Rainshield versus frogtoggs ultralite 2 versus other

Don't know anything about the Rainshield stuff. I like frogg toggs, though, for what they are. Have the poncho, and UL rainsuit. I was really surprised by just how much I liked them, and how well they performed. Hiked 9+ miles in the rain with the poncho, and took the jacket in a daypack on a deep sea fishing trip where it got "tested" in a storm that lasted for 4 hours. Both times my top half stayed dry.

The jacket was fine for months of weekly carry and occasional careful use on the trail, too. Then one day a couple of weeks ago, I started to zip it up, felt the zipper snag, and gave it a gentle tug…and it pulled right up. Pulled right up, but it wasn't zipping. Without even realizing it, with no effort, and the tab being held between the tips of my thumb and index finger, I ripped the bottom several inches of the zipper right out of the jacket on one side. That same continuous single-stitched line of thread goes through the zipper backing and both layers of the folded jacket material. And that's how strong the construction of the frogg toggs UL jacket is-as strong as a single thread.
YMMV is right. I've got no complaints about that jacket, though, because I've considered it disposable from day one. Whether someone else considers it good or bad is up to them, but I'll buy another one as soon as I see my size in stock locally.

O2 is well thought of here too. The real gain with this type of material is that it does breathe well and that with the low weight and low cost offsets the durability issues. I think they are best for those who need occasional rain gear but don't spend all day in it and particularly on brushy trails. I like my poncho better :)

does anyone have experience with both? They are both on the website, one $25 other way up there at $35(or is it $39) I tried to call but poor weather down south kept them closed today.

Tried the poncho but something about the arms not being completely covered drove me crazy.

Both are known to blow out crotch seams in the pants with little effort.

Order one size larger than normal for pants only.

My experience with the UL Frogg Toggs 2 pieces is its fragility. It performs quite well, with a decent hood that even has a drawstring. It breathes pretty well too, but it will get holes in it from anything. Scrape it with the corner of a sawyer squeeze pouch or a Mtn House bag, get a line of holes. Sharp fingernails would shred it. I carried a set 80 miles in bike panniers onroad, over smooth blacktop, and the vibration against the plastic pannier frame wore a hole in it. I wore it for a few hours one day under a ULA Circuit and it didn't suffer any abrasion damage, but i couldn't imagine relying on one for longterm hiking. I've thought about carrying one just for camp, while I poncho hike, because it really is comfy to wear, but only because I haven't plunked down real money on a Rab or something similiar.

The M/L size pants are long and baggy. "Almost" baggy enough to put on over size 10 shoes, if they weren't so fragile. I have a 32" inseam and I walk on the bottom 2" with my heels, so i made Capri's out of them. No need to hem the bottoms really. I've seen articles where they cut out the crotch intentionally to make a type of skirt/kilt, but I haven't tried that one… Yet. I've not tried the poncho.

The upside is that ducttape sticks extraordinarily well to it, so it's easy to patch. If you bump into a sticker bush, you'll need lots of duct tape. With the pant legs trimmed down, the set hits 9.5 ozs on my scale. Hard to beat for full body protection, but only while calmly listening to the soothing sound of falling rain as you contemplate the greater meanings of life. Or watch a bobber from a boat, or sit around a campfire in a light drizzle, but the sleeves will shrivel and pucker if you get too close to heat, like when putting wood on te fire.

So IMO, they definately have a place, but I'm pretty hesitant about the backcountry being one of them. At the very least, plan on replacing them at least evey season, but of course YMMV.

I wonder if a couple of strategically home-sewn bar tacks would improve the durability of this lightweight rain gear.

Surely someone out there must have compared both of them.

I only have experience with the O2 Rainwear. I wrote in another thread: I love my O2 Rainwear jacket. It's been in my commuting backpack every day for about 5 years and has never torn. It's very light. The inner face of the material is textured so it is comfortable next to the skin. The jacket breathes pretty darn well.

Some shortcomings: The rear of the jacket is nice and long (being designed for cyclists), but the front of the jacket is on the short side. It has a hood, but it's not a storm hood. The front zipper flap on mine is always open and doesn't protect the zipper at all. (If you were expecting life-threatening cold rain conditions, you might to want to consider other jackets.) And there are no pockets.

I am very gentle with my gear, so YMMV.

The 02 Rainwear only comes in yellow as far as I know.