WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 32
  1. #1
    Ruby Tuesday rob123ufl's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-13-2007
    Location
    Gainesville, Florida
    Age
    37
    Posts
    60

    Default frog toggs vs. high-end gore tex blah blah

    so the only gear i have yet to acquire for the upcoming thru-attempt is kitchen materials and the rain gear.

    i've heard people rave about frog-toggs, but how would they match up to a nice gore-tex shell (say mountain hardwear or patagonia etc)? Do i want something that is gonna be snug, as a shell would likely be, or something loose like a poncho? what works best under a pack? Do the frog-toggs ever get snagged by branches and whatnot (basically, are they durable etc)?

    I know rain is the constant bane of many hikers existences, but I want to learn to love the rain. I don't think ill love it if im dying of hypothermia, but i could learn if i were dry in my tent listening to it pitter patter.

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-05-2007
    Location
    Gladly Lost
    Age
    44
    Posts
    1,258

    Default

    1/10th the cost and for walking not a lot of difference.

  3. #3

    Default

    EWS-"1/10th the cost and for walking not a lot of difference."
    Don't forget Frogg Toggs are generally lighter at about 11 ounces for top and bottom.

  4. #4

    Default

    Add a quick-dry (supplex) ball cap to your kit. In a cold rain with the hood up the cap's brim will keep the rain off your face and keep some of it from running down your neck.

  5. #5
    Hometown GA-ME 2008 baxter's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-28-2007
    Location
    Franklin, NC
    Posts
    46

    Default

    I like my Frogg Toggs, I worried about the durability of them for my upcoming thru-hike, but I met a SOBO last winter at Muskrat Shelter last winter. After 2000 miles they were still on him, but they DID look like they had 2000 miles on them! I guess I'll see, one way or another.
    ..guess I'll keep a livin' till the day I die...

    www.trailjournals.com/chuck2008

  6. #6
    Registered User Lyle's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-25-2006
    Location
    Croswell, MI
    Age
    70
    Posts
    3,934
    Images
    68

    Default

    Frogg Toggs for all the reasons already mentioned. Even if they don't make it the entire way, you could replace them half-way, and still come out cheaper. Duct tape repairs work well for the occasional snag. Like any light weight gear, you have to treat them with some respect for their weight and not abuse 'em, some care is in order.

  7. #7

    Default

    I also like that they get a little 'fuzzy' and softer after several wash and wear cycles and don't feel clammy against the skin like some nylon fabrics.

  8. #8
    AT 4000+, LT, FHT, ALT Blissful's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-14-2005
    Location
    Virginia, 10 miles from the AT near SNP
    Age
    61
    Posts
    10,470
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    171

    Default

    You get what you pay for. The Frogg togg fabric pills, are hot (but most gear is anyway) and Paul Bunyan ripped out his pants the second time he wore them. He actually went to carrying a golite umbrella and loved it.

    I used my precip jacket and did fine with that. Used rain pants for camp in the beginning and end of the hike.







    Hiking Blog
    AT NOBO and SOBO, LT, FHT, ALT
    Shenandoah NP Ridgerunner, Author, Speaker


  9. #9

    Default

    After doing a price comparsion, I can see why most people recommend the Toggs, since $60 for a set is a bunch less than the $400 it would cost to get a good set of GTX pants and jacket. It took me 23 years to finally afford a good GTX rain jacket, I wanted something in Paclite or ripstop with zippered pockets, a strong drawcord hood, velcroed sleeves, zippered armpits, and the longevity of 8-10 years of once-a-month weeklong-plus backpacking trips. I didn't think the Toggs could measure up. So I settled for a Marmot. The Arcteryx rain gear also looks to be beefy, well-thought out and top-of-the-line.

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-23-2006
    Location
    Austin, Texas
    Posts
    365

    Default

    You do NOT get what you pay for with waterproof/breathable rain gear. FroggToggs and DriDucks may not seem durable, but I've had both last a thru-hike and still be servicable.

    DriDucks breath significantly better than any other W/B in independent tests. I use them for bug protection in hot weather. You can't beat that.

  11. #11
    LT '79; AT '73-'14 in sections; Donating Member Kerosene's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-03-2002
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Age
    66
    Posts
    5,446
    Images
    558

    Default

    If money is tight, then I'd suggest the Frogg Toggs. If money is no object, then take a look at the Integral Designs Thru-hiker eVent Rain Jacket. You can actually hike at a moderate pace without getting drenched in your sweat, at least in temperatures below 60F. Weighs more than a Frogg Toggs jacket, and you might want to go up a size if you're on the border.
    GA←↕→ME: 1973 to 2014

  12. #12
    Registered User Ewker's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-07-2005
    Location
    southeast
    Age
    73
    Posts
    2,052
    Images
    21

    Default

    I finally had to buy my 2nd set of Frogg Toggs. My first set lasted 3-4 yrs. The pants are like new since I barely wore them. You can buy a complete Frogg Toggs outfit for 30.00 if you search the net. That is half the cost of a Precip jacket
    Last edited by Ewker; 12-05-2007 at 13:44.
    Conquest: It is not the Mountain we conquer but Ourselves

  13. #13
    Registered User DavidNH's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-02-2005
    Location
    Concord, NH
    Age
    61
    Posts
    2,050

    Default re frog toggs

    I wore frogt toggs on my hike and wouldn't do so again.

    Yes they are light at about 12 oz for both jacket and pants. Hower, the pants have no side zips ( (or maybe just very short side zips) so I could not put on without taking my boots off. I didnot even bring the pants on my trip.

    As for the jacket..it wears thin, and if it is warm at all..you sweat as much as goretex does.

    Furethermore, in all day rain the water soaked through. But there is a point where nothing will help! In a four day flood in pennsylvania..the rain soaked through everything..cheepo frog togg rain jacket, more pricy gore tex pants, my pack cover. About the only thing that really held its own was my waterproof sleeping bag stuff sack. So I had a nice DRY down bag!

    My advice..in summer at least..line pack with one or even two very waterproof trash bags and wear quick dry clothing. Rain gear is good when it gets chilly.

    David

    David
    In some I am very unimpressed.

  14. #14
    Registered User Lyle's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-25-2006
    Location
    Croswell, MI
    Age
    70
    Posts
    3,934
    Images
    68

    Default

    So David, not trying to argue, but why wouldn't you bring them again? You admit:

    1) Frogg Toggs are lighter and cheaper.

    2) That both Frogg Toggs and GoreTex would wet through in an all-day rain.

    3) You didn't carry the pants, so even tho the lack of a zipper is a valid complaint if you wear boots, it wasn't an issue on your thru. I've used them with trail runners and had no problems getting them on or off when needed.

    4) You will sweat in either Frogg Toggs or Gore Tex

    Guess I'm not seeing the reasoning for not carrying them if you did it again.

    I agree about good protection for bag and warm clothes, summer showers usually feel good.

  15. #15
    Working on Forestry Grad schol
    Join Date
    01-21-2005
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Age
    39
    Posts
    1,455

    Default

    Check out o2 rainwear--a cheaper, lighter version of frogg toggs

    I would definately use o2 rainwear on the AT until may, and then switchc out to just a montbell windshirt for the summer months. frogg togg type raingear is fragile, but it's cheap and will be plenty for the AT.

    To my knowledge the lighest gore-tex is OR's zealot at 7.7 oz

  16. #16

    Default

    I've got both, a heavier shell and pants (Goretex top + slightly less breathable bottom) and Frogg Toggs. I take the Frogg Toggs for 3 seasons and even occasionally in the winter.

    I can get my size 10 full grain leather boots through the pants. Granted, it's a tight squeeze and I never yank them through, plus this only happens when I take them on a winter trip. If you have big feet and wear boots a lot it could be a consideration. And maybe the smaller sizes have a smaller leg opening.

    Most folks tend to report Toggs as baggy.

    I've got a weight of 16 ounces for my set but it is several years old . I may need to reweigh.
    "Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
    Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
    Call for his whisky
    He can call for his tea
    Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
    Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan

    Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.

  17. #17
    Registered User Peaks's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-04-2002
    Location
    Marlboro, MA
    Posts
    3,056

    Default

    Like every other piece of gear, there are pluses and minuses with each.

    Frogg Toggs are light and cheap, but not all that durable.

    My solution: Precip jacket and frogg togg rain pants. In summer, it's the only long pants that I carry.

  18. #18
    Furlough's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-17-2004
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Age
    62
    Posts
    900
    Images
    124

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by take-a-knee View Post
    Add a quick-dry (supplex) ball cap to your kit. In a cold rain with the hood up the cap's brim will keep the rain off your face and keep some of it from running down your neck.
    If you order direct from Frogg Toggs right now they throw in a complimentary woodland patterened ball cap. Just received my toggs and hat yesterday.

    Furlough
    "Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L’Amour

  19. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-02-2007
    Location
    east killingly, ct
    Posts
    1,196
    Images
    270

    Default

    quick thought on rain gear. i have always found no matter what rain gear i use , if im out long enough in the rain and am hiking at a decent pace i always end up wet. why because under that great rain jacket it gets sweaty almost all the time. try to hike slow, so that you dont sweat is like trying to stay awake when tired. its just not going to happen. im not sure if im the only one this happens to but it seems to always happen... the sweat under the jacket and the rain outside the jacket always become one and render the jacket useless. i find alot of the jackets[rain gear] just dont breath well enough to stop sweating. maybe i just hike to fast all the time...oh well does anyone else encounter this problem with staying dry???peace , nitewalker

  20. #20

    Default

    I've largely given up on WB/Breathable raingear expect in winter. If you're hiking, you're going to get wet, either from sweat or gear soaking through or wicking. I'd rather just stew in my own juices and take a simple silnylon jacket and pants. Total weight's about 6 oz, packs to the size of a softball, and more durable than the Toggs.

    Of course, I'd advocate starting no earlier than April 1-15 and largely avoid the winter hiking, but that's another discussion altogether.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •