Gear Review – Marmot Essence Jacket

Marmot Essence Jacket Gear Review – by Ian Fowler

“No it is not going to rain! I am not taking a shell!” said my climbing partner.

Four hours later, as a heavy spring shower hit me at the top of the 4th pitch of the Green Spur, I pulled out my Marmot Essence jacket and stayed miraculously warm and dry.

My climbing partner eyed my jacket enviously. “I didn’t think you brought a rain jacket”, he said. To which I replied, “You know that tiny little pouch on the back of my harness, this is it”. “No way!” he replied, now wet to the bone.

And that in Essence is the best thing about the Marmot Essence. It packs to the size of a windshell, but offers great weather protection. A fully compatible helmet hood and some cool venting under the arms are just two of its many great features. I have yet to get wet from either the inside or the outside wearing the Essence. Marmot did a great job stripping down the non-essentials and creating a simple, light, and high-performing jacket.