Short Lightweight Rain Jackets

Stonedfish

Stonedfish

Known Pluviophile
Forum Supporter
After years of great service, my Simms Paclite rain jacket is on its final stages of getting eaten by saltwater.
It’s been great and given me years of service. The only thing I don’t like about it is the length. Since I wear waders all the time, I’d like something shorter.
I did some google searches but didn’t find much. Short wading jackets seem to be a thing of the past.
Any suggests for short, lightweight rain jackets, lightweight being the most important feature.
Thanks
SF
 
I have an Orvis very lightweight wading jacket that's about 15 years old. It's a 2.5 layer fabric, with only one pocket (on the outside chest). I don't know the model, but no doubt Orvis has replaced it with newer models. I only use it in town or hiking, and it's still going strong, but I rarely fish with it, so I don't know how it would stand up for frequent fishing. The back length is 28" from the hood seam to the bottom of the jacket. In contrast, my 20 year old Simms Guide wading jacket length is 25". This is the original Guide (with the exceedingly useful back pocket, and two roomy inside pockets and two outside pockets), which Simms replaced with the G3, etc.
Hope these measurements help you choose your new jacket. (Both are medium size.)
 
Huh, just looked and there does seem to be a lack of short wading jackets. The one I use is no longer made.

This jacket looks decent. I have several BW Sports reel-on rod cases and they are well made. But the fleece lining probably adds bulk and weight:
bwsports.com

Fishing Guide Jacket - BW Sports

BW Sports™ Rain Jacket, designed with the angler in mind with a high waist cut to allow for deep wading. The water proof soft shelled exterior makes this jacket very comfortable and warm, 100% breathable with a mesh interior and fleece lined chin guard to help keep your face warm and dry.
bwsports.com bwsports.com
 
I have and like the Patagonia SST. Seems like they don't make it anymore but you may be able to find some NOS online.

ironbowflyshop.ca

Patagonia M's SST Jacket

PATAGONIA M'S SST JACKET The iconic SST Jacket features bellowed, stay-flat chest pockets, a large back stash pocket, an integrated hood with single-pull adjustment and Reverse StretchCoat cuffs to keep arms dry. The SST is high cut for deep wading and offers double belt loops. Features Fabric...
ironbowflyshop.ca ironbowflyshop.ca
 
adamcu280 said:
I have and like the Patagonia SST. Seems like they don't make it anymore but you may be able to find some NOS online.

ironbowflyshop.ca

Patagonia M's SST Jacket

PATAGONIA M'S SST JACKET The iconic SST Jacket features bellowed, stay-flat chest pockets, a large back stash pocket, an integrated hood with single-pull adjustment and Reverse StretchCoat cuffs to keep arms dry. The SST is high cut for deep wading and offers double belt loops. Features Fabric...
ironbowflyshop.ca ironbowflyshop.ca
Click to expand...

The SST jackets are excellent, just a bit heavier than what I prefer.
Maybe I should be looking for a light rain shell. @Nick Clayton you have any suggestions? 😂😂😂
SF
 

I picked up this guy 2 years ago. It's gotten me somewhere around 75 days of use in that time, and has held up great until I just recently popped the velcro strap for the wrist. Easy fix however.

The pockets are roomy and out of the way, and it has kept me dry during a full nov deluge floating the Skagit for 9 hours.
 
Aquaz used to make a great one but like the others it's no longer in production. Drift Creek is an Oregon based company and the best bang for the buck in a lightweight fully waterproof jacket I've found. When I need it really short i just tighten the lower elastic an it will hold the bottom line of the jacket above my waders.

www.driftcreekoutdoors.com

#7600 MEN’S TUNDRA TECH® HOODED RAIN JACKET | Drift Creek Outdoors

Durable 3-layer laminate technology Lightweight Functional, attractive and comfortable The Rain forests of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska receive more annual rainfall than virtually anywhere on earth. These adverse weather conditions require the most technical gear for comfort...
www.driftcreekoutdoors.com www.driftcreekoutdoors.com
 
Probably worth checking the Grundens website if you haven't already. The Goretex jacket I got from them last year is heavier than you're looking for, but it's short and they may have a lighter model that is too.
 
I’ve got this one and it’s been solid. Zippers have stood up surprisingly well to salt water with minimal rinsing. That said, since I wear it in the rain, by nature it gets a decent rinsing :). It has held up better to salt than past rain and wading jackets I’ve owned.

www.orvis.com

Men’s Clearwater Wading Jacket

We made this sturdy jacket using three-layer fabric with 20K waterproofness and 15K breathability—a fantastic value.
www.orvis.com www.orvis.com
 
I'll be following this thread closely. I've been looking for a lightweight rain jacket that actually keeps me dry for years, and it's been slim pickins. The last one I bought was supposed to be suitable for mountaineering, but the only ways it fit that bill was that it was very light and packed super small. It worked okay in light rain, but the first time I used it in a steady rain, it more or less soaked through after an hour, and it hardly kept out anything after that. I sprayed it down with some waterproofing spray, and it works okay again, but when I know it's going to rain more than a little, I have to break out my old, gross Grundens PVC jacket. That thing is hot as hell and has mold stains on the inside, but it's the only thing I have ever had that actually keeps me dry (from the outside anyway... yuck).

I suspect where I've gone wrong with lightweight jackets is trying to avoid spending as much on them as I would on waders. I think I've finally accepted that I'm going to have to suck it up and fork over the bounty, but I want to make an informed choice. Staying dry is far more important to me than weight; I might opt for one of the "heavier" options being mentioned. Keep 'em coming, and thanks!
 
I really like my older (15yr plus) Columbia PGF Wading Jacket/shell which the traditional waist length. It weighs 1 lb-2 oz and conveniently fits into a much older REI-style 1 liter water bottle holder. I usually wear pant waders with a water bottle, net and wading staff on my waist belt to get the weight off my shoulders. Longer jackets don't really work with that setup. Being on the prairie side of the Great Divide, the jacket is only use for the occasional downpour. There are usually one or more available on EBay.

1a 20210913 Columbia Wading 1lb-2oz - Short - Partially covers belt.jpg

Columbia Wading Jacket.jpg
 
wornwear.patagonia.com

Search: 37 results found for "rain ja"

Better than new—Worn Wear allows you to trade in, repair and buy used Patagonia® clothing and gear. Browse used or trade in today at WornWear.com.
wornwear.patagonia.com wornwear.patagonia.com
 
Stonedfish said:
This is one I’ll check out. Likely heavier and definitely longer then what I’d like.

Next time I’m in Fife, I’ll stop by Sportco and see what they have, including their Grunden options.
SF
Click to expand...
I just bought one of these. Definitely standard length rain jacket. I love the Patagonia outerwear stuff but the sleeves always seem to be a touch longer than I'd like for my body shape, guess I need to lose some weight so I can drop down a size 😂 . I was actually surprised it's not as heavy as I thought it would be, it still pack down pretty small too.
 
My light weight shell is a Montbell Storm. It measures 2.5” longer at the waist than my Simms G4 Pro Wading Jacket.
www.montbell.com

Storm Cruiser Jacket Men's | Montbell America

Featuring Montbell's proprietary waterproof SUPER DRY-TEC fabric, our flagship rain jacket delivers excellent breathability and durability required for mountaineering. The interior features a densely knitted fabric to ensure cling-resistant comfort.
www.montbell.com www.montbell.com
 
I have a Torrentshell...very nice rain jacket for hiking, pit zips are nice way to vent and it breathes well when active, the overall design of the jacket allows for good movement when scrambling up talus slopes and such, so may be decent when casting all day.
Never used it for fishing...
 
Otter said:
I have an Orvis very lightweight wading jacket that's about 15 years old. It's a 2.5 layer fabric, with only one pocket (on the outside chest). I don't know the model, but no doubt Orvis has replaced it with newer models. I only use it in town or hiking, and it's still going strong, but I rarely fish with it, so I don't know how it would stand up for frequent fishing. The back length is 28" from the hood seam to the bottom of the jacket. In contrast, my 20 year old Simms Guide wading jacket length is 25". This is the original Guide (with the exceedingly useful back pocket, and two roomy inside pockets and two outside pockets), which Simms replaced with the G3, etc.
Hope these measurements help you choose your new jacket. (Both are medium size.)
Click to expand...
Stonedfish, I found today's version of my Orvis lightweight jacket, online here:

www.orvis.com

Men’s Ultralight Wading Jacket

Easy to pack, breathes, has triple the waterproof life expectancy—this jacket ticks all the boxes.
www.orvis.com www.orvis.com

If you scroll the pics to the last one, you can see how long it is, when wearing waders. It looks like it hangs about 4 inches of so below the wading belt. Covering up my wading belt is another reason I don't use it fishing. I need access to stuff that I may hang on my wading belt at different times of the year, and whether I'm fishing a river or the beach (wading staff holster, knife, water bottle, bear spray).

I wonder why there are fewer short wading jackets made these days? Maybe because the market for anglers who fish from boats is a lot larger, than for anglers who wade rivers or beaches?

I also found a very informative article on the different types of waterproof/breathable jacket fabrics. Stonedfish, it mentions your Paclite, as well as that Patagonia Torrentshell that you're interested in:

www.switchbacktravel.com

Switchback Travel | Rain Jacket Construction: 2L vs. 2.5L vs. 3L

We break down the key differences between 2-, 2.5-, and 3-layer rain jackets, including waterproofing, breathability, weight and bulk, price, and more
www.switchbacktravel.com www.switchbacktravel.com
 
adamcu280 said:
I have and like the Patagonia SST. Seems like they don't make it anymore but you may be able to find some NOS online.

ironbowflyshop.ca

Patagonia M's SST Jacket

PATAGONIA M'S SST JACKET The iconic SST Jacket features bellowed, stay-flat chest pockets, a large back stash pocket, an integrated hood with single-pull adjustment and Reverse StretchCoat cuffs to keep arms dry. The SST is high cut for deep wading and offers double belt loops. Features Fabric...
ironbowflyshop.ca ironbowflyshop.ca
Click to expand...
That sucks. I love my SST, guess I should try and be more careful with it, maybe stop getting flies stuck in it.
 
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