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Backpacker Magazine – September 2008

Extreme Layering: Rainy-Weather Clothing

Don't let a crappy forecast keep you home for the weekend. Just pack this deluge-tested system.

by: Annette McGivney, Photos by Sethhughes.com

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REI Shuksan

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Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor

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EMS Thunderhead

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The North Face Impulse 1/4 Zip

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Mountain Hardwear Stimulus

All weights are for men's large (unless otherwise noted), on BACKPACKER scales.

For more in-depth apparel reviews, check out our exclusive online Apparel Guide supplement.

Extreme Cold | Extreme Heat | Extreme Rain | Extreme Versatility

Shirt | Insulation | Pants | Baselayer | Hat

INSULATION

Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor
Silky 15-denier taffeta shell fabric and warm-yet-low-bulk Primaloft One insulation make the Compressor ideal for layering under a rain shell. It has the packability of a light down jacket (stuffing to just over softball size), but unlike down it dries in the field and "won't crap out if it gets soaked," said one tester who accidentally dunked the Compressor while fly-fishing in Colorado. He stayed warm in the damp coat despite temperatures in the 40s. Fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, a cinchable hood, a hem drawcord, and adjustable cuffs add to this jacket's coziness. $190; men's S-XXL, women's XS-XL; 1 lb. 2 oz.; mountainhardwear.com. Reader service #113.

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READERS COMMENTS

this sounds like a great rain jacket. how does it hold up under backpack loads? does the material wear?
Posted: Dec 23, 2008 giniajim

Sure, the March '08 issue
Posted: Oct 23, 2008 Andrew Watson

bausch723@hotmail.com
Posted: Oct 21, 2008 Stephen Bausch

I was turned on to your magazine when I came across a March 2007 "Gear Guide" issue.
Is there a more recent issue of Backpacking magazine, "Gear Guide" and if there is how can I get a copy of it?
I just subscribed for two years and will receive future issues of your magazine.
Posted: Oct 21, 2008 Stephen Bausch