Rain Gear

Well, I felt a pal's DriDucks and decided I wanted something a little more abrasion resistant, so I went with Marmot PreCip. I've worn it under loaded backpack straps and brushed against branches and whatnot, without fear or actual tearing of the sleeves.

In a straight 7-hours of hiking, eating and standing in rain that ranged from a nice mist to booming drops the size of my fingertip this August, my upper body stayed dry other than head perspiration, in the PreCip. My son was in a PreCip top in the same storm and was also dry. Our compadres were in Mountain Hardwear Gore-Tex, HiTec hardshell, a vinyl hunting pattern cover and Columbia rainwear and everyone's gear other than ours leaked.

Now, I've heard of PreCip leaking and wetting through. Mine lost its surface beading after the particular storm noted above and it got real wet on its outer surfaces in subsequent storms, to the point that it was sitll damp on the outer surfaces after a few hours hanging in my vestibule. However, neither my son's nor mine leaked. Breathability? I dunno, because I opened the pit zips. My son's doesn't have those, but he kept repeating that he was dry. For me, at the weight/price level the PreCip is at, I am very stoked.

I got mine for $65 in the post-season and those sales are about to start up again.

I just invested in a NikWak Tech Wash renewal of both jackets and we're back in action for the rest of the season and beyond.

I'm trying to ditch my USGI poncho too. I weighed it at almost 13 ounces.

I'm looking at a Gatewood Cape or something like that to do double duty, and replace my 5×8 Siltarp and my mil poncho with just one item.

I also have a disposable poncho, but it's just so flimsy. I really don't trust it with any wind. But I do like the way a poncho works for rain coverage of me and the pack.

My USGI weights 16.26!!! quite heavy. I like that it can double as a shelter if I needed but I have a 10×12 tarp and a 4×8 ground sheet so I am covered quite literally. I have toyed with the idea of making a silnylon pack cover that will also double as a gear hammock once in camp. I just haven't gotten around to it. Which is one reason I was thinking about the rain jacket and pants set up instead of a poncho.

I have hiked with my USGI and it was a bit sweaty but I have not hiked with the disposable one much. So not so much experience backpacking in the rain. In the Marine Corp you had the poncho or you were wet, only two options lol

Is the general though that rain gear is better than using a poncho, unless the poncho is part of the shelter?

It seems to be a matter of opinion about poncho vs raincoat and pants.

Personally, I like the poncho, but it can get unruly in wind, and might drag low in the bushes in some cases. Usually, a bungee belt can handle most of the issues with the poncho. But you can put it on and take it off with your pack load still on your back, and it covers everything so you don't need another cover for your pack.
I think the poncho gets enough air under it, and it's easy to lift up a flap for venting occasionally, but other people feel hot and sweaty under it.

Personal preference issue, really.

One thing I just though it is using trekking poles with a poncho, the things you think about at work :) Any major issues with that?

I like the idea of the poncho but as you mentioned it can become a pain on narrow trails or wind. I noticed the trail issue on one of the few hikes in the rain I took. Of course I did not have a full pack on at the time. I am kind leaning towards trying the Dri Duck ulralite 2 suit since it is so cheap. Hoping I can find it locally to check out the material. I suppose I will need some rain to test it out as well.

I don't use trekking poles, so I can't really comment about that, other than to say that I hear trekking pole users sometimes mention it.

Dri-Ducks are popular. Also get a pack cover.
Then add up how much they all weigh, and compare it to your poncho, and see what you think then.

Chances are good you have not saved any weight compared to the 16 oz poncho, and the Dri-Ducks material is well-known to be very fragile. The Dri-Ducks are popular, but they also get replaced often.

If you get more substantial rain wear, it will probably weigh more(for both pieces) than your poncho does, and you'll STILL have to get a pack cover.
But, it will lay closer to your body, so you don't snag it as easily as the poncho. Cost for good rain gear from the hiking manufacturers is going to be high.