Marmot Minimalist Rain Gear
If you are every out hiking, you know how important it is to have a rain gear that is quick and effective. The conditions can change in an instant and it is no fun to get soaked and still need to finish a hike. So having lightweight and waterproof rain gear is one of the more important pieces of gear in a pack. I had a chance to review the Marmot Minimalist Rain Gear to see if that is the gear that should be your go to. Here is that review.
As a disclaimer I would like to mention that I was sent this product so that I could write this review. All opinions on this page are my own and based on my own experiences with this product. I am not compensated for the opinions on this review. Your experience with the product may be different. This site uses affiliate marketing links. If you click on a button or link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
From Marmot about the Minimalist Pertex Rain Gear
Before I get into my review of the Marmot Minimalist Pertex Rain Gear, I wanted to let you know what Marmot is saying about their product. About the jacket, Marmot says on their website, “Less is more in this no-frills, trail-ready shell. Ultra-packable, lightweight, and watertight, this rain shell is a minimalist backpacker’s dream thanks to 2.5L Pertex® Shield Revolve fabric that’s durable, waterproof, windproof, and breathable.”
Here is more specs about the Minimalist Jacket and Pants.
Specs
Price*
$185.00 (for jacket)
$150.00 (for women’s)
Sizes*
S, M, L, XL, XXL, – men jacket
XS, S, M, L, XL, – women jacket
S, M, L, XL, XXL – men pants
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL -women pants
Colors*
Black, Arctic Navy, Nori, Oxide Blue, Claystone/Shale – men jacket
Black, Sumac, Thunderhead, Arctic Navy, Red Mulberry, Shale Gray/Birch Bark – women jacket
Black – men pants
Black – women pants
Weight*
12 oz/331 gram – men jacket
11 oz/301 gram – women jacket
11 oz/320 gram – men pants
10 oz/277 gram – women pants
Features*
Jacket
- Pertex® Shield Revolve fabric is durable, waterproof, windproof, and breathable—made from 100% recycled polyester
- 100% seam-taped for complete, leakproof protection
- C0 Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment repels water from the face fabric
- Fixed hood with peripheral cord adjustment lets you max out coverage
- Easily access water-resistant, zip-secure hand pockets while wearing a pack or harness
- Pit zips vent heat and moisture so you don’t clam up
- VELCRO® adjustable cuffs let you cinch wrist openings for extra protection
- Elastic waist with drawcord offers adjustable comfort
Pants
- Pertex® Shield Revolve fabric is durable, waterproof, windproof, breathable, and made from 100% recycled polyester
- 100% seam-taped for complete, leakproof protection
- C0 Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment repels water from face fabric
- Covered 3/4-length side zips are designed to let you slide on pants without taking off your shoes
- Water-resistant, zip-secure hand pockets let you safely stash your phone and snacks
- Adjustable, integrated waist belt helps you dial in the fit
- Articulated knees allow for easy moving
Main Fabrics
Pertex Shield, 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Polyester, Plain weave, 111g/sqm
All information from Marmot.com. Check the website for full details and options.
What I liked
There is a ton to like about the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket and pants. I love that this rain gear does exactly what is expected. It keeps me dry and protects me from the wind. It has all the features that I am looking for and nothing that I don’t need. Here is more about what I like about the Minimalist Rain Gear.
Rain Protection
Obviously, how rain gear holds up to the rain is the most important part. Admittedly, Colorado doesn’t get a ton of rain but when it does it is usually a soaker and cold! I got caught in a couple of good rains in this gear and was really impressed with how it held up. I was completely dry and it even helped protect me from some little freezing rain that came down.
The pants and jacket combo provided full coverage from head to ankle and fit over my hiking gear for an easy transition as the storms came up. The seams and zippers are taped so there are very nice seals that don’t allow any moisture to get through. Both the jacket and pants also are adjustable that allow for better fit and protection.
Granted, I was not stuck in a monsoon or anything with this gear but I was subjected to some steady rain in a couple of storms and it held up really well. I was really impressed with the how it responded to the Colorado rains.
Wind Protection
What Colorado lacks in rain it sure does make up in wind! I have definitely had plenty of chances to test the Minimalist against some mountain winds and again, it performed really well! The taped seams and high zip jacket provide a ton of coverage from the wind. I also really liked the large pit zips that allow air flow so I didn’t overheat on those warm windy days. The jackets is a little heavier in the summer, so on the real hot days, if there is no rain forecast, I do switch to a lighter weight wind breaker. For fall and spring, these are a great options for wind and in winter I think they would be great as a wind layer under a jacket.
The Jacket
Let’s break down some of the features of the Marmot Minimalist Pertex jacket. The Minimalist is waterproof and windproof while maintaining breathability. There are two good sized side pockets which I really liked. A lot of rain jackets only have one pocket and I still want access to my phone and keys while keeping them dry. There are two very large pit zips for ventilation as well. There is a drawcord to adjust the waistline to help with the fit as well as a drawcord to adjust the hood.
Pertex is a lightweight, performance fabric that provides a lot of the technical attributes of the jacket. It helps keep the weight down, enhances breathability and makes the jacket fairly packable. I thought the jacket was really comfortable and really like the adjustable waist. I did have a bit of a problem figuring out how to tighten the hood. The cord for the hood is in the back of the head so not the most convenient way to adjust in adverse conditions but once you have it set it works well. The front zipper provides really nice face coverage as well that is great in wind.
Overall, I was really impressed with the jacket and the features that it provided. Mostly, I was really impressed with how it did its job of protecting me from the wind and rain.
The Pants
Some of the features of the Marmot Minimalist pants are similar to the Jacket. Both use Pertex and DWR treatments for the waterproofing. Both the jacket and the pants have taped seams to prevent any leaking. The pants also have side zippers so you can pull your pants up without having to take your shoes off. One of the features of the pants that I really liked is the articulated knees that allow for better movement. They also have zippered side pockets that are water resistant to help keep your snacks and phones dry and within reach.
I really did like the articulated knees on the pants. I have had rain pants that get a little heavy or stiff when trying to walk in long rains, so it is great to have the flexibility. There is also an adjustable waist belt built into the pants that allow a better fit and allows to adjust the waist size depending on how thick your base layers are. Overall, this is again a really piece for hiking. It does exactly what you need it to do every time.
Sizing
I found the jacket to be most true to size. As a lot of rain jackets do, it is a little larger to account for having layers built up underneath. There are good options for sizes on the jacket as well. Sizes range from Small to XXL.
The pants have moved away from traditional length and width and gone to a generic size approach. I have seen this in a lot of pants lately and I’m not a huge fan as I am a shorter and rounder sort. My body style makes it tougher to match a width and length as the larger pants are usually longer than I would prefer. These are also available S-XXL and I was able to wear them over my hiking pants with out too much of a problem.
Simple yet Enough
There are jacket and pant combos out there that have more bells and whistles but what is really important is how they perform. When I grab some rain gear it is because I am getting rained on and really just want to stay dry. The Minimalist series does this to perfection. They have what you need. A hood, pit zips, taped seams, to stay dry and continue on your hike. To me this is the ultimate in function over style and I have to say I am here for it!
What I Didn’t Like
There is so much to like about the Marmot Minimalist Rain gear but they will take away my blogger card if I don’t find something I didn’t love about it. For me, the only thing I didn’t really love is the sizing in the pants. Instead of traditional width and length, the Minimalist pants are done in sizes like small and large. That made it a little more challenging to find a pair that fit my body perfectly. I do have an odd shaped body, where I am short and round, that made the sizing that much more of a challenge. I think you can definitely find stuff that will fit but will need to check the size guide and factor in clothing you might have on under the rain pant.
Video review of the Marmot Minimalist Rain Gear
For those who prefer video reviews, I have put together this video of the Marmot Minimalist Rain Gear. If you enjoy the video please make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. It is free to subscribe and you will get updates on all my latest outdoor content.
Wrap up of the Marmot Minimalist Rain Gear
I was really impressed with the Marmot Minimalist Rain Gear. The gear provides a ton of protection from both rain and wind. While it has a minimalist design, it isn’t short on features. Adjustable belt, waist, hood and wrists make for an easy fit and quick deployment. The jacket and pants both provide excellent waterproofing properties.
This is the no frills gear that I love to use. I know it is going to do what I need from it without having to worry about a bunch of add-ons. I think it would be a good addition for dealing with light to moderate rain on your outdoor adventures.
More from the Fatman
For a list of other products that I have reviewed you can check my Product Review page here. If you have any products you would like me to review or any comments you can email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com or you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!