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Browse all Reigning Champ jackets & outerwear →Gore-Tex® Waterproof Rival Jacket
The verdict
Fit
Rival jacket is tailored and athletic: fitted through shoulders, tapered through body, with articulated sleeves for mobility. Gore-Tex shells are slightly stiffer than soft-shell alternatives.
Quality
Gore-Tex is the category gold standard: truly waterproof while breathable. Reigning Champ layers this with reinforced seams and quality zippers for multi-season durability.
Is the price fair?
Premium technical pricing. $398 reflects Gore-Tex's cost and Reigning Champ's engineering; expect this to outperform budget rain jackets by years.
Best for
Active men in wet climates who want dependable waterproofing and versatile performance across seasons.
Care
Wash gently to preserve Gore-Tex membrane; dry at low heat. Reproof with appropriate Gore-Tex treatments as water-resistance fades with age.
What owners report about Reigning Champ jackets & outerwear
Reviewers describe Reigning Champ's jackets as clean, minimal designs backed by sturdy construction — quality YKK zippers and subtle, tidy seams come up specifically, and one reviewer wrote the anorak shows 'typical Reigning Champ construction that is surely built to last.' Coverage of the line skews toward its lighter nylon pieces (track jackets, anoraks) in stretch, water-repellent or garment-dyed Italian nylon, which reviewers rate as travel- and city-friendly rather than serious weather gear. The same anorak reviewer concluded it 'serves the greater purpose of form than function' — fine for mild days, not a cold-weather jacket.
- Strengths
- Reviewers consistently trust the construction — hardware, seams, and fabric quality are described as built to last, with the clean styling working in both athletic and casual settings.
- Watch out for
- The recurring caution is function trailing form: the nylon jackets are light on warmth and weather protection for the price, and one reviewer disliked the micromesh interior lining, comparing it to the inside of athletic shorts.
- Sizing
- Reviewers report the athletic cuts fit true to size with room for a mid-layer — a 6 ft, 198 lb reviewer found his usual size in the Team Jacket fit well with or without one.
About Reigning Champ's jackets & outerwear line as a whole. Sources: Reigning Champ Team Jacket In-Depth Review - Alex Kwa · Reigning Champ Nylon Anorak Jacket Review - Megaleaper