Houdini in wet snow – how long before it wets out?

My experience is you'll be wet underneath in 10-15 minutes. Wet snow is the worst; it sticks to you, then melts.

I won't last long at all. If you are wearing down, then chances are that you have stopped moving. Why not throw on your rain shell at that point?

Windshirts just dont substitute for rain gear. They are okay for sporadic light precip, but that's about it. Think shirt vs jacket and conceptually an air seal for your base layer.

No problem wearing rain gear over a puffy in camp as you aren't very active. Conversely, you would be too warm hiking with a puffy in wet snow temperatures, where I would be hiking with shell and medium/heavy base layer.

This is another case where a poncho is good. With a poncho in a wet camp, you can sit and be completely covered while remaining ventilated.

We're all waiting for the light, breathable, waterproof fabric that can serve the same function as wind and rain shells. It's still Unobtain-Tex for now :)

Put it on and climb in the shower to get an idea of the wet out time, if not go for a walk from home in the rain. Local winter weather is great for testing bad summer conditions — for us nothern folk anyway.

Thanks all – that's kind of what I figured. I'm going to have to buy a Mica or something for smaller day hikes. I have the Frogg Toggs UL 2 suit for overnight trips where weight beats durability, but for day hikes I'm going to have to find something more permanent than the frogg toggs.

I dont worry so much about weight on day hikes. A basic 2.5 layer rain shell runs about 12oz and will have better ventilation features. You can get something like a Marmot Precip on sale for $60 or so. This class of jacket will be tougher than the Mica too.

Those are fair points. I will say that I can get a Mica new for $68 shipped right now. But it will not breathe as well as something that is pit-zipped.

Decisions decisions…

Oh, let me complicate it for you :)

Ponchos are great for day hiking as they can provide emergency shelter as well as rain gear.

Someone needs to step up with a nice SUL poncho now that GoLite has left a vacuum. When you can get rain gear to below your knees and emergency shelter for 7oz and $60, you have an UL classic. The trick is to get one with a long back for use with a pack.

Yea not too many ponchos (much less pack ponchos) out there for a reasonable price. They all look heinous off trail too so I tend to stick with coats.

I love the golite poncho for small packs. Nice and breezy and you pack is completely covered. Has anyone tried the Patagonia Adze in prolonged rain or wet snow?