Cumulus Fastier Rain Jacket ($305.00/€339.00)
Introduction
The hunt for the perfect ultralight rain jacket often feels like a game of compromises. You can have lightweight, or you can have durable. You can have waterproof, or you can have breathable. Getting all of these in one package is the holy grail, and I think I might have just found it. I’ve been putting the new crafted in Poland Fastier Rain Jacket through its paces, and to put it simply, I’m impressed.
First impressions
Straight out of the bag, the first thing that hits you is the weight, or rather, the lack of it at only 144 g in a Size S. The Fastier is featherlight. It’s the kind of gear that makes you double-check your pack to make sure you didn’t forget it.
The secret is its fabric: a Pertex® Shield laminate that weighs a mere 53 g/m2. We’re talking about a 3-layer membrane with a 7-denier nylon face fabric, which feels delicate to the touch but has proven to be surprisingly resilient.
I also appreciate Cumulus’s commitment to sustainability here. The fabric uses GRS-certified yarn (Global Recycled Standard) and features a PFC-free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, so you can feel good about the gear you’re carrying.
Fit, Form and Features
Cumulus calls the cut “technical,” and I’d call it “perfectly athletic.” I tested a size Small, and the fit is spot on. There’s enough room to comfortably wear a base layer and a fleece or another mid-layer underneath without feeling constricted or having fabric flapping around. A word of advice: if you plan on layering this over a puffy down jacket for static warmth in camp, I would definitely recommend going one size up.
For a jacket so focused on minimalism, the features are smart and incredibly well-executed.
The Zipper
It uses a 3 mm YKK® Aquaguard Vislon zipper. It’s thin and light but feels robust and durable. It glides smoothly and, most importantly, keeps the water out. No snagging, no fuss.- Hood
The regulated hood is fantastic. The stiffened brim does an excellent job of keeping rain out of your eyes, and it moves with your head without obscuring your peripheral vision.
There’s also a minimalist elastic loop and tab system that allows you to roll up the hood and secure it, which is a brilliant touch for windy days when you’re not using it.
Cuffs & Hem
Simplicity is key here. The cuffs are elasticated, providing a snug seal against the wrists without the bulk of Velcro tabs. The hips also feature a simple elastic webbing, which keeps the jacket from riding up under a pack hip belt.The Pocket
For an ultralight jacket, finding a chest pocket is a huge win. So many brands omit pockets to shave off every last gram. Having a place to stash my phone, a map, or a snack without having to open my pack is a massive convenience on the trail.
Performance
This is where the Fastier truly shines. A jacket can have all the features in the world, but if it doesn’t keep you dry, it’s useless.
It is fully seamsealed on all seams, which keeps the moisture from creeping in through the seams.
I got caught in a proper, sustained downpour on a recent hike, and the jacket was absolutely watertight. The Pertex® Shield fabric, with its hydrostatic head rating of a minimum of 20,000 mm, handled the heavy rain without a single leak.
Water beaded up and rolled right off, and the Aquaguard zipper held a perfect seal.
On the breathability front, it performs very well. The official rating is a minimum of 20,000 g/m2/24h, which is solid. During steep, sweaty ascents, I found it managed moisture effectively, and I never felt that dreaded "boil in the bag" sensation you get from lesser jackets.
Now, to be completely fair, is it on the same level as the absolute top-tier (but heavier) Gore Concurve Jacket? Not quite. But for its weight class, the breathability is outstanding and more than sufficient for fast-and-light adventures.
It also serves as a fantastic wind blocker. On an exposed ridgeline with the wind whipping, I threw it on over my fleece, and it instantly cut the chill. Its versatility as both a rain shell and a wind jacket makes it an even more valuable piece of kit.
Final Verdict
The Cumulus Fastier is a masterclass in minimalist design and efficiency. It’s one of those rare pieces of gear that now has a permanent spot in my pack, whether the forecast calls for rain or not. It's so light and packable that there is simply no reason to leave it behind.
This is the perfect jacket for the ultralight backpacker, trail runner, or any mountain athlete who counts every gram but refuses to compromise on protection. It’s your reliable, just-in-case shell that delivers when the weather turns nasty. If you’re looking for a lightweight, fully waterproof, and surprisingly breathable jacket with a fantastic athletic fit and just the right features, the Cumulus Fastier should be at the very top of your list.
The Fastier Rain Jacket is Available at Cumulus
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
Tester Profile
Markus Zinkl: I’m 35 years old and live in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. I started hiking and backpacking 5-6 years ago. Coming from trail running and with light and fast in mind, I started hiking and fast packing with ultralight gear. Over the years I tried and tested a lot of gear, always in search of weight savings. Although still trying to stay out of the ultralight rabbit hole. I spend most of my days off from work on the trail, with at least one 2-3 week thru-hike. Among the more well known trails I have hiked over the last few years are the GR221, WHR (Walker’s Haute Route), TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc), TC (Tour du Cervin-Matterhorn) and Via Alpina Switzerland. As you probably notice by now, I’m at home in the mountains. So if I’m not running or thru-hiking a longer trail, I’m probably somewhere in the Alps checking out some shorter trails.
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