Cheapest and Lightest rain gear

How cheap are we talkin'? Plastic-Hefty-bag-with-arm-and head-holes cheap? (So, there's one option.) If so there are several lightweight plastic utterly-nonbreathable ponchos made for taking to sporting events and the like. The DriDucks suits are brutally cheap, and light too, but supposedly still breathe a little. I think most people here will endorse them. Heck, I think BPL sells them. (But more interesting colors are available directly from the manufacturer. DriDucks was bought out by Frogg Toggs, I think, so google them.)

I have a Six Moon Designs Gatewood cape, which is both a poncho and a shelter tarp, that I love- but it ain't cheap unless you consider that it doubles as your shelter- $135, 11 oz. I think Oware still makes silnylon rain chaps for use with ponchos, to cover your legs better- 3 oz.

The two buck shop here sells nice light ponchos, pack to the size of a tennis ball

I 2nd the Dri Ducks option.
Just got a set (jacket and pants) on sale at Bass Pro.
$10

The newer version is also lighter than the older set.

The froggtogs Driducks poncho is cheap and on sale at the sierra trading post for $9 and is about 7.5oz.

The suit is fairly light at 12.5 oz and cheap also at about $10-15.

DriDucks for sure. They are cheap and light. Just go ahead and buy a second set because they are not very durable. Have some duct tape handy for field repairs too. For the price I can live with them not being durable

They sound good; I regret not ordering one with my recent order from BPL. Shipping costs quite a bit over to the UK.

I feel really jealous – you guys get so much god stuff so cheap. The icing on the cake is Golite currently have 40 percent off but only within US!

My old driduck set is way light at about 5 oz for the jacket. A later gray version at Academy Sports had all sorts of added features and weight.

Someone else had previously pointed out these tyvek clothes. Never used them myself, just passing along the link.

The froggtogs Driducks poncho is cheap and on sale at the sierra trading post for $9 and is about 7.5oz.

thanks for the tip. ive been considering that parka/poncho as it doubles as a weathershield for underquilts.

and about the tyvek clothes, what good are they without a waterproof zipper? just wonderin'

one dollar ponchos at walmart. don't know the weight but i think its only a couple ounces at most.

Better than duct tape is house wrap tape, lighter, and sticks so well to the driducks material, it survives washing in a washing machine.

If you are hiking in open country the Dry Ducks are cheap,waterproof and "breathable, however if brushing against vegetation and/or rocks they are not going to be much use to you.
Besides by the time you pay for postage,you could go into Aldi or your equivalent of Target/WallMart and get a rain jacket from them.
A nylon poncho will be a sweatier but more durable alternative.
In larger cities you should be able to find clearance centers or I would also look at s/h charity shops. Sometimes they have as new gear for very little.

Franco

Check out your local TKMAXX Paul. You'll get kitted out for not a lot of money.
I wouldn't use DriDucks for typical UK hillwalking. It wouldn't last a days bash through sharp heather and rock.