Backside Line
In REI’s line of branded rain jackets, the REI XeroCloud 3L (males’s / girls’s) deserves a star subsequent to its title. It strikes a strong steadiness between efficiency and affordability, making it a fantastic decide for hikers and backpackers who need reliable waterproofing with out breaking the financial institution. Its attainable worth belies its efficiency, giving it glorious worth and making it one in all our favourite rain jackets.
Constructed with a 3-layer development, the XeroCloud affords severe climate safety and higher breathability than many jackets in its worth vary. The match is roomy sufficient for layering, and particulars like pit zips and an adjustable hood add useful worth. We examined this shell in Alaska’s driving rain and gale-force winds and have been impressed with its sturdiness and climate resistance. The HydroWall materials is hard but versatile and protects us properly in sustained rain and wind.
Even so, the XeroCloud does retain some components of a extra budget-priced jacket. Its barely bigger match can really feel saggy with out layers beneath, making it much less packable than different jackets we examined. Nonetheless, for somebody seeking to steadiness efficiency with funds, the XeroCloud is a superb selection for delivering strong efficiency throughout many situations.
Fast Specs
REI XeroCloud 3L
Finest Sturdy & Stretchy Rain Jacket
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.3/5.0
Value:
$189
Listed Weight:
13.4 oz. / 11.3 oz.(males’s / girls’s)
Execs
- Nice climate resistance
- Can layer beneath
- Waterproof zipper
- Stretch materials
Cons
- Weight
- Not essentially the most packable
Consolation & Mobility
The XeroCloud eschews the standard crinkle and cookie-cutter feeling of conventional rain jackets with its mushy and supple materials. The nylon/polyester mix cloth is mushy to the contact, making it comfy to put on only a T-shirt beneath. The jersey backer is a pleasant added contact to extend next-to-skin consolation. The mushy materials can be quiet; we may hear a lot better whereas carrying the hood than in different stiffer jackets available on the market.
The three-layer HydroWall materials is stretchy and elastic, permitting for a fantastic vary of movement whereas mountain climbing or scrambling up a steep climb. Like REI’s different rain jackets, the match is roomy and barely saggy. This enables for layers to be simply worn beneath, however can really feel saggy with only a base layer underneath it. Whereas not a efficiency minimize, the XeroCloud continues to be a really comfy jacket that enables for a variety of mobility.
Climate Resistance
So far as non-GORE-TEX supplies go, we’ve been impressed with the XeroCloud’s climate resistance. REI’s HydroWall delivers strong moist climate efficiency, and the XeroCloud resists wetting by way of for for much longer than we anticipated. Because of its three-layer development, this jacket saved us dry and guarded even on a day with rain and sixty-mile-an-hour winds. We notably recognize the sealed zipper, a characteristic not usually discovered on cheaper jackets.
The XeroCloud is constructed with a nylon and polyester mix that, whereas strong sufficient for many climate situations, doesn’t fairly present the climate resistance of a 100% nylon jacket. REI’s PFAS-free DWR does a wonderful job of beading moisture, however it will definitely succumbs to heavy rain.
When the coat begins to soak up water, we discover it first within the shoulders and arms. For a value-priced jacket, we have been pleasantly stunned by the climate resistance of the XeroCloud, and it’s one we received’t hesitate to carry out within the backcountry on our subsequent journey.
Air flow
Climbing up a steep part of path on a wet day, we have been impressed with the XeroCloud’s breathability. The three-layer development boosts each climate resistance and breathability, and we by no means observed any clamminess. Actually, it has higher breathability than even some windbreakers we’ve examined. Two pit zips additional improve the fabric’s breathability, a vital for any rain jacket.
After totally soaking the jacket in heavy rain, we discovered that it dries extraordinarily rapidly, even at room temperature with out direct daylight. That is nice for drying out on the path or in between rainstorms. The surplus materials of the XeroCloud’s relaxed match provides to its general weight and, in flip, heat of the jacket. Nonetheless, it is vitally straightforward to dump that heat by unzipping the pit zips and even opening the mesh-lined pockets.
Sturdiness
In comparison with thinner jackets made with 2 or 2.5 layers, the XeroCloud’s three-layer development enhances its sturdiness. By really feel, the fabric doesn’t really feel as thick as others in our lineup. Nonetheless, we skilled no points with tearing or scrapes after taking this jacket by way of thick brush and thorns.
The mushy, thinner materials might not be your first selection in case you plan on encountering brush and scraping rocks usually. The fabric’s stretch helps it move by way of snags unscathed, and thus far, we now have been glad with the extent of sturdiness supplied by the XeroCloud.
Weight
At 13.4 ounces, the XeroCloud is heavier than different jackets in our lineup. That is doubtless as a result of its extra relaxed match. The jacket packs into the left pocket however continues to be fairly cumbersome, nearly twice the dimensions of a one-liter bottle.
Whereas not ultralight, the XeroCloud by no means felt like a moist blanket and simply slot in our packs. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a featherweight shell, there are different choices, however the XeroCloud’s steadiness of inexpensive worth and good climate resistance is properly well worth the minor weight penalty.
Ought to You Purchase the REI XeroCloud 3L Rain Jacket?
The REI XeroCloud is one in all REI’s highest-performance branded rain jackets. Nonetheless, they nonetheless keep true to their mission of constructing out of doors gear accessible by pricing it properly beneath comparable shells from different manufacturers. This makes it nice for entry-level lovers wanting a barely dearer possibility, or seasoned veterans after a value-priced jacket.
With high-performance components like sturdy climate resistance and a extremely cellular materials, the XeroCloud is a superb efficiency possibility at a funds worth. It retains some components of a extra informal jacket with flaps over zippers and a barely heavier weight, however nonetheless packs sufficient efficiency for rugged backcountry adventures.
What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Think about?
Take a look at our full gear information to see all our favourite rain jackets.
REI Rainier Assessment: Probably the most inexpensive possibility from REI, the Rainier balances efficiency with an attainable worth level.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Assessment: If you happen to liked the elastic and soft-to-the-touch feeling of the XeroCloud, the Stretch Ozonic is made from the same materials however is even lighter.
Montbell Versalite Assessment: If the packability of the XeroCloud left you wanting extra, the Versalite is our lightest and most packable jacket for these devoted ultralight lovers.
