On the plus side, The North Face has large pit zips, which help dump heatwithout them, I dont think I wouldve been able to wear the jacket much at all on the trek. Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking isdearest to our hearts. The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. Its hood is one of the more user-friendly designs weve tested, featuring a cinch toggle at the back and adjusters at each side of the face. The cost of the product is the same to you but this helps us continue to test and write about outdoor gear. Disappointing performance in heavy rain: the Venture wetted out quickly and took a very long time to dry. Another strong competitor to the Venture 2 is REI Co-ops Rainier. To start, its a throwback 2-layer design that includes a hanging mesh liner along the interior. International shipping availability and rates vary by seller. I also had to cinch the hem quite a bit to get a good seal around my waist (for reference, Im 59 and weigh 155 lbs.). Everything from the zippers to the Velcro is holding up very well. In the end, youd be hard-pressed to find a better mix of price and performance, and the styling is spot-on too. Given its lightweight intent and low price point, the Venture 2 isnt loaded with features. This rain jacket is a leader in priceits often available for $60 or less on Amazonbut comes with a number of compromises. Select the `Remember me on this computer` option if you wish to be automatically logged on to the computer in future. The La Sportiva Bushido has been at the top of our trail running shoe rankings for years thanks to its excellent traction, stability, and all-around performance on technical terrain. Now called the PreCip Eco thanks to a recycled and PFC-free face fabric, these two jackets share a lot in common: 2.5-layer constructions, pocket layouts, and features like pit zips and adjustable hoods. Explore our home, garden & DIY catalogue. And as the intensity of the weather increased, the shoulders and arms of the jacket soaked through and became pinned against my layer underneath. Whether youre a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good list to make sure theyre prepared when they head out on the trail. Just click on any of the seller links above, and if you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the transaction. Further, Velcro cuffs do a solid job sealing out moisture around the wrists, and I didnt experience any leaking around the center zipper that is covered by a nylon flap (also secured with Velcro). CIF/VAT ES-B-17527524, C/ Pirineus, 9, 17460 Celr (Girona), Spain.

And when the skies inevitably opened up, the jacket underwhelmed in terms of water protection. With heavy rain and possible snow in the forecast, its thin 2.5-layer construction and $99 price point didnt inspire a ton of confidence. If youre thinking about buying gear that weve reviewed on Switchback Travel, you can help support us in the process. Great discounts on the best brands. Thanks and we appreciate your support! A final shell to consider is Columbias entry-level Watertight II. The DWR coating beaded up light rain for a short stretch, but the top fabric layer started wetting out rather quickly (much faster than competitors like the Marmot PreCip Eco). Flimsy bill on the hood reduces protection around the forehead. This stacks up nicely with the larger 2.5-layer jacket market: REI Co-ops Rainier is a little heavier at 12.5 ounces while Marmots PreCip Eco undercuts it at 10.1 ounces. Our detailed checklist below covers everything from critical backpacking equipment (tent, pack We wake at 6am to the faint jingle of Lornas watch muffled by her sleeping bag. Versatile feature set includes pit zips, a highly adjustable hood, and a stuff pocket. The hood is nicely sized to balance fitting over a hat or beanie while not being overly bulky or ungainly when you snug it down (its not compatible with climbing or ski helmets, however). Zipped up, the stuff pocket measures about 10 inches in length and can be scrunched down further as needed. Further, REI Co-ops XeroDry, which features an upgraded Gore-Tex Paclite shell, is a little heavier at 12.5 ounces. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best rain jackets. This will save you time, money, and energy! By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. A third alternative to have in mind is Patagonias Torrentshell, which got an upgrade this year to a more protective 3-layer construction (the previous version was 2.5L). But I havent put any holes in the jacket despite traveling with it to far-off places like Patagonia. This makes it bulkier and heavier than the Venture, and its lack of pit zips means it runs hot during just about any form of outdoor adventuring. The two jackets are nearly identical, sharing the 40D shell, 2.5-layer DryVent waterproof construction, and expansive sizing options (XS up to 3XL). I wore it for extended stretches while hiking through rain, wind, and hail, and in each case I started overheating rather quickly. Read more about us. I tested the mens Venture 2, but The North Face makes the same design with a womens-specific fit. While this isnt all that abnormal for a 2.5-layer build, Ive found that competitors like the aforementioned Marmot PreCip Eco are better alternatives when working up a sweat (the Marmots mesh hand pockets do a better job encouraging airflow compared to the Ventures solid nylon). The original Venture rain shell left a lot to be desired in terms of material and build quality, but weve seen a noticeable upgrade with the latest version. And its worth noting that the Venture is one of only a few rain jackets to be offered in a 3XL (mens and womens) and tall sizes (mens only), so most people should be able to find a decent fit. The jackets moderately thin 40-denier (D) shell compresses easily into its left-hand pocket. The extra space meant that the jacket bunched up around my packs shoulder straps and hipbelt, although the sizing probably is spot-on for most everyday users. To supplement this, I wore a hat underneath to increase the coverage and protection. TRADEINN RETAIL SERVICES, S.L. The pricing information on this page is updated hourly but we are not responsible for inaccuracies. Depending on the seller, most products ship free in the United States on orders of $50 or more. Find the best deals. In comparison to the Venture, the Torrentshell is much better equipped to handle heavy rain and wind, breathes noticeably better, and feels softer and less clammy against the skin. This translates to a step up in waterproofing, although we did find that the jacket eventually will wet out in a heavy downpour (see our in-depth XeroDry review here). Receive exclusive offers and news that will brighten up your day! Fit-wise, The North Face also describes it as having a relaxed cut, although due to sizing differences, the womens jacket is slightly lighter at 10.6 ounces. While we havent had a chance to put the womens version of the Venture to the test just yet, were confident it will offer similar levels of weather protection and all-around performance as the mens model. That said, as I touched on above, I would prefer thatthe bill were a little larger and more rigidlike what you get on the Marmot Minimalistto keep rain from rolling onto my forehead. Needless to say, the Venture didnt leave a positive impression. Overall, the Ventures weight is perfectly reasonable for throwing in a pack, suitcase, or bike pannier. Given the jackets tendency to soak up moisture, we wouldnt recommend storing valuables in the pockets if youll be out in anything more than a light rain shower. Breathability falls short of competitors like the Marmot PreCip Eco and Patagonia Torrentshell. Price: $99Weight: 11 oz. My body creaks as I pull my sore arms from my sides, grab my headlamp, and light the JetBoil that I had carefully placed outside our tent the night before REI Co-op has assembled an impressive in-house lineup of high-quality gear and clothing that doesnt break the bank, and their XeroDry GTX rain jacket carries the torch. Even in rough conditions, the hood didnt require any retightening and stayed locked in place. The Venture gets the advantage in weight by about an ounce, and its more flexible materials compress smaller for storing in a bag. As an emergency shell for around town or light summer backcountry use, it should do the trick. There are a healthy number of budget-oriented rain shells on the market, and Columbias versatile Watertight II is among the most popular. Your account will remain active for 45 days. The Torrentshell is heavier than the Venture 2 at 13.9 ounces, pricier at $149, and its 3-layer build feels noticeably stiffer, but we consider these reasonable tradeoffs for the major boost in protection and build quality. On the other hand, the burly shell is plenty tough for use around town and there are a wide range of colors and sizes available. It just so happens that we pushed the jacket too hard, but as long as you set reasonable expectations and stay on top of cleaning (always a good idea), the Venture 2 is a suitable entry-level option. Copyright 2009 - 2022 by trekkinn. Against my better judgement, I broughtThe North Face Venture 2as my primary rain shell on a late winter backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon. Finally, even after laying out the shell overnight inside my tent, it was still completely wet when I grabbed it the next morning. On the Venture 2, The North Face included two simple hand pockets with zipper closures and nylon flaps to keep rain at bay. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. That jacket, however, doesnt include pit zips and costs an additional $60. The verdict: its a good value and includes a solid feature set, but we found its waterproofing to be lacking in rough conditions and heavy rainfall. As with its weight, the Ventures packability is quite good. The Venture is competitively priced at $99 and reasonably lightweight. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about rain. Below we break down the best rain Patagonias popular Torrentshell got a notable update a few seasons ago, shifting from a 2.5-layer design to a more hardwearing and weather-ready 3-layer construction. The Venture 2 has been a long-time staple in The North Faces rain jacket collection, aiming to balance weather protection, weight, and price. Priced at a very reasonable $90, the Rainier includes an in-house 2.5-layer construction and important features like pit zips, an adjustable hood, zippered hand pockets, and a cinchable hem and cuffs. Please do not use the `Remember me` option if using a computer with public access or that is used by more than one person. There was sufficient space for wearing a puffy midlayer without feeling snug, but it was pretty baggy throughout the torso and arms with only a t-shirt underneath. Terms & Conditions | Affiliate programs | Cookies policy | Privacy policy | Legal notice | Privacy policy social networks. (mens medium)Waterproofing: 2.5L DryVentWhat we like: Good price; includes useful features like a highly adjustable hood and pit zips.What we dont: Disappointing performance in heavy rain and baggy fit isnt for everyone.See the Men's TNF Venture 2 See the Women's TNF Venture 2. The pockets sit a little too low to work well with a backpack hipbelt or climbing harness, but the tradeoff is that theyre in a comfortable spot for around-town wear. In order to give you a better service Tradeinn uses cookies. The budget end of the rain jacket market has a number of options, and a long-time competitor is Marmots PreCip. Even over milder terrain and with temperatures hovering in the low 40s Fahrenheit, the interior lining felt clammy, slippery, and uncomfortable against my skin. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, were acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. Given the fickle weather on our trip, I often stored the Venture in the outer mesh pocket of my backpacking pack and never had an issue squeezing it into place. Below are our experiences with the Venture 2. Finally, the PreCip has a better track record in water protection and doesnt cost much more (an additional $1), which is why it beats out the Venture as our favorite budget rain jacket. Its Velcro has held up nicely through extended use and I havent had any hiccups with the zippers performance (the main zippers small coil design isnt all that confidence-inspiring, however). In fairness to the Venture 2, rain jackets in this category are far from bulletproof and The North Face did a fine job blocking strong gusts of wind. Over the past year, weve tested the shell extensively from backpacking in the Grand Canyon to daily wear around town. But these are relatively minor complaints for such a well-rounded and budget-friendly shell, and we consider it to be a slight step up in performance over the Venture 2. In the end, the XeroDrys superior weather protection and added features like a chest pocket give it the slight edge in our book. The Marmot gets the edge in weight at 10.1 ounces compared with 11.6 ounces for The North Face, and its a better option for hiking with mesh hand pockets to help with ventilation. Baggy fit isnt for everyone: its easy to layer underneath and fine around town, but too roomy for performance use. On our scale, the Venture 2 in a mens medium weighs in at 11 ounces on the button, which is a little less than the advertised 11.6 ounces from The North Face. We also prefer The North Faces pit zips to the XeroDrys pocket vents for dumping heat quickly without compromising storage. Computers, electronics and more to keep up to date with the latest technology. The hood is easy to cinch, and while the bill is flimsy and leaves a little too much of the forehead exposed, it stayed securely in place throughout the test. REIs in-house line of gear and apparel has a reputation for delivering solid bang for your buck, and their XeroDry GTX shell is a leading hiking design.

I chose my typical mens size medium with the Venture 2 and would describe the fit as relaxed. Its good to be mindful around sharp equipment with the 40D shell, and the half layer along the interior also requires some extra care. For $60 more than the Venture, you get a Gore-Tex Paclite construction and thicker face fabrics (75D on the shoulders, back, and arms; 50D on the rest). Like most budget-oriented, 2.5-layer rain jackets, the Venture doesnt provide standout levels of breathability. Casual users likely will find that the Watertight is plenty functional, although we think the Venture is worth the upgrade in most cases.

The North Face Venture 2 Rain Jacket Review, The North Face Venture 2 (Men's) Price Comparison, Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review, Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket Review, http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=33a96c45-e1ba-48ba-8258-f6, http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=b5770911-39dc-46ac-ba0f-b4, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J2M63K1/?tag=20sbt-20. The Rainier weighs a bit more than the Venture at 12.5 ounces, and we did find the fit to be a bit large and unshapely (we recommend sizing down). We havent experienced any durability issues despite extended use.