REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L Rain Jacket Review

Overview

The XeroCloud 3L is REI Co-op’s flagship rain shell, sitting above the budget Rainier in the lineup and aimed at hikers and backpackers who want genuine 3-layer waterproof protection without paying Gore-Tex Pro prices. It’s built around REI’s in-house HydroWall membrane, a PFAS-free DWR, and a soft jersey backer that makes it feel more like a comfortable softshell than a crinkly rain shell. This one’s for people who want a jacket that can handle sustained bad weather on weekend trips and shoulder-season backpacking, but who aren’t obsessing over every last gram.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight (men’s)	13.4 oz / 380 g
Weight (women’s)	11.3 oz / 320 g
Membrane	HydroWall™ 3-layer
DWR	PFAS-free
Face fabric	Recycled nylon/polyester blend
Backer	Jersey fabric
Seams	Fully seam-sealed
Pit zips	Yes, 12 in.
Packability	Stuffs into left-hand pocket
MSRP	$189

Performance

Weather protection. This is where the XeroCloud gets mixed reviews, and it’s worth understanding why. In sustained, driving rain, testers found the DWR performs well initially but can get overwhelmed over time. One reviewer testing it in Patagonia noted “the DWR beaded moisture impressively well when I first donned it during a brief shower; later it was overwhelmed by sustained rain, forming wet spots on the chest and arms.” That same review pointed to the fabric blend as part of the reason: the XeroCloud’s polyester content is more prone to wetting out than a 100% nylon shell, though it does contribute to overall comfort. CleverHiker had a more positive experience, testing the jacket in Alaska’s driving rain and gale-force winds, finding the HydroWall material tough yet flexible and effective in sustained rain and wind. Your mileage may vary depending on just how relentless the rain is — this feels like a jacket that handles typical trail showers and multi-hour rain well, but isn’t the jacket you’d pick for an all-day monsoon slog.

Breathability and comfort. This is the XeroCloud’s strongest selling point across nearly every review I found. The 3-layer construction with a jersey backer against the skin makes it noticeably more comfortable than typical crinkly 2.5-layer shells. Section Hiker called it a stretch fabric that makes it very comfortable to wear, and Better Trail went further, saying the stretchy fabric, thin construction, and soft jersey backer are quiet and add up to one of the most comfortable rain jackets they’ve ever worn. Hiking For Her echoed this, noting the soft lining stood out compared to other shells that feel cold and clammy against a midlayer by comparison. If you’ve ever hiked in a stiff, noisy rain shell and hated every minute of it, this is a real upgrade in wearability.

Venting. The 12-inch pit zips are functional if unremarkable — Section Hiker described them as venting built-up body heat with one-way sliders and a rain flap, noting the zippers are easy to operate one-handed while roughly average in length. Better Trail Travel commented that the flap-covered pit zips and pocket zippers give the jacket a more casual vibe compared to premium alpine shells — a fair trade-off at this price point.

Fit and hood. Sizing runs generous. Section Hiker found sizing runs large in the hood, shoulders, and sleeves, which is good for cold-weather layering but may mean sizing down for three-season use. The Trek’s reviewer wasn’t as sold on the cut, noting the jacket is waterproof and comfortable but the bottom part felt a bit too wide, looking a little swimmy on thinner frames. CleverHiker had a similar takeaway, calling it slightly larger fit that can feel baggy without layers underneath, making it less packable than other jackets tested. The hood is genuinely well thought out — Section Hiker described it as a high-volume, helmet-compatible hood with a rear volume control that lets you downsize it to a more manageable size.

Packability. It stuffs into its own left-hand pocket, which is a nice touch for trailhead convenience, but at 13.4 oz for the men’s version it’s not going into true ultralight territory. The Trek’s reviewer was blunt about this trade-off: due to its weight, they wouldn’t recommend it for ultralight thru-hikers looking for a jacket on a drier trail like the PCT, but preferred a jacket like this on a wetter trail like the AT compared to an ultralight jacket that kept soaking through. That’s the honest framing here — this is a “wet trail” jacket, not a “counting grams” jacket.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuinely comfortable, soft-touch fabric that doesn’t feel like typical stiff rain shell material
• 3-layer HydroWall construction breathes better than budget 2.5-layer alternatives
• PFAS-free DWR — a meaningful sustainability upgrade without sacrificing initial performance
• Well-designed, helmet-compatible hood with rear volume adjustment
• Packs into its own pocket for quick stashing
• Strong value at $189 compared to premium 3-layer competitors

Cons

• DWR can get overwhelmed in sustained, heavy rain, leading to wet-out spots on chest and arms
• Fit runs roomy/boxy, which some testers found unflattering or less packable
• At 13.4 oz (men’s), it’s heavier than dedicated ultralight rain shells
• Pit zips and pocket zippers feel more casual/budget than premium alpine jackets

Who Should Buy This

The XeroCloud 3L makes the most sense for hikers and backpackers who prioritize comfort and all-day wearability over shaving ounces — think weekend trips, wetter long trails like the AT, or anyone upgrading from an entry-level rain jacket who wants noticeably better breathability. If you’re chasing a sub-8 oz shell for a dry-summer PCT thru-hike, look elsewhere; this jacket is built for people who’ll actually be wearing it for hours in real rain, not just carrying it as insurance.

Verdict

The XeroCloud 3L delivers genuine 3-layer comfort and breathability at a price that undercuts most premium competitors, making it one of the better values in REI’s rain jacket lineup. It’s not the most weatherproof shell in a true deluge, and the fit runs roomy, but for the price and the wearability it offers, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who isn’t chasing ultralight numbers. I’d put it at a 7.5/10 — a strong three-season workhorse, just not a technical alpine shell.