I'm in Pakistan, it's the monsoon season. I keep trying to wear this jacket out in the rain, trying to believe that the almost immediate wet, clammy feel I get is not rain getting in, but condensation, but after just coming back in from a down pour, theres no way. After only being outside for a moment I noticed moisture the through out the sleeves. I came back inside and wiped the sleeves with tissue to be sure I wasn't just feeling coolness throught the fabric. But no, it's wet, and not at a seam, but throughout. The fabirc is actively absorbing the rain. This is a huge disappointment. I'm headed up for a 15 day trek in the Karakorum on Sunday. Thank god I discovered the problem before going up. Very, very disappointed in Marmot over this.

Customer Service

Not yet, but I might

Similar Products Used:

REI shells of various stripes.

As mentioned in an earlier review - this jacket is water RESISTANT, not waterproof. It is marketed as waterproof, which I wholeheartedly believed, until I was up in the Olympics and a storm rolled in. Nearly froze me nads off. My friend, with the same jacket, was also soaked and freezing at this point, and I can tell you none of it was due to condensation. Anyway, I still use this thing for doing fieldwork (I'm an ecologist), although I don't know why. I still get wet whenever it rains. Make sure you don't rely on it if the temperature is going to dip and/or you need to stay dry. It does makes a pretty good windbreaker, however. I'm pretty disappointed in Marmot (and a little sad) for the performance of this jacket.

Customer Service

Never tried. Seriously, what are they going to say?

Similar Products Used:

I think I'll try a REI Taku next.

PreCip and PreCip Plus are slightly different. If you go to the website, you'll find that fabric weight is the major difference. There are other differences not to be overlooked.

Waterproof and Windproof are quantifiable claims. Compare and contrast the ratings for any such garment you intend to purchase. There really IS a difference.

Meanwhile, I will say that this jacket drove me to purchase the complementary pants. I made the mistake of buying a competing company's offering and then flying to Costa Rica. Please don't repeat this mistake.

The PreCip and PreCip Plus material will allow you to confidently walk, hike, bike, etc. w/o getting clammy and w/o getting wet. I stick my arm out the window of my truck --while driving-- and I don't get cold from 60mph winds. I don't get wet.
I only recently ordered Marmot's Shell Glove because nothing I owned held up to the PreCip of my jacket and pants.

Two thumbs, way up.

Similar Products Used:

Columbia RainForest, CloudForest, etc.
Coscto occasionally sells something claimed to be windproof & waterproof. It's just not the same. The tailoring is a bit square. Good for emergency flat tire repair kit, stored with the jack and flares, etc.

Bought this beauty in the Spring '03 as a light shell capable of being used year-round with the right layers. I have used it on the AT, Pisgah, and local day hikes. The weather has varied from a hailstorm to torrential rainstorms and temps from -10 to 85+. I haven't been disappointed.

The jacket does not transfer moisture well w/o help from wicking layers underneath, but the underarm zippers will help vent during intense activity and warm weather.

I haven't had any leaks and I've been very impressed with the wind-shedding ability.

Customer Service

I haven't needed to use it.

Similar Products Used:

EMS Thunderhead Shell (similar price and performance). A buddy of mine had a North Face Venture shell which, I believe, costs around a Benjamin. It repelled rain well, but ripped down the right seam during a 3-day trek.

This jacket is only water RESISTANT, not WATERPROOF. I went for a leisurely 45-minute walk in moderate rain and found that the jacket leaked, especially in the seams around the wrist cuffs and on horizontal surfaces (tops of forearms and shoulders). I wore a cotton T-shirt and found that it became soaked in these areas. My bare forearms were drenched with the fabric adhering to my skin. I started to get cold from the the dampness. I licked my forearms to see if it was perspiration or actually rain - no salty taste so I concluded that it was rain and not sweat. I think this is a great jacket in all other respects and situations. It is fantastic for a light shower, but failed me miserably for the very reason I bought it - waterproofness.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

N/A

I got the PreCip Anorack, it was an impulse buy at the Sierra Trading Post, marked way down... It appears to be made very well, all taped seams, high quality zippers and great details. I have not worn it in the rain, I have been using it as a light wind breaker.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

Equinox three layer goretex jacket

I have recently purchased a PreCip at local outfitter and have been pleased so far. The first time I hiked after purchasing this jacket I found myself in a typical Florida rainstorm, heavy rain for about 20 min. I found no leaks in the jacket and was pleased that I stayed dry. The jacket breaths well with the pit zips open but creates a little condinsation with them closed, but I also live in Florida which has about 100% humidity most of the time. I have used this product only a hand full of times but I am fully satisfied and would suggest the PreCip to anyone who wants to stay dry at a low cost. It is also lightweight and packs down well.

Customer Service

Have not needed to contact them. Which I guess is a good thing.

Similar Products Used:

None

I had the Precip pants, which I liked, so I orderd the jacket. I was psyched when it arrived, but it quickly became a huge disappointment. Within a couple of minutes, even the lightest rain caused a nice layer of water to line the inside of my sleeves and shoulders. I thought I must be dreaming. Sweating too much and it wasn't breathing. I took it home to test it under a light spray in my shower. Same thing. And this is all in the first month of owning the jacket. Plus, the pants, which were now 5 months new, were also leaking terribly too. Other than the light weight and abundance of ventilation options, it's a dud.

Customer Service

I called Marmot and they said to ship them both back. Also said that the first generation of Precip had had some problems, but my jacket (new in January 2001) ought to be fine. Promised to have it back in 10 days from receipt, but I never got it in time. Spent some cold wet days backpacking with my windbreaker instead. Precip is only marginally better, but still would have make the trip more comfortable.

Similar Products Used:

None.

I used this jacket for my Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year. I'll start off by saying that if you're looking for a jacket that is comparable to gore-tex, but cheaper, you'll more than likely be disappointed. It simply isn't as good. While gore-tex is prone to saturation after a long time in the rain, the Precip is far worse. The Precip was worn by a number of fellow thru-hikers this season, and all of us had the same complaint; the jacket gets soaked in anything other than a light rain. I'll go as far as saying that it needs to be taken out of the "waterproof-breathable" category. It is water resistant, nothing more. As much as all of us would like to believe that the ceramic cloth used in the Precip is waterproof and breathable, it is not. After many a rainy day did I take off my jacket in the shelter to find myself soaked to the bone. It was a running joke with my hiking partner throughout the trip. The things that I like about the Precip is what everyone else likes about it, it's price and details not found on comparably priced jackets. The pit zips are very nice and compensate quite well for the ceramic cloth's lack of breathability. The hood fit is quite nice also, snugging around your face and turning with your head movements. Fit was quite nice also, with generous arm length. If you're going to be in the rain for any period of time while being active, expect to get wet in the Precip. All said, if this was put in it's propper category, water resistant, it would probably be a classic. Good luck with your search. I myself am still searching for someone to dethrone gore-tex and make waterproof breathable protection halfway affordable. As for now, gore-tex is still the very best.

Great Jacket! For a back packers jacket I dont think this jacket can be beat for the price. I bought one back in january to save weight over my north face mountain light and it worked. I saved a lot of weight. reliabile and water proof warm too . Packs up small, I have since retired my north face.The precip jacket is the one to have if you are a backpacker who doesn''''t like to carry any more weight than you have too.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

north face mountain light