Lightweight, soft, comfortable rain shells are having a moment in the outdoors and in general, we're big fans, so long as they hold off the worst of the weather and you're not planning on doing any winter in them. This joins the lineup of light, packable shells we've tested that provide a lot of protection for those hiking in spring through fall or in milder climates without adding a lot of weight to your kit bag. Rather than using , The North Face has developed its own waterproof polyurethane membrane that is presented in a format here which is surprisingly light and works well to keep moisture out.
Better yet, we've found this jacket to be impressively in warmer temperatures, which makes it ideal for high-intensity activities like hiking. That said, the pit zips are unusually small – only about two inches long – presumably to save weight, which renders them all but useless. However, the fabric is breathable enough that they're not really needed, which then makes you wonder why they're there at all? The fit of this jacket is a little on the loose side around the chest, though that does help with layering, and the cut is a little lower to cover your hips.
The hood, cuffs and hem are all adjustable to help you cut out the wind, but we wish the hood was a little bigger and had a peak, as once the wind starts blowing there's nothing to protect your face. Between the hand-warming pockets and inner mesh pockets, there's enough room to stash your stuff, and you can pack the jac.