Marmot Minimalist Pertex Rain Jacket Review

A consistently popular rain jacket well equipped for multi-sport use, the Marmot Minimalist saw a recent redesign with a softer, more breathable shell. Transitioning from a Gore-Tex Paclite membrane to a Pertex Shield Revolve build, the updated Minimalist maintains its durable, streamlined construction in a lighter, more packable jacket. We put the Minimalist to the test over several weeks of backpacking through the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and found the jacket held up well to all but the most persistent storms, while the Pertex material felt more breathable and less rigid for all-day wear. A great standout for all-around outdoor use, the new Pertex Shield Revolve fabric is made from fully recycled polyester, which makes it easier to recycle at the end of its life. Finally, we love that PFAS-free models like the Minimalist Pertex continue to promote more sustainable builds in our outerwear. Read on to learn more, and to see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best rain jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection
• Breathability
• Comfort
• Weight and Packability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Features: Hood and Pockets
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weather Protection

With an updated Pertex Shield Revolve fabric, the Marmot Minimalist Pertex maintains its durable, waterproof, (mostly) breathable design while allowing it to drop a few ounces and perform with a better range of motion. The 2.5-layer waterproofing has an additional DWR treatment and held up well to the cold, wet weather in late-season Yellowstone. It did finally succumb to hours of persistent rain when the water pooled between my pack and back, but until that point, it felt protective during soggy multi-day trips. A full 3-layer jacket might have kept me dryer in the consistent downpour, but the tradeoff between the 2.5-layer and 3-layer is a lighter, more flexible design that feels better for extended wear. I would think twice about trusting this jacket in heavy, ongoing storms, but it did great as an all-around rain and wind shell on my multi-day forays. 
 

The Minimalist Pertex has a quality, no-frills build that's been steadily improved upon over the years. The fixed hood with adjustable pull cord at the back does a great job of staying in place, and it kept all but my nose and eyes tucked away when out in a storm. Dual adjustable cords at the hem also seal out moisture well to keep baselayers dry, while Velcro adjustments at the cuffs allowed me to adjust for different layers and when my taking gloves on and off. I especially like the coated zippers that seal out moisture and kept my phone dry in my pocket. Marmot did away with the breast pocket on this edition, but the hand pockets have shifted up a few inches. This is a nice touch to allow access under a hip belt or harness.
 

Breathability

No matter the construction, at some point, a 2.5-layer jacket is going to start to feel clammy and warm on a moderate day in the mountains. With that said, I put the Marmot Minimalist through its paces, and it stayed remarkably comfortable until the sun came back out. The "microfine" pores on the Pertex Shield Revolve fabric were designed to facilitate faster drying by transporting moisture from the body, but I'm a sweaty guy, and the tech was quickly overloaded by moderate exertion. On the other hand, during a long slog through 50-degree drizzle, I layered up with a Patagonia Nano Puff and felt comfortable with all my vents and zippers closed. Overall, the Marmot Minimalist Pertex strikes a great middle ground between permeability, durability, and protection in a reasonably lightweight package for hiking or backpacking.
 

Comfort

The 2.5-layer design of the Marmot Minimalist Pertex means you are foregoing the full lining along the interior, but the updated fabric is advertised with a dry-touch finish that is supposed to feel softer next to skin. It did, in fact, feel nicer than stickier jackets like Marmot's own Precip Eco, but the Minimalist still has somewhat of a clammy, plasticky feel. I also found the construction wasn’t as stiff or noisy as a traditional 3-layer design, which meant that the jacket was more comfortable and mobile to wear around camp. With its simple construction, the only fleece backing is along the garaged chin zipper (there's nothing behind the neck), but the minimal backing keeps chafing at bay under the chin. I also appreciate the jacket's streamlined fit, which means it doesn't bunch underneath a backpack while still maintaining a full range of motion and accommodating extra layers.
 

Weight and Packability

The new Marmot Minimalist dropped the traditional Gore-Tex design in favor of a Pertex Shield fabric, coming in at 12 ounces compared to its 13.6-ounce predecessor. This is somewhere in the middle for a lightweight rain jacket, and the 2.5-layer build offers fully taped seams and more protection than you'll find in ultralight jackets like the Outdoor Research Helium. Among its own class of 2.5-layer shells, it comes in slightly heavier than the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch (11.3 oz.) and the REI Co-op Rainier (11.3 oz.)
 

In terms of packability, I liked to roll the Minimalist into its own hood, where it packed down smaller than a 32-ounce Nalgene and could be stuffed in the side pocket or outer mesh of my pack. The new Pertex fabric is advertised as more compact while still being softer and less rigid than previous shell materials, and the streamlined design accentuates that. In the end, I had no issue taking it along on a backpacking trip.

Build Quality and Durability

The Marmot Minimalist has a clean, durable feel that has held up to everything I've thrown at it this season. After a few months of use—with several soggy backpacking trips thrown in for good measure—the Minimalist looks good as new and has suffered little from the jostling and jarring of repeated backpack pulls and rock scrapes. Down the line, I could see the thinner Velcro wrist straps losing their catch and the inner coating delaminating, but I trust the Minimalist has many seasons left in it and punches above its price point in terms of a durable build.
 

Features: Hood and Pockets

As for features, the Minimalist stays true to its name with a fairly streamlined design. With just one drawcord in the back of the head, the large hood gets a secure cinch and has no trouble staying in place. I found it tightened well over either a hat or a beanie, and the somewhat floppy bill was adequate for keeping rain from dripping into my face. That said, it doesn't provide as much coverage as competitors, such as the stiffer brim on the Arc'teryx Beta SL.
 

In an attempt to keep things light, the Minimalist has done away with the breast pocket and includes just two zippered hand pockets. If you were hoping for more storage, you might be disappointed, but the hand pockets are lined with the Pertex fabric, and the waterproof zipper finish means that whatever I shoved inside stayed dry. I had no issue storing my phone and a pair of gloves in one pocket, and the angled drop-down meant I never felt like anything was going to slide out. I also like the raised height of the pockets, leaving them accessible while wearing a waist belt or harness. 
 

Fit and Sizing

Described as a "casual fit," the Marmot Minimalist leaves room for layering while keeping the hem and cuff lengths ideal for movement and coverage. At just under six feet and 170 pounds, I opted for my usual medium and found the fit comfortable for layering and movement. The Pertex fabric feels less stiff and bunchy than my 3-layer shells, and I had no problem with mobility throughout the day. Even with a baselayer, light hoody, and the Patagonia Micro Puff underneath, I could move freely and was only a little constricted around the hood area from so many collars. I also appreciate the reduced seam construction, which gives the jacket a hardly-there feel under backpack straps. On the flip side, I can be a little tall for a typical medium, and I found the jacket rode up occasionally while carrying a heavy pack, which meant my layers were sometimes exposed, and the 30-inch center-back length didn't always protect my backside from water running down. 
 

Sustainability

Marmot has been making strides in their sustainability efforts, and the Minimalist Pertex takes that to the next level with the Pertex Shield Revolve fabric. Made with 100% recycled polyester, this mono-material fabric is built to be easier to recycle into new apparel, as it can be returned to its original material form at the end of its life cycle. Marmot has also eliminated all harmful PFOA chemicals from their products, using a PFC-free DWR finish that forgoes the use of harmful perfluorocarbons.
 

Other Versions of the Marmot Minimalist Pertex

This review covers the men's version of the Minimalist Pertex, but Marmot also offers a women's version with a few more colorways that checks in at 11 ounces for the same price. The Minimalist collection also has Pertex rain pants in men's and women's for $150 and a new Pertex Minimalist Rain Cap for $50 that features a cinchable back and waterproof build. Lastly, Marmot offers the Minimalist 3-in-1 Jacket that combines the 2.5-layer rain jacket with a zip-in synthetic liner jacket for versatile layering depending on conditions. At $320 though, you're paying an additional $135 for convenience, unless you don't already own a comparable insulation layer. 
 

What We Like

• Solid build quality and decent weatherproofing for under $200. 
• New Pertex fabric dropped 1.6 ounces with greater packability compared to former Gore-Tex build.
• Softer fabric also breathes better than the previous design, and large pit zips help with ventilation.
• A nod to sustainability with the 100% recycled polyester Pertex Revolve material.

What We Don’t

• Heavy rainfall overwhelmed the DWR coating and thinner shell after a few hours.
• New iteration removed the breast pocket, meaning storage is limited to just two zippered pockets.
• The jacket feels clammy next to the skin when working up a sweat.
• Competitors like Patagonia's $179 Torrentshell offer better rain protection in a 3L jacket for a cheaper price.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Marmot Minimalist Pertex held up well and we love the fit, but if you’re looking for a jacket with more weatherproofing at a similar price point, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L jacket is a consistently top-ranked option. With a slightly more durable build (and 2.1-oz. weight penalty) the 3-layer Torrentshell has proven time and again to be a reliable barrier against the most challenging elements. What you lose with the Torrentshell compared to the Minimalist is comfort and mobility, with a stiffer, crinklier feel and less packability. Next is the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch, a worthy competitor with a stretch-woven shell fabric that offers the mobility of the Minimalist Pertex and a nearly identical feature set. It's also a bit lighter at 11.3 ounces, but the sizing feels less precise than the Minimalist Pertex and runs somewhat long and baggy.
 

Finally, the REI Co-op Rainier deserves a look, coming in at a competitive 11.3 ounces for the men's version and built with REI's proprietary HydroWall waterproofing. While the Rainier has its breathability limitations and the styling is decidedly less sleek than the Marmot Minimalist Pertex, the $100 price tag and high percentage of recycled materials make it a worthy option.
Back to the Marmot Minimalist Pertex Review  See Our Rain Jacket Guide