I bought one of these https://www.famousbrandsoutlet.com/red-ledge_149__item.html it's a Red Ledge Thunderlight Jacket (Style/Model# A080). I purchased it in Hotsprings ~April 2007, shortly after purchasing the internal waterproofing tape started peeling -- extremely annoying on the skin.

Anyone else have this problem or did I just purchase a lemon?
Anyone got a recommendation replacement brand?






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I've got two of them doing the same thing.

Bought an older model several years ago from Campmor. Only used it like 3 or 4 times...once while wearing a pack. Took it out of mothballs to walk the dog the other day. The dang thing is already wetting thru! It's never been washed or abused. Not very happy. :(

I have used the Red Ledge Storm jacket but haven't experienced any issues so far, tho it's only been used a couple of times.

I now wear the Mountain Hardwear Cohesion rain shell & pants.

Mine didn't fall apart - it just was never waterproof - wetted through in minutes

What do you expect for 39.95 ?? It's been my experience that Rain Gear is not an item to go "Cheap" on !?!?
Happy Trails
BrotherAL

You can go cheap on wind shells and rain shells and other clothing, but you have to keep it simple. For plain wind shells, untreated nylon, as light as possible. For plain rain shells, like jackets or ponchos, treated nylon, but don't expect them to be breathable. I wind with wool underneath the wind shells and rain shells don't have to be so high tech. Merino sweaters can be $20 also and still be very good. It's nice to have at least one good quality hand knit wool sweater though, or at least a pair of hand knit mitts to see what really good wool is like.

I've heard that a wool jacket/sweater (if it gets wet) will still keep you warm. Is that true?

I've heard that a wool jacket/sweater (if it gets wet) will still keep you warm. Is that true?


I find that wool will keep you warm when DAMP. I don't care what you are wearing when wet..you are gonna be cold. :) (esp. once you stop!)

As for rain gear...

I don't like my rain gear to be water proof..but water resistant. Find it breathes better that way. As long as I a moving, I find if my rain gear is wet, my middle layer will be damp and my inner base layer will be dry.

If I am doing backpacking trip with more emphasis on camping rather than hiking, I'll take waterproof rain gear. Why? Because I am not moving that much and want to be dry.

I use a GoLite wisp for three season hiking and a generic nylon jacket (gotta weigh the thing..11-12 oz maybe?) I paid $20 for it. Use it late spring and late fall and all winter ( with a surplus wool sweat (http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,36/?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=18877)). I have heavier rain and snow gear, but like to KISS. The full on Marmot mountaineering shell has scarcely been worn since I've learned better. I keep the Campor Marmot Precip-clone for social backpacks/camping trips.

on friday i was out at my buddy's helping him feed some deer. one of the pen's water troughs had a layer of ice over it. i decided to kick the ice to break it up. my whole foot went into the big bucket of ice and near freezing water. i was wearing merino wool socks and trail runners. my foot was very cold for about 5 minutes (it was in the 20s and windy that day). after those 5 minutes of my toes going numb and me trying to act like it wasn't freezing, it passed. it was still chilly, but not untolerable. my sock stayed damp until i got home to change it a few hours later. i was definitely losing some heat, but not massive amounts. that was my conclusion about wool when wet and cold

my sock stayed damp until i got home to change it a few hours later. i was definitely losing some heat, but not massive amounts. that was my conclusion about wool when wet and cold


Maybe I am being persnickety, but I think there is a difference between WET and DAMP (esp when stopped ). You were moving, and had a shoe to help hold in heat, too which probably dried out the relatively thin sock with your body heat a bit.

Damp wool rocks. I swear by it in the winter.

But if I drenched the wool with water and stuck you outside in single digit temps...it may be a different story. :)

And that is why I say wool is warm when damp... Anything WET is gonna be rather...unpleasant. :o

Polartec fleece is about the best thing that will keep you warm even wet. I was soaked by a t-storm before entering Mammoth Cave once, but was wearing a polartec pullover. Inside the cave at 54 degrees I was still warm. It dries quick too with your body heat.

i wasn't disagree w/ you at all mags. just sharing my personal experience w/ it happening so recently.

hmm haven't tested polartec yet, i'll have to give it a whirl. now that'll give me an excuse to go buy something new :D

FYI red ledge is pretty junkie stuff...you can find NICE rain gear for 40 or 50 on sale...REI just had a Marmot Oracle for $50...

Motorcyclists swear by this rain gear:

http://www.froggtoggs.com/

Anyone use it? I suspect it's not very breathable, but looks light and waterproof as opposed to water resistant.

Motorcyclists swear by this rain gear:

http://www.froggtoggs.com/

Anyone use it? I suspect it's not very breathable, but looks light and waterproof as opposed to water resistant.

I love my Froggtoggs...as do many WB'ers. Lightweight, cheap, effective, although a bit bulky (an will melt if too near a fire). I have used them in all seasons and been very happy. I have stood under the overflow of a stopped up gutter and stayed completely dry (Why would anyone do such a stupid thing!!?? Research:D)

I bought one of these https://www.famousbrandsoutlet.com/red-ledge_149__item.html it's a Red Ledge Thunderlight Jacket (Style/Model# A080).
I thru hiked with an older version of this jacket and didn't have any problems with it. Of course, I almost never used it when it was raining and mostly used it as a windbreaker.

When will people learn,to spend 1.1.1. TIME?:-?

Motorcyclists swear by this rain gear:

http://www.froggtoggs.com/

Anyone use it? I suspect it's not very breathable, but looks light and waterproof as opposed to water resistant.

They work very well, i used them for awhile but the fit for me wasn't what i liked ... they breath prolly better than just about anything ... maybe excluding event ... and they keep you dry .. they are not very durable but like i say .. my merrell sprint is my prefered rain/wind jacket but if the FT's or merrell were to snag on a good branch ...both would end up ripped ... so durablity isn't much of a reason not to use them ...

If you want cheap, best breathing for the price and good water resistant ... frogg togg's is great stuff ... If you don't like the fit or features ... keep an eye on steepandcheap.com .. paid i think it was $60 or so for my sprint ... $190 retail ... there's also a ton of marmot's on sale from time to time ... also excellent gear ... i have a few marmots/underarmor/merrell ... all quality stuff.