View Full Version : Rain Gear for thru
30 Large
07-08-2011, 19:02
I have a full rain "suit" (jacket, pants, gators, pack cover) that I use on a regular basis. I am trying to cut unnecessary gear for my thru next year so I am not having to ditch useless stuff. That being said, I know a jacket and pack cover are pretty important. What about rain pants and gators?
I'm thinking I can forego the gators because I don't use them a whole lot now, but have no idea how vital pants are.
Thoughts and wisdom?
It depends on when you start. I carried my rain pants for the start of my hike because of colder weather and to keep me dry. After the cooler weather left I sent the rain pants home.
I used gators the whole trip. I used the low cut ones. The reason I like gators is it keep the little things like dirt, spruce needles and over things from getting down into my shoes and wedged into my socks.
30 Large
07-08-2011, 19:26
Ah, makes sense about the gators keeping more than water out. I'm starting March 15.
Ah, makes sense about the gators keeping more than water out. I'm starting March 15.
I started on 19 March. I only used my rain pants once during the beginning of my hike. That was in the Smokey's when we had rain and sleet. Other then that the only other time I used them was on Mount Washington when the winds were gusting up to 70 mph and the temps were in the teens.
garlic08
07-08-2011, 19:51
Pack covers aren't vital, either. Some hikers use a plastic bag as a pack liner and let the pack get wet. I agree that rain pants in the early and late seasons in the high country, otherwise not. I never use gaiters on three-season hikes, so I don't think they're essential--they're more a comfort issue (and sometimes even a fashion statement). And rain jackets come in a wide variety of weights--from 4 oz silnylon to two pound laminated Goretex jobs. On my AT hike, all my rain protection (jacket, pants, and pack liner) weighed in at about 10 oz.
Go Lite Reed pants, North Face Anorac (cannot remember name), super lightweight. Rain gear is for more than wet weather, can save your life!
Key gear for layering. I dropped my thick fleece and saved weight with "smarter" lighter layering, was taking carrying too much weight with my clothing.
I would disagree with not carrying a pack cover. Yes you can use a liner inside your pack and it will keep the gear inside the liner dry if you are careful.
The pack cover adds and extra layer from the water or rain getting into your pack. If your pack gets wet then that is going to add more weight to your pack with the water that saturates your pack. You can get a good pack cover that weighs almost nothing. I carried a pack cover and a liner(trash bag). I had no problem with my gear getting wet.
I like ponchos for versatile rain protection. It can cover your;
*upperbody and pack
*you
*just your pack
*even make a tarp/shelter and breathes better than a jacket. The Dryducks version is fairly economical and light. Still suggest lightweight rainpants and jacket in winter for camp use.
I like ponchos for versatile rain protection. It can cover your;
*upperbody and pack
*you
*just your pack
*even make a tarp/shelter and breathes better than a jacket. The Dryducks version is fairly economical and light. Still suggest lightweight rainpants and jacket in winter for camp use.
Ponchos are nice but there are some days when there is just a light rain or a mist and you don't want to wear a poncho but you need the protection on your pack.
30 Large
07-08-2011, 20:48
Here is my rain gear list:
Pants - 12.5oz (http://www.rei.com/product/794211/rei-ultra-light-pants-mens-32-inseam)
Jacket - 15oz (http://www.rei.com/product/762777/outdoor-research-revel-rain-jacket-mens)
Gators - 4.8oz (http://www.rei.com/product/778003/outdoor-research-rocky-mountain-low-gaiters)
Pack Cover - 7.6oz
(http://www.rei.com/product/778477/rei-ducks-back-rain-cover-80-liters)39.9oz
I know these aren't the lightest out there but its what I have :)
Gaiters, Not Necesssary--they don't keep your feet dry anyway,
Rain Jacket-Marmot Mica--only 7 oz.
Rain pants--Mont Bell 3 oz.
I use a plastic garbage bag as a rain skirt--works pretty well.
Weights;
Rain Jacket--7 oz.
Rain Pants- 3 oz.
Pack cover- 4 oz.
Gaitors --) 0 oz.
Total 14 oz.
i use the jacket and packcover alll the time i only use gators in cold weather and snow and i only use m rain pants at festivls and rambles or cold season hiking like climbing max patch in the rain in early april late march i left the home after i walkd north from troutville VA.
I've tried all kinds of rain gear. What I have settled on the last few years:
Brawney Gear silnylon jacket - 3oz, packed size - hard ball
ULA Rainwrap : <2oz, packed size - two golfballs side by side
ULA Pack Cover: 2oz, packed size - two golfballs side by side
All of the above pack into their own, attached stuff sack/pocket - GREAT feature.
Total weight: 7oz
I do pack my "must stay dry" gear in plastic garbage bags as well. This gear works as well as anything I've ever used when out hiking all day.
Yep, on warm days the jacket causes some sweating so I get wet, but I stay nice and warm in spite of any wind. Has worked in all-day downpours, sleet, and snow.
The Rainwrap does not hinder hiking, keeps legs warm and dry, greatly reduces the water flowing down your legs into your shoes.
Rain cover is not ideal, water does tend to pool in the bottom so needs to be emptied periodically. I may add some grommets to allow it to drain passively. I like having the pack cover as one additional layer of protection, keeps the pack itself mostly dry, protects the pack when I'm not wearing it. Quite a few benefits for only 2oz and minuscule packed size.
IMHO, you need to experiment to find what works for you, here's what works for me:
No gaiters - yes, they keep stuff out of your shoes (I wear low cut shoes or trail runners), but they also trap heat and make my feet sweat and give me heat rash.
Yes to pack cover, even if it's homemade using a garbage bag. A puddle in the bottom of your pack is trouble.
Yes, at least in theory, to rain pants for cold weather. My GoLite reed pants have occupied space in my pack for years, but I've never actually used them.
An umbrella. Give it a try. When it's warm, you're just going to sweat in rain gear, but an umbrella keeps you cool an dry. When it's cool, you can wear rain gear, but if it's raining hard enough, it ain't gonna breath. Using an umbrella and rain gear in hard rain is very comfortable.
I use Frog Toggs rain jacket.
Stir Fry
07-09-2011, 11:30
Here is my rain gear list:
Pants - 12.5oz (http://www.rei.com/product/794211/rei-ultra-light-pants-mens-32-inseam)
Jacket - 15oz (http://www.rei.com/product/762777/outdoor-research-revel-rain-jacket-mens)
Gators - 4.8oz (http://www.rei.com/product/778003/outdoor-research-rocky-mountain-low-gaiters)
Pack Cover - 7.6oz
(http://www.rei.com/product/778477/rei-ducks-back-rain-cover-80-liters)39.9oz
I know these aren't the lightest out there but its what I have :)
Spend $60 and buy some Cuben Fiber .53 weigh willdo Make Pack cover 1.2oz, rain rap in place of pants 1oz. I used both on my last hike rap did as good as pants. You can also put it on and off while you are hiking. Pack cover, well its just lighter then silnylon and does the same thing. Gators are a personal thing. Jacket is about average, but nessary eval.