What elevates a simple rain jacket into an all-time favorite? If you ask Berghaus senior VP Shane Wallace, that’s easy. “I’m drawn to simplicity that just works in just about any condition,” says the Californian, who handles U.S. brand development for the venerable British gear maker.
Perfecting such a jacket is no simple task, especially for a brand with roots in the hill country of northeast England and a reputation for outfitting cutting-edge climbs in the Karakoram and Himalaya. While the Rain-Motion wasn’t along for the first ascent of Ulvetanna’s northeast ridge — a 35-pitch monster known as Antarctica’s toughest climb — it was thoroughly tested by Leo Holding, who led that ascent, and at least 100 regular funhogs besides.
Wallace tells us that most of that testing took place in places known throughout Britain and the world for hill-walking and nasty weather. The end result, after multiple rounds of feedback and dozens of thoughtful improvements, is a jacket that lives up to its name: Rain-Motion.
GearJunkie: Who is the Rain-Motion made for?
SHANE WALLACE: As the name suggests, it’s for people who love to move in the outdoors and won’t be stopped by a bit of rain, or for that matter, an all-day downpour. We wanted to create a lightweight, three-layer performance shell for people who want serious weather protection without the premium price tag.
It’s all about the movement, whether that means hiking and trail running, rock scrambles, or a quick mountain bike rip. For that kind of outdoor lover, we designed the Rain-Motion to deliver reliable waterproofing for sustained rain while maintaining high breathability — so you stay dry inside and out.
That’s no simple design brief.
We absolutely set a high bar, and while the performance was non-negotiable, we also prioritized aesthetics. We wanted a clean, versatile fit — a jacket durable enough for the trail yet styled for everyday wear. And packability too. Its ultra-light construction packs down small, making it easy to stash and go wherever the day takes you.
Speaking of high bars, you put ‘motion’ right in the name…
Traditional waterproof shells often sacrifice mobility for protection, leading to stiffness, bulk, and that all-too-familiar ‘fighting your jacket’ feeling when you’re on the move. From the start, the design brief for the Rain-Motion was clear: deliver uncompromising weather protection without restricting natural movement.
We achieved this through a carefully engineered, articulated pattern that mirrors the body in motion. Pre-shaped sleeves, strategic paneling, and an ergonomic cut allow for full range of motion — whether you’re reaching, climbing, or commuting — without the jacket riding up or pulling across the shoulders.
Or the hood falling across your face.
Right. The hood was equally critical. It’s fully adjustable and structured to move with the head, maintaining visibility without sacrificing coverage. That means when you turn your head, the hood moves with you — not against you — keeping rain out and focus forward.
How did you test the jacket?
Our in-house product team led the testing with a network of runners, hikers, and everyday users who use their gear often and use it hard. We ran an extended field-testing program across the U.K., distributing over 100 pre-production samples to trail running and hiking clubs in consistently wet, variable environments like the Lake District, Snowdonia, and the Scottish Highlands.
That sounds delightfully brutal!
Conditions during testing were just what you’d expect from U.K. shoulder seasons: prolonged rainfall, high humidity, and frequent wind exposure. The goal was to test sustained waterproof performance, moisture management, and mobility across a wide range of use cases, from fast trail runs to slower-paced hikes and daily wear.
What improvements came from the testing?
One of the biggest areas of feedback was around movement and comfort. The waterproofing was there from the start, but testers pushed for greater mobility and less restriction, which led directly to refinements in the articulated patterning and overall fit. The hood went through many revisions as well, until it tracked with head movement, maintained peripheral vision, and stayed put no matter the conditions.
What about the 3L Pertex Shield 3-layer fabric? Was that a winner from the start?
It was, but we still went through multiple iterations focusing on breathability. We refined the three-layer fabric and internal construction to better manage moisture during sustained effort based on feedback from high-output testers experiencing heat buildup.
We didn’t compromise breathability, and we didn’t compromise on our commitment to use a PFC-free DWR coating. The Rain-Motion proves you don’t have to give up performance for sustainability — or affordability.
What’s the end result of that rigorous design and testing?
I can say that all of us at Berghaus are thrilled with the result. From top athletes like Leo Holding to the sales and marketing teams, the Rain-Motion is our first choice. I’m drawn to the simplicity that just works in just about any conditions. Whether it’s a hike, an MTB rip, or a quick surf check, the Rain-Motion is the only jacket I need.
This article is sponsored by Berghaus.
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