REI XeroCloud 3L Rain Jacket for All Weather Use

The REI XeroCloud 3L Jacket is a moderately priced, 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket that’s surprisingly affordable with premium features important to hikers and backpackers. It has a one-way adjustable hood with a front brim, pit-zips, zippered handwarmer pockets, a zippered chest pocket, rip-and-stick velcro-style cuffs, and is fully seam-taped. It’s made with a stretch fabric that makes it very comfortable to wear. The sizing runs large in the hood, shoulders, and sleeves, which can be good for cold-weather layering, but you may want to size down for three-season use. 

Specs at a glance

• Waterproof/breathable:  3L
• Membrane: REI HydroWall
• Breathability Rating: 10,000-15,000 g/m²/24 hours (estimated)
• Weight: 13.6 oz (our test jacket is 14 oz in a men’s Large)
• Gender: Men’s (Women’s also available)
• Pit zips: Yes
• Adjustable hood w/brim: Yes
• Climbing compatible hood: Yes
• Pockets: 3
• Velcro-wrist cuffs: Yes
• Seam-taped: Yes
• Hem-adjustment: Yes
• Materials: Recycled nylon and polyester with jersey backer
• External DWR: Yes, non-flourinated

Three-Layer Waterproof/Breathable Construction

The REI XeroCloud is a 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket with a nylon and polyester external face fabric, a waterproof/breathable membrane, and a jersey fabric backer. When it comes to waterproof/breathable rain jackets, 3-layer jackets are usually the cream of the crop in terms of breathability, comfort, features, and price. They also tend to be heavier than the lightweight 2.5-layer rain jackets favored by many hikers because they have a third fabric layer, an inner fabric liner that makes them less clammy to wear in humid weather. See Rain Jacket Layers Demystified: 2-Layer, 2.5 Layer, and 3 Layer for details about the pros and cons of each type.

Comparison of 3L Rain Jackets

The REI XeroCloud 3L is one of the least expensive 3L waterproof/breathable rain jackets available today. One reason for this is that it uses a proprietary waterproof breathable membrane called HydroWall instead of Gore-Tex. Proprietary membranes, like HydroWall, have much lower breathability levels (like one-half to two-thirds less) and work best when there is a large temperature differential between the outside and the inside of the jacket, as in colder weather. You can increase their comfort range in warmer weather if you have pit zips to vent excess heat, which the XeroCloud has. Ventilation (also called mechanical venting) can make an “OK” rain jacket perform much better in terms of breathability and comfort.

Jacket Features for Hiking and Backpacking

When I evaluate rain jackets for hiking and backpacking, there are a few features that I look for, regardless of whether the jacket is made with a waterproof/breathable fabric or not. These include an adjustable hood, pit zips, and whether the wrists have velcro closures or elastic ones. All of these features are important for regulating your warmth level and the amount of perspiration you experience.

Pit Zips

The REI XeroCloud has pit zips in the armpits to vent built-up body heat and reduce perspiration, even though the jacket is made with waterproof/breathable fabric. The XeroClouds pit zips are 12 inches long, which is pretty average. The pit zips have one-way sliders and a rain flap to prevent water from entering. The zipper sliders are easy to pull down (from bicep to ribs) and zip up (from ribs to bicep) with just one hand. I usually always keep my pit zips open, even in winter, except when I get very cold. In any case, I’d recommend that you lubricate the pit zips periodically with Gear-Aid Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant to make them work more smoothly.

Adjustable Hood

The XeroCloud 3L Jacket has a high-volume helmet-compatible hood, but it has a rear volume control that lets you downsize it to a more manageable size. While the hood does have a front brim that covers your forehead and can keep the rain off your glasses, I prefer to wear a billed cap underneath it to give the hood a better shape and keep the brim from falling down my face.

When the hood is zippered up all the way, you get a good deal of face coverage with it, so your mouth, neck, and upper chest are protected from the wind and blowing snow and rain. A high neck like this is a good feature to fend off nasty weather and is a good hedge against having to wear full-face protection like a balaclava during the colder months. There’s also a zipper garage at the top of the central zipper, which is nice for bearded people so your facial hair does not get caught in the zipper.

Wrist Cuffs

The XeroCloud has rip-and-stick (velcro) style wrist cuffs instead of the cheap elastic wrists that you find on many warm-weather rain jackets. These are much more efficient at sealing in body heat at the wrists and for use with insulated gloves. I consider this a premium feature on a rain jacket and one that extends its utility into the colder, winter months.

Pockets

The XeroCloud has two zippered handwarmer pockets.  The pockets are not hipbelt-compatible. The jacket stuffs into its left-hand pocket for storage. These stuff-it pockets are an important feature on waterproof-breathable jackets with an external DWR coating, reducing abrasion before DWR reproofing is required. (See: Rain Jackets – How to Make Your DWR Last Longer). The XeroCloud also has a large chest pocket, big enough for a SmartPhone, that can also be used to store maps or snacks you want fast access to.

Recommendation

The REI XeroCloud 3L is a moderately priced 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket that can be used year-round for hiking, backpacking, and winter sports. While 3-layer rain jackets tend to be heavier and more expensive than lighter weight alternatives, they usually come equipped with excellent technical features and a premium waterproof/breathable membrane from Gore-Tex, eVent, or Pertex.

By using a proprietary membrane in the XeroCloud 3L, REI is able to offer the same premium features found in premium 3-layer jackets at a much lower price point. While its membrane is less breathable, the XeroCloud 3L uses pit zips as an equalizer to vent water vapor and improve the jacket’s overall performance.  I think the REI Xerocloud 3L is reasonably priced for the value it offers and will prove to be a reliable garment if it’s maintained properly.

Likes

• Pit Zips
• Adjustable Hood w/Brim
• Wrist Cuffs
• Stretch Fabric
• Comfortable Inner Liner
• Good Factory DWR
• Comes in Purple!

Dislikes

• Runs large
• Handwarmer pockets are not hipbelt compatible

Disclosure: REI donated a jacket for review.

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