What is important in hiking jackets? What separates great rain jackets and outdoor wear from the cheap stuff?People have different needs in hiking jackets just like they do in camping gear or hiking equipment. If you're looking for a rain jacket to backpack in, consider pocket placement. Backpack straps can interfere with pocket access.
Where some people like to have lighter jackets that end at the waist, I prefer a hiking jacket with enough length that it falls just below the butt. The reason for this is it helps to keep your upper pants and pockets dry. Also, depending on what you're wearing it can help to prevent wet clothing from chafing. A dry butt is a happy butt. ;-)
Taped seams act to seal fabric to help keep the water out and hiking jackets dry.
Jackets with good pockets are extremely handy when you're out on the trail. Great hiking jackets are ones that are designed by someone who put some put some thought into them. At the least a jacket should have two hand pockets. If there's an extra Napoleon pocket thrown in that's even better. Also, for some reason it seems like a majority of manufacturers are using elevated hand pockets. 7. A removable/stowable hood with a visor can come in handy when it rains as it will help keep the rain from streaming into your eyes. Drawstring hoods are also nice because they minimize exposing your face to the elements. Stowable/removable hoods are nice because they stop the hood from flopping around on your back. 10. Most good quality hiking jackets should have double/reinforced stitching, especially at high stress areas, to increase their durability. 11. Reinforced ripstop material helps slow small tears so you can get them fixed before they grow into large tears.
If the scratchy loop part of the closure is on a surface that rubs against another part of the hiking jacket in typical use, or when it's unfastened, it can quickly fuzz the fabric and eventually affect the integrity of the jacket.
