I like down jackets backpacking because they’re the lightest and warmest out there. I use a WM Flight jacket. A wet sticky prolonged snowstorm can soak the Flight shell. I get excellent light weight (5 oz) protection when I put my O2 Rainwear jacket over it. This combination also allows breathing which greatly helps the back and the armpits during backpacking.

Just put your backpack on and off carefully and it should last a while.

-Barry