rain gear

If you can find it on sale, I can recommend you the Rab Flashpoint (2015 version, they’re supposed to change the fabric for the new version).

It’s a really lightweight 3 layer jacket. And it’s really awesome.

Have a look at the Packa. Great product. http://www.thepacka.com/

I’m not affiliated just a happy customer

I think the high-end rain jackets are overkill for the Sierra.   It’s usually pretty dry, with either a very quick storm cell that passes through, or if theres a sustained thunderstorm its probably something violent enough that you’d want to seek shelter and wait it out.   DriDucks is a perfect choice.   I’ve carried one in my pack for a few years now.   That said, I found a Montane Minimus Smock on sale for $75 recently, and I think it’ll be a nice upgrade with a better fit that I wouldn’t feel silly wearing around town on a rainy day.

Dri Ducks jackets work well for on trail use. The fit is horrible and the good isn’t great but they are breathable, cheap, and the peach fuzz inner keeps it from feeling clammy.

They tear easily so be very carful if you go off trail.

I’d stick with the poncho, and keep my hands inside.
Gloves – spare socks and plastic bags if desperate. Light-weight!
Cheers

“I think the high-end rain jackets are overkill for the Sierra. It’s usually pretty dry”

Right up until the five days straight that it isn’t. Just bring something reasonable for your family. It can take a few hours to cross over high passes, where it might be sleeting–not “usually” but it happens. Suddenly you’re committed and getting cold and wet–something to be avoided.

But a poncho likely works. Personally I have a lightweight 3 ply Event jacket that’s saved my butt a few times–in the not so dry summer Sierra.

Right up until the five days straight that it isn’t.

Truth.

Even during the worst of the drought this summer, my group got caught in a huge thunderstorm for two days in Sequoia. Most of us, myself included, had some sort of Frogg Toggs UltraLite (the poncho or the rainsuit), and I was very glad that I decided to toss the pants in my pack at the last minute. Besides the poor hood design, easily compensated for by wearing a baseball cap, I have to say the rain gear impressed me. We all stayed pretty much dry, and the ridiculously baggy fit helped keep air moving.

I’m a happy Packa + rainskirt user. 8.5  ounces + 2.5 ounces for a large 20D Packa after replacing the cordlocks and shockcord and ULA skirt. Much better coverage in the wind than a poncho but lots of airflow.

Have a great trip. We enjoyed the JMT a lot last summer.

The choice between something semi-disposable like Frogg Toggs versus a “real” rain jacket is an intensely personal one. We can’t really make that decision for you. Or even help much. It comes down to your priorities. Once you’ve puzzled that out I’m sure that people can make great specific recommendations.
That said, yes the Sierra tends to be dry so you are at least not putting your life in danger with a Driducks suit, unlike say if you were on the North Slope or something.

I own a fancy gore-tex jacket by berghaus that I rarely used at all. Most of the time it was in my backpack and it never got any abuse by a pack’s shoulder strap. Nevertheless it turned out to be leaking at the right shoulder recently. Luckily I bought it at a discount, the original price would’ve been $250.

Lesson learned for me: Even expensive rain gear does not guarantee to keep you dry. With driducks, at least I stay dry until the jacket has worn out. Imho that’s enough even if you get caught in a week of bad weather as long as your trip doesn’t contain heavy bushwhacking. Personally, I won’t but an expensive membrane jacket again.

Theo, Goretex has a good warranty. You should be able to get that jacket replaced.