Ultralight waterproofs

These superlight jackets are perfect for warm, summery weather, when heavier waterproofs are overkill. Chris Townsend puts a trio to the test

EVEN IN WARM, sunny weather, waterproofs should always be considered essential. Rain can sweep in very quickly and temperatures can drop with it. Getting wet isn’t a good idea. But outside of winter conditions, big tough blizzard-proof garments aren’t needed, and lightweight waterproofs are often fine. They weigh less and take up much less space in your rucksack (where hopefully they’ll spend most of their time) than winter ones, making them especially good for backpacking.

The three jackets reviewed here all weigh less than 300 grams but are all fully waterproof. They’re not just lightweight but truly ultralight. To keep the weight down fabrics are thin and features minimal. They’re not as tough as heavier garments of course and I wouldn’t choose them for scrambling or bushwhacking, but for most hillwalking and backpacking they’re fine. They won’t last as long as heavier garments either and are best not worn all the time; only when it’s raining.

Because they’re designed for warmer conditions lightweight waterproofs often have a slim fit so they’re not baggy when worn over just a base layer. If you want to wear one over a warm top as well, you might need a size larger than usual.

The three garments reviewed are made from different fabrics. Breathability varies from moderate to good. Pay more and it improves. None of them will stay dry inside when you’re stomping up a hill in the rain though. There’s just less condensation in the more breathable fabrics.

All three garments have taped seams.

All the garments are quite short. None have pit zips.