After I first moved to Seattle from the Midwest 16 years in the past, I didn’t personal a rain jacket and by no means had. It’s not that I didn’t spend time exterior within the rain; I simply acquired moist. Or I’d carry an umbrella. I’ve obscure childhood reminiscences of my dad throwing a plastic poncho over me when our canoe acquired caught in a day downpour, however waterproof clothes wasn’t a closet staple.
However now I used to be residing in a metropolis notorious for its precipitation. Plus, I acquired a job working on the REI Seattle Flagship retailer as a gross sales specialist. My new pals there, well-versed in important out of doors gear for the native circumstances, let me understand it was time: I used to be a Seattleite now, and I’d one way or the other additionally grow to be an individual who went mountain climbing in my free time.
I wanted a rain jacket.
When you’re studying this text, it’s protected to imagine you, too, are at a crossroads. Maybe you want a brand new rain jacket, whether or not it’s your first (welcome to the membership!), a alternative or an improve. I nonetheless work for REI—albeit now as a product copy editor at headquarters. The co-op has been designing and making its personal gear for many years from its headquarters close to Seattle. Who’s higher certified to make rain gear than a bunch of Pacific Northwesterners?! I even stay down the road from one of many co-op’s longtime product prototypers—you’ll be able to see a number of stitching machines by means of his front room window—so I’m particularly tickled by the concept of counting on gear that acquired its begin proper right here in Rain Metropolis, USA.
Nonetheless, it may be overwhelming to attempt to determine which product is your best option for you. Under, I take the guesswork out by evaluating the 4 REI Co-op rain jackets accessible this spring. I share what I’ve realized from my very own purchasing journey and from REI designers and prototype testers.
Learn on for the total article or click on on the hyperlinks under to leap forward to a piece:
- Overview: A fast have a look at the Teris GTX, XeroCloud 3L, Rainier and Trailmade REI Co-op rain jackets
- The Particulars: Drilling down on the design particulars of every jacket, from waterproofing to breathability and extra
- Conclusion: Which jacket is best for you?
Overview of REI Co-op Rain Jackets
REI Co-op Teris GTX Rain Jacket ($249; Ladies’s and Males’s)
New for spring 2025, that is the co-op’s burliest rain jacket, which encompasses a 2-layer GORE-TEX waterproof/breathable membrane. A loose-hanging inner liner provides some heat in addition to some weight. It’s acquired all of the bells and whistles for technical efficiency on the paths, round city, and even on the slopes.
REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L Rain Jacket ($189; Ladies’s and Males’s)
Additionally new for spring 2025, that is the co-op’s top-tier technical, light-weight rain jacket for mountain climbing and backpacking. It’s the one jacket on this batch with 3-layer waterproofing: a HydroWall
3L laminatethat offers it distinctive waterproof efficiency and breathability. It additionally options stretchier material, elevated trim particulars and a complicated function set, which I’ll dive extra into quickly.
REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket ($99.95; Ladies’s and Males’s)
That is the co-op’s flagship rain jacket—beloved for years by REI Co-op Members and up to date lately with 100% recycled ripstop nylon shell material. It encompasses a 2.5-layer HydroWall waterproof/breathable laminate plus lots of the similar technical options as premium rain shells—pit zips, ample adjustability, packability into its personal pocket—however at a bangin’ worth level.
REI Co-op Trailmade Rain Jacket ($69.95; Ladies’s and Males’s)
REI launched its Trailmade assortment in spring 2023, welcoming new hikers and backpackers with enjoyable, approachable gear that may be worn on the path or round city. This jacket is deliberately easy and streamlined to make it simple to get exterior and go. And like many merchandise within the Trailmade Assortment, its design was knowledgeable by an REI inclusion advisory panel of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, body-positive and adaptive communities.
The Particulars
Now, let’s get into the weeds to know what units these rain jackets aside from one another. Learn on or click on on the hyperlinks under to leap to a piece.
- Material and Waterproofing
- Breathability
- Pockets
- Hood Design
- Cuff and Hem Changes
- Weight
- A Last Observe on Match
Material and Waterproofing
Let’s begin with a rain jacket’s most essential job: retaining you dry!
All 4 jackets share some fundamental parts: water resistant material that’s been handled with a nonfluorinated sturdy water repellent (DWR) end, a water-proof/breathable laminate, and taped/sealed seams to forestall water seepage.
The Teris, XeroCloud and Rainier are totally seam-sealed. Which means all seams are strengthened on the within to maximise the jacket’s waterproofness. The Trailmade is designed for reasonable, on a regular basis actions; solely its important seams (essentially the most uncovered ones) are sealed—on this case, the hood, shoulders and tops of the sleeves. The jacket will preserve you dry on a drizzly hike or canine stroll however could also be extra inclined to water seepage on longer hikes in heavy rain. (Professional tip: In case your rain jacket ever begins wetting out on you, the DWR is simple to revive. Right here’s how.)
Past the seam taping, a lot of the variations between these 4 jackets comes within the building methodology of the waterproof/breathable laminate. All 4 are thought-about waterproof and breathable, however the variety of layers within the building methodology results in variations in breathability, lining design and jacket weight.
The Teris GTX options GORE-TEX in a 2-layer building, whereas the XeroCloud, Rainier and Trailmade function a proprietary (unique to REI HydroWall laminate (3-layer on the XeroCloud; 2.5-layer on the Rainier; 2-layer on the Trailmade). What does all that imply, you may ask?
The two-layer building of the Teris and Trailmade combines an outer layer bonded to the waterproof/breathable laminate with a full, hanging internal liner. The liner material differs a bit in these jackets, however the impact is analogous: It offers them a cushty really feel on the within and provides extra heat for year-round put on with out vital layering.
In contrast, the Rainier jacket’s 2.5-layer HydroWall waterproof/breathable laminate means it has a sturdy outer material, a water-proof barrier utilized inside that, after which a skinny protecting sheen—that’s the half layer—laid inside that to assist defend the laminate. This retains the jacket lighter than 2-layer jackets just like the Trailmade or Teris.
The XeroCloud is the one rain jacket among the many 4 with a 3-layer building, which is usually thought-about the very best high quality and most breathable waterproof building. In it, the liner material is bonded to the membrane to guard it—a building methodology that renders all the jacket lighter and extra breathable.
As for texture and really feel, you virtually must see and contact these jackets to understand the variations of their shell materials. Nonetheless, I’ll do my greatest right here:
The Rainier and Trailmade really feel and sound like traditional rain jackets. They’re louder and extra textured—you’ll discover a crinkle sound.
The XeroCloud and Teris GTX are made with a softer, quieter material. They may simply be mistaken for a tender shell however are certainly waterproof.
Breathability
The extra power you intend to exert whereas carrying your jacket, the extra essential breathability turns into. In spite of everything, a water-proof jacket gained’t preserve you dry for those who’re sweating profusely inside it. A method rain jackets get their breathability is with pit zips: underarm vents that may be unzipped to supply extra cooling airflow to your physique. These vents are particularly beneficial on rainwear, since waterproof membranes make jackets inherently much less breathable than non-waterproof choices like tender shells or fleeces.
Pit zips add breathability to the Teris GTX, XeroCloud 3L and Rainier, making them nice for reasonable bodily exercise like mountain climbing and backpacking. The Trailmade doesn’t have pit zips and is greatest for informal put on or mountain climbing in mild rain.
Unzip the hand pockets for much more breathability. A factor I didn’t know till I began working at REI: When you’re not storing something in a jacket’s hand pockets, you’ll be able to go away them unzipped to spice up the jacket’s breathability everytime you’re working up a sweat.
The hand-pocket hack will work for each the XeroCloud 3L and Rainier, however not the Trailmade or the Teris GTX. Whereas the hand pockets on all 4 jackets are mesh-lined, the 2-layer building of the Trailmade and Teris GTX means their hand pockets have a stable layer between them and your physique, so unzipping the hand pockets doesn’t present the identical airflow as on the XeroCloud 3L and Rainier. (This isn’t actually a priority on the Teris GTX, because it already has generously sized pit zips for venting.)
Pockets
Thank goodness for pockets. Not solely do they let me preserve issues like my cellphone helpful on the path, however additionally they assist preserve my arms heat on chilly hikes if (when) I overlook my gloves.
All 4 jackets have zippered hand pockets. The upper-priced XeroCloud and Teris GTX have an extra zippered chest pocket.
The Trailmade retains issues streamlined with simply the 2 hand pockets, whereas the Rainier additionally options two giant inside drop-in pockets: spacious sufficient to your cellphone, pockets or perhaps a spare hat or pair of gloves.
Hood Design
When you assume all jacket hoods are created equal, assume once more. You’d be amazed how a lot analysis and improvement goes right into a rain jacket’s hood—and the way the varied design particulars and adjustment mechanisms can have an effect on your carrying expertise. (One other professional tip, which applies to all rain jackets: Put on a ball cap or trucker hat beneath the hood to assist in giving it some construction, enhance your visibility and in addition preserve that sideways rain out of your eyes.)
The hood on the Teris presents essentially the most adjustability of those 4 jackets. Twin entrance bungees (hidden for a glossy look) cinch down the hood. A cinchable rear bungee permits for a good tighter match to reduce interference along with your peripheral imaginative and prescient.
The XeroCloud encompasses a cinchable rear bungee on the hood as nicely, however no separate entrance changes. One standout function it does have is a pleasant tall hood collar with some construction inbuilt for good neck protection in entrance, no matter whether or not you’ve gotten the hood pulled up or not.
Much like the Teris, the Rainier has twin hood-adjustment bungees within the entrance, hidden contained in the collar for a clear look. Within the again, it encompasses a easy vertical hook-and-loop strap that may be tightened to shift the hood’s built-in visor slightly greater up in your brow.
The Trailmade encompasses a easy hood. You possibly can cinch it down with twin bungee cords on both facet of the chin.
Cuff and Hem Changes
All 4 jackets provide a bungee-cinchable backside hem to seal out chilly air and rain, however there are a number of variations within the degree of adjustability and the match they supply.
The Rainier and Trailmade have single hem bungees, whereas the Teris and XeroCloud provide one on both sides. This permits for an much more custom-made match across the hips.
The Teris and XeroCloud share one other premium function: barely longer sleeves with slanted cuffs. that present your wrists and arms with slightly additional protection from the rain.
The cuffs on the Teris, XeroCloud and Rainier regulate with a hook-and-loop strap. The cuffs on the Trailmade should not adjustable however they’re partly elasticized, which I discovered did an awesome job retaining the rain out and my sleeves in place, with out having to regulate any straps or toggles.
Weight and Packability
The Teris GTX is the heaviest of those 4 jackets, partly because of the weight of its hanging liner. It ideas the scales at 20.5 ounces for the ladies’s and 24 ounces for the lads’s.
The Trailmade can be barely heavier, due partly to its hanging liner, however nonetheless clocks in beneath a pound in most sizes. The ladies’s weighs 13.1 ounces and the lads’s weighs 15.5 ounces.
The Rainier and XeroCloud 3L jackets are the lightest of those 4 jackets. When you depend ounces when selecting gear, look no additional than the Rainier (at 9.9 ounces for a ladies’s small, and 11.2 ounces for a males’s medium), and the XeroCloud 3L (11.3 ounces for the ladies’s; 13.4 ounces for the lads’s).
The XeroCloud 3L and the Rainier each have a delegated “packable” pocket. You possibly can stuff all the jacket into its personal left-hand pocket as a neat little storage pouch, with a double-sided zipper and bungee grasp wire.
A Last Observe on Match
All of those are sized to suit layers beneath as wanted.
You’ll find a dimension chart on the person product pages for every jacket. As a part of the co-op’s dedication to inclusive design practices, all 4 jackets can be found in a variety of sizes from Ladies’s XS to 3X to Males’s S to XXL Tall. My physique measurements put me on the higher finish of the ladies’s dimension small vary; I can nonetheless simply match a base layer and light-weight puffy jacket beneath a small in any of those jackets.
That stated, every jacket is lower barely in a different way to swimsuit various match preferences.
The Teris GTX boasts essentially the most beneficiant match of those 4 jackets. It has ample layering room by means of the torso, barely longer sleeves, a droptail hem (longer within the again than within the entrance) and an additional inch or two in total size in comparison with the opposite jackets.
Conclusion
The XeroCloud 3L suits closest to the physique of those 4 jackets, significantly by means of the waist. This isn’t to say it runs small! It suits true to dimension however encompasses a extra contoured match with barely much less room for layering beneath. Just like the Teris GTX, it has a extra pronounced droptail hem than the opposite two jackets, and barely longer sleeves as nicely. I used to be in a position to match a base layer and light-weight puffy jacket beneath the XeroCloud however doing so made me look slightly extra “stuffed” than with the opposite three rain jackets, so for those who plan on usually layering this over a thicker puffy, you may take into account ordering one dimension up.
The Rainier has an ordinary match. In comparison with the XeroCloud, it presents barely extra room for additional layers beneath.
The Trailmade has a barely boxier match than the opposite three jackets. It has a beneficiant lower by means of the chest and waist, plus a barely shorter size in each back and front.
Conclusion: Which REI Co-op rain jacket is best for you?
Select the Teris GTX rain jacket (ladies’s, males’s) if you worth sturdiness, a roomy match and high-end climate safety, and aren’t in search of an excellent light-weight jacket. It performs nicely in reasonable to heavy rain and is burly sufficient to be used as a lightweight snowboarding jacket or informal shell for on a regular basis put on.
Select the REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L rain jacket (ladies’s, males’s) for those who’re a hiker and/or backpacker seeking to improve your outerwear to one thing top-tier. Its stretchy, snug material, wonderful breathability and elevated particulars are excellent for many who love shifting slightly quicker or going slightly farther on the path. The jacket can be accessible in an extended silhouette—for each ladies and males. And there’s a line of rain pants too.
Select the REI Co-op Rainier rain jacket (ladies’s, males’s and ladies’s lengthy line) for those who’re in search of a high-performing jack-of-all-trades. The Rainier hits the candy spot for a lot of of us: It’s a full-featured waterproof jacket that’s light-weight, breathable and totally seam-sealed to maintain rain out all day lengthy. Its worth level is tough to beat for every thing you get with this tried-and-true piece of rainwear.
The Rainier can be the one one in every of these three jackets supplied (with a much less technical function set) in youngsters’ and toddler/toddlers’ sizes.
For the grownups, the ladies’s model can be accessible in an extended silhouette. When you, like me, take pleasure in sitting on benches on wet days with out getting your butt moist, the has you (actually) coated. (Or in order for you full head-to-toe protection, take into account the Rainier rain pants).
Select the REI Co-op Trailmade rain jacket (ladies’s and males’s) for those who’re in search of an awesome worth on a classy, high-quality rain jacket you’ll be able to put on day-after-day and for exploring native trails. It is available in quite a lot of types—enjoyable patterns, shiny colorblocking or extra subdued colours—to fit your private style. It doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of extra technical mountain climbing jackets, however it would do a advantageous job retaining you dry in something however extended downpours. The Trailmade line additionally contains rain pants as an choice.
Curious which one was proper for me?
My life appears so much totally different now than it did once I was a newly anointed and rain-jacketless Seattleite 16 years in the past. As a longtime REI worker, I’ve had the chance to develop my rain-jacket arsenal over time to assist my passions for mountain climbing, backpacking and path operating.
My favourite trails nowadays are steep, lengthy ones; I’m a sucker for an awesome summit view. I are likely to sweat so much, particularly once I’m carrying my 4-year-old on my again. So, the snug material and distinctive breathability of the XeroCloud 3L actually gained me over.
Actually, I find it irresistible a lot that I even wore it for the second half of a 100-miler I ran on Orcas Island in February, throughout which it rained on us all night time lengthy. Whereas this jacket wasn’t essentially designed particularly for operating, a number of ultrarunning is glorified pace mountain climbing—and the truth that the XeroCloud stored me snug for 12 hours of high-exertion motion in moist, windy climate is a testomony to its spectacular waterproofing and breathability.
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Editor’s be aware: This text was up to date to incorporate the brand new REI Co-op Teris GTX and XeroCloud Jackets.
The submit Which REI Co-op Rain Jacket Is Proper for You? appeared first on Unusual Path – An REI Co-op Publication.
