Only one jacket

[DrRichardCranium]

ON a related topic, I recently bought a Packa, which goes over the pack and/or the hiker at the same time. My question is: Do I need another "shell" in addition to the Packa? I will be leaving around March 25th.

[jombo22]

Base + windshirt should do you well you are hiking hard in cooler to coldish conditions.

I would add dri ducks. Can't beat the $15 price and performance is way better than precip. They are to fragile bushwacking... but fine for the AT. Bring some duct tape to repair tears. Plenty of people have 2600+ miles on one set.

I would suggest also picking up a high loft vest or jacket. Montbell Inner Down jacket if you are "normal", one of their vests if you tend to run hot (that's what I typically use), or the amazingly warm (on close out) NB Fugu jacket. Use to warm up when you stop, in the evening around camp, and in your sleeping bag on extra cold nights.

More of thoughts on my recommended clothing page.

--Mark

If you haven't already, you should read everything on Verber's website It might take a few days, there is a ridiculous amount of info, but I don't think I disagreed with a single thing he wrote. There is a wealth of knowledge there.

Many people are suggesting the precip. That's what I bought when I started backpacking. It's a great jacket. But I just switched to DriDucks because they weigh half as much. My XL precip weighs almost a pound, same for the pants. driducks come in at 6 ounces for jacket / 6 for pants. That's a savings of ~20 ounces total! And when it rains for days and days, you're gonna be wet no matter what you're wearing.


I guess it comes down to what temps you are comfortable hiking at with the Ion on. I have a DriClime and can hike comfortably in temps as low as 10*F wearing it over a t-shirt (with hat and mittens on). I'm not familiar with the Ion but it appears to be unlined - maybe you could compensate by bringing another extra longsleeve shirt to use for insulation?

It looks like really all you need is a rain shell and a lofty jacket for resting/camp.

Some great suggestions from flemdawg - that Lands End jacket looks like a steal.

[jombo22]

ON a related topic, I recently bought a Packa, which goes over the pack and/or the hiker at the same time. My question is: Do I need another "shell" in addition to the Packa? I will be leaving around March 25th.

Wow that is cool! Like a poncho but with sleeves. Slightly less goofy looking, too. Theoretically that should do the trick, but I'd test it out at home (pray for some rain before you leave) first. You can always buy a "real" jacket from an outfitter along the trail if it doesn't work out.

According to this reviewer you will need to seal the seams yourself. I would make sure this is done before you leave.

[DrRichardCranium]

That review is a few years old. They now sell the Packa already seam-sealed.

[burger]

Don't take a Precip. I know they're relatively cheap and super-popular, but they don't breathe worth a damn (and I know because I carried one on the half of the AT I've done). Hiking with a non-breathable jacket that keeps all your sweat in is uncomfortable and not fun.

Get yourself a nice cheap Driducks or Frogg Toggs or O2 Rainshield (http://www.rainshield.com/p_cycling.html) jacket. They breathe far, far better than GoreTex or the Precip and you can spend your leftover $$ on a good insulating layer.

[Mags]

On a budget?

Driducks/Frogg Toggs and an M-65 Liner. Warm, functional and inexpensive.

(My goto jacket for all day hiking is a Montbell Windshirt..similar to the Marmot DriClime)

[Mud__Bone]

interesting info, thanks for all the great posts

[SunnyWalker]

The down jacket. then go to Walmart and get a waterproof camping jacket for a cover.

[Cakon]

Eddie Bauer has their First Ascent line on sale right now. It is good quality and light. I picked up the 800 fill 14oz down sweater at the store 50% off ($85) on line it is only 30% off ($118). The vest is even cheaper and lighter (8oz) if you want to use that under a rain coat. They also have PrimaLoft if you like synthetic. It could be worth checking out.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/Mens-Ou...A%22hide%22%7D

[Bags4266]

Eddie Bauer has their First Ascent line on sale right now. It is good quality and light. I picked up the 800 fill 14oz down sweater at the store 50% off ($85) on line it is only 30% off ($118). The vest is even cheaper and lighter (8oz) if you want to use that under a rain coat. They also have PrimaLoft if you like synthetic. It could be worth checking out.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/Mens-Ou...A%22hide%22%7D

I like that vest at 8 oz coupled w/ a fleece would be a nice setup. Very cheap too.

[Snowleopard]

ON a related topic, I recently bought a Packa, which goes over the pack and/or the hiker at the same time. My question is: Do I need another "shell" in addition to the Packa? I will be leaving around March 25th.

In the White Mountains above tree line, you need something that's pretty windproof; conventional ponchos don't work there when the wind is up. It's a little hard to tell for sure from the pictures, so you're the best judge. The question to ask yourself is how will it work in 70mph wind with heavy rain at 34 degrees.

It should work OK elsewhere. I'd choose something else if it was cold, goretex or driducks.

[300winmag]

The REI Sushkan eVent parka is pretty good except for the balky front zipper. Pricey at $300.

I have a Cabela's Rainy River PacLite GTX parka and at 15 oz for a Large, Tall size it's been good for the past 3 summers. Inexpensive too, at $99. (for GTX Pac Lite) and very good quality and garantee.

BUT, to save weight try a sil nylon Packa that covers you and your pack at the same time. Has great pit zips, and made by a one-man "cottage industry".

Eric

[Tinker]

For hiking I prefer to not use a waterproof layer outside in the rain unless it gets below 50 degrees or so. Wool or synthetic underwear is often enough. When it gets windy with the rain I'll put my Ion windshirt over the base layer. If I get further chilled I might pull out a fleece garment (light jacket or heavier vest, which is what I own. A lot of folks are proponents of ultralight shelled garments, but I think fleece dries faster once you get that occasional sunny spell because the wind blows through it, rather than being shunted off by a shell. With the Ion shirt I can choose to have a shell or not.
When it gets colder and the liquid turns to frozen precipitation I use a waterproof layer and just bathe in my own sweat, pit zips and front zip open.
So - my option would be
1) Ion shirt (or other unlined (not Driclime) shirt) as a quick drying wind barrier
2) Fleece (because it dries fast)
3) Waterproof shell (whatever you like or can afford - lots of ventilation options a plus).
4) Down garments for warm-up in camp while under a roof of some sort (a tarp works for me with my hammock).

[Mongoose2]

Scruffy; if your still looking for a jacket, Landsend.com has an amazing deal on their down jackets. $49.00!! and the quality of Lands End is very high. I believe they only have a few colors and sizes left.

[Tinker]

I have a Shuksan: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...hlight=shuksan

Not that much better than a good urethane coated "breathable" jacket (Precip style) or Gore Packlite (I used one for one trip and returned it to REI, not being that much better than Precip).
That "waterproof/breathable" myth persists..............
I have used a poncho in windy, rainy conditions, and you CAN keep dry if you use a belt around it or tuck the back corners of the poncho up under the front of your pack's cover. Most of the dampness you feel then will be coming from you. It's surprising how much coverage a poncho provides. Hey, I've slept under one (mostly as, what I can refer to retrospectively as a "UL stunt"). I've moved on now, and I've found out that I'm actually strong enough to carry an extra ounce or so.

[River Runner]

I don't believe I would consider DriDucks durable enough for a thru hike. After one day of hiking in the rain, my jacket had two quarter inch holes in it, and the pants were trashed - ripped in the seat/legs.

[Deadeye]

I've seen a lot of votes for the Precip, and at least one against. Count me in the "against" camp. Makes a nice wind breaker, but useless as rain gear, IMHO. Try a nice light windshirt and an umbrella, or one of the other suggestions mentioned.

[Scruffy]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I ended up with 2 jackets and a vest. TNF Venture rain jacket, Marmot Ion wind shirt, WM Flight down vest.

The rain jacket I use in the rain, the wind shirt seems to be my most multifunction garment, the down vest is part of my sleeping system since I will be starting with a WM Summerlite bag. I have use the summerlite and down vest and capilene 2 down to 15 degrees and slept very comfortable.

Well 16 more days to go till I start my thru.

Till next time...

[yappy]

I used precip also and LUV my mnt hrdwre wind break. I wear that every day when I am out. it has turned out to b one of my fav pieces of gear. I also took a mnt bell vest. Love it ! look for sales baby..

[Bags4266]

Scruffy I like your picks. I don't see the purpose in a down jacket. You never would hike in it, it would be soaked. When at camp as long as the core is warm your good. And it save's you a half pound from vest to jacket (on avg)