[pct-l] Rain Gear suggestions

[J. Lopes]

I actually have the exact same kit as Dan. Older Marmot Mica and a zpack
cuben fiber kilt ( which i also have used as a windblock on my hammock tarp
and a place to put my pack and gear when the ground was saturated). I use
this kit for section hiking the AT so it may be a different story for the
PCT. but it did well in 2-3 days straight of torrential april rain a few
years back in the northeast. This is a reasonably lightweight and effective
set-up. I find that i also liked to carry a ul wind jacket when on the move
opposed to the mica which can get a bit warm.


On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 3:40 PM, Dan Engleman <danengleman at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hello TJ,
> I hiked in 2011; had more than my fair share of spring storms in southern
> California and pretty frequent thunder storms in the Sierras; I found the
> Zpack cuben fiber cloud kilt and an older verison of Marmot's lightweight
> rain jacket (Marmot Mica - 6 oz - always on sale online, somewhere
> -Backcountrygear.com has one for around $1250.  My lightweight rain
> "kit" worked worked well for most of the trail.
>
> I used the Marmot rain jacket as a windbreaker, for a little extra warmth
> in the morning, and for bug protection (when I was cleaning up, before
> getting into my quilt).  It worked pretty well for rain, but is nothing
> like gortez; that being said, it breaths well and as long as you keep
> on moving along you stay fairly warm and reasonably dry; I like the fact
> that it dried out so quickly (between downpours) and I didn't sweat much
> when I had it on; size up on the jacket if you want the arms to hang down
> below your fingers, rather than use rain mits; worked for me.
>
> I did get a rather spendy pair of merino wool long johns (Icebreaker
> brand) when I got to Bend, Oregon to deal with the incredible amount of dew
> and moisture from the wonderful greenery, up north; no regrets on spending
> the extra cash, but be extra careful because they do have a tendency to get
> snagged on the underbrush; I wore my cuben kilt to protect the  upper part
> of the longjohns and it worked great; I did get some battle scars on the
> lower legs, but just cut the bottoms off after I finished my hike and I
> still use the uppers. Even if you don't see a drop of rain in Washington,
> your legs will be wet from the dew.  Unfortunatly, I saw far too many
> raindrops in the later half of September; my roommate offered me his
> spendy, bombproof, Arcteryx, rain jacket at the Oregon/Washington border
> and I turned it down becasue Oregon was sooooo dry; I crossed the border
> and that all changed, it rained more often then not and very hard near the
> end of my
>  hike.   Merino wool is a wonderful comfort item and they will keep you
> warm when they are wet; Icebreaker long johns were easily one of my
> favorite pieces of gear for Washington.
>
> I would get a nice lightweight jacket and Zpack cuben kilt and send your
> heavy, but reliable (duct taped) rain gear to Bridge of the Gods.  I
> believe a lightweight jacket and cuben kilt serves the purpose for MOST of
> the PCT, but my lightweight jacket was a joke (not a funny one) once I hit
> Washington.  I have heard that others waltz all the way to the Canadian
> border without getting pounded by rain, but that was not my experience so I
> would never hike Washington (in September) without changing my lightweight
> rain jacket out for a heavier (albeit less breathable) rain jacket.
>
> Good luck ...
>
> Dan (711)
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: "tmjgame at comcast.net" <tmjgame at comcast.net>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 10:34 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Rain Gear suggestions
>
>
>
>
>
> Looking to upgrade the quality and lighten the weight of my rain gear.
> In typical hiker trash fashion, I currently have a decades old gortex
> hooded jacket(patched with duct tape)  and a lightwt pair of golf pants for
> my rain gear.
>
>
>
> I section hiked Central oregon last year and did not need the raingear or
> my rainfly.  However, I do believe in carrying raingear as storms can occur
> at any time. ANY suggestions on light, quality raingear is appreciated.
> Inexpensive (not cheap) gear is , of course, preferred.  What is the best
> VALUE going for rain gear?
>
>
>
> thanks-
>
>
>
> walk on!
>
>
>
> TJ
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