Lightweight & Durable Rain / Wind gear — What’s available in size “Fat” XXL

have you ruled out a poncho? they're always nice and roomy

typically I find poncho's too roomy. If those are my only option, i'll just carry the current jacket I have :(

I'd really like something for a wind / rain combo that is a jacket or pull-over. A Hood is not nessesary, but would be nice.

Marmot Precips are reasonably light, relatively durable and breathable and are available in all sizes and colors, usually can be found very cheap in last year's model/colors for $50-60. They will not be as breathable or durable as the Arcteryx you already own… The Arc'teryx Alpha SL pullover would be more expensive but also fit the bill and is available in XXL.

How about a packa?

http://www.thepacka.com

I wear a 52" to 54" depending on my level of fatness so I can sympathize.

If you're looking for durability, at your (our) size, pound-ish jackets are more the norm. If you're willing to lose your desire for durability, look at FroggToggs. Yes, FroggToggs get mentioned endlessly on this site and the answer is because they work. Initially I went with the 02 and DriDucks, but found both weren't long enough and also felt they were pretty poorly made. FroggToggs were far more roomy for the same price and were actually cut for normal people. They are a little longer too (good for bellies and height, both of which I possess). Without going towards the pound-ish jackets, this is the only one that allows me to layer. Give it a shot.

Cheap ul and run big

I'm an XXL/"Fat" sort of guy myself- 5'11", 310 lbs, 42 inch waist, 21" torso- and fit fine in a Marmot Precip XXL, with two layers underneath. A lot of XL and XXL clothes in the land of athletic fits don't fit well, often being too short more than anything else. I was pretty happy with the fit of the Precip, pretty comfy considering.

That said, revealing my weight here isn't something I'd been keen on doing for various reasons. :P

EDIT: OK, maybe nix the Precip- weighs over a lb in XXL…

The made the TNF Diad in a XXL and that was pretty roomy. There still might be some out there and it wouldn't weigh over 11oz.

Seriously? Do I have to say it? I mean you're looking to save a few oz from your pack when you can cut many lbs off your body.

Stop trying to take the easy out and spending your way out of this. The Arc'Teryx Beta AR is a great jacket lose 15lbs and carry all your for "free".

I hear you and your never-ending search for lightweight for a larger guy. I'm a former semi-pro football player with a 54-56" chest and massive shoulders so I have been on a never-ending search myself.

I second the recommendation for XXL Driducks. They are lightweight and definitely fit. I own a pair and like it a lot. The main problem though is durability. Also, they aren't windproof, which requires me to carry another windjacket which for my size the lightest that I could find is 6-7 oz… so the two combined put me right back up in the 13-16+ oz. range so nothing is necessarily gained.

I looked into the Packa, but again, 13oz.

My solution… I am having George at AGG make me a custom XXL rain jacket. Sure, it isn't breathable, but being my size I sweat like a beast regardless of the weather so big deal on it not breathing and me sweating in it. Besides, I usually only put on my rainjacket when it gets to the point of "not-quite-torrential" anyways. But the beauty is that it is also windproof, which is more what I would use anyways to keep the chill out or just put on quickly while resting. It comes tomorrow and is rumored by George to weigh about 5.5 oz. I'll let you know the results hopefully tomorrow afternoon!

Alex – So because we weigh more than you that means we automatically should have 70 pd packs? I probably weigh 2 of you and work out 6 times a week and can easily log 15-20 miles on the AT in a day without thinking twice so just because we are bigger doesn't mean we also don't enjoy lightening our load to enjoy our trips more… get over yourself.

Wow, Alex. Seriously? Do I really have to say it? That was rude.

Why don't you mind your own business and forgo telling people how to live their lives and what to do with their bodies. You don't know him or his situation and yet you're very quick to tell him what to do with himself.

We're all built differently, and we all have the right to carry on whatever lifestyle we want w/r to diet and activity levels.

More power to the XXL folks who are getting out there and enjoying the outdoors.

"Seriously? Do I have to say it? I mean you're looking to save a few oz from your pack when you can cut many lbs off your body."

These comments keep coming up – big isn't necessarily fat and even if it was (a) cutting pack weight is still sensible and (b) why be so bloody rude?

@Alex: This attitude could just as easily be extended to everyone here- what's your excuse?

Too lazy to tone your legs and back so that you can accommodate the extra 18 ounces of cheaper, more versatile, and more robust gear? Why spend $200-300 on a Mountain Hardwear bag when a $60 synthetic Kelty will keep you just as warm? There's no reason that a healthy adult can't carry a 60 lb pack.

In the end, no one *wants* to carry a 60 lb pack. At end weight, everyone on this forum is taking the "easy out and spending your way out" a heavy load on one level or another. That's what we do here.

Except no one, big or small WANTS to carry a 60pd pack. Hence why we are all here on BPL. Could I? Easily. Do I WANT to? No.

Attitudes like yours are the reason I continue to question why I even come on this site. Many people are nice, civil and genuinely interested in helping one another.

But it's the egotistical, self-important pontificators such as Alex G, among many others that make me question why I even bother giving this site my money every year. At least I'm glad I don't have to hike with him.

The Patagonia Rain Shadow is another rain jacket that comes in XXL size. It's about the same class of jacket as a Marmot Precip.

Some of the "hook and bullet" oriented dealers like Cabela's and Bass Pro carry a lot of clothing in larger sizes. LL Bean is another that comes to mind. Just make sure that the jacket has good ventilation options.

…uhhh? You mean me, right?

I was speaking rhetorically. Had you read my earlier post I think you'd have noticed I was on the side of civility and being helpful. I simply point out that Alex G's argument is just as applicable to himself as every overweight or obese hiker- you know, to point out that he's full of it.

No one wants to carry a 60 lb pack, whether they're underweight or overweight- that was my point, my apologies if it didn't come across.

My sincerest apologies. I hadn't read above… post edited to mention only Alex G. Keep fighting the good fight. :-)

@Marc: Got me to think about my own tone. I added some clarification at the end of my post.

If what Alex H said held true, it would apply to all of us and there'd be no reason for this forum. Anyone can get used boat anchor gear for free if they ask around, so why waste any money buying lightweight gear? Strap on a few bundles of scrap wood instead of spending $100 on a JetBoil! :P

My point exactly.

Unless everyone on this board was 3% body fat, then the argument would be the same… lose the weight and carry the heavier gear "for free."

Also, there would be no need for BPL whatsoever since we all would be carrying the heavier gear simply because we can.

I think this argument that is made that fat guys should stop being fat before they wast their time being UL assumes that being fat is a choice. Some of us can be ripped and over 250 easy! We are big people.

I am a big fella, its well documented. I am 6'2" and 300lbs, and could take any of you in a fight (not just because i'm big, but because i'm trained and big)!

UL is about taking only what you need and heading out. If i was hiking as a professional, i would concern myself with cutting every unnecessary ounce off my body as well. However, I, Like most everyone here, hike because i love the connection with nature i get from it. I enjoy sleeping next to the rain under my tiny tarp (not as small as yours, sadly) knowing that i can stay warm under a thin quilt instead of a bulky sleeping bag.

The less i carry the more i can explore and enjoy. My right to this desire isn't negated by my extra 50lbs, in fact i need UL even more. The more out of shape a person is the less they can comfortable carry over distance, and terrain. It also can not be assumed that a measure of a person's fitness can only be seen in lbs. I have hiked with people of all fitness levels and body types, and have always been the fattest. However, there were also many times when i was the fastest, and times when i wasn't. The less fit a person is the more prepared they need to be. I prepare for my outings by shaving oz after oz so i can compensate for my fitness deficit by carrying the lightest pack possible.

Again, if i were preparing for a thru-hike or a profession in the sport of backpacking i would be more concerned that my body be trained and prepared, but for the few weekends a year i actually get to spend in the wilderness, it isn't important enough to spend my entire year preparing for. It's just for fun after all.

-Tim (Big Tim, as they call me in the gym)

Well said, Tim!
I'm 6'3", 225 lbs. Size 38 kilt, xxl shirt. And if you remember, you know that i needed you to make my quilt "long/extra-wide". The BIGFOOT quilt is still going strong, by the way. Thanks!

Matt (BIGFOOT) Perry

P.S.
Muscle weighs more than fat :) On my last hike, i had to slow down so my 155 lb. companion could keep up.

Well said Tim. I am in the exact same position. 6'1, 315. As I mentioned before, I was a semi-pro football player for several years so not only am I just predispositioned to be big (coming from a burly Eastern European blood line), but I trained and worked hard to be big as well.

That said, I can do MANY things that people half my size can't do, including competing in several triathlons where "big" was considered anyone over 225… and I never finished last.

His statement only speaks to his ignorance on the issue and adds no value to these forums, especially this thread in particular.

These statements have always frustrated me but i do see them less than i used to.

Bigfoot- Quilt still going strong?

Back to the point of this thread…

I have always had a hard time finding the right rain/wind top also. I have ended up just making my own wind top and think i will probably just make my own rain shell with some light weight 2.5layer WPB.

I haven't used the Drop Stoppers, but have used other brands of similar construction and found the durability to be nil. I tore the crotch out of the pants 1st time i used them. Has to do with what XXL means to them vs how i am actually built. Most XXL are far to short for me, we aren't all George Costanza! The sleeves are too short and flop like my arms are as big as my legs. I have found that a lot of XL shell tops fit me great and can layer over fleece but i haven't found this true of the light weight ones.

Maybe this winter i'll find the time to develop a wind and rain jacket that fits me great and i'll offer a few on my site. Maybe.

I do like options like the packa and the like as i think it is unrealistic to expect a light jacket to stand up to strap abrasion well. I also think even breathable jackets don't breath enough and the added air space of the jacket over the body then the pack improves air flow. RC's mountain poncho should have the same benefits. Maybe i'll build one off RC's plans to see how it works out.

-Tim

fight fight fight!!! =P