REI Rainier Rain Jacket Overview

Backside Line

The REI Rainier is one in all our high picks for rain jackets and it comes with a extra cheap price ticket. In a market flooded with jackets of various high quality and worth, this one stands out for its efficiency and affordability. REI’s Rainier is unbeatably priced for a jacket with 2.5-layer development 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, nevertheless it was rapidly remedied by sizing down.

With its 2.5-layer development, the Rainier provides 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 in heavy rain after a few hours of publicity. Whereas this jacket won’t be the one to herald 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 probably the most comfy slot in our preliminary testing, we determined to go down a measurement, leading to a significantly better match. These with bigger torsos might be extra comfy with this feature.

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 dearer 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 worth level, we went into our testing with dampened expectations however had been pleasantly stunned with how properly it carried out underneath mild to reasonable precipitation ranges. For the primary couple of hours, it repelled water excellently. The hood, specifically, supplied wonderful safety with a structured brim. Nonetheless, it rapidly grew to become obvious that this jacket met its limits in all-day downpours.

Wetting out after a few hours of testing in a gradual 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 finest used to supply fast safety from reasonable rain for brief quantities of time.

Air flow

Whereas the REI Rainier comes outfitted with two pit zips, we nonetheless discovered ourselves wanting extra for air flow. Nonetheless, we had been completely happy that the pit zips have lengthy zipper pulls for straightforward attain, particularly when sporting a backpack. 

When testing the Rainier, we regularly 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. Particularly, extra sweat constructed up alongside the again, shoulders, and armpits that no quantity of unzipping may vent out whereas mountain climbing. This might not be probably the most ventilated possibility, however it’s ample 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 seen that subsequent rains extra simply penetrated the fabric. The inner lamination confirmed some mild indicators of damage alongside high-friction areas just like the shoulder and waist. The big mesh pockets on the within are a typical function of price range jackets, and the Rainier supplies an identical development that’s simply snagged and pulled. The Rainier is a superb possibility for light-duty adventures however not one that we’ll anticipate to maintain utilizing in heavy situations 12 months after 12 months.

Weight

The REI Rainier will not be the only option for these trying to find the lightest rainshell. That stated, this jacket fell solidly in the midst of the highway 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 price range jacket, the Rainier is a stable possibility for individuals who don’t thoughts a number of further ounces of their pack.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Rainier?

In relation to worth, it’s robust to beat the Rainier. It’s arduous to discover a cheaper jacket that also supplies ample safety. Balancing affordability and high quality, the Rainier delicately walks that line. The jacket carried out properly in mild to reasonable use however struggled to maintain up throughout all-day rain. The REI Ranier supplies some options of dearer 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 suggest this jacket for these occurring mild adventures and needing to dam the rain for a shorter outing.

What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?

Marmot Precip Eco Overview: Equally low price, the Precip Eco is one other of our picks for finest worth.

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