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Today, the phrase "waterproof clothing" usually means membrane clothing. Lightweight and compact waterproof jackets are made of membrane materials from leading brands: Gore-Tex, Dermizax, eVent, Sympatex. The most popular with famous brands are Gore-Tex membrane materials. Although many manufacturers, in order to reduce the final cost or for other reasons, try to develop and use membranes of their own production.

Membrane clothing allows not only to protect the wearer from rain and wind, but also ensures the removal of vapors from the body, creating a comfortable microclimate inside. Therefore, it is becoming more and more popular in everyday urban life.

This review features membrane jackets from leading outdoor brands and ranked them by weight, from lightest to heaviest. We have deliberately bypassed the top-of-the-line climbing gaiters by offering more versatile jackets for a wide range of activities.

Whether you're hiking, cycling, jogging, or just taking a walk, lightweight and compact waterproof jackets are a must have in everyone's wardrobe. They are also useful in the city - forget about umbrellas, walk with your hands free. When packaged, modern waterproof clothing takes up no more space than an umbrella, or even less.

In sports and tourism, the weight of the jacket is of paramount importance, pay attention to this important factor. Outdoor clothing manufacturers around the world strive to lighten their products, and many have done quite well in this regard. However, do not forget that the lightness of the material often affects the strength indicators.

If you are planning a multi-day hike with a heavy backpack, buy jackets made of thicker fabric: they are more durable with frequent use.

Lightweight and compact waterproof jackets are a must have for everyone who is fond of cycling, jogging, trail running, or just loves to walk. Photo source: goeast.ems.com

If you need a simple waterproof jacket to keep the rain o Jackets ut in the city or in the country, you don't have to chase high vapor permeability values. Almost every jacket has ventilation zones, it is enough to open the zipper or open the pockets.

If you are looking for a membrane for long-term use and aerobic sports, only ventilation is not enough, choose the most breathable membrane. The vapor permeability index is indicated in two formats: according to the RET system or in g / m². In the RET system, the lower the value, the better. So, 0 is taken to be the ability to breathe of a naked body, and more than 20 - sensations, like in a plastic bag. In g / m², on the contrary: the higher the indicator, the better the jacket will be ventilated - in luxury models the vapor permeability value starts from 20,000 g / m².

And of course, water resistance is considered the most important indicator. Most often, the membrane water resistance characteristics are indicated on the product in millimeters of water column. Clothes with indicators of at least 5000 mm of water column are considered waterproof.

Please note that in lightweight waterproof jackets, a medium-strength fabric is used, such things are not intended for "rough" use. In some models, the manufacturer, in search of a compromise between weight and strength, uses blended fabrics, reinforcing the areas most susceptible to wear with stronger materials. But more often than not, unfortunately, you have to sacrifice something for low weight.

The lightest and most compact membrane jackets

Here we have included the lightest jackets in the modern industry. Each model weighs up to 200 grams, and each can be shrunk to the size of a small grapefruit.

These models are designed for those who count every gram of equipment: ultralight riders, trail runners, fans of rogaining, marches and bicycle brevet. Extremely low weight is achieved due to the laconic, athletic cut, minimalism in details and accessories, as well as the finest fabric. Therefore, the jackets are not intended for classic tourism with a heavy backpack.

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