The Best Backpacking Rain Jackets for Thru-Hiking in 2024

For this review, I tested the best camping rocking chairs to see which ones provided the best comfort and packability no matter where your campsite takes you. They don’t have pit zips, waterproof zippers, or even pockets, but they’re waterproof enough to do the job, and the price is right. Before heading out on your next hike or other outdoor adventure, make sure to grab the Ozark Trail 14 Liter Hydration Hiking Backpack.

After the Ozark Trail experience, I found a good podiatrist. He used a spacer and small lifting device to correct this wayward toe’s position, the result of a childhood injury. Since portions of the Ozark Trail haven’t been built yet, our goal is to walk the finished sections. We began working our way from south to north with the Eleven Point, Between the Rivers, and Current River sections.

I am a 6-foot tall male, weighing 185 lbs and it fits just as well as other day packs I’ve tried. My shoulders did not chafe nor rub or irritate while walking and I did not get any bruising on my hips. I only walked about a mile away on a dirt trail to the showers but it was not a flat surface and the equiptment on my back was stable. Fast and easy to adjust and all buckles and webbing are in good quality. I bought this pack recently on a whim while shopping Walmart.

The umbrella gives me a little roof to walk under, but it’s not for everybody. I’ve also used a poncho which kept my upper body dry, but I still get clammy. It was one of those planned events in 2020 that was delayed for years, from what else, but the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the trip was three years in the making, the anticipation was doubly intense. This hydration compatible backpack has a connection for a water bladder built in to the design.

I sat comfortably in this chair for hours (way longer than you probably would on a camping trip) and would have no problem hauling it to the campsite or other outdoor get-togethers. Hiking umbrellas pull double duty by shielding you from both rain and sun, and they’re well-ventilated and comfortable compared to stuffy, sweat-inducing rain jackets. On the flip side, they don’t perform well in high winds or on overgrown trails and won’t provide much protection against cold weather or swirling mist. The OR Helium is made of 2.5-layer Pertex Shield 30D ripstop nylon. It has waterproof zippers, reflective details, elastic cuffs, and a drawcord hem. The women’s version has zippered two hand pockets, while the men’s has a single zippered chest pocket for small items.

It also includes loops to hang your trekking poles when not in use. We like that this pack has a lot of pockets including a zipper that allows you to access the middle of the pack without opening the top. Includes Trekking pole attachment points, compression straps and a sleeping bag compartment. Temperatures can swing from chilly mornings to sweltering afternoons.

Rain jackets are definitely the more popular choice, and we tend to agree in the name of sheer comfort and convenience. The price-to-weight ratio of this jacket (a scant six ounces for only $125) is superb, thanks to this jacket’s straightforward, minimalist construction. If you’re intrigued by the single-layer rain jacket concept, Antigravity Gear makes a similar garment out of rugged 70D silnylon that’s also worth a look. The jacket is made with Zpacks’ proprietary Vertice fabric. This three-layer, ultralight material consists of a soft tricot inner lining, a scant 7D nylon face fabric with DWR finish, and a waterproof-breathable membrane in between. This jacket is constructed of two-layer Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper with a 10d Ballistic Airlight abrasion-resistant ripstop nylon face fabric.

The front and hip straps make it very comfortable and takes alot of the pressure of your shoulders and back. Here’s another ozark trail outdoor equipment AWESOME thing about the Ozark Trail Atka day pack. It’s sized to fit every airline’s carry-on size requirements.

Some days this bag was heavier than I would have chosen it to be. However, it took a pretty good beating and has held up. For the second overnight hike in which I used the pack, I left the hammock at home and stuffed an REI Stratus insulated pad and lightweight bivy inside. I was a little concerned with how the straps would distribute weight. Prior to taking it out on the trail, I did give it two coats of silicone spray so that it would shed water.