Needing an upgrade (and a smaller size  ;)), what's the opinions on packable rain gear these days.  I just need a parka and I have owned North Face and Cabela's brands before.  I got out of them what I paid and was satisfied.  I don't like Frog Togs or Helly Hanson and while I like the look of the kayaking stuff JJSolo linked to in another thread, they aren't what I'm looking for.  I may very well go back to NF or Cabela's stuff but just thought I would ask around before I purchase.  Links to brands and stores are good.  (No ponchos.)  Primarily for canoe camping and fishing through the nasty stuff.  I like pockets too.

Anyone have any first hand experience with the new   (You need to Login or Register outerwear?

Here's the   (You need to Login or Register link.

Can you try them on in person before you buy? I have found that to be helpful.......

A few days ago I picked up some Helly Hansen raingear at Bass Pro. It was called "workwear"........comparable price to what you are looking at but non-breathable. I was pleased however with this style of H/H. They seemed lighter and more flexible........a bit less hardcore than their usual stuff I have seen, and fairly reasonable. It also had a liner which should help keep it off my skin.

I'm reshaping my thinking with raingear. 10 years from now the H/H will still be waterproof without having to seal it.

I know this wasn't what you were asking but I just got them, thought they were sweet and thought I would pass it along. Just another option.

Hey I just noticed you don't like the H/H.......anything I should know?

Yea, avoid frog toggs. Just ask the bass guides here on the big "O" about them  :P

I have a Marmot Super Mica.  It's a really great little jacket - extremely light weight, totally waterproof, and breathable (within reason - it does have pit zips, pockets and a hood.)  It retails at $200 which is inexpensive when compared to e-vent or goretex products.  It is not a jacket to keep you warm but it will keep you dry.  I'm very pleased with mine.  I had it with me last year in Wabakimi in some pretty heavy rains and I stayed dry.  Here's a link which, as you can see, has them on sale at around $150 (no reason to pay full price for anything in this economy!)
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I've been using the Outdoor Research Sojourn rain jacket for a couple of seasons now.  One feature I always look for are pit-zips because I do tend to overheat when operating with a load (e.g. portaging), so I'm looking for ventilation.  Well, these pit-zips run from the biceps down to the hem and zip in both directions.  And the product will keep you dry in an all day rain.

Although I paid more it looks like   (You need to Login or Register currently has them on clearance for about $75 (with free shipping).

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I've used Marmot Precip rain jackets and pants for a number of years and it does the job - gets pretty good reviews overall.    about the same price at Campmor.com


  (You need to Login or Register - I looked for the model of SD jacket I have, but couldn't find it - discontimured I guess - just a thin, basic rain jacket that is fairly breathable - very light and packable (not the $29 type) - ran about $50 on sale I guess - but they aren't the longest lasting piece of gear out there

there's always Gore-tex pac-lite stuff around for about $100 - more substantial than any of the lightweith jackets.  I've opted to carry a heavy duty gore tex parka (Mtn Hardwear Xenon I picked up a coulple of years ago for about $169 or something like that) - for End of May early June, I prefer to have something that will keep me warmer than the thinner lightweight stuff - but if you want it just for rainwear, The Marmot Precip is good stuff - Dickies has always had a good reputation, but that looks like a new line of product, so no reviews out there yet.

here's a review of precip and comparison to some others you may find
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here's a good deal on G-tex Pac-lite - you can wear this one to church on sundays and then go turkey hunting

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I've used mostly Marmot, TNF, and now I'm wearing a Mountain Hardwear jacket.  It's very light, waterproof, quite breathable (with pitzips, as DD suggests) and tougher than I had expected it to be.  Most of my stuff these days I acquire by stalking   (You need to Login or Register and taking a look at the REI Scratch and Dent corner whenever I'm in the store.  It's been years since I've purchased outdoor wear for more than 50% off retail.

My go to rain gear for both quetico and when im fishing at home is always my First Ascent jacket and I love my Gandermountain GSX rain bibs. The bibs are great because they are lined and warm enough on cold days(I use them in the winter for ice fishing aswell) but still breath great and i wear them on canoe trips all the time, easy to slip on and off with great pockets. The Jacket is the best I have used, Light weight and breathable. Fairly warm for its thickness, but on cold days its easy to wear layers under it.

Here is the link:   (You need to Login or Register


And the Bibs link:   (You need to Login or Register

The bibs are a great deal right now too, almost 50% off i believe! Either way if looking for a great fishing rain setup thats my recommendation.

I've got both Cabelas Goretex and Marmot precip. The Cabelas stuff is heavier, tougher, but not as packable.

Marmot precip works well and is more packable. Nicer price point too.

For the money, I think these are hard to beat.
Cut full and with plenty of ventilation options, there a could value for your dollar IMHO.

I have a 44-45 chest, and the XL is roomy enough I can put it on OVER my PFD and still be comfortable.

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Thank you brothers.  I have some shopping to do.

Marmot Precip works well in the rain and is quite packable, but the waterproofing will not hold up (abrades off) if you carry a heavy pack while wearing it. That being said I still use mine though it now leak across my shoulders and where the pack straps rode.

Why can't we recondition our older gortex stuff? Is it like a bick lighter? I'm not trying to get philosofical ,can't it be"renewed"?

I suppose the ideal raingear would be waterproof, highly breathable, tough, durable, and packed in a nalgene bottle - both jacket and pants.  Reality, as usual, involves some compromises.

For tripping, IMO it's cutting serious corners to use raingear that isn't the equivalent of 3-layer Gore-Tex, meaning it needs to be tough.  It won't pack down into a nalgene bottle, but it will fit in your day pack where it belongs.

I have a Taiga jacket (Canadian built) with pit zips four front pocket vents, handwarmer pockets placed a little higher to accommodate a pack belt, and a hood that rolls down into the collar.  I looked a long time for this in a 3-layer material.  The thing is just about indestructible, and it rolls down to about the size of two rolls of TP.

My rain pants are also Gore-Tex, probably 2-layer.  I hardly ever wear them, but when I do I like the durable outer fabric and the elastic cuffs with snap flaps covering the 12" zippers.

Don't skimp in this area unless you want to be wet.

knafelc wrote on May 2^nd, 2012 at 1:36am:

Why can't we recondition our older gortex stuff? Is it like a bick lighter? I'm not trying to get philosofical ,can't it be"renewed"?

Sure! Renewed to a reasonable extent anyway.

A hot dryer or iron may work depending on age and treatment. ReviveX and TX.Direct will return DWR properties.
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I had a very old North Face GT jacket I wore every day for years. I thought died but it was just the DWR coating that failed preventing vapor transmission. I washed it in whatever, dried as directed and I was really surprised. Now my kid wears it on rainy days.

Basically, the outer shell needs to bead water. Once it becomes saturated it can no longer breathe and since you're not use to getting wet in GT you think it's leaking. If you bought a non breathable, you'd get even more wet but you'd expect it 'cause you didn't pay the big bucks.

My current jacket is about 14 years old. I can get about three good days out of it before ... the arms and shoulders go first and it's very noticeable. I assume paddling and carrying packs is what wears it down in those areas.

"Marmot Precip works well in the rain and is quite packable, but the waterproofing will not hold up (abrades off) if you carry a heavy pack while wearing it. That being said I still use mine though it now leak across my shoulders and where the pack straps rode."

the same can be said for every rain jacket product out there - I never wear the jacket if I'm carrying the canoe, and more often than not, will not wear it with a heavy pack unless its raining hard - in a light rain, wearing the rain jacket and a pack will just make you get wet from sweat anyways - the less abuse, the longer any jacket will last.  The shoulder straps of a heavy pack stress the shoulder seams and the area under the straps, so even a very good gore tex jacket or whatever will eventually start to leak.
So I often will not use the jacket with the heavy load, but carry it, and then wear it for the return trip to get the second load.

Quote:

Basically, the outer shell needs to bead water.

Good point. If your breathable rain gear of choice doesn't bead water , then it needs to be re-conditioned.
Campmor sells an extensive line of products to re-condition Gore-Tex/DWR products.
Before buying new gear, I'd try to revive the old set if you were happy with it.

I'd revive my jacket if it wasn't 2 sizes to big.   ;)  I would rather wear a new "L" than a reconditioned XXL.

I have an e-Vent rain parka from REI.  Not cheap (around $220 I think), but I love it.  Have worn it for a couple of years now and it actually breathes and is waterproof.  I have worn goretex and was not happy with its breathability.  I can wear the e-Vent jacket while walking or skiing, and don't get soaked with sweat.  To restore its waterproofing, they claim  that all you have to do is wash and dry it (which they recommend you do frequently).  In two years of wearing it, It has never leaked, so I am very happy with it. 

I agree with Jim on the eVent.  My jacket is the REI Shuksan model and at $299 it's not cheap, but it is bomb proof.  Wait for the Memorial Day sale, as almost everything REI brand goes on sale...if you can wait a couple weeks.  The current model is actually on sale right now for $199, but they only list one size on line - XXL in Poppy.  I have a Lg and it's cut generous enough to wear a medium weight fleece under, depending on how you're cut!  The new model jacket should be out shortly - by sale time for sure.  Jim probably has the Taku...lists for $219.  I have the REI Ultralight rain pants too.  At $80, they are a bargain and will fit into that nalgene bottle - that jacket won't.  They are not eVent, but sturdy enough for paddling and hanging around camp.  If you're a member you'll probably get the 20% off coupon too.  Good luck on your selection.

pd

PJ,

If you're interested, the REI sale catalog just arrived.  The Kimtah eVent jacket is on sale from $239 for $179.  Sale is 5/18-28.  They have not posted anything on line yet.  They also have various Marmot and Mountain Hardware jackets and pants on sale too. Or 20% whatever, if you're a member.  Hope you find the right one.

pd

I decided to go with Cabelas again.  As I was shopping I was thinking about how little I really care if I get wet or not and spending an extra $100 to stay (more?) dry became less and less important.  So, for $79.00 I have a new goretex jacket that is packable and I can recondition prn.   :dankk2

I wonder how the wash and dry thing "reconditions" breathable rain gear. I can understand that the breathability would be enhanced by opening up the "pores". ... how are those too small to allow water in microscopic openings helped by clearing them out ?  Does the dirt somehow act as a conduit and wick moisture in?  Anyway, I guess I'll put my gortex-used-german army suit through the hot wash/cold rinse routine and then through the dryer,and wear it on a long walk in the rain. I'll probably treat the seams with Thompson's Water Sealant (silicone) (just like my tent and tarp) and then treat the whole suit with one of the reconditioning products sold in Campmore.  The first time I wore this thing on a wet and cold trip in May my upper body got soaked right where the shoulder seams (pack straps) were,and through my upper chest when I could not stop paddling hard into the wind, rain, and viscious waves long enough to pull the zipper all the way up. I figured out  how to pull my zipper up before heading into the wind,sealed my seams,and since then haven't had any problems (-and, of course I know better than to" mess around with Jim."...).  I do always take along a nylon poncho as insurance, but as of yet haven't had to go through a multi day monsoon that saturated everthing . I wonder if just treating that shoulder area the same way you would your tent ,would'nt keep an otherwise good piece of equipment in the game? Might make that area a little stiff and maybe a little less "G-Q",but who's lookin?

Dirt clogs the pores.  Cleaning it opens the pores up.  Just like a teenager's pimply face!

They're also coated with Durable Water Repellant and will occasionally (annually/bi-annually) want to be re-done.  A run through the dryer can re-activate the DWR, basically melt it and let it re-surface the jacket.  Nikwash/Nikwax products do a decent job.  I've heard some folks say a careful ironing can improve the performance after the jacket comes out of the dryer.

How do these things let water out, but not in?  Trade secret.  I suspect it has something to do with the size of the pores & the relative size of the water being blocked or vented.  Vented water is vapour dissolved in the air.  Blocked water is liquid.  The heat from your body creates a high pressure zone inside the jacket and pushes the water vapour out.
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-huh...  the Durable Water Repelent must lube up the outside of the fabric enough so that the water droplets roll off without breaking the cohesive bonds that keep that droplet too large to pass through the "pores"...kinda like water off a duck's ...   back.   What's the duck do? It keeps it's feathers clean and oiled;but it can grow new feathers to replace broken down ones wheras we must replace the fabric with new when the structure is destroyed. Got it. ("...don't pull the mask off that ol Lone Ranger,...") Thanks. Suppose I can only make the the old stuff work so long untill I turn it into some kind of stiff,heavy ,varnished "oil cloth".  'nuf said.

At BassPro last night and saw a Redhead brand stretchable 'breathable' rain gear jacket on sale. Jacket reg 80.00 on sale for 45.00.  On line they only show realtree but in store, solid grey, black, green. Since it's not ripstop, i really wanted to 'test' its durability but held back. other thought is that might not slide on/off easily. Anyone used or seen these? Thoughts?

Quote:

Thoughts?

I've bought RedHead brand clothes before and they were a good value for the money.
But, I've torn up enough gear on trips to believe that ripstop construction in any fabric is an important thing.
Sooner or later your going to snag it up and then your left with a small tear that just keeps growing.
Still might be a good buy for a boat type rain top and if that works out you could take it on a paddling trip.

Z - The stretchable version jackets are generally know as 'soft shells' and are DWR treated but not considered waterproof - more like repellent.  Make sure you read the label carefully/completely for the specs to be sure.  They wet out much faster and are good for light rain, but not a long or heavy one.  If you are looking for waterproof, better to stick with a 'hard shell', which most of what is discussed in this thread fits into.  Backpacker magazine Gear Guide, just out, has good data and reviews on the latest gear, not just jackets.  It's one of the best comprehensive reviews of manufacturer gear offerings - geared toward hikers, but full of good info on tons of stuff. 

pd

yeah that makes sense pd. looking at something like marmot precip now. thanks!

Check out the Marmot Super Mica.  It is a bit pricey although if you hunt around you can find it marked down considerably.  Still, given that it is truly waterproof, it is far cheaper than gortex or e-vent jackets. No waterproof jacket is going to breathe like a cotton shirt but the Super Mica has pit zips and is well vented.  i have worn it inextended downpours and stayed dry.  It is extremely light weight.  Really the perfect rain jacket for paddling, highly recommended.

portage dog wrote on May 14^th, 2012 at 9:47pm:

PJ, If you're interested, the REI sale catalog just arrived.  The Kimtah eVent jacket is on sale from $239 for $179.  Sale is 5/18-28.  They have not posted anything on line yet.  They also have various Marmot and Mountain Hardware jackets and pants on sale too. Or 20% whatever, if you're a member.  Hope you find the right one. pd

Been taking a good hard look at my gear........I had always been mostly pleased with what I had picked up almost a decade ago but never REALLY scrutinized it. My favored raingear set was a Cabelas Gore-tex parka and pants complete with suspenders. They had their own dedicated "weather bag" complete with Seattle Sombrero and fingerless glacier gloves. This combo had always kept me warm and dry but I never took a critical eye to it until this thread. It occurred to me that my system was not only sort of heavy (raingear was fairly large > complete with liners) it was also bulky adding to the overall unwieldiness of my kit.

If my woman ever finds out what I dropped on raingear I will be sleeping with my mutts........"it's all Portage Dogs fault" I will stammer and mumble......(some spittle forming in the corner of my mouth for good measure)

I had never even heard of E vent before this thread (I lead a sheltered life). I decided on a Westcombe hooded shell and Kimtah rainpants. Very nice.......Super impressed with the craftsmanship on the jacket. No frills, or bells or whistles, comes in at 11 oz.........no pit zips, extra pockets etc. Extremely light, extremely packable. My next dedicated weather bag will be 1/2 the size of my current one.

Big and major improvement. Yes rather pricey.......but I have zero vices and have no intentions of retiring so I will just put a few more hours in  :P. Goals? You bet! (My goal is to not crash and burn because I was trying to be 20 again carrying 80+lbs.)

I have used an E-vent rain jacket from REI for two years, including one Quetico trek.  I love it!  Absolutely waterproof, lightweight, and it actually breathes, so you don't get wet from perspiration.  I also like the feel of the material.  It is way softer and more breathable than Goretex.  I have washed mine many times, and it is still fuly waterproof.  I paid $220 for mine, and I spent about 2 hours walking around the store trying to talk myself out of it, but my wife was tired of my complaining about bad raingear, and she convinced me to spend the money.  I can now say that is was money well spent. 

ended up getting the marmot precip jacket. email coupon from sierra trading post brought the price down from 99.00 to 48.00 and .99 shipping to boot.  it's not hard to be critical after looking at 200.00+ jackets but compared to the dry ducks i've been slogging around in, it's easier to be grateful for the precip.   

Great deal you got Z.  Marmot makes a good line of rain gear.  I have the precip pants as well (....as well as a couple others that is - what can I say...I'm a gear junkie) and they are reliable and light.  I've gotten a lot of wear out of them.

MT...hopefully you can maintain your indoor accomodations, but if you do have to come out and hang with us 'dogs', at least you will stay nice and dry....and light!   ;D

pd

portage dog wrote on Apr 8^th, 2013 at 12:28am:

MT...hopefully you can maintain your indoor accomodations, but if you do have to come out and hang with us 'dogs', at least you will stay nice and dry....and light!   ;D pd

Perhaps the "expense" can be attributed to "business activities"   ::)

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