poncho/cape+ wind pants in the rain

Will wind pants work?
Depends on the fabric. I like teflon-encapsulated fabrics because their water repellency is actually durable. However, sooner or later I expect to get wet. I’ve used wind pants under a cape a good bit, and will continue to do so, but sooner rather than later, they will soak through. On the other hand, w/b pants don’t breathe enough and get really nasty hot and clammy unless the weather is close to freezing. Below freezing, it’s a moot point.

I’ll second Vick’s reply.

I go to silkweight polyester long johns and breathable rain pants on those days when it rains heavy all day. With the long johns, the cold clammy rain pants are off my skin, the long johns wick, and the number of layers and chafing is kept to a minimum. When you get briefs, shorts or pants, and rain pants on top of that, you end up with quite a bit stuffed under your pack belt. If you can keep the cuffs open, you can get a little bellows effect too.

Windpants are agoing to perform just like a wind shirt. If it is really pouring, it’s going to run off a poncho or a cape and down your legs– same problem with a jacket. Your feet are going to get it too. Other options: shorts, gaiters, shorts AND gaiters, or chaps. With the Gatewood we’re talking about getting wet from mid-shin down. I prefer rain pants for anything but summer hikes so I can sit down and keep my butt dry– chaps or wind pants won’t do that.

I do wear a Montane LiteSpeed windshirt under the Cape if I need the extra protection. Gloves are really nice if you are using trekking poles and your hands are out in the cold rain. I use some Mountain Hardwear Tempest gloves for that. For gaiters I’ve been using the Mont Bell stretch gaiters– more to keep my pant cuffs out of the mud than to keep rocks out of my shoes. I attribute more tent messes to muddy pants than anything else. I’ve been trying out an Outdoor Research Storm Bucket for a rain hat. I love my Tilley, but it does soak through in steady rain and then it has all the appeal of putting on your cold wet shoes in the morning– my *favorite* thing to do when hiking (not). The Storm Bucket stashes well and is only a couple ounces. It is not as sweaty as the Seattle Sombrero, but I do wish it had a little more brim, but not as much as the Sombrero, which makes it terrible in the wind.

As an aside, I saw a guy wearing rubber dishwashing gloves while riding his bike. Looked kinda funny, but they are light and cheap and your hands would be out of the weather.