Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants & Jacket

My husband & I both have the ‪@zpacksofficial‬ Vertice Rain Pants ($149), and he has the Vertice Rain Jacket ($299) of which I am jealous (as it weighs 3 oz less than my rain jacket). Although the pants are minimal without pockets or zips, the jacket does have a chest pocket and pit zips. I find a chest pocket easier to use when wearing a pack, and pit zips are a nice feature to avoid overheating. Vertice is 3 layer, waterproof & highly breathable material with a tricot lining that wicks moisture away. The clothing doesn’t leave you feeling clammy if it’s directly against your skin. At 3.1 oz, the pants are so light that you’d barely know you’re wearing them, let alone notice them taking up space in your pack. Since they are extremely packable, there isn't an excuse not to have them on day hikes, and they are a must-have item for backpacking. I’ll even wear my rain gear if I’m cold as they also act as a windbreaker.
The jacket weighs in at 5.4 oz which is an incredible weight savings compared to other jackets on the market. The pants and jacket will both fit into the chest pocket of the jacket. Feedback from my husband is that he’d like it if the elastic around the bottom of the jacket was adjustable. Have I mentioned how packable this rain gear is? I use a 44L pack for backpacking so items that take up very little space are important to me. So far, I have put the pants through the wringer, and I’ve yet to see any damage. The material looks delicate but I’ve found it to be surprisingly durable. This matters since the purchase of the pants & jacket is a significant monetary investment. I do my best to be careful with all my gear but I have bush-whacked in these and so far, they haven’t incurred any damage. I’m impressed!
The Zpacks Vertice rain gear does have a 2 yr limited warranty which hopefully would give you a chance to really test them in varying conditions. Check out Zpacks ponchos! Made of Dyneema, they will keep you & your pack dry as well as they can double as a groundsheet. I use one of these as well and I’ll review it in an upcoming episode. They're also made in the USA!
The Equinox Pileus Rain Hat is made of silnylon and weighs 1.3 oz. This rain hat will keep your head dry! I find it cooler than wearing a hood from your jacket as it allows your neck area to breathe. I did have to seal the seams myself with seam sealer as I noticed my head was getting wet in a downpour.