It looks like I'll be making a new version of the rain jacket I made - hate to admit it - a third of a century ago.

Weight really, really counts.

I'm not going to use the urethane-coated nylon.

But outside of that, I'm looking for suggestions for the fabric. Hopefully, if it's unusual, you can recommend a source, too (I already know of Seattle, OWF and Quest.)

Thanks!

Check with AYCE at http://www.thru-hiker.com . He deals with hikers, their needs, and their sewing skills! :rolleyes:

Pringles

Silicon coated ripstop nylon comes in at 1.3 oz per yard. DWR ripstop is usually about 1.1. You can get expensive DWR ripstop that comes in at .9 oz per yard.

I would go with the sil myself. Completly waterproof, but not breathable. You could add pit zips and a back flap to vent heat.

To save weight consider going hoodless and use a hat. I usually have one anyways and hardly ever use my hood.

What ever you come up with, post some pics.

It looks like I'll be making a new version of the rain jacket I made - hate to admit it - a third of a century ago.

Weight really, really counts.

I'm not going to use the urethane-coated nylon.

But outside of that, I'm looking for suggestions for the fabric. Hopefully, if it's unusual, you can recommend a source, too (I already know of Seattle, OWF and Quest.)

Thanks!
2-ply Gore-tex or other waterproof-breathable fabrics, as opposed to coated waterproof fabrics that do not breathe.

I'd vote for waterproof, breathable fabrics and pit-zips / other vents. Hiking produces sweat..... http://www.owfinc.com/Fabrics/fabricmain.htm - look at the five WPB fabrics listed toward the bottom.

I went from the so-called "waterproof-breathable" laminates to FrogToggs and finally to Silnylon.

I'm sticking with the silnylon.

NONE of the raingear REALLY breathes. I started off carrying a pretty pricey jacket (SD PeakBagger) on my thru in 2003. The outer nylon layer got wet and STAYED wet for weeks. Jacket got heavier and I didn't want to stick it in my pants. I switched to FrogToggs, which worked a lot better. Since then I've purchased a Packa and an Equinox Anorak. They shed water and don't get heavier and also work well as windwear. When the rain stops you shake them off and they dry in minutes.

'Slogger

If you go with w/b go with three layer. Quest sells something called extreme wich is pretty good in price. I've bought a remnand for a project and am pleased with it, but I've yet to use any of it in a finished product. Not extremely light weight, but light weight and most likely more durable than silnylon. Avoid Ultrex like the plague, which must be why quest is no longer selling it. However, if you are going purely for weight, silnylon is the logical choice. If you have never sewn with silnylon, then buy extra and make a stuff sack or two for practice. Adding pit zips is uber easy to do so you can concider that.
TB

I would have to say it all depends on your style of hiking. Personally I would go with a poncho made of SilNylon, make some tie outs, and use it as your shelter or emergency shelter.

Thanks for the helpful comments.

One change I'll be making is to replace the back vents that are in the old rain jacket with front vents. The back vents don't seem to work when the pack presses them shut.

I'm thinking of making it baggier for more ventilation, too.

The hood design is really good. The hood lets my face get wet, but the rest of my head stays dry and the hood follows any head movement - I'm never looking blankly at the inside of the hood, wondering where the world went. What's more, the inside of the rain jacket doesn't get wet. Still, a rain hat is a good suggestion and if it rains out here (statistically likely in the next month) I'll give it a try. In the past I've been leery of wind.

Also, not having been through a re-outfitting in a decade, I haven't actually gotten familiar with silnylon yet. Yeah, I know what it is and some of its issues, just haven't worn it or sewed it yet.

Also, I've never worn a rain poncho but it's an interesting thought. If anyone can discuss their limitations I'd be quite interested.

Thanka again for the comments. More definitely welcome!

Sewing sil is not that hard or different then regular ripstop. I actually like it better than ripstop. It does not fray and I do not need to head seal the edges. It is a little slippery. But not too bad. If you know how to sew, it will not be a problem.

I have hiked in a Poncho. I use it as a ground cloth under my Tarp in camp, and as rain protection on the trail. The down side on the trail comes when there are in steep ups or downs. Steep ups you can step on the lower edge. Steep downs make seeing your feet tough. As for the up side, the tarp I use is not breathable, but that isn't so important, as there is lots of ventalation. So you stay fairly dry, except for where you pack rests. My Poncho is large enough that it covers my pack. So I also save the weight of a pack cover.