Hey all, time for some new rain gear for me and most of my crew.  Just got off a trip where we had an 8-hour soaker and we were travelling that entire time.  Most of the party's raingear failed pretty early in the process.  For example, I had a 20-year-old goretex jacket that I pushed 1 trip too far. The seams got waterlogged and then the sealing tape began to peel off. Others had different types of raingear, some supposedly good and some probably not so good. Basically it was all worthless when we really needed it.

So if you've actually had your raingear out either in some heavy weather or in lighter rain for hours on end, I'm interested to hear your experiences and recommendations before I go out and make any purchases. I value light weight and packability but also prefer something breathable. Cost is important but I'm willing to pay for quality rather than try to save a few bucks and end up with something that really doesn't do the job well.

What say you all?

1. Tilt your budget away from pants and more toward the jacket.  Breathablility is not a requiremnt for pants, but easy on/off is.  Side zippers to get the pants over boots is beneficial feature.

2.In addition to breathability, I have found jackets with liners VERY advantageous.  That usually comes at a cost of some added weight, but it is well worth it in keeping you feeling dry.

SD.

I've had Gore-Tex and numerous "coated" rain gear and they all have their weak points.

I read where my fellow QJers have had rain gear they paid big bucks for fail them miserably or didn't live up to the hype.

Read my gear review about the British Military surplus Gore-tex pants. They have a jacket in the same pattern but it's not as cheap.

One thing to remember about military surplus items. Some have been used but a lot of it was NEVER issued.  The military has strict standards that the vendors have to meet. You can get high-end gear for discount prices.

Those surplus pants I bought served me well thru an all-day soaker. I've had rain pants with side leg zippers, both knee and waist high and they ended up leaking on the zipper areas in a heavy rain.

I opted to try the KISS method this time. Those British pants have a wide elastic waistband with a heavy duty elastic cord/toggle. Ankles are heavy elastic, pulled on easy over my water shoes because they were designed to pull on over combat boots in the field.

Something to consider. Even if you decide they are not what you want for a canoe trip, for the price they would make an excellent fishing boat or camp pant.

SD, I say the new water proof zippers work. I got new rain gear 2 years ago because my old Cabela's stuff was very heavy 4#. It had served me well for 15 years, I maintained it, but was ready for a new set. The stuff I got was pretty pricey so not what you're looking for. I've seen where the surface DWR treatment can be reactivated by a hot drier. All rain gear needs to be maintained after awhile. Check out this video and don't be afraid to follow it.
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I do use a cheaper Marmot Precip set around the cabin and like them. They're cheaper, packable, but no water proof zippers.

I like Cabelas Guidewear for a jacket. I’m not too picky about pants, but agree that side zips are a necessary feature. My Guidewear has seen some serious rain and kept me dry. Not cheap.  ;) I got it a size too big so I can wear it over my fleece for warmth and wind protection. 8-)

I bought a marmot set for last year.  It's light and has vent zips under the arm pits.  Like OS I always buy the jacket one size bigger.  Good deals to be had at Sierra Trading Post.    (You need to Login or Register

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Quote:

Like OS I always buy the jacket one size bigger.

I do the same but also so I can put it on OVER my PFD when it starts raining on the water. I don't want to have to take it off when a sudden rain squall starts to put my rain jacket on. Your PFD will give you some extra insulation plus having a bigger size increases the air circulation which helps with moisture management when your paddling or portaging in the rain.

I suppose this will sound like more of a short rant than a gentle reply to a reasonable question.

“I have never met a rainsuit that I liked.”  There, I said it.

Over the years I have had many different brands and models and now days spend more on a single suit than my first car cost.

So here are a few opinions.  Just my opinions, no guaranteed facts.

Breathable rainsuits are mostly a myth. At some point I made a project out of understanding the breathable fabric water pressure rating system and bought suits accordingly.  Paddling in a drizzle on a reasonably cool day they work quite well.  Put them on a hilly portage trail on a warm humid day and you will still be as wet on the inside as you are on the outside.  No matter what the high tech rating number, the ability of the fabric to breath is still much less than my ability to sweat in grand quantities.

Rainsuits are like most things in life, a compromise.  The more breathable a suit is, the more water will “pump” inside where you do not want it.  The tractor style seats will pool just enough water between the plastic and your rump to force water through the fabric and soak you from the bottom up.

I know waterproof zippers are improving, but times gone by when I bought rainpants with convenient zippers water would pool in the folds in my lap and find its way inside from the movement.

My late 1970’s suits were horrible. Nothing breathed.  The 1980’s I danced with the early Frogg Toggs that felt like paper.  Light and comfortable, but were weak structurally and not at all forgiving of campfire sparks. The jackets were short and  the elastic waist in the pants always was just below the bottom of the jacket, so the water came in.

My current set is made by Grunden.  They are a bit bulky but durable and do a decent job except under hard physical activity.  I always buy high waist bibs to give me a second layer in my lap where I always seem to be the wettest.  The jacket has good neoprene cuffs that will snug around wrists and minimizes the water that invariable runs toward your elbows when paddling.  It has a couple of waterproof zippered pockets with weep holes that drain to the outside when water does get in, and it usually does in a soaker.

Good luck with your new choices. 

Kind Regards, and thanks for listening.

MossBack

I should add that I don’t bother with rain jacket  anymore on portages. I just get wet. It’s for the reasons Mossback gave. My clothing is all fast drying technology. I can’t stand sweating out in my fleece or rain gear. So, they stay dry while portaging. I will wear the pants, however. 8-)

This is great stuff, guys. Thanks!

I'll be diving deeper into some of these options over the next few days.

Have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly with rain gear.  Purchased a paddling jacket last year from NRS that is absolutely waterproof, and it is an anorak with just a half front zipper.  Perfectly dry, and a pain in the butt to pull off over the head.  My best full zip jacket option currently is a Patagonia that also works well, not as good as the anorak for waterproof.

I've had a couple of pairs of Marmot Precip pants.  They start out OK, but loose their waterproof fast, and really don't work in a downpour.  They do have full side zips that are very convenient.  I have to be picky, because I wear a medium long pant, which is hard to find.  Recently purchased a pair of Arcteryx pants that were expensive, and worth it.  Highly waterproof and breathable, with a drawstring waist and short side zips at the ankle.  Very lightweight.  Downside is no pockets.  My 2 cents worth.

I had no problem recommending these at $20.
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Pants never have pockets but a good jacket will have neoprene cuffs and chest pockets IMO.

No rain gear rant today, just reporting current upscale pricing.

I had to be in Indianapolis today, so I stopped in the REI store to see what I could not afford.  I bright orange sign with the word "CLEARANCE"  caught my attention.  A rack of Arc'Teryk  rain jackets.  No pants, just jackets.  The Beta AR model was marked down from $575 to $401.93.  Apparently 30% off with some slightly faulty math.

Nope, did not buy one.

MossBack

Quote:

The Beta AR model was marked down from $575 to $401.93.  Apparently 30% off with some slightly faulty math.

For that kind of money, you could hire a Portage Monkey with an umbrella. ;) ;D ;D

I'll stick with my Military Surplus and live with whatever weakness the might have.

$575. for a jacket ....  whoever wears that better stay away from the campfire!  8-)

Here you go. Gore-Tex, side zippers and at a quarter of the price of those high-end rain pants.


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MossBack wrote on Jul 11^th, 2018 at 3:17am:

No rain gear rant today, just reporting current upscale pricing. I had to be in Indianapolis today, so I stopped in the REI store to see what I could not afford.  I bright orange sign with the word "CLEARANCE"  caught my attention.  A rack of Arc'Teryk  rain jackets.  No pants, just jackets.  The Beta AR model was marked down from $575 to $401.93.  Apparently 30% off with some slightly faulty math. Nope, did not buy one. MossBack

REI has always been very good at separating fools from their money. Occasionally one can find reasonably priced items there but it's rare. I just go there mostly to look and see what's new and then hop online to find the reasonably priced same item or alternative.