Hi-Tec Hard Rain Shell

I have worn this shell in 40 mph winds, heavy rain storms in Escalante and as a hard shell over my winter jacket. This shell came through with flying colors in every weather condition.

When I was a child my parents would always buy me Hi-Tec shoes and boots because we were poor and their shoes were affordable. I have memories of kids in school making fun of me for wearing Hi-Tec. Most of the kids in my scout troop had the same dilemma, so when I won a Hi-Tec Hard Rain Shell jacket last year I had some mixed emotions. It looked like a well-built jacket, but even though I am older now I thought if I wear this will I be ostracized by my peers?

I decided to try the jacket out at home to see if I could justify wearing it. The jacket is super comfortable and lightweight, I dare say it is even very stylish and well put together. This jacket is made of 100% polyester rip stop. The chest pocket is laser cut with a welded waterproof zipper. It has under arm vents and draw cords for the face, head and waist. It even packs down into a pocket making it easy for stuffing in your backpack.

I tried 3 times to test this jacket in the rain, every time I would put it on the rain would stop (you got to love Utah weather) I decided to jump in the shower and test it. Not one drop of water got through and the water just beaded right off.  This jacket quickly became my go-to jacket for wind and rain. I even convinced a few friends to buy one.

Over the winter I used this as my hard-shell over my Mountain Hardware Kelvinator for a few ski trips and several snowshoe trips. I went through trees and nothing ever ripped and I experienced 40mph winds in a snowstorm and heavy rain storms. The hard rain shell came through with flying colors in every condition.

Never again will I doubt the quality of Hi-Tec and will definitely buy their products in the future.