Marmot PreCip Eco - Women's Review

The Marmot PreCip Eco offers excellent value with satisfactory performance capabilities at a reasonable price. It is comfortable to wear for a range of activities, can be stashed in its pocket when not needed, and is lightweight enough to throw in any pack. The DWR (durable water repellent) coating is PFC-free, and Marmot's NanoPro fabric is made of 100% recycled nylon ripstop. Besides being eco-friendly, the material is flexible, decently breathable, and has good water resistance capabilities, making it ideal for moderate activity in average rainfall. This is a good choice for those seeking a high-performance rain jacket that won't break the bank.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

The nylon ripstop NanoPro fabric with DWR coating is proficient at repelling moderate water for a decent amount of time. This rain jacket did well in light and average rain, keeping us dry while hiking. In heavy rainfall, the water penetrated the jacket a little sooner than other top performers in the category.

The zippers are not waterproof, but the storm flaps (over the main and pocket zippers) offer decent protection from the elements to keep water from penetrating. “While the PreCip Eco is not the most waterproof rain jacket out there for an extended time in heavy downpours, I found it performed very well in average rainfall for a decent amount of time,” says Jessica Albery. This jacket will keep you dry for all but the most sustained extreme conditions. With its lower price tag, we think it's worth the money for the degree of water resistance it provides.

Breathability

The NanoPro fabric used on the PreCip Eco is fairly breathable even with the zippers up. During our objective route test, where we hiked one mile up the same trail in each jacket to see how well each could handle perspiration and core heat, we got a little too hot towards the top. The PreCip breathability is right in the middle of the breathability score spectrum of all the rain jackets we tested.

With all the zippers up, we started to overheat and sweat. Still, as soon as we opened the vents and the hand pockets, which feature perforated fabric on the interior, this rain jacket dumped the heat quickly, allowing us to return to a comfortable temperature within minutes. With the vents open, this jacket easily regulates temperature and vents excess internal moisture accumulated from sweat.

Comfort and Mobility

“The PreCip Eco performed well in the field when evaluated for comfort and mobility. Thanks to its generous fit, which is easy to layer and feels true to size, I found it a pleasure to wear,” says Jessica Albery. The fabric is fairly flexible, and the cut is roomy enough to offer a full range of motion. It's also easy to layer underneath while still maintaining a flattering and comfortable fit. The jacket also has a separate collar with an internal lining that is soft and luxurious in its feel against the skin. The hood folds up into this internal collar, so you can stash it when unneeded.

The internal fabric stuck to the skin unpleasantly when we built up a sweat while the vents were closed. In contrast, when the skin was not sweaty, it felt fine. Additionally, the zipper pulls are small and don't feature any extra webbing to assist with opening and closing, making them hard to work with, especially if you are wearing gloves or if your fingers are cold.

Weight

The PreCip Eco performed exceptionally well in the weight and packability portion of our rain jacket tests. At a scant 9.0 ounces, it's one of the lightest in our review. This is partially due to its flexible, lightweight fabric and minimalistic design, which forgoes extras like 2-way zippers.

The PreCip Eco can be stowed away in one of its hand pockets, which are lined with slightly stretchy mesh. With repetitive packing and unpacking, we found that this was one of the easiest jackets to stash into its pocket. Its user-friendly design makes it an excellent choice for those conscious of every ounce. It's lightweight and compacts into a tiny rectangle that will fit into almost any bag, duffel, or suitcase, no matter how packed to the gills you are.

Construction Quality

The most recent iteration of the PreCip Eco received a durability upgrade: a microporous coating on the nylon face fabric that proved more durable and abrasion-resistant than previous versions. We are stoked to see this improvement on a tried and true rain jacket staple.

While the PreCip Eco keeps costs down by avoiding some high-end accessories, all essentials are quality and offer good functionality. The zippers may not be sealed or waterproof, but they run smoothly and consistently, and all drawcords, toggles, and Velcro held up well during testing. While not the burliest rain jacket out there, we were pleasantly surprised by its overall strength in construction.

Should You Buy the Marmot PreCip Eco?

The Marmot PreCip Eco offers one of the best values on the market for outdoor enthusiasts, with an excellent intersection of performance and functionality and a price tag that leaves money in the bank for your next adventure. It's light and packable, making it a great choice for traveling when space and weight are paramount. It is quite pleasant to wear in a wide range of conditions and offers full movement when engaged in active outdoor pursuits. If you need a top-performing rain jacket at a reasonable price, we wholeheartedly recommend the PreCip.

What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?

For those looking for peak performance in a rain jacket, check out the Arc'teryx Beta SL for top-notch waterproofing and mobility. If the price tag of the Beta SL is too daunting, we'd also recommend more affordable yet high-performing options like the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L and the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch. The Torrentshell will definitely keep you dry even in rainier conditions. However, the fabric is more rigid and lacks the softness, comfort, and lightweight, easy-to-move-in performance of the PreCip. The Fineline offers a lighter design built to move and keep you dry on fast and light missions. For an exceptionally breathable jacket that is also one of the most comfortable once you get moving, the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is another great option. And if you're on a budget and need a non-technical rain jacket that's perfect for everyday use, we recommend the Helly Hansen Moss.