more»User Review: Marmot Super Mica Jacket
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.
$129.99 - $200.00
MSRP: $200.00
