REI is a number one out of doors retailer identified for its high-quality and revolutionary rainwear. Their much-loved XeroDry line of jackets and pants have been up to date in 2023 with the brand new Gore-Tex Titanium Paclite platform for best-in-class waterproof safety and sustainability. This options 100% recycled poly face cloth and a PFC-Free sturdy water repellent (DWR) end.
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX At-a-Look
XeroDry Jacket (Males’s/Ladies’s)
MSRP: $179
Weight: 13oz
Pockets: Three whole (two hip, one chest)
XeroDry Pants: (Males’s/Ladies’s)
MSRP: $159
Weight: 10.2oz
Pockets: Two zippered hand pockets
Circumstances of Evaluate
Right here within the stunning state of Maine, the late spring and early summer season introduced record-breaking quantities of rain, creating the right alternative to place rain gear to the check! I made a decision to put on this rain gear set on a number of drizzly day hikes to gauge their efficiency, exploring locations like Gulf Hagas and Baxter State Park.
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Options
XeroDry Jacket
- Angel wing yoke/sleeve development for ease of motion.
- Totally adjustable hood.
- Zippered hand and chest pockets are mesh-lined to double as core vents.
- Formed cuffs with rip & stick adjustability.
- Hem drawcord to fine-tune match and maintain out climate.
XeroDry Pants
- Elastic waistband with drawcord permits for ease of motion, all-
day consolation, and on-the-fly adjustment. - Zippered hand pockets (pants packs into left-hand pocket).
- Articulated knees.
- Ankle zips with hem adjustment system for straightforward on/off and tightening down over boots.
- Boot hook to maintain the pants in place when bushwhacking.
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Execs
Options: The XeroDry jacket and pants stand out by providing an array of options not usually present in mid-range rainwear. The jacket provides varied adjustment choices for the hood, waistband, and cuffs, making certain a custom-made match. There may be additionally area to layer beneath. Although pit zips are absent, the jacket compensates with two hand pockets and a chest pocket backed with mesh for added air flow.
As for the pants, along with vented hand pockets and an elastic waistband, they boast an ankle cinch and lace clip, offering a safe leg match throughout bushwhacks, making certain all the things stays in place.
Worth level: The XeroDry jacket and pants go above and past when it comes to worth. They provide the efficiency and options often related to high-end rainwear, all with out the hefty price ticket. For many hikers, this makes them a sensible and cost-effective selection.
What’s even higher is that with this stuff (and most others offered at REI), you get the additional benefit of their bomber guarantee. This contains beneficiant returns, repairs, and exchanges if something goes incorrect – a uncommon discover at this value level. This added peace of thoughts makes the XeroDry set an much more interesting choice for these on the fence.
Recycled cloth: The place practicable, XeroDry merchandise are made with 100% recycled polyester, which retains helpful materials out of the landfill.
PFC-free DWR: PFC’s are unhealthy information, and the out of doors business has regularly stepped again from these long-lasting, “eternally” chemical compounds. First, long-chain PFC’s disappeared, and now even their short-chain brethren are dropping by the wayside. The PFC-free DWR used on the XeroDry is the following step in bettering the environmental impression of waterproof expertise.
READ NEXT — Greatest Rain Jackets for Via-Mountaineering
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Cons
Saggy match: The XeroDry GTX jacket and pants, like most of REI-brand attire, each have beneficiant sizing, providing a saggy match that permits for layering when wanted. Whereas this may be useful in sure conditions, the surplus cloth is way from streamlined and may change into cumbersome whereas climbing.
The free match of the pants, particularly, is a priority as they billow excessively beneath the knee, doubtlessly catching on branches or obstacles. Whereas the jacket’s roominess is manageable, the pants simply felt like they have been constructed with extra cloth than obligatory, even when pulled over climbing pants.
PFC-free DWR: Ever end up pondering that your rain gear isn’t as waterproof because it was? Wasn’t that previous jacket that you just used for years a decade in the past higher? Effectively, the reality is that PFC-free DWR, whereas higher for the atmosphere and our well being, is much less sturdy than the poisonous stuff that we used to put on. That implies that all of us must take higher care of our gear, and reapply DWR end extra continuously than earlier than. It is a value price paying, but it surely’s nonetheless irritating.
Waterproofing sturdiness: It’s simple to bag on DWR finishes and waterproof expertise normally. Every has inherent limitations as engineers try and strike the right steadiness between breathability and full waterproofing. As hikers and shoppers, it’s simple to fall sufferer to daring advertising and marketing claims about breathability, and the reality is that no rain gear is as breathable as we would like it to be. That’s a truth.
As talked about above, the DWR coating on waterproof/breathable materials like Gore-Tex will put on off, resulting in “wetting out” the place the face materials absorbs water as a substitute of repelling it. This diminishes breathability so that you get that nasty clammy feeling.
With the XeroDry jacket and pants each utilizing 2-layer waterproof expertise and supplied at a comparatively low value, I don’t anticipate the DWR end to final very lengthy earlier than requiring re-treatment. The name-brand Gore-Tex waterproofing is top-notch, however that doesn’t do numerous good if the jacket wets out. It’ll take some effort to maintain this DWR practical. Certainly, I seen the material starting to moist out after a protracted day of sustained rain whereas climbing round Mount Katahdin, confirming my suspicions. In equity, this can be a powerful check for any rain gear.
Last Ideas
The XeroDry jacket and pants undoubtedly present distinctive worth, holding their floor in opposition to high-end rainwear with their spectacular efficiency and options. The DWR has its limitations, however the total safety is kind of good, all whereas remaining budget-friendly.
For hikers in search of top-notch performance with out breaking the financial institution, this mixture is a brilliant and sensible selection. REI’s cautious design in each the jacket and pants showcases their dedication to constantly bettering the sustainability of their merchandise their rainwear choices with out compromising on efficiency.
Whereas the XeroDry set might not be absolutely the lightest choice obtainable, nor essentially the most flattering, it excels in placing a steadiness between high quality and affordability. This makes it an attractive selection for these prioritizing dependable rain safety and sturdiness all year long.
For my very own out of doors adventures, I intend to proceed utilizing XeroDry for day hikes and on a regular basis excursions round city, the place weight and absolute waterproofness are usually not vital components.
Store Males’s REI Co-op XeroDry Jacket and Pants
Store Ladies’s REI Co-op XeroDry Jacket and Pants
Comparable Rain Shells
Patagonia Torrentshell (Males’s/Ladies’s), Pants ($129)
MSRP: $179
Weight: 14.1 oz
Materials: 3-layer H2No
Out of doors Analysis Helium (Males’s/Ladies’s), Pants ($130)
MSRP: $170
Weight: 6.3 ounces
Materials: 2.5-layer Pertex Protect Diamond Fuse
Learn our assessment of the Helium Rain Jacket and Pants right here.
Arc’Teryx Beta LT (Males’s/Ladies’s)
MSRP: $450
Weight: 13.9 oz
Materials: 3-layer Gore-tex
Black Diamond Treeline (Males’s/Ladies’s)
MSRP: $140
Weight: 9 oz
Materials: 2.5-layer BD.dry
The REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket and Pants have been donated for the aim of assessment.
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