View Full Version : Rain Shell Recommendation
kbarnard
01-04-2013, 15:26
Does anyone have any recommendations for a reliable rain shell?
Hosaphone
01-04-2013, 15:33
Really tough to beat DriDucks. At ~5oz for the jacket it weighs less than half of most rain shells, at like 1/5th the cost.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11367432&mr:trackingCode=670B125F-0726-E211-BA78-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:filter=24486676791&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=30774699831&mr:match=&mr:keyword=&{copy:iq_id}=&{copy:camp}=
Hosaphone
01-04-2013, 15:35
Really tough to beat DriDucks. At ~5oz for the jacket it weighs less than half of most rain shells, at like 1/5th the cost.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11367432&mr:trackingCode=670B125F-0726-E211-BA78-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:filter=24486676791&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=30774699831&mr:match=&mr:keyword=&{copy:iq_id}=&{copy:camp}=
Link fail. Here's another one: http://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/DriDucks.shtm
Hosaphone
01-04-2013, 15:36
Link fail. Here's another one: http://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/DriDucks.shtm
(they list the weight as 10oz on the site, but that includes jacket + pants. Jacket alone is more like 5oz)
Arc'teryx Theta SV (http://www.backcountry.com/arcteryx-theta-sv-jacket-mens)
colorado_rob
01-04-2013, 15:49
+ 1 on the Dri ducks. My exact DD weights, size large, are 4.6 oz for the pants, 6.0 oz for the jacket.
(they list the weight as 10oz on the site, but that includes jacket + pants. Jacket alone is more like 5oz)
Opened ended question. :) For my own hiking, I tend to use a GoLite Tumalo (http://www.pmags.com/gear-review-golite-tumalo) for an all around shell for its price, versatility decent breathability/water proofness ratio and durability for off-trail and/or non-hiking activities (climbing and backcountry skiing) For on-trail hiking in summer and early fall, the DriDucks wins out. But that's just me. Our theoretical AT backpacker above may have a different set of criteria than I do.
Here's just a few variables that may find the best rain gear for you:
Is this person tough on gear or do they treat it gently?
Tend to hike cool or sweat a lot?
Like ponchos?
Want more breathability or more water proofness?
What time of the year is the person hiking the AT?
Prefer simplicity and lightweight or want extras like pit zips that add weight but perhaps more functionality?
Tend to hike more or spend more time in camp?
What is the budget?
Want one jacket for multiple environments or something more suited for the well marked , defined and maintained Appalachian Trail?
Opened ended question. :)
It's the best kind of question because it almost every answer is correct.
swjohnsey
01-04-2013, 16:25
It will take several sets of Driducks to make the trail. I started out with Driducks and went to Marmot Essence shell and Precip pants.
Drybones
01-04-2013, 16:33
I recently bought a rain jacket (11 oz) and pants (9oz) at Academy for $19.99 each, really like both pieces. I like the jacket better than the Paclite Goretex I have which cost about 7x more. I also have the Driducks you hear mentioned a lot, never have worn them, probably never will, feels like wearing a paper sack...just me.
colorado_rob
01-04-2013, 16:37
It will take several sets of Driducks to make the trail. I started out with Driducks and went to Marmot Essence shell and Precip pants. My buddy made it with two sets, actually two jackets, one pair of pants. That's 40 bucks total. I'm going to have two extra sets available for my wife to mail when needed.
Dr. Professor
01-04-2013, 18:47
Is cost an issue? If not, I'm thinking something like the following:
Hat -- http://www.sundayafternoons.com/cascade-hat.html
Shell -- http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets/Visio-FL-Jacket
Rain pants -- http://zpacks.com/accessories/wpb_pants.shtml
colorado_rob
01-04-2013, 19:00
Is cost an issue? If not, I'm thinking something like the following:
Shell -- http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets/Visio-FL-Jacket
Rain pants -- http://zpacks.com/accessories/wpb_pants.shtml Sa-weet looking jacket, here is a women's medium on sale for 50% off (too bad I'm a male or I'd get it):
http://www.backcountry.com/arcteryx-visio-fl-jacket-womens?CMP_SKU=ARC1217&MER=0406&CMP_ID=GAN_GPLA&003=8219600&010=ARC1217-HORSY-M&mr:trackingCode=365E36A4-8223-E211-A87C-001B21A69EB8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=32930622705&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=39160482705&origin=pla&gclid=CMu-kcnmz7QCFcxAMgodUE8Apw
No hood though.
WILLIAM HAYES
01-04-2013, 20:33
depends on what you want to spend- I use an Integral Designs Event rain jacket fairly expensive but vents well and is light weight
hillbilly
Dr. Professor
01-04-2013, 21:26
Sa-weet looking jacket, here is a women's medium on sale for 50% off (too bad I'm a male or I'd get it):
http://www.backcountry.com/arcteryx-visio-fl-jacket-womens?CMP_SKU=ARC1217&MER=0406&CMP_ID=GAN_GPLA&003=8219600&010=ARC1217-HORSY-M&mr:trackingCode=365E36A4-8223-E211-A87C-001B21A69EB8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=32930622705&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=39160482705&origin=pla&gclid=CMu-kcnmz7QCFcxAMgodUE8Apw
No hood though.
I actually like the no hood feature. In general, I like to layer with each layer performing a specific function. Hoods are not nearly as flexible as hats. Also, I don't want the extra weight of a hood, and I don't want a hood that is not being worn to collect water or interfere with my hat.
With regard to the jacket, the collar is designed to conform to the neck in such a way as to minimize water entry. Beyond that, there is a wicking material at the collar base that helps keep out water. The jacket is designed as a rain jacket for long distance runners.
I like hats to block sun (granted, only an issue on the AT when leaves are down). Also, I prefer hats in the rain due to better visibility.
In warm weather, I sometimes want water on my head. I do want to keep my core dry though.
I really really like my Arcteryx jackets:
This one is top of the class in my opinion:
www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets/Beta-SL-Jacket#
Hosaphone
01-04-2013, 21:53
I'm sure the Arcteryx jackets are sweet... But I just can't fathom paying ~15x the price for a jacket that weighs twice as much and still won't keep you dry in extended rainy conditions. Maybe if I was doing mountaineering/technical climbing or something I would appreciate the better design and bells and whistles, but for 3-season hiking... Meh.
Dr. Professor
01-04-2013, 22:25
More on hats vs. hoods; consider the following:
Hat -- http://www.sundayafternoons.com/cascade-hat.html (probably my next purchase so I can't vouch for this particular hat yet; lists at 3.8 ounces, probably for the smaller size)
Beanie -- http://www.smartwool.com/phd-hyfi-training-beanie-1202.html (mine weighs 1.38 ounces, I love it)
Balaclava -- http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Accessories/Phase-AR-Balaclava# (1.1 ounces)
No hood jacket -- http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets/Visio-FL-Jacket (7.2 ounces)
Similar hooded jacket -- http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Beta-FL-Jacket (11.4 ounces)
In sunny or rainy conditions, I can wear the hat. In the cold (hiking, in camp, or in hammock), I can wear the beanie and/or balaclava). In cold rain or snow, I could wear all three. The weights of the hat and hood are comparable. I like the flexibility of the hoodless jacket + hat + beanie + (in colder seasons or high mountains) balaclava.
Everybody has to find what works for them. For me, cost is less important than finding the right balance between weight and flexibility.
I'm sure the Arcteryx jackets are sweet... But I just can't fathom paying ~15x the price for a jacket that weighs twice as much and still won't keep you dry in extended rainy conditions. Maybe if I was doing mountaineering/technical climbing or something I would appreciate the better design and bells and whistles, but for 3-season hiking... Meh.
I hear what you're saying. I do do technical climbing in addition to backpacking but I do do a lot of backpacking. The deal for me is that I'd rather have the exact piece of equipment that I want rather than buy something I think is substandard, be uncomfortable, unhappy, and then buy the piece I wanted in the first place. I have also never met anyone that was staying nice and dry and more or less comfortable in a cold blowing rain that was sorry that they had the best equipment but I have met some miserably wet and cold people with substandard gear. Just my 2 cents - - Hike Your Own Hike for sure.
Hosaphone
01-04-2013, 22:43
The deal for me is that I'd rather have the exact piece of equipment that I want rather than buy something I think is substandard, be uncomfortable, unhappy, and then buy the piece I wanted in the first place. I have also never met anyone that was staying nice and dry and more or less comfortable in a cold blowing rain that was sorry that they had the best equipment but I have met some miserably wet and cold people with substandard gear. Just my 2 cents - - Hike Your Own Hike for sure.
I hear you, too. My nature is to be a gear head. I try really hard not to be one, but can't help it. I have the WM bag, the MontBell jacket, the fancy poles, etc... I find that very often you get what you pay for.
However, for me, DriDucks perform just as well for what I need them to do as any other jacket I've tried. There are annoying design problems with them, but they do their job and the problems aren't annoying enough to make me want to buy something more expensive and/or heavier.
Hosaphone
01-04-2013, 22:45
However, for me, DriDucks perform just as well for what I need them to do as any other jacket I've tried. There are annoying design problems with them, but they do their job and the problems aren't annoying enough to make me want to buy something more expensive and/or heavier.
Of course this isn't true for everyone and every situation or companies like Arcteryx wouldn't be able to stay in business.