Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Rain gear - Not looking to spend tons of money
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Kermit |
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Tomcat |
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keth0601 |
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... |
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MReid |
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gravelroad |
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 |
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KarlK |
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. 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. |
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HowardSprague |
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. |
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MReid |
gravelroad: Yep--that's where I started using it. |
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salukiguy |
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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? |
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EddyTurn |
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Bjfinnegan |
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. |
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sns |
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. |
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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. |
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billconner |
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CASLO |
Hammertime distinguished member (205)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member Photo Journal 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. |
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NEIowapaddler |
Hammertime: "I can’t believe nobody has said frogg toggs yet. 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. |
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tumblehome |
I didn’t have a mentor back then so I did everything wrong. Tom |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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. +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. |
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Tomcat |
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YetiJedi |
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! |
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YetiJedi |
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. 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. |
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lindylair |
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. |
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billconner |
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 " 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. |
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bwcadan |
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. |
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Frenchy19 |
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. |
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Hammertime |
Lightweight, $20 and work well. Not the most durable but you can throw duct tape on them to get you through. |