Raingear?

A

akee

Joined
Aug 25, 2004
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179
Poncho....Canvas Waxed jacket.....Goretex & so on....

What do you use? Have you any favorite?

Have an Arc'teryx goretex myself, but never really tested to the limit, so can't say how good it is.
 
I have a waxed cotton canvas jacket...a Filson. It is pretty near waterproof and very abrasion resistant, but also rather heavy and can be quite warm above about 60 degrees F. Gore-tex is neat stuff, but you usually give up toughness in the garments that gore-tex is typically used in (did that make sense?).

I suppose it depends on the uses and environment. Here is Ohio we see lots of briars in the woods and fields. Most Gore-tex garments would be quickly shredded from a trip to the woods. On the other hand, I used to deer hunt in northern Michigan. No briars there that I ever found and something Gore-tex would work great.

Jeff
 
I use a U.S. GI Poncho, it can be used as a rain gear, tarp/shelter, gound coth, and sleeping bag cover/bivy.
 
I use a USGI poncho as well, but mostly it's used as an emergency rain wear and shelter.

I wear wool when bowhunting during the wet season, because it keeps me warm, even when soaked through.

I also have a waterproof coat with hood and wool lining that I wear when hiking. I picked up an inexpensive pair of waterproof and lite weight rain pants that fit into the pocket of the coat, but rarely wear them.
 
When I don't anticipate rain the GI rubbberised poncho gets used (its kept in my jeep and in my pack). When I can anticipate having to be out in it I use a GI rainsuit.
Enjoy!
 
Consider browsing around Campmor.com for ponchos. They have a couple in silnylon, which is very light and tough, but maybe slightly less durable than thicker coated nylons. They also have models specifically designed to double as shelters, and with exptension flaps to help cover your pack.

There are also lots of cottage industries that offer silnylon tarps in almost any color or design you specify.

Bear
 
A mountain designs (West Oz Company) goretex jacket for me. It's made from heavy duty nylon that is very abrasion resistant. Mine has lasted 8 years so far. It sees daily use in winter. In colder weather I use a polypropeline thermal top and then a woolen jumper underneath.

I've got a drizabone as well - wich is a waxed cotton coat. Looks cool (very Australian high country look) but doesn't really work if you are moving fast - too heavy and I tend to sweat too much in it. More suited to those who are mounted, on horse or trail bike.
 
Poncho. Covers me, my head, and my backpack. Fits over a warm coat. Compresses into a little ball when it stops raining.
 
Have to agree with Danzz, the GI poncho does all I want and it stores well in a small package. Plus I can string it up for a shelter.
 
Danzz said:
Poncho. Covers me, my head, and my backpack. Fits over a warm coat. Compresses into a little ball when it stops raining.
Click to expand...

Hmm - got me interested now, always looking to refine (and lighten) my kit. How does a pncho work in driving (ie almost horizontal) rain.
 
As you know, Gore-Tax is a coating. It appears on light-weight garnments that die at the sight of brambles and some made of 10 oz nylon that would outlast anything ever made of wool or cotton.

Trouble is, it doesn't breath well enough to prevent internal wetness if you're working at all hard. Worse, a sheet of water on the outside totally stops the breathing -- film strength is stronger than vapor pressure.

Then there's the cost of Gore-Tex garments, although end-of-season sales cut prices by 50%.

I have had pretty good luck with Gore-Tex nylon chaps, leggings, and a nylon poncho. The chaps and leggings cure the problem of water getting past the poncho and water running off the poncho. The poncho is not perfectly ventilated, but it seems more so than any "waterproof" parka or jacket that I've tried.

Still looking for that perfect rain gear ........ and other things. ;)
 
USGI poncho
Good:
Big, can snap 2 or more together to make a shelter, covers you and your pack. Plenty of ventilation. For short intense storms you can squat and the poncho will cover all of you.
Bad: Heavy. All of the water sheets off the poncho and onto your legs soaking you from the knees down. Hard to walk in rough/uneven terrain because it is hard to see where you're stepping. Flaps like a flag in high winds.

Gore-Tex:
I have an Eddie Bauer parka that I bought on clearance for $80 (marked down from 399 to 99, 20% off all in the store and no tax week on top of it all. Had to buy it :D )
Good: Great for around town, the breathability is amazing. Blocks wind well too.
Bad: If this thread came up before the January blizzard, I would have said no bads, but I got soaked from perspiration shovelling snow. And the next day the same thing happened on my hike to the supermarket.
Under the parka was a thermax long sleeve top and a fleece pullover. They wicked, the jacket didn't breathe.
If there were brairs involved, the parka would have died of fright.
 
Ebbtide said:
USGI poncho
. . .

Bad: Heavy. All of the water sheets off the poncho and onto your legs soaking you from the knees down. Hard to walk in rough/uneven terrain because it is hard to see where you're stepping. Flaps like a flag in high winds.
Click to expand...

"soaking": Hence the protection I use on my legs.

"Flaps": A length of rope helps control the flapping in high wind, but reduces ventilation.

Alas, no perfect answer until portable force field appears on the market.
 
For everday use in rain I use a outback Duster, if I should find a leak I just add some duck back and its good as new.The last storm we had HEAVY rain and that duster kept me dry while outside working for hours, I love that thing :D
 
Depends. At work (a mudlogger on a drill rig) I wear a Filson Tin Cloth jacket. Can't be beat for durability, but it was expensive and they're too heavy for serious backpacking/hiking. When cold the Tin Cloth becomes as stiff as a board. It would be my first choice for briars or ranch work.

Backpacking and hiking I wear a very lightweight and inexpensive nylon shell or a nylon army poncho. The poncho is great for trail hiking - it covers a daypack, can be 'arranged' over a framepack, can be used as shelter/sleeping back cover/and pulled overhead while taking a break.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Filson makes good stuff, but others have already pointed out some of the disadvantages. I picked up a gore-tex jacket for $8 this summer at a yard sale, and so far I'm really liking it.
 
Thomas you are right on the money.
I have rain chaps that I wear with the poncho, but they drain on my feet, so now I have to wear the waterproof boots too.
If it is summer warm sometimes its easier to get wet and change when its over. Or shorts, sandles and poncho, but then you look like a flasher/freak running around the woods!
If I were to spend the day out in the rain (and knew it ahead of time) I'd wear my Grunden (old fashioned) foul weather gear. Bib pants and hooded parka. All snaps, no zippers, doesn't breath a lick, but sure blocks the wind.
Really heavy to tote around on a just in case basis.

Just like knives, it is a matter of which compromise works best for you at that time.
:D
 
I should have mentioned that I wear the chaps over the leggings. This minimizes the water flow on the boots. The boots, in turn, are Gore-Tex lined.
 
Another possible solution for rain gear might be something like the ECOTAT Freedom Shelter. If you're backpacking, this multi-purpose solo tent has a lot of nice features and can replace carrying extra gear. It is very light weight, can serve as a poncho, short coat, long coat, bivy bag, Tarpaulin, Rescue Litter, Lean-to, Can be an 8x6 foot long Air Marker Panel, Can enclose a person in the sitting position. :)

Check it out at:

http://www.geocities.com/ecotat/ecotatTMP.htm
 
pastorsoup,

that ECOTAT shelter looks very good.
Does anyone here have any experience using one???
It seems on the surface like a great idea.
 
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