windshirt + 2 oz poncho on a 30 day hike

The 2 oz poncho won't be much good if you are above timberline and it is windy and weather is going horizontal. Once the wind gets up under it, it starts to wrap around your face and head.

A poncho is only good if you are well below timberline when the rain is falling vertically.

–B.G.–

When the rain goes horizontal above the treeline I look for a hefty boulder to hide behind for a while. Light poncho's are manageable in wind if you have a bit of guy line to tie it around your waist (assuming it's over your pack too). If you plan to use it opened out as your groundcloth as well, some good sticky tape is useful for running repairs.

I think 30 days would be pushing it for a cheap poncho, 3-4 days-maybe

they disintegrate rather quickly :(

what are you using for a shelter? I use a poncho/tarp (several good ones out there) and windshirt combo for the Rockies and that has been a light/winning combo for me

I'm going with someone else, so we are sharing a Tarptent Double Rainbow.

The point about wind and ponchos does make sense to me. On the other hand, my main suspicion is while at home, I think of all the worst case scenarios of jackets wetting out after 5 hours of pouring rain and wind while in reality, when I hike, I'll probably set up tent / find shelter after 15 minutes of hard rain.

I might just go with the DriDucks and a windshirt..

ahh- poncho-tarp doesn't work so good w/ two :) (although I did see a pic once of two ID ponchos pitched side by side to for a shelter!)

Dri Ducks would be a good option- while certainly not bombproof, much more so than those throw away ponchos

much more $, but have seen several good reviews on the Marmont Mica

Actually I spent $$ on buying a North Face Triumph anorak (similar to the Mica). It just arrived and it sits clean and new at home. Weighs 5.5 oz.

It's just that it seems so delicate, I feel like it might pill and tear in 30 days of hiking under backpack straps. I think the Mica had such problems and that's why they made the Super Mica with reinforced shoulders.

So I'm thinking of selling the Triumph here and getting something cheap enough that I wouldn't mind ruining on a 30 day hike..

Has anyone worn through their Mica or Triumph from backpack straps / other similar abrasion?

What kind of 2oz poncho? That's *light.*

Ditto on wind concerns and using the waist cord. A poncho isn't good hurricane gear, but makes for good emergency and break shelter, cooking vestibule, and keeps your pack dry too.

I use a TNF Diad that I believe is the same material as the Triumph- it's full zip vs anorak so weighs a little more- I've found it more than sturdy enough for the mountains. Typical (yeah like there is typical weather! :) ) weather in MT/WY where I hike, is if there is rain, it's usually afternoon thunder boomers- it can certainly rain hard, but usually short duration. It can occasionally set in rain (like the Pacific NW), but that's definitely more rare. Thus your rain gear shouldn't be getting overly long workouts.

the 2 oz ponchos are the ones you get for free (or cheap) that fold up to the size of a pack of smokes- handy when you need one (keep a couple in my jockey box of my vehicle), but they self destruct prety quickly.

Coghlan's Emergency Poncho weighs 44 grams.

I know I would not use it except in an emergency. It is a bit thicker than Saran wrap.

–B.G.–

B.G. said "It is a bit thicker than Saran wrap."

exactly :)

The triumph anorak is a lighter fabric than the old DIAD(new ones are stretch fabric). that's got bonded seams. The Super mica is marketed to people who want light weight apparel but believe that is is flimsy. So adding 2 oz of reinforcement and pit zips somehow makes it "bombproof" My mica has lasted great as my everything jacket.

How much did you use your Mica under a backpack? I ask because if you used it as a rain jacket, it probably stayed in your pack most of the time.. I'd be really interested in knowing if the Mica lasts even 300 miles under a backpack.

I don't suggest using it as a wind shell. mine has mostly been used for paddling and daily use. usually dont get rain on my backpacking trips. my friends crystaline(women's one) has been used a lot hiking and hers is fine. Skurka used a Virga jacket and that's about the same as a mica. and his went thousands of miles.

Dont, since you said you'd probably set up camp after 15 minutes of rain, it doesn't sound like you'd have to care about wearing the rain jacket all day for 30 days. It is certainly a LOT more durable than a Driducks or disposable poncho!

You mention jackets wetting out… although a DWR can wear out and not bead up well, the waterproof/breathable surface won't wet out. It won't breath as well if the shell surface is saturated. And many people wear a rain shell when doing so will make them too hot, so you'll sweat heavily inside it while hiking.

Your new TNF jacket will be significantly more durable than the Driducks, more practical than a disposable poncho. A windshirt might still be a good idea.

^ definitely don't dump the windshirt regardless of your rainwear choice- you'll use it a ton (and hopefully your gear very little! :) )

Sorry, I think I wasn't clear. I don't plan to hike for hours in the rain indeed.

But I was hoping to use TNF Triumph jacket as a rain AND wind jacket.. it was going to be my only jacket. That way I would save some weight.

If I have to take my TNF Triumph jacket (~ $100) in my pack AND a wind jacket to use most of the time, the Triumph might as well be a DriDucks.. it's $20 and I've used it on about 70 miles now (well maybe 4 miles with rain) with no problems.

Anyway, so much for all this.. I'm going to pick up some wind jacket up at the last moment and just get out there.

Somedays, I wish I could restore some of the simplicity of my backpacking trip preparations pre-BPL.. :) Hopefully, I will have a simpler backpacking experience now with less gear.