Light weight, inexpensive rain gear?

Around here, few use waterproof beathable in the dead of Winter. It simply freezes up.

If a garment wets out, try renewing the DWR. It's the DWR that keeps a sheet of liquid water from forming. Just a few heavy rains can wash it out, much less washing with detregent.

Design is a big issue. Torso and pit vents are good -- if made so they don't leak. The rarer back vent under a cape is also a plus for ventilation. Cuffs should not be elastic so ventilation up the sleves can occur (when you want it).

The first couple of generations of USGI Gore-Tex "ECWCS" lacked any vents. Very cheap to buy now.
 
Frogg Toggs. Light. Packable. Breatheable. Cheap. Just dont get these if you plan on using it for a motorcycle, then they are garbage. But for hiking and fishing, perfect. Cannot be used as an insulation layer.
 
I like ponchos, although they can blow around in windy conditions....and when you are climbing steep hills you can tread on the darn thing. They don't need to be made of breathable fabric because the air can circulate pretty freely anyway....the garment just drapes over you.

You can wear your pack under a poncho, and this not only keeps the pack dryer...it helps everything 'breathe' better.

A poncho can also be turned into a shelter.

They can be real cosy to wear when you sit down. You can draw your knees up under the poncho and be almost totally enclosed.

I prefer a heavier poncho for serious conditions, but I did make a cheap poncho from parka nylon. It packs up into a small ball and is no trouble to carry. I sealed the hood seam with some special seam sealer, but if I make another one I'd be tempted just to run some acrylic house paint into the join.

For a short outing ... and if 'cheap' is important.... a sheet of polythene will make a good rain cape. Just pull it around your head like a blanket.
 
Light, cheap, and very packable sounds like you might be interested in the USGI surplus rain pant and jacket sets. They run about $20 a set, are decent quality and are woodland camo. http://www.rddusa.com/product_info....d=157&osCsid=c61c2372271be1f2d6dd0cd6a606aaae
On the downside, they are hot as hell to wear, and b!tch to move around in. The material they are made of traps heat and insulate like the dickens, you wear them over your normal clothes. If you move through thick brush, they may get torn up and/or ripped. If you wear them in conjunction with appropriate spec BDU's, there should be flaps to allow access to your top slash pockets.
 
Poncho is a must have. Not necessarly the most convenient/comfortable in all situations but very versatile.

About inexpensive rain clothing, at some point market was flooded with surplus german (flecktarn) goretex suits (jacket+trousers). I found some at about $30 in pretty good condition. Quite heavy, reasonably efficient and inexpensive.
 
Ravaillac said:
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About inexpensive rain clothing, at some point market was flooded with surplus german (flecktarn) goretex suits (jacket+trousers). I found some at about $30 in pretty good condition. Quite heavy, reasonably efficient and inexpensive.
Click to expand...
They are still there. Still cheap. Why?
 
Maybe they are still available cheap because some people won't buy 'cheap'...they think that it is not good enough.

Perhaps it lacks consumer appeal to the fashion-concious buyer....doesn't look 'trendy' enough.
 
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