Bottom line
The ultralight Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket (Men’s / Women’s) is nearly unrivaled when it comes to breathability in a rain layer. We love the jacket’s layering-friendly fit and durability—especially for how light it is. The Vertice is pricey, but we think it’s worth the splurge if you backpack a lot and want to keep your kit as light and compact as possible.
We highly recommend pairing the Vertice Jacket with the Vertice Rain Pants (Men’s / Women’s) to create the ultimate ultralight rain and wind clothing system.
Quick Specs
Zpacks Vertice
Breathable Ultralight Jacket
CleverHiker Rating: 79.8/100
Price: $299
Listed Weight: 5.75 oz. / 5.7 oz.(men’s / women’s)
Pros
- Ultralight
- Large chest pocket
- Pit zips
- Adjustable sleeves, hem & hood
- Hood rolls away
- Packs very small
- Fit accommodates layers well
- Excellent coverage
Cons
- Expensive
- No handwarmer pockets
- Oversized hood works best with hat
- Less durable
Comfort & Mobility
The Vertice jacket has a roomy fit that allows you to comfortably wear a puffy coat or fleece underneath when conditions are cold and wet. Compared to some of our other favorite ultralight rain layers, the Vertice is more comfortable when paired with insulating layers – largely due to the looser sleeves and wrist cuffs.
Weather Resistance
The Vertice is a 3-layer rain jacket, meaning it has a waterproof outer layer, a breathable midlayer, and a liner that protects the midlayer from getting clogged with sweat and oil. Three-layer jackets are the most protective and will stay waterproof for longer than two and 2.5-layer jackets. The Vertice has a hydrostatic head of over 20,000 mm, which means it can withstand a lot of pessure (like sitting under backpack straps, for example) without wetting through. For reference, around 10,000 mm is considered the minimum for a good rain jacket.
The Vertice is long enough to cover your bum, which is convenient when taking breaks on wet rocks or logs. It also means the seat of your shorts or pants isn’t bearing the brunt of the runoff from your jacket, so you’ll stay a little warmer when it’s wet out.
Ventilation
The ultralight fabric of the Vertice is breathable, and the long pit zips allow you to quickly dump excess heat. We haven’t had any issues with condensation buildup on the inside during rain showers either. It’s also light and airy enough to use as a windbreaker when hiking in exposed areas, and it won’t cause you to immediately overheat like some heavier rain jackets.
Durability
We fully expected to handle this ultralight jacket delicately, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised by its durability. We hiked through tons of thick willows and shrubs in it and didn’t get a single snag or tear. A stray ember from a fire even landed on it and didn’t leave any damage behind. Still, it’s probably best to treat it carefully to ensure it lasts for many hiking seasons.
Weight
The Vertice packs down small into its own chest pocket. As an added bonus, that pocket is large enough to also store the Vertice Pants (Men’s)(Women’s) and Rain Mitts, so you can keep all of your rain gear together in one small and tidy package when not in use.
The Zpacks Vertice Jacket weighs under 6 oz. for a medium, which we can all agree is incredibly lightweight. Compared to other ultralight rain jackets on our list, the Zpacks Vertice provides more coverage thanks to its parka length.
Should You Buy the Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket?
The price of the Vertice Jacket is higher than most others on our Best Rain Jackets list, but we think the value you get for the money is pretty great here. Very few rain jackets can compete with the breathability, low weight, and coverage of the Vertice, so we think the cost is worth it if you’re an ultralight backpacker wanting to keep your pack weight as low as possible.
The hood of the Vertice really needs to be paired with a hat or visor to be fully effective. In windy conditions, it sometimes flopped around and dumped rain on our faces. A strap on the back can be used to tighten the hood, but the coverage isn’t as good when it’s tightened. Many other ultralight jackets have a slightly rigid brim that eliminates this issue. We’d like to see a little more structure in the hood added to future iterations of the Vertice.
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
Montbell Versalite Review: Just a few ounces heavier, this option is great if you want pit vents and a shorter jacket cut.
Outdoor Research Helium Review: When it comes to ultralight jackets, this is one of the most practical options on the market. The jacket is simple with few features (no hand pockets or pit zips), but it’s still a great buy for those who are on a budget or those who prefer a simple, ultralight design.
