Best heavy duty rain jacket/pants

Well, if you want some truly bomber rain, snow, and bushwhacking protection, look into what the first responders wear. When I volunteered on a Federal disaster medical response team, they issued us some seriously macho gear that allowed us to handle the worst of conditions (think response to a massive refinery explosion in Fairbanks, AK in January). In addition to the maybe 400 wt. fleece bibs and jacket, they gave us some serious rain gear. It was made by a company called Tactical and Survival Specialties, Inc. The hooded jacket and full side-zip pants weigh just over 3 pounds. When the Feds de-activated our decon team, we were allowed to keep the gear for our personal use. I keep wondering when I will actually need to wear it now. You can probably find this stuff at your local Army/Navy/police supply store, or they should be able to order it for you.

“I need to get advice on rain gear. I live in CA and we simply do not have enough rain where I can test it enough.”

!!!! THIS year?

But to the point: I have a three ply event Rab rain jacket that has always performed very well in extended rain; it’s durable and light too.

I reccomend the columbia outdry extreme rain gear. They have an impermeable surface so you will never end up with a wetted out face fabric.

I own a Berghaus Vapour Storm Gore-Tex jacket that has kept my upper body bone dry in down-poring rain on the six mile bike ride home from work. It weighs 11 oz (311 g), not as light as other suggestions but a lot more rugged. The outer layer is Ripstop nylon and the instructions say the more you dry it in a dryer (make sure you completely dry it), the better it works. The ULBC gear list lists Haglofs Ozo Pullover, 6.9 oz (196 g) in the example tab. I have no experience with Haglofs but I suspect it is not as durable.

I did not pay full price for the Berghaus Vapour Storm Gore-Tex jacket. I searched Google for Gore-Tex jacket and bought what was on sale. I’m very happy with my choice.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/berghaus-vapour-storm-gore-tex-jacket-waterproof-for-men~p~9630t/

You are on your own for the pants; I have not figured that one out yet.

The military ECWCS goretex gear works great.  It is heavy, I think my jacket is 2.5lbs.  I’ve used mine while out cutting firewood in the woods.  It holds up great and keeps you dry.  Can also vent it well.

I got my pants and parka for $40.

I might look at a Gore Tex Pro shell for a bomber hard shell.  Gore requires at least a 40d shell on their Pro line.  In reality though that might be overkill for your use so if the GTX Pro jackets seem heavy, I might look for a GTX 3L jacket in a 20-30d shell.  For prolonged rain make sure it has a hood that fits well (you would be surprised how many shells get this wrong) and tight sealing cuffs.

Chris- The Haglofs Ozo was a great jacket but has been discontinued for several years with no current replacement.  The Ozo has a 15d shell but I managed to use it in Alaska without failure.  The same couldn’t be said for my Golite Reed pants. The Hood and Cuffs are better on the Ozo than any other shell I have used.

I know OR used to make a 70D fully waterproof set called the Rampart and other manufacturer’s make something similar that uses a coating that is not breathable but use vents.

in non stop heavy rain you will get damp and wet sooner or later … especially if bushwhacking

either go goretex pro, something impermeable, or something a softshell/windshirt over a fleece

either way bring a FLUFFY and FUZZY fleece for when you go get wet

the specific rain jacket is actually alot less important than having a system that can handle being damp and wet

even with the most perfect “stay dry” system … all it takes is a slip in trails that have turned into muddy swamps, or bad step in a swollen river crossing for it to all go out the window

;)

You say “best” and “heavyduty”.

I have two words:  Arcteryx.  Proshell.

Like others have said……if you just need waterproof and tough….go with the coated plastic stuff Grundens style, but for hiking and aerobic activities, I’d go with something that uses Gore-Tex Pro for the best combination of toughness and breathability.  I like the Marmot “Speed Lite” jacket that costs 400 dollars,but every other month someone has it on sale for half the price and right now it can be had from a couple places for 230-300 dollars.  Plus, it’s only arround 14 oz.

Gore-Tex and Outdoor Research have the best warranties so it would be the safest route for a heavy use jacket.

+1 to Columbia OutDry Extreme. It’s tough, won’t wet out, and doesn’t rely on DWR so that makes it the most durable in field use in my opinion.

+1 to a fleece midlayer regardless of which jacket you choose. Keeps that wet, cold fabric off your skin.

How well does the Outdry breathe?  Initial reports on breathability were not promising

Doesn’t breath great, but they all come with pit zips.  Breathes much better than a wetted out jacket.

If durability wasn’t a concern the Gore-Tex shake dry is better.

Great feedback guys. And I definitely agree CA got slammed this year with rain but I wasn’t able to hit the woods in the last year due to work.  Trying to change that though ;)

At the moment my go to rain gear is Rab Myriad Neo shell jacket and event Drilling trousers.  I would happily take them on a week long wet trip.

“How well does the Outdry breathe?  Initial reports on breathability were not promising”

All I know is that it breathes better than a goretex jacket with a soaking wet face fabric.

If you’re truly interested in something for heavy duty use, look at Gore-Tex Pro with a 70d face fabric. I’m sure the usual suspects make something like that (Arc’Teryx Alpha SV?). Outdoor Research has one of, if not the best no-questions-asked warranties out there, so even if you do shred it, you should be okay.  I’ve tried cheapo full waterproof jackets, but they’re often poorly constructed and designed, leak at a seam somewhere, and have little to no warranty.

I have an OR Mentor (40d/70d) Gore-Tex Pro jacket that I use for my work: heavy bushwacking combined with long periods of low output, and lots of rain and wind.It’s held up so far. But I still get wet eventually…

I didn’t see the Mentor on OR’s website in a while, but I think they make the Maximus, which is a full 70d Pro jacket, or the Furio, which is also 70d face-fabric, with Paclite and Pro