Isn't a rain jacket sort of pointless?

[SCGamecock]

Because you're going to sweat and get wet anyway? Right? Wouldn't it be better to save 10+ oz. and get some water resistant wind jacket?

[hikerboy57]

Marmot mica.

[SCGamecock]

Marmot mica.

Didn't know about the Mica. Really light. Just got one on sale at Backcountrygear.com.
Just trying to cut some weight.
Thanks

[10-K]

I personally would rather have a rain jacket and use it as a wind jacket than I would to have a wind jacket used for a rain jacket.

[Moose2001]

I personally would rather have a rain jacket and use it as a wind jacket than I would to have a wind jacket used for a rain jacket.

Ditto. Well said

[ChinMusic]

I personally would rather have a rain jacket and use it as a wind jacket than I would to have a wind jacket used for a rain jacket.

this......

[DavidNH]

I personally would rather have a rain jacket and use it as a wind jacket than I would to have a wind jacket used for a rain jacket.

Well said!!

[aaronthebugbuffet]

I personally would rather have a rain jacket and use it as a wind jacket than I would to have a wind jacket used for a rain jacket.

I agree with that.

Most of the time a rain jacket is useless but that instance you need it could save you from hypothermia.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Short story IMHO? Stick with the rain jacket. Sweat soaked = Warm and wet. Rain soaked = cold and wet. cold and wet = possible hypothermia.

[rocketsocks]

Short story IMHO? Stick with the rain jacket. Sweat soaked = Warm and wet. Rain soaked = cold and wet. cold and wet = possible hypothermia.

+1 Thats my take too.Also,my rain jacket has Pit Zips,I'd never buy another that didn't,just my preference,it allows for some quick removal of that hot stagnet humid air.

[hikerhobs]

Short story IMHO? Stick with the rain jacket. Sweat soaked = Warm and wet. Rain soaked = cold and wet. cold and wet = possible hypothermia.

I totally agree.

[verasch]

You could use an umbrella.

[Spokes]

You could use an umbrella.

Does it come with arm holes?

[hikerboy57]

Does it come with arm holes?

just has one really big pit zip(without the zip of course)
you can have your cake and eat it too. yes you need a rain jacket, and there are a few lightweight options, one of which i mentioned before is the marmot mica, and it weighs all of 10 oz.

[Odd Man Out]

just has one really big pit zip(without the zip of course)
you can have your cake and eat it too. yes you need a rain jacket, and there are a few lightweight options, one of which i mentioned before is the marmot mica, and it weighs all of 10 oz.

FYI - I was just checking the Marmot web site. For men the now list a Super Mica with pit zips. Their specs list the Mica at 7 oz and the Super Mica just a little more.

http://marmot.com/products/super_mica_jacket?p=216,303

[trippclark]

You could use an umbrella.

+1 . . . much better option for me

[leaftye]

Because you're going to sweat and get wet anyway? Right? Wouldn't it be better to save 10+ oz. and get some water resistant wind jacket?

I used to think that too. I don't know what I was thinking.

Water is able to hold a lot of energy. It takes a lot of energy to heat up. Sweat is already at body temperature, so it can't cool you down unless it evaporates. Rain is much colder than your body, and has the ability to sap an incredible amount of heat from your body. I could pull out my chemistry books and show you the math if you care to learn more.

[Odd Man Out]

This is one area I don't like to skimp. As pointed out the wind jacket doesn't replace a rain jacket and the rain jacket doesn't replace a wind jacket. Since you can get wind jackets that weigh only a few oz, I like to take both.

[bfayer]

I used to think that too. I don't know what I was thinking.

Water is able to hold a lot of energy. It takes a lot of energy to heat up. Sweat is already at body temperature, so it can't cool you down unless it evaporates. Rain is much colder than your body, and has the ability to sap an incredible amount of heat from your body. I could pull out my chemistry books and show you the math if you care to learn more.

So true. Latent heat of evaporation of water is 970 BTUs per pound (245 Kcal, ). Also since water transfers heat about 25 times better than air, the rain picks up a lot of your heat as it runs off of you on to the ground.

Like everyone said, a rain jacket does 2 things: Stops evaporation heat loss, and stops the cold rain from steeling your heat (think wet suit). A rain jacket will not keep you dry for long , it will keep you warmer when wet.

[Smooth & Wasabi]

I don't pack alot of just in case items but a minimal rain jacket is always with me for safety, mountain weather can do some crazy things. You can go much lighter than 10+ ounces you just need to decide if you would rather give up money or durability.