and rain, but under ~10-12 oz or so, so I'm not afraid to bring it with me every time. My Helium was mostly for an emergency summer shell, long multi pitch rock in shoulder seasons or alpine when I may need a windbreaker, and over a base layer for running in mid winter in the snow.

So, happy to accept recs for a shell that fits both needs, or just the lightweight shell boxes.

• Pit zips are a plus
• Chest pocket or otherwise harness accessible pocket a plus
• < 10 oz a plus
• Helmet compatible hood a plus
• Slim fit a plus, I hate when the waist/hips billows out (I'm 6'3" and ~185 lbs. Sleeve length is 35" and waist is 32", where are my tall thin rain jacket wearers?)

I was looking at the North Face Alta Vista, any thoughts?

For emergency use only, the raidlight tyvek jacket is $25 and 80g (2.8oz) and is a much more tailored fit than frogtogs, etc. It’s not quite disposable, but you won’t care if it gets chewed up bailing off a multi.

It doesn’t fill your other needs, but anything that light is compromised so you may as well get the cheap option and a real shell closer to 10oz.

Enlightened Equipment makes a great ultralight rain shell.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/mens-visp-rain-jacket-stock/

I have two kind of weird jacket recommendations. Both of them have been from looking for exactly what you are looking for and both of them I currently own and use -

https://www.mammut.com/us/en/products/1010-27841-50507/convey-tour-hs-hooded-jacket-men

https://www.burton.com/us/en/p/mens-burton-ak-surgence-gore-tex-shell-jacket/W23-216061.html

Wouldn't the Montbell VERSALITE fit the requirement? 

The Raidlight looks cool- I have a jacket for summer running like that but its hoodless so I may check it out. 

The Visp looks good! I did find some reviews that were so so, which led me to the Montbell Versalite which looks like a better option for the price point. Anyone have the Versalite that can comment on how it does in snowstorms and how the fit is for someone who is thin?

The Mammut and Burton jackets look great but a bit too similar to my existing Beta shell.

Thanks everyone!

drew A wrote:

Enlightened Equipment makes a great ultralight rain shell.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/mens-visp-rain-jacket-stock/

$210???  Must be woven with precious metals

Then i looked at the Mammut recommendation - same thing.  Some people are not smart with money

bernard wolfe wrote:

$210???  Must be woven with precious metals

Then i looked at the Mammut recommendation - same thing.  Some people are not smart with money

please share your budget recommendation that fits the requirements!

Patagonia and budget aren’t usually used together but the Houdini is super minimal, lightweight and packable. It’s more of a thin wind shell than a rain jacket. No pit zips but has all your other bullet points for a little over $100.

  outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/…

I would not recommend the current Houdini. They updated it in 2012ish with a much less breathable fabric, and it’s not significantly more comfortable as a high-exertion wind shell than actual WPB membrane options

MHW kor preshell/airshell (don’t pay full price, they regularly get discounted) or pata Houdini Air are much better windshells. Some people really like the BD alpine start, but it has elastic which makes it dry way to slowly for me.

Yeah the Houdini is appealing but compared to something like the MB Versalite which seems actually waterproof for similar weight I think it's not quite what I'm looking for.

Hey John,

It's maybe worth pointing out that you gave some conflicting requirements, and people are suggesting a whole bunch of different types of jackets, which might not even meet your needs.  I think some clarity on what you want would be really valuable.  Some thing to think about:

• Rain jackets are waterproof, wind jackets are not.  Since these are totally different classes of jackets, it would be helpful to know which you're looking for.  Both are definitely useful, and many people have both in their closet.
• OR Helium is an ultralight waterproof rain jacket (shell).  It's difficult to beat in this particular sub-class but there are some other options.  Any reason you don't just buy another?
• Pit zips and other extra features are generally not found in ultralight rain jackets (too heavy) and not needed in wind shells (which are breathable).
• 10 ounces can get you into a proper 3L hard shell, or get you close.  The venerable Alpha FL was 11 oz, the OR Helium Ascentshell is 11 oz, Rab Kinetic is 12 oz, etc.  Depending on your use case, this could be a good choice, or totally unnecessary.  The ultralight class (OR Helium, et al) is more like 4-6 oz.
• For people who think the revised Houdini isn't breathable enough, Patagonia also makes a Houdini Air at a similar weight and price point with a more breathable fabric.

It's a very packed and confusing market space, hopefully this helps a tiny bit...

drew A wrote:

Enlightened Equipment makes a great ultralight rain shell.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/mens-visp-rain-jacket-stock/

I have this set.

Great products.  

Waterproof.  Light.  Reasonably breathable.  

Don't pay full price, but this is a nice lightweight real hardshell mountainhardwear.com/p/quas…

Thanks Kyle for the detailed response. I could get another Helium but it’s been at least two years since I did any research so wanted to solicit suggestions.

Otherwise I’m familiar with these points. I never asked for a windshell I’m so not sure why they’re being recommended

I have the Patagucci Storm10 which has their 3 layer H2No and is only 8.3 oz. I quite like it but my only complaint is my knuckle-dragging ape like arms need the sleeves to be an inch or two longer. I'm 6'2", 145 lbs with a 35" sleeve length and got a medium. Also it's spendy ($329) and the hem and hood adjusters are fiddly to use with gloves on.

https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-storm10-waterproof-jacket/85125.html

I want to update that I went with the Montbell Versalite and it's been really great so far and fit all my requirements.

• Similar weather resistance to the Helium (maybe a tad better but mine was getting old so could be any DWR coating was worn)
• Roughly same weight as Helium
• Has two huge pit zips (Helium didn't have those)
• Two mid torso pockets so harness compatible
• Hood is a little snug for a helmet but works in a pinch

I've had it out for a few runs in the snow, an ice climbing cragging day, and a 2 hour tour with 1-2"/hour snowfall and moisture was still beading up and rolling off. It's taken the place of my Beta SL for most days except the very cold windy and wet.

Biggest con was the price at $250 with no discounts or coupons anywhere that I could find.

John Sigmon wrote:

Biggest con was the price at $250 with no discounts or coupons anywhere that I could find.

Order directly from their Japanese site. It's about $160 (22,000 JPY) for the US version with pit zips and a western fit and only $125 (17,000 JPY) for the Japanese version with no extra ventilation and slimmer cut. 

https://en.montbell.jp/products/goods/disp.php?product_id=2328169

32 degrees rain jacket from costco was like $20 and i can stuff it in my tiny road frame pack on my bike

What size jacket do you wear? I've got an XL Arc'teryx Alpha SL Anorak that I bekieve ticks all your boxes minus pit zips I would be willing to sell.