comments on Frog Togg rain gear and requests alternatives

[DavidNH]

I used Frogg toggs on my thru hike. I read good things about them..particularly their light weight.

I did not even bring the pants. For some reason the zipper at the ankles extentds up only about 8 inches or so which means I can't put them on and off without removing my boots first! Also..I really question the durability of them. And given the rough terrain on the AT durability is important!

Other than the fact that they weigh very little (which is good seeing as they remained in my pack most of the time) I was rather unimpressed.

Durability: layers seemed to wear off from rubbing of pack and straps. Just paper thin layer left in spots.

waterproffness and breathability: fine in a cold drizzle. But a long downpour soaked through (absolutely no match for the Pennsylvania downpours I walked through). Even in lighter rains... the water seemed to stay in the fabric rather than run off it. And water seemed to run down the arms and collect near the wrists.

Drying: very good when the sun comes out to warm it. On a cool damp cloudy day, frogg toggs don't dry at all..but then what does?

In short for future backpack trips I would prefer to bring some other type of rain jacket. I am not sure what and would love to have some feed back. Forget ponchos..only good when no wind. My experience with goretex is that they wet through.

Light weight gear is not helpful when its functionality is low enough that it remains in the pack and does not get used. That is my feeling at least. Something heavier that is used is better than something lighter that does not get used.


feed back appreciated,


DavidNH

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

You might want to read this thread http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17389

[Kerosene]

If you've got the money you might check out the Integral Designs eVent jacket which should prove much more breathable than other rain jackets across a broader range of conditions. Another alternative is the Packa.

[Just Jeff]

I just got the Packa - I don't remember the exact weight...something like 13 oz, which is about the weight of a jacket and pack cover anyway. Ventilates very well and it's pretty convenient when hiking...looks kinda goofy if you're not wearing a pack, but you shouldn't be trying pick up dates in grungy hiking clothes anyway (unless they're also in grungy hiking clothes). :D

Haven't had it in the rain yet, though.

[Thumper 2006]

Your complaint about Frogg Togg Jacket is the same I have for all rain Jackets. You can hardly wear them when hiking unless its very cold, and after a long downpour its soaked. I carried a frogg togg jacket on my Thru-hike and loved it. Even when you sweat it doesnt stick to your skin like nylon jackets do, and is much lighter. Dont waste your money on an expensive rain jacket, they all perform the same.

[ShakeyLeggs]

I started with a set of Frog Toggs in 01 but when I got them wet they took forever to dry. I didn't want to get them to close to a fire to dry them as they seemed rather flamable. So when I got to Neels I swapped them out for a set of Marmot Precips which I totaly like. They keep me as dry as anything can while hiking and work great for around camp. I still have and use them eventhough I now have a sweet Northface Hommes Grands rain jacket I bought onsale for $70 a few years ago.

[RadioFreq]

IMO Dry Ducks are good. Unfortunately I trashed my DD pants sliding my butt over deadfalls on a weeklong hike earlier this year. I'm sure I would have had the same problem with Frogg Toggs. One thing to note is that Dry Ducks have no pockets. But then does one really want/need pockets in the rain. I wore one in a 3 hour downpour in the woods and stayed dry and comfortable.

[JoeHiker]

If you've got the money you might check out the Integral Designs eVent jacket which should prove much more breathable than other rain jackets across a broader range of conditions. Another alternative is the Packa.

Can't say enought good things about the ID eVENT Jacket and eVENT in general. I loved my ID jacket last fall and have used it many times since. I also ended up buying a biking jacket also made out of eVENT. If I get the money together, I might buy the eVENT pants from ID as well.

Love that fabric.

[Peaks]

Well, David, that's why I carry the PreCip top, and the only long pants that I carry in summer are Frogg Toggs. Both have seen a lot of good use.

Haven't invested in eVent.

[Cedar Tree]

Haven't invested in eVent.

I just saw this link on another website (practicalbackpacking.com).

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=236016

Pretty sweet deal, if you are in the market for an eVent jacket. Even has pit zips. I believe is the first eVent jacket I've seen with pit zips. Only $50
but weights 20 oz.

But the Packa is still best. Even eVent can't vent smashed up against your body under your pack straps.

I'll have a couple of eVent Packas at the Gathering. Just Jeff, I think your Packa weighs closer to 11 oz., probably slightly less. The newest silnylon Packas are under 10 oz.

http://www.thepacka.com

Thanks, Cedar Tree

[Spock]

I sorta like my Durafab rain suit. It breathes better than Red Ledge and GoreTex which I also have. I paid $5.00. Lightet than FTs. Not durable. If you ara AT hiking, it doesn't matter.

[WalkinHome]

Who wears rain gear while hiking LOL? I am such a sweat hog that whatever I am wearing is going to get soaked inside or out or both so I wore my Froggs in camp at the end of the day.

[Just Jeff]

frogg toggs have got to be the most overhyped product. and tarptents.

Unless they suit your hiking style. Then they're pretty good.

Besides, Marmot doesn't do tie-dye.

[Skidsteer]

I'm glad more people are not swalling the frogg toggs cool aid.

Marmot precip or redledge raingear are far superior to frogg toggs in almost every way. Goretex works well too, but is usually heavier and much more expensive than the two options above.

frogg toggs have got to be the most overhyped product. and tarptents.

Boston, have you considered posting a gear review for Frogg Toggs and Tarptents?

It'd be helpful to me to see comparisons of these against other popular brands.

[map man]

I found that Frogg Toggs were not a good match with my back pack. I've got the LuxuryLite pack and the individual cylinders with that pack have velcro closures. Velcro is the sworn enemy of Frogg Toggs. Frogg Toggs snag on the velcro every time I put them in or take them out of the pack so the Frogg Toggs have gotten pretty ragged in just three weeks of backpacking. I'm leaning towards investing in the ID eVent jacket and pants for next year after reading some positive reviews here -- eVent is smooth enough not to snag on velcro. "Investing" being the key word, though:D . They're really pricey.

[River Runner]

I've used Frogg Toggs in prolonged heavy rain with no leaking. They are somewhat difficult to dry on the outside though, and do pill easily.
I now prefer the Big Sky Epic Jacket and pants which are smoother and dry quickly on the outside, but the Frogg Toggs aren't bad for what they are - moderately priced, light rain gear.

[Johnny_Swank]

I might bite on an Eqinox Silnylon anorak soon. I usually don't wear raingear unless it's cold enough to warrant it, then I just want to be warm. I'd rather stew in my own juices than freeze my butt off.

[generoll]

I sent an email to Frogg Toggs after my last hike in the rain detailing what I felt was a serious design flaw. I am refering to the slash pockets on the pants that allow water to run right down your leg. I had a response today when I got back from my last little section hike offering to upgrade me to their "Elite" raingear which supposedly do not have the pocket. No mention whether that was a free upgrade or they were just offering to sell me another pair.

In any case, as I mentioned in another thread, the pants have an opening so that you can reach through your rain pants into any pants that you might be wearing. The problem is that there is no flap over the opening and the rain runs right in, soaking your legs from pocket level down. I like the weight and the material seems to hold up well enough and if I can find a way to seal those pocket openings I will keep them.

[Tinker]

I've never used Frogg Toggs, but tried a lighter version of the polypropylene fabric similar to what they use. I bought a set of Drop Stoppers Micropore raingear from Backpacking Light. The pants shredded in light trailside brush and the top is rapidly accumulating small holes from various sources. It's light and waterproof as long as it lasts, however.

I've been a user of Marmot Precip for the past four years and have had good luck with it so far. I might try this http://www.bigskyproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=15
next time I buy.

[trailale]

They only problem I have with my frogg jacket is that in prolonged heavy rain, water soaks thru the stitching at the wrist cuffs (big time). Otherwise I think they are exceptional. The only truly waterproof/breathable raingear I've ever used. Also dries very easily in my opinion. Perhaps with alot of use they would get too pilly and lose their waterproofness. Two sets might be required for a thru hike.

[RockyTrail]

I sent an email to Frogg Toggs after my last hike in the rain detailing what I felt was a serious design flaw. I am refering to the slash pockets on the pants that allow water to run right down your leg. I had a response today when I got back from my last little section hike offering to upgrade me to their "Elite" raingear which supposedly do not have the pocket. No mention whether that was a free upgrade or they were just offering to sell me another pair.

In any case, as I mentioned in another thread, the pants have an opening so that you can reach through your rain pants into any pants that you might be wearing. The problem is that there is no flap over the opening and the rain runs right in, soaking your legs from pocket level down. I like the weight and the material seems to hold up well enough and if I can find a way to seal those pocket openings I will keep them.

I know exactly what you mean, generoll. What I did was use seam sealer to glue the pocket openings closed, you don't need them anyway (just stretch the waist out if you need to reach a pocket underneath). Works great and am fine with Frogg Toggs except for the short 8" boot zipper which will barely fit over my boots but it works Ok for me.

[Newb]

I switched from a Frogg Togg top to a Red Ledge top. My Frogg Toggs fell apart the moment I bought them. First, a button came off the top when I first tried to put them on during rain near Harper's Ferry. Then, during a rainstorm at Trail Days last year, the zipper came apart. Of course, I do admit that I was rather under the influence of hiker cheer at the time, but still...I had a bad experience with them. SO, now I use the Togg pants and the Red Ledge top.

[Cedar Tree]

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If you have been considering a Packa, you will not beat this price. Thanks
CT

[Paul Bunyan]

I used the frog toggs this past weekend on a section hike. I found the jacket is great as a wind breaker, and because the thing is so puffy, it fits very easily over other thermal gear.