Need new rain jacket

I need a light new rain / wind jacket. I saw a couple of you guys at the BBQ with some nice onces. What do you guys recommend?

Well mine is a Marmot Precip. It is not light at 13.90 oz. In the UL world ponchos are the only way to go. I have been wet wearing a poncho but totally dry wearing my precip jacket and pants. I plan to carry which ever on the weather determines me to wear. Mont Bell makes some real light jackets and go-lite makes some light stuff. I got my stuff on sale... at a store going out of business. I don't have poncho yet.

Lew

Colt,

I like the Marmot Precip series http://www.rei.com/product/718330 for a reasonably priced jacket.

I carry a inexpensive Froggtogg suit during the summer in Arkansas when weather is threatening. The whole suit (jacket and pants) weight less than a pound and packs fairly small. They are not very tough in brush. Mine has been green briar attacked pretty badly but it is still keeps me dry. It does not offer much a a wind breaker so I consider it a summer only item

HBH

How well does the Marmot breathe for you guys?

It is marginal. I have worn better more breathable jackets but they were alot more expensive. I tend to run hot anyway so I keep the pit zips open most of the time

I run hot also, so I would need to keep my pit zips open also.. Looks like a solid jacket. Has anyone tried the REI jacket? Has some great reviews on their site and the have a discontinued color in my size for just under $80.

I have the Montbeel Versalite, it is just under a pound so not the lightest shell out there but the features are great. Montbell also is considered by many to use the most breathable, waterproof fabric on the market. I have had Northface, Marmot Precips, Patagonias, and Mountain Hardware shells similar and think the Montbell out performs them all. Mine was $139. Montbell also makes a Particle rain shell that weighs in at 11oz. that is $99. Lewis and Clark carries Montbell in Rogers and I assume they would in Little Rock, worth checking out.

I use the Marmot and haven't had any problems with it.

Hey, colt:
I was just reading about this jacket and thought I'd share it with you. See what you think, if you haven't bought anything yet, this may help.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/driducks_rain_gear.html
UL

Wow. Cheap and light! I like it!

That type of material is great for open trails. The new stuff from Frogg Toggs is heavier because it appears to be a little tougher. When they first came out, and you used them in a bushwhack, you would up using a lot of duct tape.

The precip is hard to beat, IMHO. However, I have heard a lot of people give favorable reviews on the Red Ledge Jacket and it is about half the price as the Marmot.

colt:
I found DriDucks today at Academy Sporting Goods. Chili is right, they are a little flimsy, but if you are going to be sticking to the open trail, then they may work fine for you. They were $19.99 for top and bottom.
UL

The driducks will work, but they aren't going to last more than a few trips. I had a friend who used them a lot, and he never made it through more than ten trips with a pair, and that was pushing it. If you want a quick solution, I'd say go for them, but if your looking for something that you can have for a long time, buy real, more traditional rain jacket.

Good advice, Kyle. Cheap only works if it works. If I have to keep buying them every few months, I would kick myself for not just getting the good stuff to begin with.

However, I am about to lose a bunch of weight, so buying a good one to fit me now may not be a great idea either... what a conundrum. I could always eBay it out when I get too small for it?

IMHO, you never get too small for a rain jacket.

In the summer, I actually want it a little baggy. In the winter, I want it big enough that it will fit over fleece when I am standing around in one of those November rains that go on forever in the Ozarks.

Finally broke down and bought the Marmot Precip '08 jacket in Hedge color. Got it for $59.97 (normally $100 everywhere else) at campsaver.com. They are having an awesome summer closeout sale until Sept. 29th.