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Zpacks Vertice Rain Mitts
#5 — Best Ultralight Rain Shell

Zpacks Vertice Rain Mitts Review (2026)

1.0oz of waterproof-breathable shell that turns any liner into a storm glove

★★★★★
8.6/10
Reviewed by William • Updated August 2026 $55

These are not gloves; they are a one-ounce insurance policy. Slipped over a fleece or merino liner they turn a 40°F glove into something that handles cold rain and wind, and they pack down to nothing when not needed. Vertice is a genuinely breathable membrane, so they do not clam up the way a coated shell does. Dexterity is poor by design — they are mitts — and at $55 for what is essentially two pieces of fabric, the value depends entirely on how much you care about pack weight.

TrailCraft Score

What Works

  • 1.0oz per pair
  • Genuinely breathable membrane
  • Converts any liner into a storm system
  • Packs to the size of a golf ball
  • Made in the USA

Limitations

  • No insulation of their own
  • Poor dexterity — mitt shape only
  • $55 is steep per gram of material
  • Fabric is thin and needs care around rock

At a Glance

TypeWaterproof shell mitt
MaterialVertice waterproof-breathable
Weight1.0oz / 28g pair
InsulationNone — shell only
Packed sizeGolf ball
Temp rangeDepends on liner
WarrantyZpacks limited

Score Breakdown

Value for Money
7.8
Dexterity
6.8
Warmth
7.2
Durability
7.4
Weather Protection
9.4

What Sets It Apart

Carried on every shoulder-season trip for two years and used perhaps a quarter of the time — which is exactly the point. At one ounce there is no reason to leave them behind, and the trips where cold rain arrives unforecast are the trips they justify themselves. Paired with a merino liner they cover a startling range for 3.8oz total.

1.0oz of waterproof-breathable shell that turns any liner into a storm glove

Who This Is For

Ultralight hikers, anyone building a liner-plus-shell system, and hikers in regions where cold rain arrives without warning.

Note: Prices are current as of August 2026. Some links are affiliate links.

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Common Questions

Can I wear these alone?
Only in mild conditions. They have no insulation — they are a windproof and waterproof layer over a liner glove.
How durable is the fabric?
Adequate for hiking, marginal for scrambling. The fabric is thin and will abrade on rock. Treat them as a weather layer, not a work glove.