SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs 
The Montbell Versalite is an ultralight waterproof/breathable rain jacket that weighs 7.0 oz in a men’s XL. It’s by far the best backpacking rain jacket in my gear closet in terms of the features important to hikers. It has pit zips, a three-way adjustable hood, hook and loop wrist cuffs, hip-belt compatible chest pockets, an internally controlled hem adjustment, waterproof zippers, and taped seams. Montbell nailed this one.
Specs at a Glance
- Weight: 6.4 oz in Medium (7.0 oz in XL)
- Fabric: 2 layer Gore-tex Windstopper Infinium and 10-denier Ballistic Airlight nylon ripstop
- Water resistance: 30,000 mm
- Breathability: 43,000 g/m2/24hrs (JIS L-1099 B-1 method)
- Center back length: 28.7 in (73 cm)
Montbell Versalite Jacket
Water Resistance
Breathability
Comfort & Mobility
Hood Adjustability
Weight
Durability
Packed Size
Pit zips
The Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket has 18″ long pit zips with smooth sliding waterproof zippers in the armpits to vent built-up body heat and reduce perspiration. I view it as a very positive sign when a waterproof/breathable jacket manufacturer includes pit zips, even when a jacket has a high breathability rating like the Versalite. It indicates that they understand the limitations of the technology and aren’t trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Perspiration and condensation buildup inside a rain jack is a fact of nature and not something you can engineer away with breathable fabrics.
Pit zips help vent some of the heat that builds us inside a rain jacket when you’re active so you perspire less. They also reduce the temperature differential between the inside of your jacket and the exterior, reducing the amount of condensation that forms. It’s no different than venting a single-wall tent to reduce internal condensation.
Three-way adjustable hood
The Versalite Jacket has a three-way adjustable hood with a velcro tab on the back to adjust the height of the front brim and a rear elastic adjuster to tighten the circumference of the crown of the hood. The size of the hood opening is controlled by two cords at the top of the chest which are easy to grab and tighten even if you’re wearing gloves or rain mitts. The beauty of this system is that you don’t have to reach into the neck or hood area with wet gloves to adjust it in the rain.
The cords are routed through two channels in the neck and sewn quite robustly to avoid tearing. If you still manage to rip them out, there are exposed adjusters above the channels, much like the conventional ones you find on other jackets, that you can still use to tension and adjust the size of the hood’s face opening.
There’s also a stiffener sewn into the brim to keep its shape, although it’s not bendable like a wire. Still, it is sturdy enough that I can hike without a billed cap to keep the rain off of my eyes and my glasses, which I appreciate.
Overall, the Versalite hood is just fantastic for a rain jacket. I especially like the hood sizing and adjustments because they minimize noisy flapping in a stiff breeze so I can use the Versalite as a wind shirt as well as a rain jacket. That saves a few ounces of extra weight on my gear list.
Hip-belt Compatible Chest Pockets
The Versalite Jacket has two medium zippered chest pockets, also with waterproof zippers, that can be accessed while you’re wearing a hip belt. They’re large enough to fit electronics, maps, snacks, glove liners, or anything else you want close at hand during the day. There are very few rain jackets available today that have hip-belt-compatible zippered chest pockets for the simple reason that few rain jackets are actually made for hikers, backpackers, or climbers instead of downhill skiers or casual urban users.
When I hike, I like to treat the pockets in my rain jacket as an extension of my packing system, as I do with backpack hip belt pockets. You can’t do that though if the pockets are covered by the hip belt and inaccessible. If you can find a rain jacket with hip-belt-compatible chest pockets (sometimes called Napoleon Pockets) grab it. It’s a rare but useful feature for three-season and winter hiking.
Wrist cuffs
The Versalite Jacket has velcro (hook and loop) wrist cuffs which are much better than elastic cuffs because you can wrap them over the ends of rain gloves and prevent rain from dripping down your arms. The same holds for cold air in winter when using insulated gloves. Your blood flows very close to your wrists and keeping them warm and dry, especially in wet hypothermia-inducing conditions is important. It’s also a heck of a lot more comfortable.
I usually wear the Versalite Rain Jacket with REI’s Minimalist GTX Mittens (see review), which are great rain gloves, also with velcro wrist cuffs. The combination works really well and keeps my wrists warm and dry in wet and cold weather.
Additional features
The Versalite Jacket is seam-taped so it won’t leak in heavy rain. This can be a problem with jackets that have bound seams instead of taped seams like the Lightheart Gear Rain Jacket and the Anti-Gravity UL Rain Jacket. Getting wet isn’t a huge deal in summer, but it can be pretty miserable when it’s still cold in spring or autumn. I’ve experienced it and I know others who have too.
The Versalite also has elastic hem adjusters so you can prevent cold wind from cooling your torso from below. These are adjusted from within the chest pockets and routed through the interior of the Versalite Jacket, much like the hood cords described above. Montbell uses this same buried hem adjustment system in other garments, including the Ex Light Down Anorak, we reviewed previously
Comparable Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Rain Jackets
| Make / Model | Pit Zips | Adjustable Hood | Wrist Cuffs | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marmot Precip ECO | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10.9 oz |
| Black Diamond Stormline Stretch | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.9 oz |
| Outdoor Research Helium | No | Yes | No | 6.3 oz |
| Enlightened Equipment Visp | Option | Yes | Yes | 5.3 oz |
| Montbell Versalite | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.4 oz |
| REI DryPoint | No | Yes | Yes | 10.5 oz |
| Zpacks Vertice | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.2 oz |
| Marmot Bantamweight | No | Yes | No | 5 oz |
| Montbell Storm Cruiser | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 oz |
| ArcTeryx Zeta SL | No | Yes | No | 10.9 oz |
Recommendation
I think the Montbell Versalite Jacket is one of the best hiker-specific rain jackets you can buy. The things that make this jacket so great are its features, the quality of its construction, and its low weight. Its only weakness is that it’s made with waterproof/breathable fabrics and coated with a DWR layer that will rub over after 1-2 years, although you can restore it with a product like Nikwax Tx-Direct. Despite this, I far prefer wearing this jacket over the non-breathable jackets in my gear closet, because it’s so well made and functional with features that few other rain jackets offer. However, I wouldn’t recommend wearing the Versalite Jacket for off-trail hiking. It’s far too delicate for that.
Last updated: September 2022.
Disclosure: Montbell donated a jacket for this review.
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How would you compare it to ORs newest version of the Helium?
Vastly superior.
Does the Helium have pit zips? No.
Does the helium have hip belt accessible pockets? No.
Does the helium have velcro wrist cuffs? No.
Sure, the helium will be fine if you have to hike in less demanding summer conditions where you don’t mind being soaked with perspiration. But it really doesn’t even come close to the Versalite. The only difference between the old Helium and the new one is that they changed the fabric (big whoop), probably because the older one was so dated that their supplier stopped making it.
I concur – the Helium 2 isn’t a good jacket. It also wets out quickly.
I disagree, the helium is fine and cheaper. but is the versalite better? yes, yes. but the helium is not all of the sudden terrible.
honestly, if the helium was still at ~100USD I’d get it over the versalite, because its good enough, jackets get lost and break, etc. at 160USD vs the (now 220USD) versalite, neither is all that cheap and the versalite may be the better buy indeed, thought I wish it was still 200.
I bought a Versalite a year ago for about $160. I’m glad I bought it then! I used it on an 85 mile section hike but didn’t get a chance to give it a truly proper test. We didn’t have to hike in the rain because we made it to a shelter in time and stayed there for the all night downpour. I do like the jacket and use it often at home and on car camping trips. It does cut the wind and provide a bit of a microclime when it’s chilly outside.
After my recent back surgeries, it seemed that the temperature regulating of my body was confused. I’d be hot and then cold and back a few times when nothing had changed. I’d take the jacket on my walks I need for therapy. I would be manipulating the pit zips all through the walk as my senses changed from cold to hot and back again and again. Now that I’m a couple months out from surgery, I don’t have that problem any more.
Of course, the temperature around here has been in the 90sF (around 35C) for the last week and won’t let up for another week. I don’t need it as a jacket, but it’s in the storage spot under the seat of the walker I’m still taking on my walks, just in case of sudden rain.
Do you recommend keeping the Versalite in it’s stuff sack while backpacking? I’m wondering if it would help prolong the life of the DWR layer when it’s not being worn.
That would probably prolong the life of the DWR.
I notice it uses goretex infinitum which prioritizes breathability over waterproofed. should I be concerned about it wetting through over time?
That has nothing to do with the type of Gore-tex used, but with the DWR coating. It will eventually wear off and you’ll need to retreat it. Its the same with any waterproof/breathable membrane.
How is the sizing? Normally wear a large over a puffy(Ghost whisper).
Thanks
Generally, true to size. This XL layers well over a fleece although I fell it’s a touch large, which you can’t always count on for clothing from Japan or the UK.
Is that because on the other side of the oceans, they think we’re all fat Americans?
We are much better fed…well we eat more junk food..than in other countries.
I am so glad to see you review this jacket. I don’t know why it doesn’t get more attention (price maybe?). On paper it appears to have threaded the needle between weight and functionality. I have been hesitant to pull the trigger on it though because I saw so little mainstream discussion on it, so I just assumed there was something I was missing.
That is probably due to the way it’s sold by Montbell. Only direct to consumer (not through retail) and they don’t pay for affiliate commissions to get reviewers to advertise for them. Every piece of Montbell clothing and gear I’ve purchased in the past 15 years has been utterly fantastic, but delicate. They have backpackers’ and mountaineers’ needs very dialed in.
How does this work in an all day rain?
The hood and brim protect my head from rain without the need for a billed cap.
No rain enters through the pit zips which are easy to zip and unzip without help from a friend.
Some condensation and perspiration buildup, but much less than the Outdry jacket I just reviewed and many others, which I attribute to the pit zips.
Wrists stay warm and dry when worn with rain mitts.
Pretty much what I wrote in the review. I’ve been using this jacket since October and we’ve had a very rainy spring.
I am also glad you did the review on the Versalite. It is at the top of my list for my next rain jacket purchase. Pitzips are a have to have for me.
I’m a big Montbell fan. I currently have a pair of their rain pants and an older down jacket that is still going strong. All of the clothing I’ve purchased from them has been thoughtful and well made. Thank you
One more question. Enlightened Equipment has a rain jacket with similar water resistance specs but higher breathability specs. Im not sure what their material is, so when shopping for rain gear is it realistic to just compare specs or does a person need to know what the material actually is? I’m using EE as an example, there are also other companies out there that give specs but not necessarily material composition. I’m just trying to figure out how to make an educated purchase, though, I suppose, I could let you have all the fun and do the field research.
Off topic, a couple years ago, you were going to do some research on bunions, did you get a chance to do so?
I have the EE jacket and am preparing a review of it. I’ve had it all winter and all spring. The EE Visp is a very credible first attempt by a company at a rain jacket, but isn’t as good as the Versalite in my opinion. Which is why I wanted to sequence my review of the Versalite first.
On breathability…it really is inconsequential after you hike in the rain for about an hour with a backpack on (the backpack blocks over half the surface area of the jacket AND can’t keep up with your perspiration or the condensation that forms as a result of the inner/outer temperature differential).
This is why people entertain the thought of using non-breathable rain jackets. The breathability ratings have nothing to do with reality. If anything, you should be a lot more concerned with the waterproof rating.
On bunions. I looked into it but couldn’t find enough people to interview, so I gave up pursuing the topic.
I’d be willing to do an interview regarding hiking with bunions if you ever decide to take another crack at it. I have section hiked the AT from Palmerton to the Long Trail Inn and done many other overnight trips with my kids not to mention many hundreds of miles day hiking with severe “you should have those things operated on” bunions.
I appreciate the offer, but I was looking for a much larger sample size. It’s off my radar now.
I just noticed this post (I’m old and slow). Bunions run in my family–or maybe it could be more accurately stated, “bunions limp in my family”. It seems we were blessed with a second toe a bit longer than the big toe so that our feet pivot off the second toe, leading to hammer toe, bunions, etc. My mother had bunion surgery 50 years ago and I’ve had the surgery on both feet. My siblings have them but haven’t had surgery.
For me, I just endured the pain until I decided the surgery and rehab was less onerous. Surgery helped immensely. The surgeon could have addressed some of my other foot issues by doing a much more invasive procedure but he said orthotics would also handle the other problems. The $550 invested in the orthotics was not covered by insurance but it was money well spent. I no longer feel like someone has driven a nail through my foot.
It also has nothing to do with a raincoat.
The EE Visp is 7D while the Versalite is 15D. I recently made the decision to go with Montbell over EE. Not only do I not have to wait two and a half months for a rain jacket, but I get front pockets.
Interesting. Sounds like they have made a number of improvements since I bought this jacket in 2016. I was very grumpy after my purchase. It cost $200. Wasn’t waterproof. Wasn’t breathable. And the pit zips were comically hard to use (‘smooth sliding’ is not a term anyone would have been able to use with a straight face) — they almost required taking the jacket off so you could use a full two hands. And to boot, it wasn’t something I could easily return. To be fair, the fit was good, the feature set was `theoretically’ good, and the weight was good. After a month of hating the thing I picked up a lightheart gear rain jacket on your recommendation which has served me well. For >3 years now my versalite has only seen use as `loaner’ when folks visit and don’t have a jacket. Apparently I was 4 years too early for the good version.
I’ve owned a few of their products which have seen upgrades in the past couple of years. This is definitely not the same jacket you tried. That LHG jacket is a still good inexpensive alternative, but I’ve had some challenges with it in Scotland last year with the leaking seams, albeit in very unpleasant conditions. It rekindled my appreciation for seam tape.
Looks like a winner – I will check out Montbell products. I’d rather love using a product extensively and wear it out rather than add to my closest of unsatisfactory outdoor gear.
Thank you for this excellent review. I am a big fan of Montbell.
Have you thought about seam sealing your lightheart gear rain jacket? If the problem with water getting though the bound seams can be resolved would you still prefer the versalite?
I’ve tried. It’s really a nasty process with a rain jacket. It’s why I just recommend getting a seam taped jacket if waterproof seams are required.
I bought a Versalite 5 years ago. I really liked the features of this jacket but when I tried it in the rain iit wet out within 5 minutes. I contacted Montbell who said this was not normal. They quickly sent me a new one with a return package for the first one. I tried out the second one in the rain and it wet out just as fast. I have since bought a Lightheart Gear non-breathablr jacket (following Philip’s recommendations) and have been mire than satisfied with that one. Perhaps Montbell has changed their material or their manufacturing process since then but my experience with this jacket was terrible. One other thing to notice is that these jackets are made quite small so anyone wanting to purchase one should consider sizing up one size.
This model is made with an entirely different fabric for starters and runs large. You’ve got old beta.
I have worn mine a couple of times and it keeps me dry. Being 100% nylon I suspect that it will be durable. The hood also seems to fit better than my other rain jackets.
This is a solid review!! I have been on the fence with several different “rain jackets” that are deemed ultralight, but this one is what I was looking for. I don’t mind the $199 price tag given all the features you mentioned. I hope this will serve me well on my AT section hike in September!
In the market for a jacket, ordered one immediately after reading Mr. Werner’s review.
Only have worn once in rain but can conclude:
1. jacket is of high value if you are looking for those features pointed out in the review, such as being light but sporting pit zips, both mandatory for me
2. as I’m long necked, collar fully zipped only reaches my chin’s base; was hoping it would be 2 or 3 inches higher
3. jacket material is annoyingly loud, unlike my now-retired, whisper quiet Marmot Super Mica
4. being 6′ 3″ with a 38″ chest I ordered a Large, a perfect fit. Room for a winter fleece beneath and that’s it. If you have a 40″ chest or more you might want to go XL despite what the Montbell sizing chart indicates.
Love the review. One question I have is how effective is the jacket as a windbreaker with the gortex windstopper material? REI advertises their Rainier rain jacket for up-to 60mph. It also weighs twice as much.
It’s a rain jacket. It completely blocks the wind.
Hi
Your review helped me decide
i Want to buy but not sure which size to choose
My measurements are:
chest 37″ waist 34″ sleev 31″
I suggest you contact their store and ask their advice.
Thanks
Is this a water proof rain jacket (Goretex Infinium?) or a not (waterproof). Could it replace my heavier ArcTeryx Alpha SL & I could save 4-5 oz. Since reading your review (like the idea of a rain & wind shell dual use) my research bears conflicting results. Yea, the new version is worlds better. But will this jacket serve me well as my only rain jacket? Thanks Philip, as always, great information. Steve
It’s waterproof. I think it makes a good 3 season jacket, but I prefer something a little thicker and warmer for winter use.
Best jacket out there as far as I’m concerned.
Thanks! Again.
Thank you for this great review! I was wondering if you could comment further on the reasons you would favour the Montbell Versalite over the Enlightened Equipment Visp, as they are both top contenders in that category.
Specifically, I am concerned about the durability of the 2L construction of the Versalite to delamination as compared to the 3L of the Visp. Any notable difference in your experience? They are both delicate rain that require care, but generally 2L tend to clog up with body oils faster and delaminate earlier than 3L.
Also, I would be curious if you could comment on sizing (need to size up or down, tight fit for layering a fleece…), and whether you have recommendations for rain pants.
Thank you for your amazing work!
Didn’t you ask these same questions on my Visp review?
https://sectionhiker.com/enlightened-equipment-ultralight-visp-jacket-review/
This jacket seems to be loved by everyone that owns one. However, I’m wondering if for 4 more ounces would the Storm Cruiser with stronger fabric and more water resistance but otherwise identical features be a better value in the long run. Appreciate your thoughts.
It will also be warmer, but you make a valid point. I’m using a C-Knit Gore-tex jacket from another manufacturer at the moment and it’s certainly comfortable, but I wouldn’t want to wear it in summer.
After giving it some thought, weight savings won out and I just purchased the Versalite, mainly to carry on my upcoming NOBO Flip Flop of the AT. Shipping was free (as is any order from them over $50) and was practically immediate. Side note: I made a comment on the Montbell US Facebook page to the effect I wasn’t crazy about the 3 colors offered for the Versalite and someone from the company responded within the hour. They specifically asked me if the gunmetal grey didn’t have the red zipper would I be more likely to buy it and I said yes. I also mentioned that I really wished they offered in basic black (like they do with the Storm Cruiser). They thanked me for the comments and said would be passing my comments onto to R&D.
Everything I’ve bought from Montbell has been first rate. I have a synthetic sleeping bag of theirs I bought waaayyyy back when …30 years (?) or so ago …and it is still terrific – as is their customer service.
Hi
How long do you think it will retain its waterproof treatment if consistently used for long distance backpacking? I saw you mention 1-2 years so maybe a season of hard backpacking? Thanks
I think you mean the DWR coating which is different than waterproofing. The Gore-tex is what makes it waterproof permanently. The DWR just beads up the water that falls on it so it doesn’t saturate the exterior fabric and make it unbreathable. How long that lasts really depends on a multitude of factors, but manufacturers shoot for between 60-80 uses for the initial treatment. However, wearing backpack shoulder straps that are highly abrasive can shorten that and require more frequent reproofing. If you want a low maintenance but heavier jacket that doesn’t require DWR reproofing check out Columbia’s Outdry rain jackets.
Thanks for know what I meant and not what I said. :-). Good review and info. – thank you
It’s easy to get very confused by this stuff.
Why not take the next Mont bell jacket up, that has more water proofness yet only adds another 3 Oz?
Because it will probably be ungodly hot in warm weather. It’s certainly an option, but I’d prefer it more for winter use.
Thank you! Appreciate your response.
I mainly hike in the Rockies at 8k-10k feet in elevation. I’d assume we get a little cooler temps during rain on average. Do you think it’d make sense to jump up to the Torrent or Storm Cruiser in my instance?
Sure – I usually layer with a fleece under a rain jacket to prevent the heat from being sucked out of me but a thicker jacket does also help.
How does this compare to the Zpacks Vertice?
I honestly don’t know.
This review has me very interested in the jacket for an upcoming bicycle tour where I expect that I’ll end up riding in the rain for a few days. But I’m puzzled by one thing. I eliminated from consideration all Gore-Tex Infinium jackets because Gore says it isn’t waterproof. They seem to market it as somewhat water resistant wind stopper fabric. Does the Montbell jacket add something to make the fabric more waterproof or is Gore just being conservative in their claims?
If you look at the specs I have listed above, the water resistance is 30,000 mm. Most tents are 2000-3000 mm. So that sounds pretty waterproof to me.
If ventilation is more important than breathability, and trapping the back of a jacket against the pack is also an issue, then how about a review of a front-zippered poncho?
It has far more ventilation than pitzips or mesh pockets, and the back goes over your pack. Inside is a sort of bubble environment that blocks the elements. The front zipper makes it as practical as a jacket.
AND you can reach all of your pockets underneath the fabric.
I realize that front-zippered ponchos are not common, but they do exist. I got one for less than $20 on Amazon. It is the best rain gear I’ve ever had.
What are your thoughts about ponchos?
I have nothing against ponchos, but they’re not a convenient garment for windy conditions, exposed mountainous terrain, or winter. Hot and humid conditions like the AT in July/August. Sure.
Price appears to be up to $250 on this jacket now on Montbell’s site. What have others paid for this? I see $200 in the comments. A 25% increase seems like a lot over such a short amount of time.
Everything got more expensive this year across the industry. Montbell still provides excellent bang for the buck. Much better than most. But frankly, they don’t comp me one cent in promoting their gear. The stuff is just really good, which is why I endorse it.
Hi, Philip. Which lightweight rain jacket would you recommend for off-trail trips?
Depends on what Off-trail means to you. If it’s means pushing through heavy growth that’s tearing at your clothes, you want a thicker (in denier) heavier raincoat. A marmot precip is probably a good start. If it’s across “open” treeless/vegetation free terrain – take your pick of the lighter weight jackets. I’d probably go with something with chest pockets to hold a map and compass within easy reach.
Just when I finally decided to go with the Versalite over some other brands I noticed the Torrent Flier also from Montbell. For only an once weight penalty it has a much higher water resistance rating. Any opinion on this coat? thanks