[pct-l] Rain jacket / Marmot precip / Post by "Panama"

[rbelshee]

Yep, breathable waterproof coats do not work. It took me too many purchases, miles and years before I finally accepted that.

A poncho is my most versatile rain gear, combined with rain pants. It isn't perfect, especially in high wind or brushy areas, but is still better than a goretex coat in keeping me dry.


Rod Belshee
hikepaddle.blogspot.com

<div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Drew Smith <jdrewsmith at gmail.com> </div><div>Date:01/11/2016  8:23 PM  (GMT-08:00) </div><div>To:  </div><div>Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net </div><div>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rain jacket / Marmot precip / Post by "Panama" </div><div>
</div>
Your point is right on.  The truth about "waterproof-breathable" jackets is
that they are neither waterproof nor breathable.  I wore several brands in
the 80s and 90s.  In any extended rain, I got wet - first along any contact
points with straps and pack, and then all over.  And unless the temps were
in the 40s, or I was walking downhill, I soon wetted out from the inside.

I still use these jackets in the winter, but I switched back to ponchos for
summer hiking 15 years ago.  I know that WPB jackets are the reigning trail
orthodoxy, but consider this:

   - Ponchos are much cheaper than WPB jackets
   - They keep you drier in long rainstorms
   - They ventilate MUCH better
   - They keep your pack dry
   - They minimize contact of cold wet fabric with your skin, reducing
   convective heat loss.
   - They are easy to flip back over your head when it dries out a bit - no
   need to stop walking to change out.  And to pull back over when it resumes
   raining.
   - They are multi-use as a tarp or groundcloth
   - You can take a break and eat a snack in the rain in them without
   getting your pack wet

It's true that they flap in the wind, and they make you look like a dork.
But the former can be partially remedied with a belt made of rope or shock
cord.  The latter problem is probably not fixable.

Paired with a windshirt, a poncho is an excellent rain-wind management
system.

Drew/Happy Hour

On Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 2:10 PM, JCIL000-hiker at yahoo.com <
topsecretemail2011 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Regarding the question about rain jackets, I have to agree with "Panama."
> I got a Marmot Precip rain jacket as a gift and I was unimpressed with its
> quality.Over several uses, it became evident that it was NOT keeping me dry
> at all. I finallygot so disgusted with the garment that I actually beefed
> it up by using a producton it that increased water resistance. Yes, I know.
> That also decreased its "breathability,"but it was nearly useless as it
> came from the store.
> Considering its cost, I was even more unimpressed once I simply switched
> to the goodold fashioned rain coat that cost me a whopping $20 from
> Walgreens. The old fashionedyellow variety that you see guys wearing who
> work outside like gardeners. It didn't "breathe,"but it kept me way dryer
> than the expensive (but nice looking) Marmot precip. I determinedI'd rather
> look uncool on the trail than wet. I still use that old yellow coat. The
> pants thatcame with it are baggy enough and cheap enough that I don't care
> about them at all as far as damage... they did me right.
> I'm glad you posted that as I've been annoyed about that experience for
> several years.
> Day Early
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