Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket Review

Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket Overview

Let me be frank: You do not have to drain your bank account to be an ultralight backpacker.

I wish someone had told me that when I first started browsing REI Garage Sales in hope of scoring a sweet deal on an overpriced waterproof Snuggie. More often than not, simplicity works as well as, if not better than, an absurdly complex product with added features up the wazoo.

That’s where the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket comes in. It’s a simple rain jacket that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Weighing in at a lean 5.5 ounces (for a men’s small), this jacket is windproof, waterproof, and no-excuse-not-to-bring-it-proof. Priced at less than $20 you’ll find it in the dictionary under the word “budget”. To put it simply: outdoor rain gear doesn’t get more affordable than this.

That’s why we’ve awarded the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket our Budget Pick for the Ultralight Backpacker.

Check out our comprehensive Guide to Rain Jackets to earn your degree in waterproof-onomics, and read on to see why the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket is the best bang for your buck in rain gear.

Ultra-Lite2 Jacket Specifications

Gear Review of Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket

Origins: Easing You In

I wasn’t expecting any bad weather in California’s Trinity Wilderness as the forecast called for nothing other than sun and smoke, but I packed the Ultra-Lite2 Jacket just in case one of those infamous NorCal mountain thunderstorms appeared out of the blue.

And wouldn’t you know it, that’s just what happened. Always be prepared, folks!

It started off as a bright, sunshiny kind of day on the Pacific Crest Trail where clear blue skies offered me an unobstructed view of that morning’s solar eclipse. I didn’t get to see the total eclipse (my friends in Oregon still won’t stop telling me how awesome it was), but the sky dimmed for ten minutes, which blurred the shadows in an trippy way, and that was cool. I’ll take what I can get!

Sometime between the solar dimming and lunch I heard thunderous rumbles all around, which confused me because there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. At first I thought the noise must’ve been unseen jet planes, but it wasn’t long before the wind picked up and I turned around to see the massive storm clouds creeping toward me.

Getting prepared for the rain.

A couple of hours passed as I hiked onward, hustling to stay ahead of the clouds. It wasn’t until the wind suddenly stopped that I knew I was about to be rained on, so I dropped my pack and put on the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket.

Revelation: The Moment I Knew

Moments after donning the Ultra-Lite2 and pulling my pack on the rain began to fall. It was a drizzle at first, and then it became a downpour.

I realized I had been hiking uphill and was nearing the top of a ridge, a place you never want to be caught in during a thunderstorm, so I stepped aside to take shelter under a pine tree with long branches and thickly-packed needles.

Resting under the trees.

The forest sang with the sound of countless raindrops crashing through the conifer canopy, pelting the duff below as the skies roared above. The bulk of the storm passed overhead in a matter of minutes, but the trailing drizzle hung around for the rest of the afternoon.

I had cinched down the hood of the Ultra-Lite2 tightly over my face for the worst of the weather. When the precipitation lightened I loosened the cord and unzipped the jacket’s only zipper to see that my puffy jacket was dry.

Different location, same hood. Snugs tight around the face, but doesn’t offer any visor protection.

The wet wind persisted until evening, so I kept the rain jacket on for the rest of the day, covering myself from the rain as needed and unzipping to ventilate my body when given the chance.

Later that night, reflecting upon my day, I realized that this ridiculously inexpensive jacket performed just as well as the more expensive rain gear I had left at home.

Digging Deeper

There isn’t much deep digging to do when it comes to the wonderfully simple Ultra-Lite2.

I can tell you about the ultralight bi-laminate polypropylene fabric that is welded at the seams to prevent leaks and tears. It’s a soft plastic that is gentle on your skin. The material is enjoyable to touch and fun to roll and squish down as small as you can pack it. I’m able to compress it to the size of a pair of balled-up socks, which is small enough to fit in just about any pocket.

The Ultra-Lite2 Jacket in all its crinkly glory.

The full-length zipper is surprisingly hearty and loosely covered by a thin storm flap for added protection. The drawcords in the hood worked well to lock out the wet weather, as did the elastic-embedded wrist cuffs. Only the jacket’s hip hem is left hanging (literally), as it has no adjustable features.

Basic toggles for hood adjustments and a suprisingly solid zipper are the two “complex” pieces on the Ultra-Lite2 Jacket.

I have yet to encounter a situation where the rain penetrated these defenses, but they are basic. Whipping winds with sideways rain may give you some trouble.

Comfort

The Ultra-Lite is so light you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing it. The elastic wrists are snug but not too tight, and the hood clamps down only as much as you desire. Everything else hangs loose like a poncho, which pairs well with your backpack’s straps.

Elastic wrists keep water from rolling down your sleeves.

Durability

Nope. Just nope. As in, absolutely no durability. Remember when I said it was super cheap? Well it’s not made to last.

Avoid twigs and trim your fingernails. The fabric will shred as soon as it comes into contact with anything that can poke or snag. You will be protected from the weather and nothing else, but this jacket is so inexpensive that you can purchase a handful of them for the same price as a more durable rain jacket.

You can really see how thin the material is here. It’s damp, and near to wetting out, and a small branch could tear a hole in it easily.

Breathability

Frogg Toggs claims that this jacket has “unmatched sweat-free breathability.” What that means, I don’t know, because I absolutely had sweat issues. If I could choose one superpower it would be to turn my sweat glands off and on at my will. Think of the possibilities!

It’s not the least-breathable jacket I’ve ever worn, but it’s still a waterproof rain jacket, so you’re going to sweat. There are no pit-zips and you can’t undo the elastic at your wrists. Your only ventilation option is the main zipper.

Waterproofness

This plastic shell keeps the water out. I’ve known hikers who’ve worn garbage bags for rain protection because hey, they work, but with the Frogg Toggs you have some basic features (and comforts) that make a huge difference. It’s a little difficult to tell where the rain protection ends and the sweat condensation begins, so when you’re on the move you’ll have to manage your body heat as best as you can.

Fit

The Ultra-Lite Rain Jacket is notorious for being way oversized. I wear a men’s medium most of the time, but a Frogg Toggs size small hangs loose on me with enough room for a large puffy jacket to fit underneath. Make sure to purchase accordingly by dropping a size or two.

You can get a good sense of the fit in the arm here. It’s way large around my arm, and this is a size Small.

Grievances

As previously stated, pit-zips would help a lot. Hiking uphill in bad weather requires constant checks and balances in dealing with exterior moisture and interior ventilation. I had no issues with the Frogg Toggs while taking a break or hanging around at camp, only when I was in motion.

The added zippers would likely raise the overall weight by something like a quarter of an ounce, which absolutely no one would find acceptable (how dare they even think of considering it!), so I completely understand the company’s decision to forego the design choice. Sorry, when I grieve I tend to get a bit sarcastic.

This sweat issue is one that all rain jackets have to deal with. If you’re constantly hiking with heavy loads in lots of rain, you may want a jacket that breathes better and is more durable.

Final Word

Storm clouds be damned, I’m not spending a boatload of cash to keep a little rain off my shoulders! The Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket will protect you from the elements because that’s all it was made to do, and it’s going to do its darnedest.

Where to Buy Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket

Frogg Toggs offers a handful of rain jackets, but the one we like is the Ultra-Lite2 Jacket. Just to confuse consumers, that jacket is also sometimes called the “Ultra Lite Jacket” and the “Ultra-Lite 2 Jacket” or some variations of those words. Frogg Toggs updated all of its rain jackets to a “2” line in 2016, so if you buy an Ultra Lite Jacket from them it will have the new membrane.

This is offered in a men’s in two colors — blue and grey — and women’s variation in one color — pink. Yeah, those are the colors. You can also buy an Ultra Lite Suit, which is the same jacket and a pair of pants made of the same material. Many people opt for this because it’s typically $5 more and gives you leg protection. We’ve found that the pants get a lot more twisting than the jacket, so they rip much quicker. In the end it’s your call.

Compare Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Jacket and Suit prices below.

Arthur McMahon

Arthur loves to walk. It's as simple as that. He believes walking is the best way to experience the world. Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail was his first backpacking foray, and he hasn't stopped since. Follow his adventures and stories on Instagram.