The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket gives you terrific waterproofness and plenty of intelligent features.
Please note: Whilst we feature the women’s version, this jacket is suitable for all genders.
See all other products in our guide to the 10 best waterproof rain jackets for hiking here.
- Great waterproofing
- Three good sized pockets
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Poor breathability
- Doesn’t pack down very well
The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket uses GORE-TEX to provide great waterproofness, and it incorporates pit zips to compensate for its lack of breathability. This jacket looks stylish while keeping you dry.
See all the waterproof jackets we’ve reviewed side by side in our comparison table:
Arc'teryx Beta LT | Black Diamond StormLine | Outdoor Research Helium Rain | Marmot PreCip Eco | Arc’teryx Beta | Marmot Minimalist | Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 | The North Face Venture 2 | Columbia Watertight II | The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight | |
Buying Options | ||||||||||
Our Awards | Best Women's Performance | Best Stretchy | Best Ultralight | Best Men's Performance | Best Womens | Best Mens | Best Budget | |||
Weight | 13.9 oz. | 11.3 oz. | 6.3 oz. | 10.6 oz. | 10.6 oz. | 13 oz. | 13.2 oz. | 11.6 oz. | 13 oz. | 12 oz. |
Waterproof | 3L Gore-Tex | 2.5L BD.dry | 2.4L Pertex | 2.5L NanoPro | 3L Gore-Tex | 2.5L Gore-Tex | 2.5L Pertex | 2.5L Dryvent | 2L Omni-Tech | 3L Futurelight |
Pockets | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 Zippered Hand | 2 Zippered Hand | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand pockets; 2 internal drop-in pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest |
Thanks to using GORE-TEX Paclite in its construction, you can be sure the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket will keep you dry. There are flaps over the pockets and an adjustable hood which both help to contribute to its outstanding waterproofness. The downside is the lack of breathability, and the jacket is a bit heavier and stiffer than some of its competitors. Including pit zips does help to increase ventilation, but if you participate in many high-energy activities, this may not be the best jacket for you. This raincoat looks stylish, and having three pockets is a welcome feature, but it doesn’t pack down very well. The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket is a stylish all-rounder that will keep you dry in all but the most extreme conditions, which is why we picked it as our Best Woman’s Rain Jacket.
See the Marmot Minimalist Rain Jacket in more detail:
Performance Comparison
Type and Style
The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket comes in a regular fit. It would be a good choice for hiking and any other outdoor activity where you want to stay dry. Its minimalist style means it is smart enough to wear every day, not just on the hills.
Water Resistance
The GORE-TEX Paclite fabric used to make the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket has a waterproof rating of 28,000 mm. It also has a PFC-free DWR (durable water-repellent) coating and taped seams. The adjustable hood, Velcro wrist tabs, and flaps over the zips help to improve the waterproofness.
Breathability
As is typical with most rain jackets, the better the waterproofing, the less breathable they tend to be, and the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket is no exception. It has a breathability rating of 15,000 g/m2/24 hours. It has pit zips to increase breathability, but they are a bit small. If you are exerting yourself, the inside of the jacket soon becomes clammy.
Comfort and Mobility
While GORE-TEX Paclite fabric does a great job of keeping you dry, it is heavier and stiffer than its competitors. The material can also feel cold and clammy against your skin at times. The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket tends to ride up and pull across your shoulders when you move your arms. There is plenty of room for layers under the raincoat, and the sleeves have Velcro tabs at the cuffs so you can tighten them to keep the wind out.
Materials
The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket uses GORE-TEX Paclite fabric. This is a 2-layer material with a GORE-TEX membrane bonded directly to 100% recycled polyester plain weave. Instead of a lining, the inside is coated with “a durable protective layer made of an oleophobic (anti-oil) substance and carbon’.
Appearance
It would seem that the ‘Minimalist’ in this rain jacket’s name refers to how it looks. It is hip-length and the flaps over the pockets help to give it a smart, streamlined look. The company logo is on the chest, and the GORE-TEX logo is on the bottom of the left sleeve. In the majority of colors, the logos are coordinated with the background and hardly noticeable. As well as the central zip the two hand pockets and the chest pocket also have zippers. These zips are all covered by flaps, but they are also the same color as the jacket.
The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket is available in several colors. The range offers Black, Arctic Navy, Dark Jungle (green), and Tangelo (orange) for men. Women’s choices include Black, Arctic Navy, Vetiver (green/grey), and Cilantro (green).
Durability
GORE-TEX has a well-deserved reputation for making highly durable, waterproof fabrics. However, Paclite is probably the least hard-wearing of its products. This still makes the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket a good, hard-wearing raincoat, but it might not last as long as you might be expecting when you see the GORE-TEX label. The 2-layer material inevitably means it will show signs of wear and tear sooner than material with more layers. The extra stiffness of the fabric also leads to more strain on the material, increasing the chances of it ripping. Having said that, the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket is well-made with taped seams and freely moving zippers. If the care instructions are followed, it should last for several years.
If your jacket is defective in material or workmanship, it will be repaired or replaced at Marmot’s discretion for the product’s life.
Weight and Packability
While the GORE-TEX Paclite will keep you dry, it is quite stiff, and as a result, the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket doesn’t pack down that well. It isn’t designed to fold away neatly into a pocket, so you have to stuff it into the hood and try to use the adjustable drawcord on the back of the hood to contain it. The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket weighs:
Men
377.3 g / 13.3 oz.
Women
359.2 g / 12.7 oz
Features
Despite its name, the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket has all the features you would expect. There is an adjustable drawcord in the hem and Velcro on the cuffs to keep out any draughts. You also have pit zips that have flaps to increase their waterproofness.
The hood is a good size but not big enough to fit over a helmet. It can be adjusted using a drawcord on the back, but it doesn’t close tight around your head. The collar zips up high enough to cover your mouth. There is a stiffened brim that helps to keep rain out of your eyes. However, the hood doesn’t turn very well with your head and limits your peripheral vision.
One of the brilliant features of the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket that is rarely seen is providing you with three pockets. The two deep hand pockets are waist-high, so they may be difficult to access if you are wearing a harness. You also have a chest pocket for tucking away small items you want easy access to. Flaps protect the hand pockets to help keep the rain out.
Sustainability
Marmot says they are always “exploring new ways of reducing our carbon footprint and increasing conservation, we’re using innovation to minimize our impact on the environment and promote the well-being of our employees”. They use PFC-Free DWR and recycled material that is Bluesign approved.
Conclusion
The Marmot Minimalist rain jacket is stylish with excellent waterproofing and ideal for walking up hills or walking to the shops.
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