Marmot Super Mica Jacket

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The best raincoat is the one you have with you. This…

February 21, 2013

tpar
43 reviewer rep

Rating:
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $199

Summary

The best raincoat is the one you have with you. This jacket is so light there is never a reason not to carry it. However, I carry it only when I don't really expect significant rain. This is because it is so light that it is not really a hard shell—a little wind blows it against your skin/base layer, making it colder than a stiff hard shell. If I know it will rain, I would carry a heavier, stiffer jacket or at least a fleece to keep this jacket off my arms.

Pros

Lightweight
Pit zips

Cons

It is colder than a true hard shell in wet, windy conditions
It starts to wet out faster than I would expect for a new rain coat
At $200, this is pricy for the value

I am a fan of Marmot clothing because it frequently offers the best balance of ultralight weight, performance and price. This jacket pushes the envelope a bit in that it is SO LIGHT that it barely performs its function. I refer to the very-thin fabric that, in a wind, hugs my arms and makes me colder than I would be with my Arc'teryx Alpha SL.

If I know it will rain, I will carry the extra weight of the Arc'teryx or perhaps my very-old Marmot Precip. I am not unhappy with the jacket, but its function is limited to hikes where it MIGHT rain. I would recommend it, but only if you have the $$ to spare for this limited functionality.