Rain Gear

“I need some help in picking out some descent rain gear , but I dont wanna spend a hole lotta money on it. Any suggestions?”

“One word: poncho.
I've found this lets me regulate my temp better so I don't just get wet from sweat instead of from rain.
It also has so many other uses when it isn't raining.”

“Everyone I here will agree the Gore-Tex is the best stuff you can get for the money.
hehehe (that'll get yall tore up)”

“I agree. If you're looking for something more afordable, I think Columbia makes a good rain gear set with their Gore-Tex clone. My brother has a set and has neve had it leak, but he hasn't been through any bad rain in it.”

“Sterns rain gear @ walmart is @ good price,lihgt weight,breathable also.Have several ones to pick from”

“Help, i need rain gear..I have lost, bartered or just plain never had it.

What's a good jacket? I'm willing to spend up to, oh $150. pants?

The last jacket I bought at REI (REI brand) deteriorated badly and fell apart. It was the windbreaker type with mesh inside. I think it might have rotted.”

“This is one of those threads I really do and don't want to respond to at the same time. Where you live, when you go out & where you BP determines a great deal on how one responds. In the Sierra's out here (CA), I'm going to spend a couple extra $$ to have something that I consider to be "dependable". but... that's because I can end up miles & miles from anywhere, having started out w a beautiful sunny 70 degree day & a couple hours later be fighting off a big-time snow/hail storm. For me, I'll spend a few $$ for a good Gore Tex (yes, brand name, and don't care if I've spend a couple extra bucks to pay for it). Currently haul a North Face Mountain Light jacket & have regretted not having it 50% of the time I leave it at home because of it's weight.

If you have an REI product that's failed, take it back. You'll be surprised at how well customer service will take care of you!”

“I will spend more for quality

wanderer, you sound like my mother”

“Take a look at the LL Bean Mountain Guide jacket. I got mine for $199 and it's been great. 3 layer Gore-Tex, so it's a bit lighter than TNF Mountain Light. I wear TNF Mountain Light pants in cooler weather for pants.”

“There are at least three strategies for rain gear:

1) get a really, thin lightweight waterproof shell and wear nice wicking materials underneath it. Ideally, the waterproof shell will keep you from getting wet from the outside.. the wicking material will wick away the sweat. The downside is that the cheapo shells don't breathe and don't have vents.

2) Get a gortex style (waterproof, breathable, warm) severe weather jacket with vents.
Opening and closing vents gives you flexibility, and combined iwth the breathability helps reduce moisture from your body.
Downside: heavy and expensive. I carry this when I expect severe weather and cold.

3) Don't worry about being waterproof at all, just go wind proof and use materials that don't lose insulating value when wet. This is ideal for fairly warm weather and saves weight and money.

4) Get a very lighteight technical shell that has some breathability and nice vents. This costs big bucks and works well with a layering strategy. (Having multiple layers that each serves a different purchase gives you versatility without excess weight).

5) Some ultralighters swear by their umbrellas.

I go with one of the first three strategies, but would substitute #4 for #1 if I had the bucks.”

“LL Bean's Stowaway got good reviews. Return for a full refund if you ever become disatisfied with it, no matter what the reason.”

“Pedxing, I know I want NAMES”

“Get the best raingear u can afford...being cold, wet and miserable is a quick way to end your BPing trip.”

“I bought a marmot PreCip recently - $99.

Haven't had occasion to try it yet, but Backpacker gave it glowing reviews...”

“But names for what Biz????”

“How's come nobodys mentioned a poncho yet?”

“Helly Hansen (sp?) is great for a fairly low end shell for layering.”

“That is what I got, only at Ramsey's. I really liked the blue, but I remembered people complaining about hikers not wearing natural colors, so I got the green.”

“Poncho's aren't recommended very much in the later literature. The reason is that they don't provide as much protection from wind as rain pants / rain jackets. The theory goes that wind can blow rain up under a poncho, making for a wetter hiker than one wearing rain pants / jacket.”

“Around here, I don't usually leave home without my NF Mountain Light. It's saved my ass a couple of times.

If you want to spend some bucks, the new 'pack light' shells, from SD, look pretty sweet and weigh very little.

Has anyone seen the ads, for the new NF/ Polartec 'heated' fleece jackets? Oh man... It made me think, of those plug in vests they used to sell for motorcycling. He He. They look pretty advanced, though. I just wouldn't want to run out of power, if I was counting on it.”

“Can't climb in a poncho, need a rain jacket. What is a good tear proof, tough as nails rain jacket that will last me a few years?”

“All Gortex severe weather jackets are made to similar strict standards... there are lots of good ones... generally - I'd go for price as long as t he design seems OK. I have a Serac which has done great in very nasty snow, rain and sleet with high winds. Its like new after two years.

I'd love to own an Arc'Teryx Theta... but haven't seen one below 200. Maybe in Canada???

Thru hikers on TrailPlace seemed to really like a variety of Helly Hansen stuff.


Also, Patagonia has some great stuff. The Torrentshell lists at 199.”

“pedxing, names for your pen!s

you know what I want names for”

“The latest trend is towards ultra-light non-Gortex shells and a lightweight windblocking layering system. The prevaling theory is that Gortex clothing is too heavy and does not breath well (Could Wiggy be right!? I hate to admit that he had a point.) I believe that well designed venting is the key. Soft shells are now in as well!

I follow this practice for Spring, Summer, Fall, and then bring out my Gortex stormshell and synthetic puffy jacket for the winter season.

Have a look at the Marmot Precip jacket and the Marmot or EMS DriClime shirt. I believe that Mountain Hardware and TNF make a nice ultra-light shell as well.”

“Let's try that again...

Cabela's rainwear for women”

“Biz: I meant, if you said what kind of rain gear you wanted, then that would narrow down the list of names.

BTW Biz: Your trip report and pictures were great. You've made some great posts. On the whole you seem pretty kewl, but you're gonna hafta impress me a whole lot more if ya wanna bring Cyclops into this.”

“If I knew what I wanted I wouldn't be asking

Cyclops? oh, you mean your pen!s

(anybody seen the movie Four Rooms?)”

“I am showing restraint. I am posting a link.”

“I got a cheap rain suit from Campmor that is non breathable and cost like $25 for the jacket and $16 for the pants. Turns out they just resell stuff from Red Ledge. I was VERY impressed with the quality of the suit. It?s not top of the line but the company?s stuff seams good. Maybe check out some of their higher priced stuff?


Rain sux!”

“Nigal,

I just received the same suit from Campmor partly in response to a high recommendation from someone on another board. It does seem well-made, I am just concerned about the non-breathability, and am considering sending it back and spending more money for something breathable...”

“I gotta say that in the summer months, I just carry a cheapy poly coated anorak from Campmor. It weighs 8 ozs which is great but it would suck to hike in because it is non-breathable and traps mositure like crazy. I have a Patagucci shell that is ballistic, not overly heavy and vents pretty well for when nasty weather is expected. My next purchase will be either the Precip or Driclime shirt. But don't get yellow/gold. My buddy had that on a recent trip in the Sierra when the mosquitos were a nightmare and for some reason, they flocked to his jacket.”

“That depends on how sold you are on breathable fabrics Fritz. Personally, if I am wearing rain gear and doing anything besides standing still, I am going to be just as wet on the inside as I am with NO rain gear. I have friends who are proponents of G-Tex and they say it does wet out in rain. So I figure, why spend the money? It?s all up to the individual though so do what is right for you, not me.”

“For bulletproofness, there's always Sequel. They also have sale items, but they still cost an arm and a leg.

If they'd let me, I'd probably marry that Twilight Jacket, *HA*.”

“Violin, why show restraint? Life is TOO short

and OH so good”

“Now show me something Real”

“I have Mountain Hardwear rain gear that is about 5 years old now. I love it. Ethereal is the style name, I believe. Pit Zips! Even with breathable stuff, ventilation options are key.”

“All rain gear sucks”

“Hey Nigal. I have that Campmor rainsuit. It's a pretty good deal, too. I've been wearing the parka for everything from rain, wind and just a shell. I haven't needed the pants much, but they do the job when needed. all the seams are taped and it's pretty durable. There's a few vents scattered around. For the money, it's the way to go.”

“I've got the MH Etheral pants too Pathman. They are three layer Gore-tex and have a fly. That's a really nice feature. They replaced my Red Ledge pants that wouldn't stay up under a hip belt and had no place to attach a belt.

My jacket is a Marmot three layer Gore-tex. It was their lightest Gore-tex at the time I bought it. They stopped making that one when they started with the paclite.

Even on clearance neither were cheap but they are worth it to me.”

“Biz: Do you know that old riddle: Why do so many men name their members?”

“Because they don't want 95% of their decisions made by a complete stranger!”

“Because we like to have name we can cry out during masterbation? Oh, did I just cross over into that forbidden place? Solly!”

“Nigal, there are no forbidden places with me”

“OK, I'm missing something over here. Is "Help I need Raingear" a euphemism for what we call our units? I missed the fork in the trail. Please send me back.

Mr. Johnson”

“Aero LOL!! I didn't even THINK of that..

No, I really need Rain Gear (for Seattle)”

“But while I'm at it, i might pick up some of the other kind..ribbed”

“This is my standard:

Campmor breathable water resistant wind pants $17 http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=53701&prmenbr=226

Campmor breathable water resistant wind
Jacket(Anorak) $20
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=53585&prmenbr=226

And don't leave home without a Poncho $20
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=20297

Wear wicking layers underneath. Works better than water proof because the sweat will evaporate through the nylon material. The poncho is for downpours. In a light rain your body heat will evaporate the moisture as fast as it hits you.
The poncho doubles as rain gear and as a ground cloth if you use a tarp. I also us it during the trip for a dry spot to lounge upon during rest stops and lunch. Also it is good for changing clothes under in the parking lot or at a crowded campsite when you are using a tarp (if you're modest). Gotta have a
poncho!”

“I have an EMS "gortex" knockoff. Been replace once already - SUCKS

Cheap - $6 clearence
rainpants - mostly to slid in the snow.
Works great.”