Rain Gear

“Goretex Pro”

“red ledge is pretty good for the price but HEAVY. Sierra Designs are small enough to pack and seem to work.”

“There is nothing lightweight or breathable about Gore Tex Pro. Have you thought about eVent?”

“Arcteryx brand big bucks”

“If you want a heavy duty jacket for Alaskan bushwhacking perhaps a Rab Latok Alpine Jacket?

If I wanted a off trail jacket (but still light), I might look at the Mont-Bell Peak Shell, Marmot Essence, etc.”

“Mocs have you seen the Packa now made with Event. I met Cedar Tree in Marion Va. I might try it. I know white blaze has lot of info on it.

http://www.thepacka.com/”

“Interesting, but I would not want a Packa for the simple reason that you cannot just drop your pack and remain covered by a rain jacket.

Here is the scenario: It is pouring rain with high winds and getting dark with temps dropping into the high 30s. You are making camp and need to have to access your pack. In order to do this in the packa, you have to take off the jacket, thereby exposing your body and the pack to the rain. Seems to defeat the purpose.
last edited: 11/12/09 3:05:23 PM”

“Good point Rosey....I am not buying it.”

“Here is the scenario: It is pouring rain with high winds and getting dark with temps dropping into the high 30s. You are making camp and need to have to access your pack. In order to do this in the packa, you have to take off the jacket, thereby exposing your body and the pack to the rain. Seems to defeat the purpose.

I have the packa and I have been very please with it. That being said, I have not used it but only a handful of times. When I want to take my pack off, I just pull my hands into the jacket and proceed to remove my pack. I have been able to do this without any problems. I like the pit zips on the packa. It seems to keep everything at a good temperature. I have stayed as dry as I would with any rain gear.”

“okay windigrrl You just sold me a packa. I did talk to cedar tree and he showed me the exact same procedure. Nice....”

“Looks a lot like a silnylon jacket and pants combo I ordered from a mom & pop outfit about 5 years ago. Still use it all the time, cant beat the pack-down size, the weight, or the pit zips. Ill never own rain gear w/o pit zips again. Its not for heavy-duty bushwacking, though.

Wouldnt want a combo pack cover and jacket - I just pack everything in various-sized silnylon bags in my pack and the nylon pack stays exposed. It has a drain so no problems with it filling up with water.

I also always carry a 6 X 8 silnylon tarp, so if I did need to cover the pack (or me during lunch break), Im good.”

“techntrek/ I use OR water proof bags for all my gear stow and have actually been fording rivers with my pack floating. Never had a problem keeping gear dry. In Alaska there is a drizzle that can last the entire day just enough to keep everything wet so I was thinking something light weight not bulky and easy to stow away. I am going to try the packa. Still looking far any other options.”

“For full submersion fording dry bags are the only way to go, agreed. But heavy, which is why I use the silnylon. Are you considering the packa in place of the dry bags for non-fording trips?”

“I am considering the Packa as a Rain-Pack protection. I have several Goretex rain garments as well as Nylon DWR treated and wanted to move on to new lighter rain protection. I agree with the weight of dry bags as I also have silnylon bags I use with some gear. Using those rubber lined bags are heavy but I feel like I have bought some insurance when I stuff my down bag into one and know I will be fording a river. Just old school maybe as we used the military version with the early Alice packs when I was in the Army.”

“I'm gonna buy me one of THESE!



http://www.mr-gizmo.com/2009/08/20/ufo-cap-to-stay-dry/#more-1059”

“Do they come in 4XL?”

“My MEC GTx XCR is still in great shape and I'll keep it, but my friends swear by the new GTx Pro. Noticably more breatheable they tell me.

OR are a great outfit, I have several pieces of their gear.”