Giving it consideration.

Has anyone tried one of these?

Rain Kilt

I've had the Zpacks kilt since early 2014 and generally like it. It's light, packs very small, is very easy to put on and take off, and breathes well. I bought it primarily for backpacking but have taken it on a few paddling trips. I'm a wet foot paddler, so my lower legs and feet are wet anyway, so lack of coverage below the knee is not really an issue. I did initially worry a little bit about how it will hold up to sitting in a canoe, since cuben is not known for it's abrasion resistance, but it has not proven to be a problem so far.

It's probably worth mentioning that I'm a little obsessed with keeping my pack weight low. If you are too, it's probably worth thinking about. If I was just paddling I'd probably stick with rain pants, but honestly the kilt does not have a lot of downsides. I do still take rain pants if I think I'm going to experience rain at or near freezing temperatures and want as much warmth as I can get.

I've only tried the Zpacks version, but Mountain Laurel Designs and ULA also make them. I would not be surprised if there are other manufacturers, but those are the only ones I'm aware of.

I picked one up from Enlightened Eq last year and have yet to use it. Like HH, I am all about the light load and do wet foot. On the trail/water I am often wet to knee high and sometimes higher and rarely would break out pants in those times. While it came along on my trips last year, it never rained to the point of needing rain bottoms on in camp.

Priorities always have trade offs. Weight/space v. bombproof protection.


John

LMAO... now I've seen it all. And they want you to pay $59 for that? Sure, it weighs and packs like next-to-nothing, but I'll take full rain pants any day. In a canoe, the kilt would be worthless, and around camp, there would be no wind protection or help in holding in warmth on cool, damp days. $59... wow.

That wouldn’t last 5 minutes on some of the portages I travel. Would you have to take it off to climb over a deadfall that’s 2 or 3 feet high???

No Way for me.

It would be very difficult for me to restrain my snickering if I came upon that on a portage. But I would try.

I'm looking at the rain kilts for up coming backpack trip - a lot above tree line - and think it makes sense. I've never carried rain pants - just let my zip offs dry. Even in October it has not bothered me. I do have a rain coat. Generally try not to travel on rainy days in canoe country. Have been extraordinarily fortunate - like 5 days with rain out of 150. Just one trip - 10 of 11 days - and was fine.

My problem backpacking has been water on legs running into hiking boots, and that is not an issue for wet footing in canoe country.

now,.. what if it were a CCS Rain Kilt?

It would probably look a lot like this but be in prettier colors.

The advantage in my mind is breathability. I have a definite tradeoff between getting wet from the rain and putting on rain pants getting wet from sweating. But I'm switching to Wintergreen BWCA guide pants and I'm thinking that I will rarely need to wear rain pants at all. So, I might stick with rain pants for true downpours and extra warmth.

My wife wears a Cagoule which is basically a cross between a poncho and a rain dress. It can snap up to get shorter and she loves it in and out of the canoe.

My problem backpacking has been water on legs running into hiking boots, and that is not an issue for wet footing in canoe country."

Wet feet backpacking are kind of a given in my experience if the weather and trail are wet (and particularly if the trail is flooded for any distance). It's why I don't use waterproof shoes anymore. I just assume if it's wet my feet are going to get wet and I find waterproof footwear takes forever to dry. Footwear that drains well gets wet fast, but dries more easily too. Just my experience.

Jackfish:.... In a canoe, the kilt would be worthless...
"

Beg to differ, sir. I hate rain pants, and have often just laid mine across my lap when rain starts while paddling. Year ago, before I ever saw any kilts commercially available, I thought something like this would work well for me paddling.

I saw a kilt on a mannequin at Midwest Mountaineering the other day. Not sure I'd like the idea of Cuben Fiber, but am thinking I may make one out of 1.1 oz silnylon. Seems the key to mobility would be getting one that wasn't too long or tight, and maybe had pleats. If the Scots can run up and down in the Highlands, I'm sure the mobility issue can be solved for flatlander canoers.

So laugh away folks, just like you did the first time you saw a bent shaft paddle!

Jaywalker, more power to you, my friend. Whatever floats your boat (or canoe) is fine with me. However, when I'm paddling or fishing in rain, I'll just stay drier and warmer than you... and I won't have wind blowing up my skirt! :)

HappyHuskies: "My problem backpacking has been water on legs running into hiking boots, and that is not an issue for wet footing in canoe country."

Wet feet backpacking are kind of a given in my experience if the weather and trail are wet (and particularly if the trail is flooded for any distance). It's why I don't use waterproof shoes anymore. I just assume if it's wet my feet are going to get wet and I find waterproof footwear takes forever to dry. Footwear that drains well gets wet fast, but dries more easily too. Just my experience. "

I've hiked a lot in my Zamberlans and had dry feet all but one time, 12 hours of rain and down my legs into top of boots.

"
Ive hiked a lot in my Zamberlans and had dry feet all but one time, 12 hours of rain and down my legs into top of boots. "

Zamberlans are far nicer boots than anything I've ever used. Based on your experience it sounds like they are worth it. I may have to start saving up for a pair. Mind if I ask which model you prefer?

I believe they are the Zamberlan Vioz GT Hiking Boots. Got them at REI after one training hike for Philmont. My feet and ankles were only parts of my body that didnt hurt. Its clearly old school, with wool and liner socks. No regrets.

billconner: "I believe they are the Zamberlan Vioz GT Hiking Boots. Got them at REI after one training hike for Philmont. My feet and ankles were only parts of my body that didnt hurt. Its clearly old school, with wool and liner socks. No regrets."

Thanks. Good to know REI carries them. I'll have to check them out the next time I'm near a store. Dry(er) feet would be nice, particularly early and late in the season. The Asolo's I've been using fit well, but weep water in all day soggy conditions and I end up with very wet feet.

Sometime the old school way is still the best way.

Hefty makes a version of this Kilt that is much cheaper, I think they come about 25 to a box

andym: "...
My wife wears a Cagoule which is basically a cross between a poncho and a rain dress. It can snap up to get shorter and she loves it in and out of the canoe.
"

I have a Cagoule. Thinking of using it this trip. Do her legs get wet when it rains while out paddling?

Ignore the naysayers. They probably carry in bait for their Ugly Sticks and tow a keg of beer. I'm half-kidding! I always take a rain kilt. Try putting on rain pants in a sudden storm while paddling in the wind. It is dangerous in my view. Worse yet, try taking them off once the rain stops and the sun comes out. Of course, if it is fall/spring weather and cold enough that you could just wear rain pants all day that is different. But when I go, in June most of the time, it can get pretty hot at times.

The price is not ridiculous for cuben fiber which is much tougher than it looks and is super light. CCS 1.1 oz silnylon is like pack cloth in comparison. The kilt is so small when folded that you can keep it in a cargo pocket on the side of your pants, in a tackle bag, etc. Those bulky rain pants are probably in the bottom of a dry bag and less easily accessible.

The kilt is also a mini tarp. It is good for sitting on if the ground is wet or as an occasional umbrella.

My two complaints about my kilts (I have two!): the velcro separates to easily. There should be additional hook and loop connections; they are too slick so they make sitting on canoes seats very slippery. I fixed the latter problem by putting small dabs of seam sealer on the butt area. Those dots are tacky and don't slip on the seat.

If it is raining really hard when we are out paddling then she puts on rain pants. So the cagoule isn’t her complete rain gear but most of the time it is all the rain gear that she wears.

Yes I was thinking that the kilt would be far easier to put on in a sudden squall. I don't even try to put rain pants on in a canoe. Breathability looks "enhanced" and all without a prescription ;-)

If I didn't already have a high end pair of Event rain pants I might consider a pair. It seems to me to be one of those things you just have to try before you can really evaluate them honestly.

One advantage of the kilt I forgot to mention is when you go back in to your tent from the rain. With the kilt you just pull it off - one good shake and it is nearly dry. So you are not bringing a lot of water into the tent. Even if you use rain pants primarily, the kilt is nice around camp.

I did find one supplier's caution humorous: don't get the translucent one if you will wear this while doing laundry - commando style. Sound advice.

I am inclined towards the silnylon I linked to above.

I'd rather get wet

I have one for backpacking and love it. I suspect these will only get more popular as people hear more about them -- and as they begin hitting the big vendors like REI.

I think they'd work great in the BWCA, too...Just haven't made the switch yet, mainly because I don't take rain pants on my summer trips. For shoulder seasons, I do like the versatility of the full rain pants.

I too am a UL backpacker, so these are on the radar.


Just waiting for one of the manufacturers to make a Rain Kilt in Plaid.

carmike: "I have one for backpacking and love it. I suspect these will only get more popular as people hear more about them -- and as they begin hitting the big vendors like REI. "

I agree but funny I happened to ask a worker at REI yesterday if they had them and he had never heard of them.

Curiously, they do have a Mountain Hardwear Elkommando Kilt on line, but no rain kilts.

Just what I’ve been looking for. A funnel to direct and trap black flies and mosquitoes in so they can bite me even more than normal. And just think about the looks you would get on portages with a see though kilt on. Hahahahaha

I sewed one up out of silpoly specifically for canoe tripping. It opens on the side so I can easily put it on in the canoe. It does look silly, but I tend to look ridiculous anyway so big deal. I actually stay much drier in it than rain pants, which I tend to sweat through in about 30 minutes if I’m active at all. Like others have mentioned I wet foot so I’m not concerned about getting wet below the knees.

I saw one at MWM during the expo and their version was only $30. I thought it'd be pretty handy. Much lighter than rain pants and easier on/off. Who cares about wet below the knees.

Someone handy on the forum should sew up a batch of silnylon kilts for sale! Would be a hot item priced right. And at the vanguard of BWCA/Quetico fashion trends.

tnvol: "I sewed one up out of silpoly specifically for canoe tripping. It opens on the side so I can easily put it on in the canoe. It does look silly, but I tend to look ridiculous anyway so big deal. I actually stay much drier in it than rain pants, which I tend to sweat through in about 30 minutes if I’m active at all. Like others have mentioned I wet foot so I’m not concerned about getting wet below the knees."

Yeah, I *hate* rain pants for the reason you mentioned...between wet-footing the boat and sweating on portages, I'm almost always more comfortable without them.

I have an old and way-too-baggy pair of rain pants that I might sew up into rain shorts. I'd look cool at least.

It seems to me that the posture one assumes while sitting in a canoe would form a catch basin in one's lap while wearing this kilt. For those of you who have actually used this type of product, have you found this to be the case?

The kilt could be a catch basin if you wanted but when paddling and fishing you move around enough that the water slides off. One potential problem is with man spreading the velcro on the sides can come undone. I wish mine had at least one hook and loop closure.

Every time I see Rain Kilt as the thread heading I cringe. I am picturing some old guy like me coming at me on a portage. Nope.
I know it is isn't used that way but I still can not see me running around the Quetico in a kilt. Nope. Not in this lifetime!

The responses to a kilt are sort of funny. We're camping and clothes should be functional. But I know that isn't always the case in peoples' minds. For several years, I've been wearing mid-length climbing pants for canoeing because they stay out of the water while wet footing and cover my knees from the sun while paddling. These are hardcore rock climbing clothes with the goal of protecting their knees.

But yeah, they basically look like capris and I took some crap from my nephews when we took them on a trip. Fortunately, I got fashion points back for my Sanuk shoes and they've been jealous of my Oakley sunglasses for years.

Definitely thinking about the kilt. Might be just the ticket with my hard core Wintergreen pants. Yeah, I decided I need to shield the rest of my legs from the sun, too. So, my fashion is becoming more respectable.

Now that so many have commented I guess I'll put my two cents in.

I'm leaning toward getting one to add to my rain gear. Not the $60 type but maybe a $30 silnylon.

Cold, windy or days-long rain will still need rain pants. But if I'm in the boat when a shower comes up suddenly, or it's summer and the temperatures are right for shorts, I think this might be the ticket.

As for the how it looks to be wearing one, my fashion philosophy is - If they would keep me dry and comfortable, I would happily paddle and portage in a set of Ralphie's Bunny Pajamas from "A Christmas Story". Lord, after three days into a trip we all look like the walking dead anyway.

Thanks for all the input and we'll see ya'll out on the water!

Don't forget to put some dots of seam sealer on the inside and outside of the butt area of the silnylon kilt so you don't slide out of the canoe seat. I find it works well to reduce the slipperiness.

Rain jacket & pants suit me just fine 90% of the time.
It it gets nasty; I'll pull out the rain hat, dry top, and dry pants that will be in my dump bag.
If it gets super nasty; I'll pull over. Set up my CCS rainfly, and tent; fire up the stove, make some coffee, have a snack, and watch it rain. Might stay the night right there.
I'm not on a schedule, and I no longer suffer needlessly.

Rain kilt; ain't gonna happen for me..........

Flashback

I liiike me my my 511 tactical kilt... So muck that I have one in standard black and on in Multicam... This way I don't clash while out and about...