Raingear recommendations for a bigger person

You could try Patagonia, some of there shells are freakin’ huge!

The Marmot PreCip comes in XXL. The XL suits me fine at 5’10” and 220.

Don’t know about the Gatewood for head room — it is 105″ overall and the head end is steeper. At 6’2″ you would have 31″ to split between head and foot end. I would just email Ron at SMD and ask.

The Henry Shires style tarp tents are near vertical on the ends and may suit a taller person better.

jgelack wrote:
>…or maybe the Gatewood cape.

I’m the same height and about the same weight as you, although I usually fit in an XL. The Gatewood Cape covers my kneecaps in the front; the back coverage depends on the backpack. The Cape has good ventilation, of course. I hike hot, so I’m rarely happy in a w/b jacket unless it is very windy.

As shelter I’ve only set the Cape up in the back yard so far, but it is just long enough for me to stretch out when staked down to the ground. There is more room, of course, when guylines are used. There is also room in the vestibule for a small pack.

You might consider DriDucks for less durable but lightweight jacket (XXL: 6.1 oz) and pants (XXL: 4.4 oz). I’m planning to use DriDucks pants with the Gatewood Cape in camp in bad weather.

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/driducks_rainsuit.html

John,

Try Frogg Toggs. They have jackets in XXL and XXXXL that are fairly light, breathable, and inexpensive. So far it seems fairly durable, too.

Go for it. They are oversized to allow for extra layers underneath.

I’m your size – if not bigger – and have had good luck with a few products. The RedLedge Thunderlight fits well in XXL – although I don’t carry it anymore. The PreCip that folks are mentioning is fantastic. The XXL is actually a bit TOO big for me. They do make it in XXXL, but I’d be swimming in that. I have as big a problem with arm length as I do with girth. Nothing worse than 5 inches of wrist sticking out!

Big Sky Int’l. is going to be doing their Epic jacket in XXL – not a true rain jacket, but the sizing should be sweet – it’s similar to PreCip according to Big Sky.

The rain jacket I carry on every trip is the Rainshield 02. They go up into really big sizes. The XXL fits fine, but I actually got an XXXL figuring the extra room would lessen the stress on the seams on the more fragile fabric, plus I can put in on over bulky insulation.

LL Bean and Cabelas occasionally have a gem, and their sizes are pretty roomy – and come in TALL. Cabelas right now has a PacLite jacket that’s about a pound and a screaming deal. PacLite’s about the only Gore product I’d consider. It’s overbuilt by lightweight standards, but not ridiculous. Bean is hit or miss, but their sizing is about as perfect as it gets for me. They actually have a 3-5 ounce windshirt right now that’s pretty nice. Most of their stuff is way overbuilt, though.

If weight is number one, I’d really check out the Rainshield. If you want full features, check out the PreCip. Both are cheap for what they are ($35 & $99) respectively, and can often be found on sale.

I’ve come to rely on measurements more than sizing. Find a jacket you have that fits well and measure the armpit to armpit width and the waist hem to hem width. Arms and main zipper, too, if tall is an issue. Then compare those measurements to stuff you’re considering. I’ve found straight XL stuff that fits nice and roomy and XXXL stuff I can’t even get closed. Particularly in the big sizes it seems to be all over the place.

Good luck, and I’d be intersted to hear what you use now that works for you.

-Curt