‘Eco-Friendly’ Marmot Eclipse Rain Jacket Put to Test

Marmot does away with the shortcomings of potentially toxic DWR treatments with the introduction of the Eclipse Rain Jacket. Instead, it introduces EvoDry technology to make water bead on the surface.

Denver sees 300 days of sun per year. But a rainstorm came through at the same time we received the Marmot Eclipse Rain Jacket. So we started testing right away.

We awarded the Eclipse Rain Jacket Best in Show when Marmot introduced it at the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. It offers 20K waterproofing and 20K breathability without using a traditional durable water-repellent (DWR) coating or PFCs.

Thanks to new technology that bonds the DWR coating at the molecular level, Marmot claims the jacket will never lose its water-beading surface – and it will never need reapplication.

Marmot integrates this tech from third-party textile brand Green Theme International. It is the first to use what GTI calls Aquavent waterless treatment, a method for eliminating PFCs from the DWR treatment of waterproof-breathable outerwear.

We tested the Marmot Eclipse Rain Jacket for three rainy days. Read on to see if this jacket is all talk or a solid contender for drizzly spring days.

Waterproof Jackets and PFCs

Before we jump into testing, a note on the use of PFCs. For decades, waterproof-breathable jacket manufacturers have used various chemicals to produce a DWR finish on the face fabric of jackets. This chemical cocktail, often made with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), is some pretty nasty stuff.

It can affect both the wearer of the garment and the environment when it washes or rubs off jackets. It has accumulated in measurable levels in waterways around the world.

Thus, many brands are taking steps to eliminate some or all PFCs from apparel. GTI’s Aquavent is a new solution to this problem.

Environmentally Friendly Rain Jacket: Eclipse Tech

The Eclipse Rain Jacket for men and women is a combination of the latest in environmentally conscious outdoor technology.

To make the Eclipse bead water, GTI bonded the DWR treatment with its yarn at the molecular level. This makes water bead on the surface of the jacket, and Marmot claims won’t wash off to contaminate streams or lakes.

Marmot’s proprietary MemBrain Eco waterproof-breathable fabric provides a final barrier to water.

All EvoDry garments from Marmot are made from upcycled yarn. Compared to new yarns, EvoDry uses less petroleum and energy. Its colors are derived from a process that reduces the use of harmful dyes by 85-percent. The yarns are solution-dyed and have colorfastness and consistency while reducing water and energy use.

Lastly, EvoDry fabrics, laminations, and trims are free of PFCs.

Marmot performs all of these environmental nuances while claiming to maintain high levels of durability.

Review: Marmot Eclipse Rain Jacket

The Marmot Eclipse EvoDry jacket kept me dry on my commute. It didn’t crinkle like a bag of chips, and I wasn’t sweating profusely on the inside.

Admittedly, commuting is not the sole intended use of the Eclipse jacket. The brand claims you will stay dry for hours. We’ll put the Eclipse to a more in-depth review during the coming months, but these are our first impressions.

The pockets sit higher than typical jacket pockets, enabling you to grab at contents when wearing a pack with a hip belt.

I didn’t notice leakage at the zippers, and the hood managed to fit over my bike helmet.

When I really started puffing, I had to unzip the center zipper, as it rested slightly over my mouth. Otherwise, breathability was on par with other high-functioning rain jackets I’ve tested.

The cuffs and the fabric that cinches the cuffs down ran a little small, but I otherwise didn’t have problems with fit. I wore a size medium, am 6 feet tall, and don’t have a large chest.

At the end of each ride, to and from work, I opened the Eclipse and examined for water. Each time, the inside was completely dry.

Conclusions: Will It Hold Up?

Marmot isn’t the first to do away with surface-level DWR treatments. Columbia’s OutDry Extreme Eco Shell made headlines in 2016 and offers a different take on removing PFCs with a permanent beading surface.

But at a first look, the Eclipse holds up. And by using it, I assist in the brand’s advancement toward environmentally friendly gear production.

For rainy day hikes and backpacking trips, the Marmot Eclipse will work great. Upon further testing, we’ll update the article with any major developments. But in the meantime, we’ll be in Denver staying dry.

Learn more at REI.