Yet another rain jacket thread

@ Karen

There have been many threads on this topic but to understand the strengths and weaknesses of waterproof breathable jackets and to see reviews of state of the market jackets a few years ago you might want to read David Chenault’s two part article, part 1 is here https://backpackinglight.com/ul_wpb_jackets_sotmr_part1/

Basically under most conditions, waterproof breathable rain jackets are not breathable and occasionally become not very waterproof.

What is wrong with your HH jacket.  If you like the brand, maybe they make a lighter version?

For really sustained hard rain you are best with a non breathable waterproof jacket or maybe even a poncho. Outdoor Research (OR) makes some that cost maybe $90.  My first non-goretex jacket was a Marmot Precip and yes in the beginning you get wet on the inside because you cannot vent your water vapor and it condenses on the inside of the jacket, and then the durable water repellent treatment (DWR) wears off and the membrane wets out.  The main function of the DWR is to help the jacket keep breathing, that is maintain the semi-permeable membrane. Once it wets out, it might still be repelling some rain but you are basically wearing a wet plastic garment that is very uncomfortable.

When i expect rain I wear a Goretex Paclite jacket with pit zips from Arcteryx. They are not cheap but they work. And I refresh the DWR treatment once a year. My current Paclite jacket has lasted 7 years. When I do not expect much rain, I wear something like the OR Helium.  OR is having end of season sales. :_))  The Patagonia Torrent lightweight rain jackets seem to hold up well.  When I want to go really light and expect the jacket to mostly not be used I take a Frogs Toggs jacket which you can buy for $30 or 40. They repel rain well, are somewhat breathable but not very durable.

I am sure as this thread develops you will get lots of good advice.

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/a-new-paradigm-for-analyzing-pwpb-systems-like-the-columbia-outdry-ex-featherwei/

I have some trialling there. I now have another 50 hours or so in the rain with a 8-11 kg rucksack on and it is going well still. No wear at all that I can see.

Not used below -4C. Cheers.

For all day rain, or rain multiple days straight, I would look at the new Columbia Featherweight shell that Graham mentioned as the DWR will not wear out. I don’t have any experience with it, so take that for what it’s worth, but if could be a game changer and isn’t too expensive.

Otherwise I would look for a 3 layer Gore Tex Shell. I have a Montane Spine 3L GTX Active shell that I use during the rainy season here in the Southeast and used it on a 14 day trip to Alaska last year – it got worn a lot. The Mont-Bell Storm Cruiser is another good choice, and REI make a 3L GTX Jacket too. Both the Montane and the Mont-Bell have pit zips, which are a plus since I sweat a lot.

Really thin and light shells like the OR Helium, Mont-Bell Versalite, or Marmot Essence are great for Sierra Thunderstorms, but will not do well in all day sustained rain, or especially all day sustained rain multiple days in a row.

All just my opinion obviously but:

If it’s hot, protect your pack, but don’t worry about your body…just get wet. The rain feels good and you are squeaky clean at the end of the day after an all-day bath. Not fun putting your wet clothes back on the next morning but it sure does encourage you to get on the trail and moving :)

If it’s a cool rain where getting wet poses a hypothermia risk, but you are working hard and need to manage body vapor, the extra ventilation of a poncho or packa is the way to go.

In a cold rain, and where you will wear the shell all day, it’s hard to beat 3L Gortex with pit zips.  I spent a very rainy week in a Cap 1 LS top and Marmot Exum 3L Proshell jacket and never once felt clammy.

I have a north face hyperair gtx I picked up on sale for about 150. The thing has a similar technology to the outdry tech on columbia jackets. The jacket is particularly light however at 7 oz with massive pockets for extra venting. The technology is goretex active which is the same as the norvan, never wets out.

Read the reviews of that HyperAir. It’s not designed to be durable enough for backpacking.

I gave up on WPB jackets and use a poncho for chance of rain/shelter and a Packa if rain is likely. In spite of technological advances, you can have waterproof OR breathable – pick one.

I picked up the now older Columbia Outdry Ex Light shell (a bit heavier than the current Featherweight Shell) at one of the Columbia outlet stores for about $60.00.  I leave tomorrow to spend a week around Jasper, Alberta, so maybe I’ll have a chance to try it out.

The permanent DWR in the Columbia jackets and Marmot’s new EVODry jackets seems promising.

Its not recommended but I have had no issues with about 100 miles of it under straps so far. Also there are plenty of reviews online. Skurka has a review from 100 days on the AT where no damage was visible. I would agree however if you are planning on doing any bushwacking it isnt the right choice.

(Relevant review): https://andrewskurka.com/2016/appalachian-trail-thru-hike-long-term-gear-reviews/

Thanks for the link, Everett.  That is definitely interesting.

I have two rain “suits” (parka and matching pants)

1. Cabela’s Rainy River GTX PacLite (purchased 2004, $75. each piece)
2. REI Kimtah eVent (purchased 2008 and 2010, around $120 each piece)

Both suits were on sale (parka and pants separately) and I just waited for the sales on each. I dunno if I could “afford” to buy these suits at regular prices. I mean, over $200. for a parka?? Really?

They have lasted a long time and, with care, maybe I can get another 5 years from the eVent suit, which I use most of the time and mainly for skiing.