Ah, the struggle of finding the right rain jacket for thru-hikers. All we really want is something that will keep us dry, inside and out, while we’re walking through a downpour. For me, that meant choosing between a heavy, bulky, humid, claustrophobic coat or a minimalist coat that wouldn’t stop me moving because the moisture would weigh me down with my gear and I’d freeze to death.
Over the years, I’ve leaned more towards the “coat” side of things, so I was excited to get the chance to try out the new Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket, which addresses these issues while still being super lightweight.
Retailing for $230, the Tushar is a minimalist hardshell with pit zips that uses two different fabrics for optimal waterproofing and breathability. But does it work? Let’s take a look.
Overview of Outdoor Vitals Tusher Rain Jacket
MSRP: $230 (discounted to $207 for Outdoor Vitals members)
Weight: 7.4 oz (men’s medium)
Fabric: 2.5L Toray Train 3D Laminate, 2.5L Micro Ripstop Nylon
Size range: Men’s sizes only, S-3XL
Review status
I tested the Tushar Rain Jacket on the Arizona Trail in March in heavy rain and light snow that continued all day. Temperatures were in the high 50s to low 60s.
Materials and Features
The name “Tushar” refers to the mountain range south of Salt Lake City, Utah, and is pronounced “TUH-sher.” A key design element for durability and breathability is the combination of two different waterproof membranes and a 3D-printed inner half layer.
What does this mean specifically?
Every rain jacket has a top layer. As the name suggests, this is what directly “faces” the elements, and if you see a jacket hanging on a rack or on a hiker, this is pretty much what you’ll see. It’s usually nylon or polyester, coated with a DWR (durable water repellent) to repel water. Underneath that is a waterproof membrane; think eVent or Gore-Tex.
The lightest, most breathable, and most affordable option is a 2.5 layer rain jacket. It’s tough on the outside, but the inner layer, which provides resistance to sweat and oils that can eventually degrade the jacket, is usually printed or sprayed on the inside to reduce weight and limit the jacket’s lifespan over time. This is a half layer.
Adding a third, specialized fabric to the inside of the jacket to protect the outer layer will result in better performing, more durable gear, but it will also be heavier and more expensive. These jackets will keep water out, but depending on the material, breathability may be compromised.
With the Tushar, OV’s goal is to eliminate the third layer and combine a durable face fabric with two waterproof membranes and a 3D printed inner layer, making the jacket extremely light and packable while wicking away water and eliminating that uncomfortable stuffiness inside.
Major features
Hydrophobic membrane in high pressure areas like backpack and shoulder straps, hydrophilic membrane in areas where breathability is most important, 3D printed inner half layer moves the membrane away from the skin for increased breathability and comfort, chest pocket, anatomically cut hood, semi-elasticated cuffs, pit zip vents, YKK Aquaguard zipper, partially elasticated hem for a better fit, taped seams
material
The pre-made jackets are about the same weight and size as my bandana. As mentioned above, the 2.5 layer shells Outdoor Vitals uses have two different waterproof membranes, and are body-mapped with a heavier waterproof fabric in the shoulder areas where durability is most important, and a more breathable fabric in the torso area.
That means 28.5k hydrostatic head and 20k breathability on the grey panels, 15k HH and 29k breathability on the coloured panels (meaning the grey panels are more waterproof but less breathable and vice versa for the coloured panels). The seam tape is high quality.
fit
I’m 5’7″ and 140 lbs, so I tried on a medium. They only come in men’s sizes, but the sleeves are long enough and it fits around my hips nicely, so it fits me perfectly. However, for women who are curvier than me, this might be an issue, because even if you have a pretty flat hip, the waist rises up when you move.
Adjustability
Though the chest zipper is adjustable, the OV has minimal elastic at the cuffs, waist, and hood, and no brim structure. In heavy rain, hikers who use trekking poles like me might want to wear mittens to keep water from leaking out of the sleeves. The hood was a snug fit with a baseball cap, but even with the zipper all the way up, rain still got in and the V-neck got damp. I also question the durability of the elastic to maintain its shape over time.
Breathable
Breathability is probably the most important aspect of a rain jacket you wear while moving, and the pit zips enhance that. The 7-inch one-way zip felt small to me, and a longer zip might have been more effective.
The inside of the jacket is made from a 3D printed material that protects the waterproof/breathable laminate from scuffs and oils, extending the life of the shell. It did feel a bit plasticky against my skin, but since I wasn’t planning on wearing the jacket on my bare chest, it didn’t bother me too much.
The Tushar has no side pockets (bummer) and only one chest pocket (very handy), in which I put my phone during a heavy rain shower and it didn’t get wet at all.
But did I mention it’s dry?
The short answer is no. I was walking through the heaviest rain on the Arizona Trail, on mostly easy terrain, and not even sweating much, but when I took my jacket off, water was seeping in along the straps of my backpack, up to my shoulders.
Woof.
Outdoor Vitals Tushar Pro
Contour fit/Dropped waist
This jacket has an athletic cut with broad shoulders and a tapered waist, and it just looks great. The color has nothing to do with performance, but the two-tone blue and red is striking.
Ultra-lightweight
At just over 7 ounces, this jacket is a dream for lighter weight people, and compared to the bulky raincoat I used at a wet Te Araroa, I really enjoyed lugging this jacket around.
Pit zips
The one-way pit zips felt small at only 7 inches, but I think having them on this jacket is a plus. In dry conditions, like a passing storm or intense exercise, I think the zips are extremely helpful in balancing moisture inside the jacket.
Outdoor Vitals Tusher Cons
Unisex/Men’s sizes only
I wasn’t sure if I should mention the sizing, since the jacket mostly fit me perfectly. I should point out that I’m a breast cancer survivor, and these days I look like a teenager. For women with fuller breasts, sizing might be tricky.
Moderate durability
I also struggled with whether to classify durability as a pro or con: the exterior feels like it could stand up to thorny off-trail conditions, but the interior is starting to break down with even moderate use.
No hood/waist/cuff adjustments
Tushar uses a moderate amount of elastic to secure the hood, waist and cuffs, and while I question the durability of the elastic, more importantly the fact that it allows rain in.
Incorrect 3L (see above)
OV omitted the true third layer, instead using a 3D printed interior, so the jacket is actually 2.5L instead of 3L, which gives it a plasticky feel and explains why water leaked through the wear spots on the backpack straps.
Conclusion
This jacket looks good, fits well, and held up well in light rain but didn’t get wet in the compression areas or where the hood meets your chin by the end of the day. It may be an ideal jacket for day hikes or brief rain showers in dry areas, rather than heavy rain on a multi-day backpacking trip.
Buy Outdoor Gear Tushar
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The Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket was donated for review
