Tier 1 Rain Coat?

AR-Trvlr

AR-Trvlr

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It's time to upgrade my rain coat - what are good options? The primary concerns are performance and how well it breathes in warm conditions. I'm ok with a higher price if it gives me a good long-term solution.
 
AR-Trvlr said:
It's time to upgrade my rain coat - what are good options? The primary concerns are performance and how well it breathes in warm conditions. I'm ok with a higher price if it gives me a good long-term solution.
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Outdoorgearlab.com has reviews and rankings of raincoats. I have been using a Marmot Precip jacket but there are more expensive and higher-rated models that they review.
 
I'm in South Florida and I just ordered the Marmot Precip jacket and pants from Amazon "Try before you buy". They should be here in the next day or two. I'll post pics when I receive them. I'm 6'1" 170 so I ordered medium and large to see what fits.
 
The only truly breathable raincoat is an umbrella, imo. If it’s too windy for an umbrella, then I wear a raincoat but expect to get wet from the inside if I’m exerting myself.
 
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Check out Eddie Bauer. They usually have a moderate and then a more elite attire pricing for those serious about the outdoors.

The more breathable, the less waterproof generally. If you’re serious about breathability (meaning you’re going to hike all day in the rain) check out the “First Ascent” stuff. If you’re concerned about wearing it in the summer, get something very thin… and check out brands that offer thin jackets for fishermen for when they get sprayed by water.

This is what I wear in the rain, but they have other stuff at varying prices. I’ve never been disappointed by anything I’ve bought there.

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AR-Trvlr said:
The primary concerns are performance and how well it breathes in warm conditions.
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If it says both "waterproof" and "breathable" at the same time, then one or both are false. You're being lied to. This is sadly very common.
AR-Trvlr said:
I'm ok with a higher price if it gives me a good long-term solution.
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You will want to avoid anything that relies on a waterproof chemical treatment since this will inevitably erode over time. Once the treatment is gone, the product is no longer waterproof.
 
Yes. I rely on the pit zips for breathability. I needed a rain suit for running around my 10 acre homestead in northern South Florida so I I went with an L2.5 over an L3 shell. At $100, the Marmot PreCip appeared to be a good balance between price and quality
 
I've had a Schoeffel Gore-Tex since I was 20, had it everywhere, when commuting by bicycle to University, when Skiing at 4600m altitude, and on business trips (where I put it in the hotel dry cleaning twice). When the zippers gave up a couple of years ago (after > 30 years), I ordered another one, from the UK where it still was available. Well worth the money. The wife loves it too, as it's very soft.

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:)
 
I have a Gore-Tex raincoat from Bass Pro Shops that is excellent. I’ve owned & used it frequently for at least the past eight years. Mostly overtop of a hoodie while snowboarding or hiking.

The only con is despite being thin/lightweight, it retains way too much heat to use for any considerable duration in warm weather. I opt for a poncho keychain if needed during the summer that I keep in my pack.
 
Goretex is great compared to the old rubberized fabric but it’s still pretty stuffy for warmer weather. I have found that Neoshell is breathable to the point of being pretty comfortable. You’ll still get soaked in sweat if you are exerting yourself but it’s noticeably better than Goretex.
 
ferider said:
I've had a Schoeffel Gore-Tex since I was 20, had it everywhere, when commuting by bicycle to University, when Skiing at 4600m altitude, and on business trips (where I put it in the hotel dry cleaning twice). When the zippers gave up a couple of years ago (after > 30 years), I ordered another one, from the UK where it still was available. Well worth the money. The wife loves it too, as it's very soft.

2020010116434721-IMG_0894-X3.jpg


:)
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This sounds like a GREAT jacket!
I have a 3-layer Gore-tex Navy surplus jacket, in the old blueberry camo color. It is a TOUGH jacket, although it isn't really very fashionable. But I've worn it in the worst weather around, including ice storms, snow, and tropical storms. It will keep you dry, but like others have said, if you're exerting yourself, you'll sweat yourself wet. It has HUGE pit-zips, so if you're in a situation where the rain isn't coming sideways, you can stay reasonably dry even in warm-ish weather while exerting yourself. Now, I don't have any suggestion where to pick up one. I found this one hanging in an Army-Navy surplus store in Missouri. It looked like it had never been worn, still had the inspection slip in the pocket, and was only $59. I grabbed that thing so quickly you could hear the sonic crack. Best bang-for-buck gear I've found this side of the Army poncho.
 
I've heard frog toggs are very good and cheap.

I know they are light weight, great for hiking. Beyond that I'm not sure, I'm just throwing it out there. I'll eventually get a set but it never rains where I'm at lol
 
A poncho breathes better than anything. I have about 5 rain jackets up to an acteryx 400$ one made out of goretex.
None are great in hot weather with high exertion…
 
I bought an Arcteryx winter coat because of the articulated cut and that it didn't bother my bad shoulders, ride up when moving my arms, and was light like a T shirt. It is the best coat that I have ever bought or seen in use so I picked up more products from them. The Theta hardshell that I bought is no longer in production but the are making a longer version of the Beta which is close to the same thing. They have different "levels" from very light weight to extremely durable. I have only purchased the SV ( extremely durable ) and AR ( all around ) models but all of them have been perfectly waterproof and breathe better than any other rain shell that I have deer seen or used. That said, If your in the heat and rain for very long periods while exerting yourself you'll get damp in any jacket from condensation/sweat. I have found it to be very minimal to non existent when the pit zips are opened up.
The biggest rub with these is the price, but to me, they're worth it.
 
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