Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket Review

Overview

The Zpacks Vertice is a 3-layer waterproof/breathable shell that weighs about as much as a full-size smartphone and still carries pit zips, a waterproof front zipper and a chest pocket. It is built for thru-hikers and fastpackers who sweat hard under a shell and count every gram. The trade is a $299 price and a face fabric thin enough that it asks for some care around brush and pack straps.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	167.6 g (5.9 oz)
Construction	3-layer: 7D ripstop nylon face, waterproof/breathable membrane, tricot lining
Fabric weight	1.50 oz/sqyd
Waterproof rating	20,000 mm
Breathability	56,000 g/m²/24 hr
DWR	C6
Seams	Fully taped
Ventilation	Pit zips (about 13 in. long)
Closure	Full-length waterproof front zipper
Adjustments	Elastic wrists, adjustable hood
Pockets	One zippered chest pocket
Price	$299

Performance

Weather protection. The Vertice’s 20,000 mm hydrostatic rating puts it well above the pressure a pack strap or a wind-driven downpour can generate. Testers at Backpackers.com reported that wet wind late in a hike, the kind that soaks lesser shells, did not get through. Seams are factory taped, and the main, chest-pocket and pit zippers are waterproof-coated. Because the membrane sits between the nylon and a tricot liner, it stays shielded from skin oils, which is the usual argument for 3-layer construction over 2.5-layer jackets in long-term use.

Breathability. This is the jacket’s reason for existing. Zpacks rates the fabric at 56,000 g/m²/24 hr, several times the figure usually quoted for Gore-Tex-type membranes, and reviewers’ field reports back up the idea that it vents better than most shells in its class. CleverHiker called it nearly unrivaled for breathability in a rain layer. One long-term tester used it not only in rain but as a wind shell while hiking, running and cycling, since it handles cold gusts without turning into a sauna. Pit zips add to that, and the 13-inch openings are generous for a jacket this light.

Fit and coverage. The cut is long. SectionHiker noted that the torso and arms run longer than on most lightweight shells, reaching the upper thigh, and that the jacket runs a bit large. CleverHiker’s testers liked that: the looser sleeves and cuffs make it easy to wear over a puffy or fleece on a cold, wet day. Backpacking Light, though, reported upper-body fit problems for some wearers, so sizing deserves a careful look at Zpacks’ chart. The elastic cuff and hood adjustments are a step up from the hook-and-loop tabs on many ultralight jackets, and the hood rolls away when not needed.

The hood. It is oversized, which makes it helmet-compatible. It also means that without a billed cap the brim can slump over the eyes in a downpour. SectionHiker and CleverHiker both advise wearing a cap under it.

Durability. At 7D, this is a fabric to treat with some respect. Reviewers describe it as slightly delicate, and SectionHiker found the finish less polished than some competing ultralight shells such as the Enlightened Equipment Visp or Montbell Versalite. Still, a reviewer with two years of use reported that it performed without problems and resisted abrasion better than its thinness suggests, and CleverHiker’s testers were pleased with its durability for the weight. Expect it to be fine on a well-maintained trail and to need caution on bushwhacks.

DWR. The factory C6 finish sheds rain well at first but, as with every waterproof/breathable shell, wears down. Backpacking Light found that it lacked resilience and recommended refreshing it with an aftermarket treatment. Zpacks advises washing the jacket only as needed with a product such as Grangers Repel Plus, then machine-drying warm or line-drying.

Packability. It stuffs down into something roughly the size of a large fruit, and the chest pocket doubles as a stuff location. It has no hand pockets, which most ultralight hikers will trade away without complaint.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 167.6 g with pit zips, taped seams and a full waterproof zipper
• Breathability that testers rank at the top of the rain-jacket category
• Roomy, long cut that layers well over insulation
• Elastic cuff and hood adjustments are easy to use with gloves
• Packs very small
• Also works as a wind shell

Cons

• $299 is a lot for a jacket that may need pampering
• 7D face fabric is less rugged than heavier shells
• Oversized hood needs a cap to stay out of the eyes
• No hand pockets
• C6 DWR wears down and needs regular reproofing
• Sizing runs large and fits some upper bodies poorly

Who Should Buy This

Thru-hikers, fastpackers and high-mileage hikers who run hot and want a shell that actually vents. It suits people who carry it for days of drizzle and wind in places like the Pacific Northwest, Appalachia or the Sierra in a bad week, and who are willing to sacrifice some toughness for weight. People who push through brush, scramble on rock or wear a heavy pack all day should look to a sturdier 3-layer jacket that weighs 60 to 100 g more. Anyone who wants hand pockets or a trim, athletic fit should look elsewhere.

Verdict

The Vertice delivers on the promise of a light, truly breathable, fully featured shell, and it is one of the best choices for hikers who sweat under rain gear. It is pricey and not especially tough, but for ultralight use those are fair costs. Buy it for the breathability and the weight, and treat it gently.