Always Have Your Rain Gear Handy: Whitewater Packable Rain Jacket & Pants Review

Few things are worse than getting skunked and soaked on the same fishing trip; luckily for me, neither happened while I wore the Whitewater Minimalist Packable Rain Jacket & Pants this summer. I braved early-summer Oklahoma rainstorms, midsummer Michigan rain days, and a late-summer Montana whitewater rafting trip in this jacket and pants to see if they are worth the price.

While the terrain and weather varied, this jacket and pants didn’t. I often reached for the jacket on cool mornings or when rain was possible, but I must admit I’m not the biggest fan of the pants for two specific reasons.

In short: At $110 for the jacket, I was pleasantly surprised at how well my head, arms, and torso stayed dry while battling the elements. It’s nowhere near the most expensive waterproof jacket I’ve worn, yet it handled everything I threw at it like a champ. The $100 pants, on the other hand, lack pockets and are much too long for my short legs. I can confidently recommend the jacket, but the pants still have plenty of room to improve to impress me.

Whitewater Packable Rain Jacket & Pants Review

Are the Whitewater Minimalist Packable Rain Jacket & Pants Right for You?

One of the best times to go fishing is in the rain, but it’s miserable when you’re getting soaked to the bone. The Whitewater Minimalist Packable Rain Jacket & Pants promise to keep you comfortable while fishing in the rain and protect you from splashes, while remaining ultra-packable. So I put them to the test, packing them in my kayak, suitcase, and dry bag while fishing across the country this summer.

First Impressions

When I first tried on the Whitewater Packable Rain Jacket and Pants, I immediately noticed how lightweight they are and that the quiet fabric didn’t feel or sound like traditional waterproof fabrics of my other rain jackets and bibs.

After trying them on, I realized the pants run long. I’m only 5’6”, so I’m short, but the medium pants are still 6 inches too long. I also noticed that the pants didn’t have pockets, which is incredibly inconvenient. The jacket and pants each came with a pouch to stuff them in, and both fit easily back into their respective pouches.

In-the-Field Performance

I first tested the jacket and pants on my property, fishing around my farm pond in Oklahoma. We had a pretty wet late spring and early summer, but they held up well when I needed them to. On warm days, I did sweat while wearing the jacket, but it wasn’t excessive.

I love how compact both the pants and jacket are. They pack into pouches that easily fit in my kayak crate, a backpack or suitcase, or boat storage compartments. I never felt they were too bulky to take on any fishing trip, which is super-convenient.

On one summer trip, my family and I stuffed our SUV full for 2 weeks in Michigan. We stayed in a small cabin on a lake, where I fished most days, including a couple in the rain. I really appreciated how quickly the jacket dried once the rain stopped. I rarely have to air it out for longer than an hour until it’s completely dry.

The most demanding trip I went on was a 5-day whitewater rafting and fishing adventure in the Montana wilderness. The trip demanded I pack light and compact, but my gear had to be durable enough to handle the rugged conditions. Chilly Montana mornings (and the nights I slept in the jacket) called for a warm, waterproof jacket that could adapt to warm afternoons, and the Whitewater Minimalist Rain Jacket did.

It was great to have a waterproof jacket and pants to protect me from the cold river when water splashed over the sides of the raft early in the morning. In the afternoons, I took off the jacket and pants and packed them away because it got too warm to wear them.

This jacket and pants have yet to fail me during my summer adventures, and I look forward to many more fall fishing trips in the jacket.

Where the Minimalist Jacket & Pants Excel

Both the packable rain jacket and pants are lightweight, compact, and easy to pack. I’ve never had an issue fitting them in my suitcase, backpack, or boat.

I was surprised by how breathable they both are. While I do sweat on warm, rainy days, it dries quickly, and I’m rarely uncomfortable while wearing them. Even though I was a bit leery at first, they’re waterproof and dry quickly after the rain and splashing ends.

I’m really glad that the hood stays on, even in the wind. I’ve never had it blow off while fishing or riding my e-bike in this jacket. Don’t worry if a rainstorm catches you by surprise; the jacket and pants are easy to put on and take off.

I think the jacket is reasonably priced for how well it’s performed over the last few months. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better jacket at a lower (or the same) price point.

Where I See Room for Improvement

I don’t have many complaints about the Whitewater Minimalist Packable Rain Jacket besides having to keep up with the storage pouch; all my major issues stem from the pants. Taller people won’t understand my frustration because they will appreciate the extra leg length. I’d recommend sizing down if you’re shorter like me, or be prepared to roll them up. The waistband is very stretchy, so you shouldn’t have a problem with the waist size when downsizing.

The biggest problem is the lack of pockets. I lost count of the times I’ve reached to put or remove something from my pants pocket, only to remember the pants don’t have pockets. I would love to see two waterproof zipper pockets in the front and one in the back, or at the very least, a couple of front pockets.

Final Thoughts: Whitewater Minimalist Packable Rain Jacket & Pants Review

The Whitewater Minimalist Packable Rain Jacket treated me very well through many fishing adventures. Whether I was battling Oklahoma and Michigan rainstorms or frigid whitewater river temperatures in Montana, this jacket excelled.

If you only need to slip the pants over your clothes for a few minutes at a time, then the Whitewater Minimalist Packable Rain Pants are a great option, but the legs are just too long for me to wear comfortably. The lack of pockets also makes it frustrating to carry my phone, wallet, or keys while fishing unless I’m wearing pants with pockets underneath; then it’s awkward to reach into them quickly.