Cabela's Gore-Tex PacLite Rainy River Parka

Fabrics utilized: 100% polyester shell

Overview

The Gore-Tex PacLite Rainy River Parka is a fully waterproof jacket that comes at an unbeatable price.  It hits the nail right on the head, with one of its few downfalls being awkward hand warmer pockets.  With its lightweight Gore-Tex PacLite shell and full body adjustment capability, it’s a great choice at a great price for anyone looking for a simple, waterproof jacket.

Pockets

The jacket features two large outer pockets.  There isn’t much that you couldn’t fit into these pockets, and a full-size Nalgene bottle is no exception (although I wouldn’t recommend this; strangely, it is somewhat uncomfortable to carry large amounts of water in your jacket pockets).  The outer pockets are the only two pockets on the jacket.  It features no inner or sleeve pockets.

Zippers

The Rainy River Parka contains fairly average YKK brand zippers, all protected with storm flaps.  The main zipper down the center of the jacket has an internal secondary storm flap.  The inside fabric is folded over, causing it to function similarly to a gutter, if water were somehow able to surpass the outer storm flap and penetrate the zipper.  There’s also a button at the top and bottom of the main zipper to secure the outer storm flap.  The one problem with the main zipper is that it’s easy to get it caught on the outer or inner storm flap.  It’s often necessary to push both flaps out of the way as you zip the jacket up.  However, for the added protection from the elements, this is not that big of a deal.

Hood

The hood features a two-way adjustment.  There is a single cinch cord on the back center of the hood, as well as cinch cords on either side of the hood located at the top of the front part of the jacket.  Between these two adjustments, it makes it possible to secure the hood to your head in a comfortable and water-protecting way.  The bill on the hood is fairly average, but sufficient and gets the job done.

Body Adjustment

The Rainy River Parka features elastic and Velcro adjustable cuffs.  This assures that no wind or rain will be able to get up your sleeves, no matter what size of wrists you have.

It also has waist adjustment via two cinch cords on either side of the jacket.  This mainly helps to seal out wind, although it also allows the jacket to keep out any upwards traveling water (if for some reason you encounter that).

Extras

One thing worth pointing out is the additional sizing options available for the Cabela’s Rainy River Parka.  Available in all of your usual sizes, tall sizes are also an option.  The tall sizes add approximately an additional two inches to the arm length and to the overall length of the jacket.  Tall sizes run an average of $10 more.

As stated right in its name, this Cabela’s jacket features Gore-Tex PacLite fabric.  The PacLite fabric allows the jacket to stay lightweight, making it able to be packed into a stuff sack that comes with the jacket.

Qualms

Simplicity certainly does have its advantages.  However, the Rainy River Parka lacks features.  It could be argued that the jacket is too simple; a main zipper, a hood and two pockets.  No more, no less.  At the very least I’d like to see an inside pocket or outer Napoleon pocket.

Also, the two pockets the jacket does have are awkwardly placed.  They are angled pockets on the front of the jacket in such a location that you’d want them to be hand warmer pockets.  However, they’re placed fairly high and it just feels strange to rest your hands inside them.  They are almost just below armpit level.

Warmth

This is a type of jacket that is intentionally not designed for warmth.  However, because the jacket is windproof, it provides a minimal amount of warmth that is particularly noticeable in windy conditions.  Don’t expect this to keep you warm in freezing weather.

Waterproof?

Yes.  The Cabela’s Gore-Tex PacLite is fully waterproof.  This is thanks to the Gore-Tex fabric, seam taping throughout the jacket, storm flapped zippers and factory applied DWR.

It should be noted that a friend of mine once owned this same jacket.  He encountered a problem with the fabric, causing it to leak water into the jacket near one of the shoulders.  He brought up the problem with Gore (creator of the Gore-Tex fabric in the jacket) and they happily swapped his leaky jacket for any Gore-Tex jacket of his choice.  I have experienced no such thing with the same model.

Summary

Not the most feature-proof jacket, the Cabela’s Gore-Tex PacLite Rainy River Parka is still an exceptional value for your money.  Starting at an MSRP of $99, you won’t find many other jackets in this price range that offer a fully waterproof and lightweight shell able to pack into a small stuff sack.  I would have liked to see additional pockets included on the jacket (and minor relocation of the existing pockets) as well as a less catchy front zipper, but with a sub $100 price tag, you can’t complain.

The Verdict: 7/10