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ZPacks Challenger Rain Jacket

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ZPacks Challenger Rain Jacket

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Product Description

Field-tested for waterproofness, breathability, and strength, the ZPacks Challenger rain jacket offers weather protection at such a low weight, you’ll have no excuse not to bring it along. Starting at just over 5 ounces in the men’s small, it’s made from waterproof cuben fiber with a three-layer construction: an eVent membrane for the transfer of water vapor, Dyneema fibers for extremely high tear strength and rip-stopping qualities, and a thin outer layer of DWR-coated nylon for abrasion resistance Read More

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Apr 19, 2019

Very unimpressed with this jacket. The inner membrane has worn off and it no longer performs to keep the wearer dry after 1 hike in 7 hours of rain. Zpacks wants nothing to do with it, either. Any similar experiences?

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Cookster997

256

Oct 20, 2016

Anybody have insight on how this might perform for cycling?

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Stepbystep

549

Oct 23, 2016

Cookster997I considered it with mine but it's not ideal. Not nearly enough volume in the hood to go over a helmet and if you try to force that it raises up the neck, pits and waist considerably...could wear it under the helmet but then it's loose enough to be bunchy and uncomfortable. Sleeve length for me was fine for normal wear but a bit short for the road bike, fine for mountain bike with most setups. For the road the waist is short enough to work ok in front without too much bunching, probably would have wind flap, but the back is pretty short when hunched over so it'd be miserable unless you use fenders. I think the zipper leaks that I had on mine would be minimal or not a problem on a bike unless you're really in a deluge.

PeterK

1515

Oct 13, 2016

All of the orders have been shipped and are now on the way to you! Once tracking is available, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information. Please allow 24-48 hours for this information to update in the courier’s system.
If you have any questions, please visit our Help Center (http://massdrop.com/helpcenter).
We're also on Instagram! We'd love to see photos of the drops you've received. Give us a follow @Massdrop and tag your pictures #massdrop. https://instagram.com/massdrop

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PeterK

1515

Oct 10, 2016

Thanks again for joining this drop! We have submitted the group's order with the vendor for the ZPacks Challenger Rain Jacket and they are working hard to prepare it for shipment.
As soon as the group's order is ready at the vendor's location, they will ship the individual orders directly to you. The current estimated ship date is 10/26.
We will keep the group updated throughout the fulfillment process. You can expect an update from us by the end of the day Pacific Time on 10/18.
If you have any questions, please visit our Help Center (http://massdrop.com/helpcenter).

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HSVJerry

Oct 4, 2016

I have one of the 1st gen jackets and by far bar none this is the best rain jacket I have EVER owned. For a XL at less than 6 oz ( pre chest pocket and mine lacks the vertical adjustment at back of hood ) it goes with me everywhere and in the winter I can use my puffy jacket with this to make the ultimate winter light weight jacket combo. I normally ware a Large in most jackets brands mountain hardwear/ Columbia and I prefer the XL so that my down jacket can puff up. If you think you know what waterproof is but you have not played with cuben fiber it is the ONLY true waterproof fabric this DOES NOT wet out...EVER no matter how hard this rain is coming down. Hands down best jacket and best brand all wrapped in one.

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Sinfonian

Oct 3, 2016

Trying to decide if it is worth it to get it here or go full on custom order direct from Zpacks. I was about to purchase it anyway before this Massdrop happened. Now nobody is buying. Grr. Decisions, decisions.

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John_GoodMan

Oct 1, 2016

The discount is negligible but I'm in at $259. Have had so many other rain jackets that wet through after a day in the rain. I'm ready to step it up to cuben.

Stepbystep

549

Oct 1, 2016

I owned two of these and it just didn't cut it in heavy rain unfortunately. The fabric itself performs very well but the zippers and design leave something to be desired. I've heard a couple other similar complaints but my first one from 2014 leaked through the front zip. I had it for several trips with only light rains and then in a long wet hike and big rain the next day I noticed my chest and stomach getting wet. A shower test when I got home showed the zipper was letting in the water. So Z-Packs replaced it for me in the spring of 2015 and the same thing happened right away and that one also let in water at the top of the pocket zipper because there is no "zipper garage" covering the slider. I think as long as they want to use that rubberized "water resistant" zipper then they really should sacrifice some grams and add a gutter/flap piece behind it like most rain jackets have, and I'm sure those zipper garage things are a pain to make but it really needs those as well. Not thrilled with the hood fit or adjustment webbing/buckle but that's minor. Velcro cuff adjustment or something should be standard too because the elastic doesn't seal well enough to keep water out when you bend your elbows up or lift your arms to the sky to pray to the rain gods for mercy. I thought the cut and fit were fine and the material was more durable than I expected it to be based on the weight. Overall it's a very good jacket and the price is not that bad considering the whole package and super low weight. I really wanted to love it but leaks are a deal killer in a rain jacket for me since I am not blessed with brief light rains and I don't cancel trips or pitch the tarp because of heavy or long rainy days. If I could have figured out a DIY method of fixing the zipper issues I would have kept it.

svermeul

Sep 30, 2016

I have both the Challenger Rain Jacket and Rain Pants (got them late in 2015) and can attest to the fact that they are excellent. The eVent material has very good breathability, at least as good as my older goretex jacket. The jacket also has purchase option to make it longer, which is nice because then it covers your pockets to about mid thigh. I had mine made with a second chest pocket. The one thing I've wished the jacket had was a pair of simple pockets to tuck your hands in on cold days.

Sinfonian

Sep 30, 2016

svermeulI just recently had an email exchange with them as I'm strongly considering buying one even before the Massdrop. I didn't know you could make it longer, but I did hear from them that you can't have hand pockets. Shame. If I could I'd remove the chest pocket. Why bother?

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Sinfonian

Sep 30, 2016

Isn't that the old version John? Love your chanel.

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svermeul

Sep 30, 2016

I went back and reread your review (which was one of the ones that convinced me to buy the jacket in the first place), looks like I got the improved breathability numbers wrong. That said, I still think this jacket is better than the goretex one I've used before and I have no complaints about breathability in the year I've used it.

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Sinfonian

Sep 30, 2016

svermeulI've determined it is the best waterproof rain jacket for thexample weight and price. Comparable waterproof competitors cost the same but weigh twice as much. If I can handle the length I will probably get it here as I could always use the chest pocket to store my water filter when it freezes outside. I wouldn't put my phone there because I would expect condensation.

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John_GoodMan

Stepbystep

I considered it with mine but it's not ideal. Not nearly enough volume in the hood to go over a helmet and if you try to force that it raises up the neck, pits and waist considerably...could wear it under the helmet but then it's loose enough to be bunchy and uncomfortable. Sleeve length for me was fine for normal wear but a bit short for the road bike, fine for mountain bike with most setups. For the road the waist is short enough to work ok in front without too much bunching, probably would have wind flap, but the back is pretty short when hunched over so it'd be miserable unless you use fenders. I think the zipper leaks that I had on mine would be minimal or not a problem on a bike unless you're really in a deluge.

Cookster997

Anybody have insight on how this might perform for cycling?