I don't need to say we've had a little rain. On my recent trip one of the failures was my rain gears ability to keep out rain in other than light rain. Shouldn't I be able to stay somewhat dry in like an all day soaker? I had a couple times where I got soaked to the skin in my brand new Columbia Rain Gear.

Yes, every set of lightweight gear I've ever used is the same experience as yours. Haven't found the answer to staying dry without bringing a heavy rubber suit.

My cabelas goretex paclite kept me dry 6/16 - 6/22.

The goretex did nothing to prevent the pain of marble size hail. :)



A friend brought a 15.00 PVC rain suit. The rain never got through it, but he was still wet from sweating in the sauna it created.

quote nctry: "I don't need to say we've had a little rain. On my recent trip one of the failures was my rain gears ability to keep out rain in other than light rain. Shouldn't I be able to stay somewhat dry in like an all day soaker? I had a couple times where I got soaked to the skin in my brand new Columbia Rain Gear."

Call Columbia and talk with them, they have great customer service.

I agree, call them...BUT you could also hit it with waterproofing, say campdry for gortex.

I second the Cabelas Paclite raingear, I have a set of that and love it. It has kept me dry in an all day soaker several times. I spray it with campdry each year to help it out.

Yes, you should be able to stay somewhat dry even in an all-day rain in a high-quality rainsuit, although you may be damp from perspiration/moisture in the air due to the high humidity. If the outer shell "wets out", the suits ability to breathe is compromised (the reason for DWR's, and even if it breathes, the air is so saturated with moisture that it cannot absorb yours. Like when you're working in very humid conditions and are soaked with sweat no matter what you're wearing. But this doesn't sound like your problem.

Where did the water come through yours - seams, zippers, cuffs? Everywhere?

I'd give Columbia a call and see what they say.

Simms rain gear for me, stay completely dry. I have Cabelas insulated rain gear for cold weather and it does also. If I could give anybody advice on what not to scrimp on when outfitting yourself for the B.W.C.A. it would be life jacket first, then quality rain gear.

Most any rain gear will do an admirable job of keeping the rain out if your just sitting around waiting for it to pass. However, as soon as you start to exert yourself, you will be creating enough sweat vapor that builds up under that nice rain jacket making it seem like rains coming through.

Ive got a lightweight $200 rain jacket,.. It does a little better, but if Im really hoofing it, it too will get wet inside. Just no way around it.

This is why actually alot of the lightweight hikers these days are going the umbrella route...seriously!

I had a Gander Mountain rainsuit with the Tech2O waterproofing. i couldn't count on it to ever keep me dry no matter how light the rain or how ever many times I sprayed it. I purchased a Mountain Hardware jacket and REI rainpants as replacements. The week before Memorial Day I was up in the BWCA and we got 7" - 10" of rain over a couple of days. I never had a leak nor did the apparel ever wet out and get the clothing below it wet. I was very , very happy with the results for being waterproof. As for being damp from perspiration on the inside it wasn't much of a problem since I wasn't real active in the rain. I usually sat and fished or did a bit of sightseeing so there wasn't a lot of heavy exertion.

Also watch the sleeves. In a bog down pour while paddling it isn't uncommon for the water to run down your arm if you lift past your waist. It can soke your whole body no matter how hard you tighten the sleeves.

T

quote Diego: "Most any rain gear will do an admirable job of keeping the rain out if your just sitting around waiting for it to pass. However, as soon as you start to exert yourself, you will be creating enough sweat vapor that builds up under that nice rain jacket making it seem like rains coming through.

Ive got a lightweight $200 rain jacket,.. It does a little better, but if Im really hoofing it, it too will get wet inside. Just no way around it.

This is why actually alot of the lightweight hikers these days are going the umbrella route...seriously!"

I like to wear a long-sleeved, wicking type of shirt underneath, like a patagonia capilene or some of the duofold stuff. Then I still feel pretty dry, even if i'm sweating.

We had the same issue on our Quetico trip this June. We have REI rain gear that we have had for about 5 years now- per this artical I realized the gear probably needs to be replaced. Buy the Right Rain Gear

quote timatkn: "Also watch the sleeves. In a bog down pour while paddling it isn't uncommon for the water to run down your arm if you lift past your waist. It can soke your whole body no matter how hard you tighten the sleeves.


T"

Excellent point!

Also, if out in a heavy downpour. Water can run down your face into protected areas as well.

good way to test it would be to stand in the shower and see if it leaks.

quote ripple: "We had the same issue on our Quetico trip this June. We have REI rain gear that we have had for about 5 years now- per this artical I realized the gear probably needs to be replaced. Buy the Right Rain Gear "

Ripple - if you don't need something this summer, keep an eye out at cabela's. I got my Gore-Tex PacLite shell for 50.00. Was a sale sometime during the offseason.

quote chipaddler: "

quote ripple: "We had the same issue on our Quetico trip this June. We have REI rain gear that we have had for about 5 years now- per this artical I realized the gear probably needs to be replaced. Buy the Right Rain Gear "

Ripple - if you don't need something this summer, keep an eye out at cabela's. I got my Gore-Tex PacLite shell for 50.00. Was a sale sometime during the offseason."

Thanks! The prices are crazy for the Gore-Tex Paclite= nearly $1,000 to outfit my husband and myself in new jackets and pants!!!!!!

actually randomly checked and its on sale right now

Cabelas={keyword}

This jacket is completely un-insulated. Really just a shell, but will keep you dry.


Edit: just saw the sizes are limited on the sale items 2XL & 3XL.

quote timatkn: "Also watch the sleeves. In a bog down pour while paddling it isn't uncommon for the water to run down your arm if you lift past your waist. It can soke your whole body no matter how hard you tighten the sleeves.


T"

wear long wrist sweatbands. half on your bare wrists, the other half over the cuffs of your rain jacket. sure, they get wet but they also stop water from entering your sleeves.

I have Columbia rain gear and was dry on a trip were it rained every day. I think you have a defect and I would also suggest to give them a call.

I got completely soaked in my Marmot Precip stuff on my last trip, wrists were tight, hood was tight, after 30 mins or less in a crazy downpour I could see the tops of my thighs had completely wetted, jacket fully wetted out by the time we made camp. My buddy had Columbia gear, wasn’t super cheap stuff, $60-70 for each the top and pants, his fully wetted thru AND the pockets were holding water, the little tube around the bottom of the jacket was holding water as well, looked pretty funny actually.

^^Yikes! I havn't had problems with my precip but I haven't been stuck out in a down pour longer than a few minutes, makes me kind of nervous about it....

quote Ragged: "after 30 mins or less in a crazy downpour I could see the tops of my thighs had completely wetted"

ya sure you werent just scared?

had a problem once with my precip it started leaking where the hood meets the jacket. that was after 6 years of heavy use and rei replaced. i have been in plenty of downpours and only have had a problem with sweating. nothing warmer than a rain jacket

Nope. And I sweat easily too. Thin goretex worn over thin clothing.

Another reason why I love my lightweight poncho. Cost me $20 and it never leaks, I never sweat under it, and it doubles as a small tarp.

Sure my forearms down and my calves and ankles get wet but usually this doesn't bother me much in the bwca since I'm usually wet footing anyways and my hands would be wet either way.

@Sierra1-

What are the names of the jacket and pants?

quote kanoes: "

quote Ragged: "


ya sure you werent just scared?"

You got me!

quote walllee: "Simms rain gear for me, stay completely dry. I have Cabelas insulated rain gear for cold weather and it does also. If I could give anybody advice on what not to scrimp on when outfitting yourself for the B.W.C.A. it would be life jacket first, then quality rain gear."

ditto of the life jacket and rain gear.

quote boonie: "@Sierra1-


What are the names of the jacket and pants?"

Mountain Hardware Versteeg Jacket - I read the reviews but I never had a problem. For me it's been extremely reliable. $111.00 on sale now at REI. Not trying to sell REI product but I just saw it's on sale.

REI Ultra Light Rain Pants - Light weight and kept me dry. They seemed a bit thin but they worked fine... $79.00

i have yet to meet rain gear that truly keeps you dry during a big downpour. the rubber stuff will, but the sweat factor will make you just as wet. i think that the layers under the rain jacket are equally important. good quality poly pro can make a big difference. i have to admit that i am partial to Patagonia gear. it is expensive but in my experience it outperforms all over brands. craft of swedwen makes some awesome gear, it is my goto brand for nordic sking, i am sure it performs just as well in the humid BWCA.

I admit it, I always get somewhat wet. Sam's club Nylon rain suit, Cabela's Rainy River gore-tex, Cabela's Dry-Plus, Cabela's Nylon...

Some sooner, some later, but almost always wet. Fleece underneath, dries quickly, for me it's still warm when wet. Not sure what I would do if I was up there this past month in those downpours.

Fortunately, I am not miserable when wet. come to think of it, I first used a poncho when tripping (nylon, Campmor?) That actually did a pretty good job - at least as good as anything else.

This past trip was predicted to be all rain. I brought about 3-4 extra rain jackets so kids wouldn't be in danger. One of them was pink PVC (a gift). That kid was dry to her skin! But PVC won't work for the other two kids - would rip within seconds of their typical level of activity.

another Cabella Paclite user here. Tested it out in a heavy rain at home and not a drop got past it. I also caught mine on sale for a great price.

quote Diego: "Most any rain gear will do an admirable job of keeping the rain out if your just sitting around waiting for it to pass. However, as soon as you start to exert yourself, you will be creating enough sweat vapor that builds up under that nice rain jacket making it seem like rains coming through.


Ive got a lightweight $200 rain jacket,.. It does a little better, but if Im really hoofing it, it too will get wet inside. Just no way around it.


This is why actually alot of the lightweight hikers these days are going the umbrella route...seriously!"

Diego is correct about the exertion factor. Even though the fabric is "breathable," the pressure of the high humidity outside prevents perspiration vapor from escaping and evaporating. Heat and perspiration vapors are trapped and your clothing gets damp. A similar principal is heat index during high humidity. Sweat won't evaporate so the cooling effect is lost.

quote trashbag: "good way to test it would be to stand in the shower and see if it leaks. "

This is exactly how I discovered my coat was no longer waterproof after 17 years. Every year I would test it in the shower. This year, it leaked like a sieve. All the seem tape came off. Sure glad I check it before my trip in early June.

quote kanoes: "

quote timatkn: "Also watch the sleeves. In a bog down pour while paddling it isn't uncommon for the water to run down your arm if you lift past your waist. It can soke your whole body no matter how hard you tighten the sleeves.



T"

wear long wrist sweatbands. half on your bare wrists, the other half over the cuffs of your rain jacket. sure, they get wet but they also stop water from entering your sleeves."

Good idea. I only have a problem though when I shoot video in the rain (arms holding camera up), which I did in June but I was in a boat not a canoe. I guess I could see this happening while portaging a canoe?

T

My Solution for keeping rain water from running down my sleeves. The cuffs on the gloves are wide enough to tuck the rain jacket cuffs in, then tie then down with the glove's velcro closure strap. Dry, warm hands to boot!

no, but working hard on the portage i sweat and get damp.
the big problem is that rain runs thru the cuffs.i don't think anyone made a rain jacket for those of us who portage and hold our arms up allowing the rain to work in.i know there are jackets with rubber sort of seals on the cuffs but those are for people out to sea in yaks and not canoe campers.hikers don't have the water thru the cuff problem and the suits are made for them in mind.

I'm not talking sweat here... I know when that is the issue. I'm talking getting wet from the rain. I'm in communication with columbia on this and will get back to ya all. Brand new jacket...

quote wetcanoedog: "no, but working hard on the portage i sweat and get damp.
the big problem is that rain runs thru the cuffs.i don't think anyone made a rain jacket for those of us who portage and hold our arms up allowing the rain to work in.i know there are jackets with rubber sort of seals on the cuffs but those are for people out to sea in yaks and not canoe campers.hikers don't have the water thru the cuff problem and the suits are made for them in mind."

I have wondered if one of those paddling jackets with the seals might be a good idea for the BW. Is there any reason they wouldn't work for canoe camping in the BW?

as stated if your active --- paddling hard and single portaging in an all day downpour-- you would need to be a Seal not to get wet. Speaking of that--- Navy SEALS ,, according to an ex SEAL,, don't worry about getting wet,, just deal with it,,, but then again,, they are a different breed.
I have had all the $$ rain gear from MH and Patagonia to Cableas' top end stuff. Works fishing and laying around camp- and breathes. But for the $$ and weight,, I bring Frogg Toggs,, espeically in the warmer months,, colder months I bring the $$ stuff. Watch the frog toggs around the fire......... and it gets hot and clammy. But works.

Columbia is having me send my jacket back. It's not supposed to do that. :) So far, good customer service.

It didn't sound like it was working right. Was it goretex or something else?

quote boonie: "It didn't sound like it was working right. Was it goretex or something else?"

Columbia doesn't use Gore-Tex. They are direct competitors.

Another vote for Cabelas Gore-Tex Pac Lite.

trashbag: "good way to test it would be to stand in the shower and see if it leaks. "

That is a good test for hiking but not with paddling or working in the rain where you raise your arms above your waist. Paddling and portaging on full rainy days, you’re going to get wet so try to wear very lightweight long sleeve shirt and pants underneath.

I have had 3 different rain suits over the 20 some years and my feeling is that if you are out in steady rain long enough you will get at least somewhat wet no matter what you are wearing.

In 2009 it was a very rainy year in NW Ontario and on a 2 week trip we all got wet eventually and all our gear did also. Normally we did not travel in the rain. On this trip we had to since it rained every day.

nctry: "I don't need to say we've had a little rain. On my recent trip one of the failures was my rain gears ability to keep out rain in other than light rain. Shouldn't I be able to stay somewhat dry in like an all day soaker? I had a couple times where I got soaked to the skin in my brand new Columbia Rain Gear."

There is no way a "breathable" rain jacket can let out enough water vapor to be affective. So get yourself something that wont leak . Forget about breathable.
If in Minnesota. It is always cold while it is raining so its important to stay dry.

It rained all afternoon and all night.
It quit raining just in time to break camp. And immediately started raining at the start of our 5 hour exit out of Quetico. Saganagons to Silver Falls portage across Cache Bay to Hook island. Our pick up point.

After 10 minutes of paddling in the rain gear. We were already soaking wet from sweat. Breathable would have made no diffetence.
So we paddled and portaged in our quick dry pants and shirt.
We kept hydratedvand hadvplentybof bars handy. We were working hard. Most of it into a 10-15 mph wind, of course...
It started to lighting half way across Cache Bay . Nothing close but worrisome.
We figured our picknup would not head out during the lightning . So we figured it wouldnt matter if we were late to Hook Island. But we now had a tail wind after exiting Cache Bay and turning to the East.
There wss still lightning to the west so we pushed hard and gotvthete right at 11am. Our pickup time.
We took off all our wet clothes and put on every piece of dry clothing we had. Then putbon our lifejackets and then our rain gear. Those long undetwesr that had been traveling with me for thirty years finally came in handy.
We then sat there for 90 minutes in the rain waiting for our pick up. We were exhausted and hungry but we were bone dry and warm.
If our rain gesr had been waterlogged. It would have been a misserably if not dangerous wait.
This was 2012 June when Duluth had been flooded with a foot of rain. Everybriver on the North Shore was utterly outragous

If you are out and in steady rain your gear will wet through. My solution had been to bring 2 rain jackets on most trips. When one is thoroughly soaked, I switch to the dry one and hope it remains relatively dry until the rain stops. Once rain stops enough, I try to dry them out quickly. I also try to wear some poly or wool shirts underneath to wick away some of the dampness while keeping me warm. Keeping out of a steady breeze/wind also helps.

timf1981: "There is no way a "breathable" rain jacket can let out enough water vapor to be affective. So get yourself something that wont leak . Forget about breathable.

Yeah, I never liked Gortex and the like because it never seemed to breathe well at all for me. Later I learned that while it does breathe somewhat and repel water, it cannot do both at the same time. When it's wet it won't breathe. The water resistance is rarely 100% and wears out.

IMO something lightweight and well ventilated is the way to go unless it's something you're wearing for more than rain and not out in rain for long periods of time. But no matter what you do, at the end of the day there is no perfect solution so you need to take other precautions so you can get dried out.