[pct-l] Tyvek jumpsuits as rain gear?

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Feb 24, 2010, at 6:30 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> My question is, has anyone here tried it? How did it work? How
> waterproof and breathable was it actually?
I bought one. I cut it in half to make jacket and pants and seam- 
sealed it. Also put elastic in the arm cuffs.

I wore the pants once or twice. They will pill and fray quickly, but  
they held up. It didn't rain much, however, instead turning into  
snow, so I don't have much to report. They made a good layer to add  
to keep warm. I don't think I have to take off my shoes, but I don't  
wear big boots and I'm a woman.

I've worn the top half a few times. I wore it once running in the  
rain. I got very sweaty inside but otherwise it seemed to not let  
water come in through the fabric. The jacket half is quite large  
around the waist so it doesn't stay on very well. Maybe some elastic  
around the waist or something.

Anyway, the material is light and I think the lightness makes it seem  
breathable, and it does keep water out. I have a rain cover for my  
Vespa made of the same exact material and water does not go through.  
Some people online swear by them. I don't think there exists rain  
gear that will keep you dry. Anything that will keep you dry outside  
will make you hot and dripping in sweat inside.

I ended up switching to silnylon rain chaps and an umbrella. Same  
issues with the pants: sweaty inside, but more durable than tyvek. As  
for the umbrella: no good in heavy brush.
>
> I anticipate that the main drawbacks to the jumpsuit would be:
> 1- Little to no ventilation, so it could get very hot while hiking  
> in it
> 2 - You might need to remove your shoes to put it on, which would be
> very inconvenient during the rain(this would depend on your footwear
> choices, but I'd imagine with any kind of boot you wold need to take
> them off)
>