So i'm a wee bit obsessed with figuring out/creating the best rain gear, and by best i mean the most breathable that also doesn't allow water in and is durable. And for me, it has to be relatively cheap also. So far, i've narrowed it down to Paramo like systems for colder weather, and for warmer weather otherwise non breathable ponchos with highly water resistant/breathable panels or all WPB fabric.
This is not the poncho project i referenced to recently. I took a Sierra Designs Storm Poncho (that i got for 15 bucks), sewed some EPIC nylon fabric on the front, cut out the poncho material from it. So EPIC is mostly on the front, but not on the shoulders–this is important because the shoulders, head, and upper back, tend to experience the most direct rain hitting and water pressure. EPIC alone, is not enough to deal with sustained, heavier rain especially on those areas. But at more angled planes, it's better. Also, i would be wearing an opened up Houdini with beefed up "Deluge DWR" in combo with it, so if it does start to leak, no biggie, just zip up the Houdini and no way water will get through both the EPIC and Houdini.
On the hood panel, i combined EPIC for the outer, with some re-purposed Terramar thin, woven polypropylene baselayer fabric. Unlike non woven polypropylene (Dri Ducks, Frogg Toggs, etc aka Propore type materials), this woven polypropylene fabric is strong, durable, and is stretch woven. Ironically, Terramar markets these PP baselayers as "wicking", but in actuality, it's anything but, you can pool water in it despite that it's quite breathable.
A pic below (i'm smiling because, when i asked Becky to take a pic, she started saying things like, "now show me blue steel, show me magnum…" Zoolander references)
