There are times you need a heavy-duty rain jacket, like in climates where you know you’re going to get dumped on regularly. For other destinations you may need something “just in case,” with the rest of the time being better suited to a lightweight jacket that’s easy to pack.
That’s where the Fanatic jacket from Outdoor Research comes in. You can jam it down into the corner of your bag and it will still look decent five minutes after you unpack it. It’s got windbreaking properties and good water resistance, but isn’t heavy enough to weigh you down. If you want to really pack it in tight, the whole thing can stuff into one of the pockets.
This was the only jacket I took this with me on a two-week trip to Ecuador in October and it was fine for chilly nights in Quito and days of light drizzle hiking and boating around the Galapagos. The hood kept my head dry and the rest kept my body dry, yet at only 11 ounces (313 grams), it didn’t add much to my pack weight.
The Fanatic is breathable yet waterproof, thanks to its Pertex Shield DS technology, which makes it cost a good bit more than mere “water repellent” coated jackets without any high-tech breathable membrane ($145 list). But with this you won’t get soaked from the outside or be doused in sweat on the inside.
It’s got two waterproof zippered pockets on the sides and one more at chest level for sunglasses or a music player. There is a drawstring for the waist that comes into the side pockets, which means you can tighten up the bottom of it while still keeping your hands dry. There is a cinch strap system on the hood as well, elastic cuffs on the sleeves, an internal storm flap inside the main zipper, and there is seam taping on all the seams. With the hood pulled up, the top half of your body will stay good and dry.
I feel like this jacket will be with me for the long haul, but I did find the zippers to be a bit grabby and I felt like I needed to treat them gingerly. As with most similar jackets, to keep the weight down and strengthen the waterproofing properties, the zippers are not metal. Time will tell if they’re more durable than they feel. If not, I’m not worried: Outdoor Research stands behind its products with an “Infinite Guarantee. If the jacket fails, you’ll get a new one.
The men’s version of the Fanatic comes in four colors and a variety of sizes. The women’s version comes in black plus three different colors in five sizes.
See the jackets page at OutdoorResearch.com
Get the Men’s Outdoor Research Fanatic Jacket at Backcountry.com
Related review: the slightly heavier Revel jacket from OR
