Patagonia Dragonfly Pullover

Pros: Light, compact, water and wind resistant, has a hood
Cons: expensive

This jacket weighs nothing. At three ounces, it can be carried along even if you don't think you will need it. It folds up into its own pocket and is no larger than a small orange. It has a hood. The Dragonfly sheds wind and light rain and snow, ...

Pros: light, comfortable, compressible, SO breathable and really sheds rain and wind
Cons: expensive. velcro chest pocket closure not entirely secure.

My husband and I both recently bought the Dragonfly and we both love it. At the time we couldn't believe we were plunking down $135 for a rain jacket, but the thing is so versatile, it's actually worth it if you want to shed rain and wind in highly...

Pros: Durable for the weight, excellent shower resistance
Cons: Lack of breathability for high exertion activities

Three ounces for a wind/shower shell with a hood is nothing to balk at. This is the "weight point" that currently defines "ultralight" for this category. However, I recommend using the Dragonfly more for low-exertion wind and shower resistance than for high-exertion activities. The fabric is pretty water repellent, but not as breathable as other fabrics in its weight class, such as Pertex Quantum (used on Montane's version of the same type of shell) or the proprietary fabric of the Marmot Chinook. -- Ryan Jordan, Publisher, Backpacking Light (http://www.backpackinglight.com/)