I've been looking around for a good travel jacket. I want something elegant enough to wear in the city, but rugged enough to go hiking/climbing/whatever in (I do a lot of "mixed" trips). I want it to be light and packable. I would really like taped seams. So far my primary candidate is the Marmot Highland Jacket. It is made out of the Precip material and at a mere 12 oz this seems to be the lightest dressy coat. The cheapest I've found is $112 US at Rock Creek. Can anyone suggest another choice for a women's jacket?

http://marmot.com/fall_2008/womens/outerwear/shells/womens_highland_jacket

We have the Northface Venture, which are very similar to the Precips, but cost less (at least during a sale at REI).

I have an REI Raindance. Go to rei.com and search for item #770956. It weighs 15 ounces, packs down very small, is breathable, and windproof to about 60MPH. It's not too sporty looking for the city, yet won't stand out like a dress blazer on a hike, and it is absolutely waterproof. Trust me on this, I live in Seattle. If it wasn't waterproof I wouldn't have bought it!

There's an internal pocket for a music player or phone with a cable port. My jacket also has four external pockets, with cleverly-disguised zippers. Easy for you to get open, maybe not so easy for a pickpocket.

Unlike many of the sport jackets out there, it's quiet. Some jacket fabrics make enough noise to wake the dead! The hood is also removable. It does cost more than some other jackets (it's $139.), but REI's customer service and return policies are among the best. If you want a jacket which will stand up to a night at the theatre and then into the woods the next day, I can't recommend this jacket enough. Mine's over a year old, and doesn't look used at all.

Sorry, guys, this one's only available for women.

It might be a little spendy, but I like the Scottevest Essential Travel Jacket:
http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/Essential_Jacket_Women.shtml

Lots of pockets, most of them concealed, light weight and with zip-off sleeves.