The REI XeroCloud 3L Jacket is a reasonably priced, 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket that’s surprisingly inexpensive with premium options vital to hikers and backpackers. It has a one-way adjustable hood with a entrance brim, pit-zips, zippered handwarmer pockets, a zippered chest pocket, rip-and-stick velcro-style cuffs, and is totally seam-taped. It’s made with a stretch cloth that makes it very snug to put on. The sizing runs giant within the hood, shoulders, and sleeves, which will be good for cold-weather layering, however it’s possible you’ll need to measurement down for three-season use.
Specs at a look
- Waterproof/breathable: 3L
- Membrane: REI HydroWall
- Breathability Score: 10,000-15,000 g/m²/24 hours (estimated)
- Weight: 13.6 oz (our check jacket is 14 oz in a males’s Giant)
- Gender: Males’s (Girls’s additionally obtainable)
- Pit zips: Sure
- Adjustable hood w/brim: Sure
- Climbing appropriate hood: Sure
- Pockets: 3
- Velcro-wrist cuffs: Sure
- Seam-taped: Sure
- Hem-adjustment: Sure
- Supplies: Recycled nylon and polyester with jersey backer
- Exterior DWR: Sure, non-flourinated
Three-Layer Waterproof/Breathable Development
The REI XeroCloud is a 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket with a nylon and polyester exterior face cloth, a water-proof/breathable membrane, and a jersey cloth backer. In terms of waterproof/breathable rain jackets, 3-layer jackets are often the cream of the crop when it comes to breathability, consolation, options, and worth. In addition they are typically heavier than the light-weight 2.5-layer rain jackets favored by many hikers as a result of they’ve a 3rd cloth layer, an inside cloth liner that makes them much less clammy to put on in humid climate. See Rain Jacket Layers Demystified: 2-Layer, 2.5 Layer, and three Layer for particulars in regards to the professionals and cons of every kind.
Comparability of 3L Rain Jackets
The REI XeroCloud 3L is likely one of the least costly 3L waterproof/breathable rain jackets obtainable at present. One cause for that is that it makes use of a proprietary waterproof breathable membrane known as HydroWall as a substitute of Gore-Tex. Proprietary membranes, like HydroWall, have a lot decrease breathability ranges (like one-half to two-thirds much less) and work finest when there’s a giant temperature differential between the skin and the within of the jacket, as in colder climate. You may enhance their consolation vary in hotter climate you probably have pit zips to vent extra warmth, which the XeroCloud has. Air flow (additionally known as mechanical venting) could make an “OK” rain jacket carry out a lot better when it comes to breathability and luxury.
Water Resistance
Breathability
Consolation & Mobility
Hood Adjustability
Weight
Sturdiness
Packed Dimension
Jacket Options for Mountain climbing and Backpacking
Once I consider rain jackets for climbing and backpacking, there are a number of options that I search for, no matter whether or not the jacket is made with a water-proof/breathable cloth or not. These embrace an adjustable hood, pit zips, and whether or not the wrists have velcro closures or elastic ones. All of those options are vital for regulating your heat degree and the quantity of perspiration you expertise.
Pit Zips
The REI XeroCloud has pit zips within the armpits to vent built-up physique warmth and scale back perspiration, despite the fact that the jacket is made with waterproof/breathable cloth. The XeroClouds pit zips are 12 inches lengthy, which is fairly common. The pit zips have one-way sliders and a rain flap to forestall water from getting into. The zipper sliders are straightforward to tug down (from bicep to ribs) and zip up (from ribs to bicep) with only one hand. I often all the time hold my pit zips open, even in winter, besides after I get very chilly. In any case, I’d suggest that you simply lubricate the pit zips periodically with Gear-Help Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant to make them work extra easily.
Adjustable Hood
The XeroCloud 3L Jacket has a high-volume helmet-compatible hood, nevertheless it has a rear quantity management that permits you to downsize it to a extra manageable measurement. Whereas the hood does have a entrance brim that covers your brow and might hold the rain off your glasses, I choose to put on a billed cap beneath it to offer the hood a greater form and hold the brim from falling down my face.
When the hood is zippered up all the way in which, you get a great deal of face protection with it, so your mouth, neck, and higher chest are shielded from the wind and blowing snow and rain. A excessive neck like this can be a good characteristic to fend off nasty climate and is an efficient hedge in opposition to having to put on full-face safety like a balaclava throughout the colder months. There’s additionally a zipper storage on the prime of the central zipper, which is sweet for bearded individuals so your facial hair doesn’t get caught within the zipper.
Wrist Cuffs
The XeroCloud has rip-and-stick (velcro) type wrist cuffs as a substitute of a budget elastic wrists that you simply discover on many warm-weather rain jackets. These are far more environment friendly at sealing in physique warmth on the wrists and to be used with insulated gloves. I think about this a premium characteristic on a rain jacket and one which extends its utility into the colder, winter months.
Water Resistance
Breathability
Consolation & Mobility
Hood Adjustability
Weight
Sturdiness
Packed Dimension
Pockets
The XeroCloud has two zippered handwarmer pockets. The pockets should not hipbelt-compatible. The jacket stuffs into its left-hand pocket for storage. These stuff-it pockets are an vital characteristic on waterproof-breathable jackets with an exterior DWR coating, decreasing abrasion earlier than DWR reproofing is required. (See: Rain Jackets – Learn how to Make Your DWR Final Longer). The XeroCloud additionally has a big chest pocket, large enough for a SmartPhone, that may also be used to retailer maps or snacks you need quick entry to.
Suggestion
The REI XeroCloud 3L is a reasonably priced 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket that can be utilized year-round for climbing, backpacking, and winter sports activities. Whereas 3-layer rain jackets are typically heavier and dearer than lighter weight alternate options, they often come geared up with glorious technical options and a premium waterproof/breathable membrane from Gore-Tex, eVent, or Pertex.
Through the use of a proprietary membrane within the XeroCloud 3L, REI is ready to supply the identical premium options present in premium 3-layer jackets at a a lot cheaper price level. Whereas its membrane is much less breathable, the XeroCloud 3L makes use of pit zips as an equalizer to vent water vapor and enhance the jacket’s general efficiency. I feel the REI Xerocloud 3L in all fairness priced for the worth it presents and can show to be a dependable garment if it’s maintained correctly.
Likes
- Pit Zips
- Adjustable Hood w/Brim
- Wrist Cuffs
- Stretch Cloth
- Comfy Inside Liner
- Good Manufacturing unit DWR
- Is available in Purple!
Dislikes
- Runs giant
- Handwarmer pockets should not hipbelt appropriate
Disclosure: REI donated a jacket for evaluation.
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