Backside Line
The REI Flash Stretch (males’s / ladies’s) is an accessibly priced jacket that mixes the flexibleness of a softshell with the climate resistance of a hardshell. Its stretchy material permits for unrestricted movement, whether or not you’re mountaineering, operating, or exploring town. Climate-resistant development protects in opposition to gentle rain and wind, whereas breathable materials retains you comfy throughout high-energy actions. The Flash Stretch is one other nice choice that seems on our record of the greatest rain jackets.
A barely bigger match permits the Flash Stretch to be worn with layers beneath, making it preferrred for colder temperatures. Nevertheless, this may increasingly imply that that you must dimension down for a extra athletic match. Zippered hand pockets and a chest pocket positioned below the storm flap present safe storage for small necessities, and elastic cuffs with a drawcord hem assist seal out drafts. It’s additionally comparatively packable, folding small to slot in a backpack or journey bag, making it preferrred for on-the-go adventures.
How We Examined
Examined in Alaska’s rain, sleet, and snow, this jacket has undergone rigorous subject testing on a number of moist journeys. We take a look at all our rain jackets to the purpose of failure to see how lengthy it takes for them to moist via and in what situations they excel.
Fast Specs
REI Flash Stretch
Excessive Worth Rain Jacket
CleverHiker Ranking:
77.3/100
Value:
$169
Listed Weight:
1 lb. 1 oz. / 14.5 oz.(males’s / ladies’s)
Professionals
- Sturdy supplies
- Wonderful stretch
- Excessive-quality development
- Straightforward to layer
- Deep pockets
- Chest zipper
- Lengthy pit zips
- Excessive zippers appropriate with harness
Cons
- Dishevelled / outsized match
- Brief visor on hood
- Lengthy sleeves
- Heavy / cumbersome for prolonged journeys
Consolation & Mobility
The REI Flash Stretch stands out for its softshell-like development. This elastic polyester combines spandex to present it its namesake stretchiness. We beloved this for energetic outings with a number of reaches and massive actions whereas clambering over boulders and thru the comb. The four-way development is a wonderful function to boost consolation and mobility.
Nevertheless, we did discover the match of this jacket to be boxy and enormous and we needed to dimension down. The arms are wider and billowy so it’s best for a broader torso.
Climate Resistance
The climate resistance leaves some room for enchancment. Although the nonfluorinated sturdy water repellent (DWR) helps moisture bead up on the floor, the Hydrowall 2.5-layer shell lacks the safety of a extra sturdy shell.
Utilizing this jacket in heavy rain in coastal Alaska, the Flash Stretch shortly transitions from beading moisture to absorbing it. This was evident via darkish stripes within the materials the place water was seeping in. Whereas this jacket isn’t our best choice for taking into the backcountry in inclement climate, it’s town-to-trail prepared for shorter publicity to precipitation.
Air flow
This jacket’s roomier match, mixed with heavier weight make it not your best option for high-output actions the place you can be producing extra physique warmth and sweat. The material of the jacket is thicker than others in our lineup. Whereas the jacket does come outfitted with pit zips, they don’t open very far or large, which limits the jacket’s air flow. Whereas the Flash Stretch isn’t our best choice for cardio adventures, it’s a terrific colder-weather choice for its elevated heat.
Sturdiness
To date throughout our subject exams consisting of hikes, bike rides, and even some winter sports activities like backcountry ice skating, the Flash Stretch has held up properly with no obvious shortcomings in its materials sturdiness. It’s extra sturdy and well-made than others we examined. The stretchy shell has withstood repeated bruising from boulders and branches with no signal of wear and tear.
Weight
This is without doubt one of the heavier rain jackets we now have examined. With a weight of seventeen ounces, nearly 3 times heavier than our lightest jacket reviewed, it’s not your best option for a backcountry journey the place each ounce issues. This elevated bulk is because of the thicker materials and boxier minimize. This isn’t essentially the most packable jacket however at its value level, it’s completely sufficient for a daypack or shorter outing.
Ought to You Purchase the REI Flash Stretch?
The REI Flash Stretch is the proper jacket for somebody who desires the consolation and mobility of a tender shell with the climate resistance of a rain jacket. Accessibly priced, this may be a terrific alternative for the extra budget-conscious day hiker.
Nevertheless, this cheaper price comes with some concessions. We discovered that the Flash Stretch may be very roomy, particularly within the physique and arms. It is going to match broader torsos higher and is available in a wide range of sizes. It additionally isn’t climate proof against the diploma of different jackets examined. Ok for gentle publicity to moisture, this isn’t our best choice for heavy rain. Regardless of this, the Flash Stretch stays a flexible piece for town-to-trail use and is fashionable coming in lots of colorways for various kinds.
What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Think about?
If you would like extra choices, take a look at our gear information of the most effective rain jackets.
REI Rainier Evaluation: One other versatile and inexpensive providing from REI, the Rainier is cheaper than the Flash Stretch and provides comparable climate resistance.
Marmot Precip Eco Evaluation: With comparable options because the Flash Stretch however extra packable, the Precip Eco is one other budget-priced rain jacket made with environmentally pleasant supplies.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Evaluation: In case you love a stretchy, softshell-feeling rain jacket, the Stretch Ozonic is one other nice alternative.
