Lightweight Rainwear
Lightweight rainwear means a rain jacket
under 13 ounces, rain pants under 10 ounces, and ponchos under
16 ounces. I just made up these standards, but given the choices
available, they seem reasonable for now. By the way, the reason
I mention weights so often is that I am a lightweight backpacking
aficionado. Weight really matters when you are hiking 20 miles
in a day, and not resupplying for several days. (You can check
out my other site here: The Ultralight Backpacking Site .) I
think even for day hiking weight makes a difference though.
I think even for day hiking lightweight
rainwear makes a difference. You won't be tempted to leave that
rain jacket behind if it only weighs 8 ounces, and a rain protection
in the mountains is more than just a convenience. It is a safety
item. Also, the lighter your gear in general, the more options
you have (lighter things mean you can comfortably carry more
things). You can bring that plant identification book, or whatever.
My Lightweight Rainwear
My Frogg Toggs weigh just 7 ounces for
the jacket, and 7 ounces for the pants. They are baggy and papery,
but the waterproof/breathable fabric has held up through heavy
rain, snow, and 50 mph wind at 20,000 feet. After years of use,
they have only two duct-tape patches. They really do breath well
too. I never get wet inside them.
Nonetheless, I might go with tougher nylon
rainwear when I buy again, because some of the new lightweight
rainwear can finally compete on weight. I have no real complaints
with my Frogg Toggs. It's just that if I have the money,
and if they are just as light, and if they work
as well, I'd rather have a tougher material. (That's a lot of
ifs- maybe I'll stick with my Frogg Toggs.)
Lightweight Rainwear Alternatives
Many hikers carry only a rain jacket, or
a poncho, since light hiking pants dry quickly when you are moving.
This works well when it isn't too cold. Just don't try this if
you are wearing jeans, since they take forever to dry (a good
reason to never use them for hiking).
Ray Jardine, lightweight backpacking guru,
swears by umbrellas, but then uses them in conjunction with rainwear.
I have used them backpacking, but found them more trouble than
they are worth. It can be nice to have a roof over your head
if it is just a short hike, however.
If it is warm, with little chance of rain,
you can bring one of those 2-ounce emergency ponchos. A garbage
bag is also about 2 ounces, and is tougher. I've used both, and
can say that they are definitely better than nothing. Plastic
rainwear is cheap, too. For day-hikes I like that 2-ounce backup
in the pack, just in case.
Another lightweight rainwear alternative
if you will be backpacking, is to get a good nylon poncho that
doubles as a shelter. There are many of these that weigh less
than 16 ounces now. Bringing dual-purpose items like this is
a good way to keep the overall pack weight down.
If you use anything that is waterproof,
but not breathable, be sure to take it off as soon as the rain
stops. It (and you) will likely be wet from condensation, and
you may have to turn it inside-out to dry it before you put it
away.
Waterproof/Breathable Rainwear
Serious hiking any distance into the mountains
requires good waterproof/breathable rainwear. If you have used
non-breathable plastic or nylon rain suits, you know how wet
you can get from your own perspiration. You need something that
keeps the rain out, but allows your body moisture to evaporate
and pass through the fabric. There are several products that
are as good or better than the famous gore-tex, and are lightweight
too, but be warned that all of them have their limits. It is
still a good idea to air-out your rainwear as soon as the rain
stops.
REI
carries some decent rainwear.(affiliate link)
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