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.

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

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

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


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.