Time to replace rain gear. Seems like even without use it has to be replaced every few years. I looked around in REI last night and the average rain jacket is over $150 and rain pants $69. I would like to spend a lot less than that. My trip is in August so cold weather will not be a factor. What are some economical choices that will do the job?

Magellan packable rain jacket and rain pants are waterproof and economical but are not vented or breathable. I use the rain pants.

IMO waterproof breathable is overpriced and doesn't deliver on the breathability in any meaningful way so I would just save the money and get something like helly hansen impertech or similar PU stuff.

and it's not that I haven't tried "xxxx brand's magic waterproof breathable $$$ technology" either. Tried stuff from Columbia, North Face, First Lite, Mountain Hardware, Arcteryx, etc and they're all more-or-less the same...

I've had good luck with Helly Hansen's Impertech. Absolutely waterproof, stretchy, and the vent on the back actually works. It's slightly heavier than Goretex, but it is dry. $85 for the jacket. I have pants too, but they don't come with zippers. Available at Cabela's, Sportsmans Warehouse, etc. I had to order mine, and the stores don't stock them.

I’ve had wonderful luck in recent years buying used clothing from sites like Poshmark, eBay, and Patagonia’s Worn Wear. Nearly new rain jackets and pants from quality companies can be had for a fraction of the price as new. As an added bonus, it’s better for the environment than buying cheap/disposable gear. Highly recommend exploring that option. Poshmark especially.

I use OR rain gear, and the jacket cost something like $150-200, but it doesn't have to be replaced every few years. Mine is about 10 years old and still provides the same protection as on the first day. I also paddle mostly in summer, but it's nice to stay dry traveling for hours in wind and driving rain.

Not worth spending more than about $100 IMO. The DWR is eventually going to wear off on anything.

I like the Columbia OutDry jacket for BWCA. Since we are always a late May trip there have been more issues with staying warm rather than overheating, so I have little concern about venting and breathability. The jacket just feels like I can sit or travel in the rain all day without wetting through. Looks like you can find them under $100 at various online locations.

Other recommendations are Sierra.com (TJMAXX of Outdoor Gear) and Columbia Outlet if you have any outlet malls nearby (online is different, but still offers good discounts on their "full quality" stuff).

Look for the full zip pants if possible. Easier to throw on in the middle of a lake or portage without taking boots/shoes off.

keth0601: "IMO waterproof breathable is overpriced and doesn't deliver on the breathability in any meaningful way ."

+1

WP, Non-Breathable, Mechanical ventilation is a better outcome, at least for me.

keth0601: "IMO waterproof breathable is overpriced and doesn't deliver on the breathability in any meaningful way so I would just save the money and get something like helly hansen impertech or similar PU stuff.
"

Waterproof and breathable is generally neither.

Maybe water-tight early in life but the coatings cannot withstand the friction from packs or yokes- if your shoulders leak you're wet.
I have settled on Mamot Precip- relatively inexpensive, hold together well, but unless its the jacket's first trip I'm getting damp paddling in the rain, and if the rain continues damp will become wet.

I can’t believe nobody has said frogg toggs yet.

Lightweight, $20 and work well. Not the most durable but you can throw duct tape on them to get you through.

Different experience. Nearly 20 year old REI Gortex raincoat. Keeps me dry. Never bothered with rain pants since I went foot and usually get in or out knee deep. Doing more backpacking and hiking and looking into rain kilts. Lighter and easier on and off and well vented. Less expensive to boot. Rain kilt reviews

Hammertime
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03/28/2023 06:07PM
I can’t believe nobody has said frogg toggs yet.

Lightweight, $20 and work well. Not the most durable but you can throw duct tape on them to get you through.


Frogg Toggs lasted me thru several seasons while working construction. Only beef was wearing out at bend of elastic cuffs. Also advise against bib style pants- relieving yourself is a drag.

Hammertime: "I can’t believe nobody has said frogg toggs yet.


Lightweight, $20 and work well. Not the most durable but you can throw duct tape on them to get you through."

You beat me to it. In my experience, so-called breathable raingear is either not breathable, not waterproof, or both. And I have a bad habit of walking through brush and tearing clothes, so I just buy Frogg Toggs because it's truly waterproof unless you tear it, and it's cheap enough that it won't make you cry if you do.

Well on one of my first trips in the 80’s we took large black plastic garbage bags for rain gear. I was poor, young, super ignorant and we had to use them on the trip.
I didn’t have a mentor back then so I did everything wrong.
Tom

tumblehome: "Well on one of my first trips in the 80’s we took large black plastic garbage bags for rain gear. I was poor, young, super ignorant and we had to use them on the trip.
I didn’t have a mentor back then so I did everything wrong.
Tom"

Been there! Good memories. :)

To the op...I've had a good experience with Columbia brand rain gear to outfit our family as they grow. I put a few in the shopping cart, click "save for later", and then watch the price updates. I can usually find stuff for $30-$40 that normally runs 2 or 3 times that price and it has worked well. The gear I bought my older daughters 10 years ago still works well for the younger girls. Granted, they only use it a few weeks out of the year, but I've been pleased with the results.

I spent more on my rain gear, Marmot, but it has lasted exceptionally well through 5-6 years of extensive use.

August usually means warm to somewhat hot conditions. Late month not necessarily included. Rain comes and goes often in the PM with quite a few days of no rain at all. Base camping for us reduces the need to be out and about for travel during these rains. We do not fish much or none at all.

Many years, we do not use the gear at all for 1 week trips. Possibly just luck, but maybe not. Often we take the PM storm time for inside tent activities, especially with kids along. We use Wal-mart for low cost. Gear is readily available and has been used as needed. Careful wearing and low air circulation boxed gear storage at home will get more years from the gear. Some is over 15 years old. Works well for us.

I have had a Frog Toggs rain jacket for many years and it has done pretty good by me. But it is worn and frazzled so I began an extensive search for a replacement. I think I looked at darn near every rain jacket out there and read lots of reviews. You can spend $50 or $350 but it seems like the sweet spot for decent quality is in the $69 to $90 range and there are good offerings from REI and Columbia in that range, along with a few other companies.

I splurged because I had some rebate money and with the 20% coupon at REI the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L jacket's expert reviews were too good to pass up. First really nice rain jacket I have ever had, we will see if it is worth the money. Reviews say that it is one of the few jackets that is actually very effectively waterproof in most conditions and also fairly effectively breathes - with pit zips.

There are lots of sales out there and I think REI does another 20% off sale in May so you have time to research. The REI Trail Made jacket at $69 was one I was looking at along with the Columbia Watertight jacket, similarly priced.

Here's the one I got:
Rain Jacket


Probably not worth it for most people but after spending most of 2 days in the BWCA last May in a steady rain with 40 degree temps and not really being warm, dry and comfortable, I decided to try and improve my odds. Also bought a lightweight down puffer jacket to go underneath it for added warmth. Since I did this, I suppose we will have sun and 60s all week for our May trip - oh well.

Now to find a decent pair of rain pants to go with it. I am again looking at the REI Trailmade rain pants as the sweet spot for quality and price. I will let folks know how the jacket worked and if it was worth it upon my return.

lindylair: "Since I did this, I suppose we will have sun and 60s all week for our May trip - oh well. "

IMO, small price to pay for sun and 60s!

It has been my experience that staying dry is not possible for any length of time in warm weather while doing strenuous activities. I can remain relatively dry while in camp but not while paddling or portaging. I will sometimes wear a rain jacket while paddling in the rain but it is intended mostly for warmth not for staying dry. I remove my rain jacket while portaging because I get too hot and the overhead canoe offers rain protection.

MReid: "I've had good luck with Helly Hansen's Impertech. Absolutely waterproof, stretchy, and the vent on the back actually works. It's slightly heavier than Goretex, but it is dry. $85 for the jacket. I have pants too, but they don't come with zippers. Available at Cabela's, Sportsmans Warehouse, etc. I had to order mine, and the stores don't stock them."

Your Alaska bias is showing, Mr. Reid. ;-)



Helly Hansen Impertech Raingear Review | Alaska Gear Reviews

keth0601: "IMO waterproof breathable is overpriced and doesn't deliver on the breathability in any meaningful way so I would just save the money and get something like helly hansen impertech or similar PU stuff.


and it's not that I haven't tried "xxxx brand's magic waterproof breathable $$$ technology" either. Tried stuff from Columbia, North Face, First Lite, Mountain Hardware, Arcteryx, etc and they're all more-or-less the same..."

Agreed, like others here I have been less than impressed with gore tex and other "waterproof" jackets, and I have tried a few. If i need to stay dry I wear an old-school Grundens pvc suit. I do not sweat heavily in general, so that may not be the solution for everyone.

I got a rain jacket from Duluth Trading I really like. Not as compactly packable as the LL Bean Stowaway I had previously, but appears to be pretty good stuff. The pants I don't replace as frequently, so I still have my LL Bean rainpants.

As for "breathability", I don't know but if you have short sleeves underneath you may experience the clamminess regardless. Wear a nice, long sleeved technical shirt underneath which will wick the sweat away. There are lightweight layers out there that won't make you feel much hotter on a warm day. Yeah, it's possible to feel dry and comfortable with GoreTex etc.

gravelroad:
Your Alaska bias is showing, Mr. Reid. ;-) "

Yep--that's where I started using it.

In mid August I would not worry about wearing any rain gear while traveling; you will just end up sweating your arse off.

I do have an Arc Teryx jacket and pants that I wear in camp or when I am fishing when it is raining, and I love them. Yeah, they're expensive, but it also keeps me dry-and you get what you pay for. Going on 10 years with this gear, and no complaints.

If it is raining big time when I am in camp, I am under a tarp, so rain gear is irrelevant at that point.

Banksiana: "

keth0601: "IMO waterproof breathable is overpriced and doesn't deliver on the breathability in any meaningful way so I would just save the money and get something like helly hansen impertech or similar PU stuff.
"

Waterproof and breathable is generally neither.


Maybe water-tight early in life but the coatings cannot withstand the friction from packs or yokes- if your shoulders leak you're wet.
I have settled on Mamot Precip- relatively inexpensive, hold together well, but unless its the jacket's first trip I'm getting damp paddling in the rain, and if the rain continues damp will become wet."

+1

Have had mine for years. Still serves its purpose, although I will say if it's truly a deluge I'm rarely out 'n' about. I'm in under a forested canopy, my tarp or tent.

billconner: "Different experience. Nearly 20 year old REI Gortex raincoat. Keeps me dry. Never bothered with rain pants since I went foot and usually get in or out knee deep. Doing more backpacking and hiking and looking into rain kilts. Lighter and easier on and off and well vented. Less expensive to boot. Rain kilt reviews "

What does one wear under a rain kilt?

HayRiverDrifter: "

billconner: "Different experience. Nearly 20 year old REI Gortex raincoat. Keeps me dry. Never bothered with rain pants since I went foot and usually get in or out knee deep. Doing more backpacking and hiking and looking into rain kilts. Lighter and easier on and off and well vented. Less expensive to boot. Rain kilt reviews "

What does one wear under a rain kilt?"

Whatever you normally wear. Underwear, zip offs, socks and hiking or portage boots. Trick is - hiking where I like dry feet ' for kilt to be long enough to keep rain from running down your legs.