Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket Review
November 8, 2023 – Choose the Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket because it is the most breathable ultralight rain shell with an unprecedented MVTR rating of 83,000. The three layer Visp weighs just 6.4 ounces in a unisex size medium, and comes with most of the bells and whistles, including pit zips for even more breathability. This is Alan’s preferred rain jacket and we know you’ll love it too! Shop now.
Editor’s note: Visp was largely absent from the marketplace in 2023 while Enlightened Equipment worked furiously to track down more fabric. They finally scored, and Visp is available again as of November 6, 2023.
- Weight: 6.4 oz
- Price: $250
- Fabric: 3L WP/B, 7D ripstop nylon, tricot lining, 83k MVTR, 10k Waterproof
- Pros: Ultralight. Best-in-class breathability. Three layer. Long drape, roomy fit. Velcro cuffs.
- Cons:Â No pockets. Modest durability.
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Compare this to more great options in our guide to ultralight rain jackets.
Construction & Features
We can’t stress enough how impressive it is that the Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket has a Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (AKA MVTR, AKA breathability score) of 83,000. For context, most GORE-TEX varietals range from 15-30k, and even other top ultralight competitors, like the Zpacks Vertice, reach only as high as 56k. Adding to that are large pit zips, which dump even more heat in order to help prevent clamminess.
Visp comes with a bevy of other features, including hood and hem adjustable, Velcro cuffs, waterproof zippers, fully-taped seams, and a tricot lining. In fact, the only feature it doesn’t have are pockets, neither chest nor hand. While we generally prefer minimalism, we would have been happy with at least one chest pocket, and would happily pay a bit more in terms of weight and cost to get that. But not a huge issue.
We also nod to the fit, which is both long, and roomy to accommodate layers underneath. The Enlightened Equipment Visp is a unisex design, and they state that it runs about half a size larger than men’s sizing to accommodate layers. You can easily fit this jacket over a puffy as well as moderately wide hips.
Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket Review Verdict
It cannot be understated just how breathable and pleasant to wear this rain jacket is compared to other waterproof shells, and how statistically dominant it is in the marketplace in terms of weight, breathability, and value. The Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket is Alan’s preferred model, and we recommend it very highly, especially to ultralight enthusiasts and thru-hikers.
