← Gear database

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket vs Rab Downpour Light Jacket

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket is the lighter option — 19 g lighter than the Rab Downpour Light Jacket (9% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
shopping_cart Check today's price on Amazon
Spec Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Rab Downpour Light Jacket
Weight 200 g · 0.200 kg · 0.44 lb 219 g · 0.219 kg · 0.48 lb
Brand Outdoor Research Rab
Category Clothing - Outer Layer Clothing - Outer Layer
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
200 g

Ultralight packable waterproof jacket. Award-winning design.

Full details →
Rab Downpour Light Jacket
219 g

Packable 2.5L waterproof jacket with fully taped seams and helmet-compatible hood; packs to softball size, 7.7 oz for all-day rain protection.

Full details →

HikeLoad is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket vs Rab Downpour Light Jacket: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket wins — at 200 g it is 19 g (9%) lighter than the Rab Downpour Light Jacket (219 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest clothing - outer layer page, or browse the full gear weight database.

More clothing - outer layer comparisons