The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is a great budget buy. While it may not be quite as hard-wearing as more expensive models, it looks good and has many useful features to keep you warm and dry.
Please note: This jacket is suitable for all genders.
Overall guide: Best Waterproof Rain Jackets for hiking
- Affordable price
- Fully featured
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not as durable as more expensive jackets
- Doesn’t stay dry in heavy rain
The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is a budget buy, but it comes with many features that are lacking in comparable models. As well as an adjustable hood, this rain shell has two hand pockets, Velcro sleeve fastenings, taped seams, and pit zips. It is made from North Face’s 2.5-layer Dry Vent material, which is comparable to similar 2.5-layer fabrics for protection from wind and rain.
Compare to all other rain jackets:
Arc'teryx Beta LT (2024 redesign) | Black Diamond StormLine (now Fineline Stretch Shell) | 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 | Rab Firewall Waterproof Jacket | |
Buying Options | |||||||||||
Our Awards | Best Women's Performance | Best Stretchy | Best Ultralight | Best Men's Performance | Best Womens | Best Mens | Best Budget | Best Overall Versatile Women's Jacket | |||
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. | 16.8 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 | 3L Pertex |
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 | 3 zips (2 hand) |
Analysis and Test Results
The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is an excellent buy for the low price. The fabric is only 2.5-layers, but it does an impressive job of keeping rain and wind out in normal conditions, although it may struggle in heavy rain. The Dry Vent fabric offers decent breathability, but it also has pit zips, which many budget raincoats don’t provide. You also get two hand pockets, another feature many budget rain shells jettison. The material is lightweight, and the rain jacket packs down well into one of the pockets, with a loop for clipping it to a harness or backpack. The hood is fully adjustable but doesn’t have a brim to keep the rain out of your eyes. The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket looks good if you get it in the single-colorways, but the dual-color versions are not as smart. If you are looking for a budget raincoat, the North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is definitely worth considering.
See The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket in detail:
Performance Comparison
Type and Style
This rain shell would be suitable for hiking and most outdoor activities. The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket has a relaxed fit. While this leaves plenty of room for layers, some find it too baggy.
Water Resistance
The 2.5-layer DryVent material that North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is made of is estimated to be water resistant to 15,000 mm. The jacket also has a DWR (durable water repellent) coating. This is more than adequate waterproofing in normal conditions, but it will only last for a while in heavy rain. To aid in keeping you dry, this rain shell has taped seams, protective flaps over the zippers, Velcro to secure the wrist openings, and an adjustable hood.
Breathability
The breathability of the North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is estimated to be about 12,000 g/m2/24hrs. This is a mid-range level of breathability but above average for a budget lightweight rain shell. Unusually, this rain shell also has pit zips, which most of its rivals don’t have. The pit zips are intelligently placed to give plenty of ventilation. The pockets are also mesh-lined so they can be opened to aid breathability. Overall, the breathability of the North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is excellent.
Comfort and Mobility
Depending on your body shape, you will either love or hate the relaxed fit of the North Face Venture 2 rain jacket. There is plenty of room for layers, but it can bunch up under a harness. The looseness gives this jacket good mobility, but it will ride up when you raise your arms. Due to the fabric being 2.5-layers instead of 3-layers, it is thinner and more flexible. The lack of a lining can make the material feel cold against your skin, but it doesn’t normally get clammy.
Materials
North Face has used their Dryvent fabric for the North Face Venture 2 rain jacket. The top layer is 40-denier, and the middle layer is a semipermeable polyurethane coating. Instead of a lining, the half layer is a raised print on the inside designed to feel comfortable against your skin.
Appearance
The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is a smart-looking jacket if you get it in the single color options. The two-color versions look quite utilitarian, and you wouldn’t really want to wear them around town, although they would be quite at home in the backcountry. There are two North Face logos – one on the chest and one on the back at shoulder height. You also have the word ‘DryVent’ printed just about the cuff on one sleeve. The zippers are concealed with flaps, giving it a modern look. The rain coat is hip length, and the sleeves cover your wrist.
There are limited options when it comes to colors. The men’s model is available in Aviator Navy, TNF Black, Vanadis Grey, Lapis Blue and White, and TNF Blue and TNF Black. Women can choose between Gardenia White, Sodalite Blue, and TNF Black.
Durability
The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket is a budget buy, but it is not flimsy. Obviously, you can’t expect it to last as long as more expensive models with 3-layer fabric. However, the 40 denier ripstop nylon that faces this jacket is very robust. If the care instructions are followed, the jackets should last for years.
North Face jackets come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the product’s lifetime. If there are any issues, your coat will be repaired or replaced. If the warranty does not cover damage to your rain jacket, a repair service is available.
Weight and Packability
The 2.5-layer material is thin and flexible enough to pack down easily. It can be folded into one of the pockets, and there is a hook so it can be clipped onto a rucksack. The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket weighs:
Men
330 g / 11.6 oz
Women
300 g / 10.6 oz
Features
The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket incorporates several features usually omitted from lightweight budget rain shells. The handiest of these are the two pockets at waist height.
These hand pockets are closed with zippers, and they have flaps to keep the rain out.
The hood is big enough to fit over a hat, but it won’t go over a helmet. It is very adjustable, with draw cords around the face as well as the usual one at the back, so it fits well and gives you good peripheral vision.
The sleeves have Velcro tabs around the cuffs so they can be tightened to keep the rain and wind out. There is also an easily adjustable drawcord around the hem.
Sustainability
North Face uses 100% recycled polyester and nylon as part of its commitment to sustainability. They also have a ‘Renewed’ service where jackets can be traded in, and North Face cleans, repairs, and refurbishes them. If the items are not reusable, they are recycled or donated.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an affordable rain shell with good breathability and all the features you need on a hike, then the North Face Venture 2 rain jacket could be just the jacket you are looking for.
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