I am looking for good rain gear/shell in both men and boy sizes for use almost exclusively in Florida camping. Major priorities are lightweight, vented, and for use in (Florida) summer temps. Jacket and pants, without insulation. My research has shown either real low quality stuff or great stuff that is too hot. Suggestions?
If you are worried about being too hot then the expensive eVent parka is best... for about $250.
But I have a pretty breathable (and very light) Gore-Tex PacLite parka that sells for $89. for Regular length sizes and $99. for Tall sizes from Cabela's. It has large slash chest pockets W/ mesh lining in the pockets but no pit zips. These pockets can be left unzipped for more breathability.
If you are not worried about snagging it on branches try Frogg Toggs. Cheaper and nearly "disposable" - which is not exactly a green idea.
Eric
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."
Summer temps in Florida are so warm, have you considered an umbrella or hat with quick dry clothing and just getting wet? When visiting Hawaii, that is what we do. The rain is warm so the wet doesn't bother us.
Registered: 06/24/05
Posts: 166
Loc: North Carolina
I got lucky and found a rain suit that suited my needs:
functional baggy lightweight (16 oz) coated nylon zippered pants to knees with coat pits and back vents drawstring hood pocketed into fleece large chest pouch and deep pants pockets zippered pockets for self packing pants into back pocket coat into chest pocket, pants into chest pocket
It goes on any season trek simple, easy, versatile I have used it in rain and stay dry in heavy downours, Warm as a top layer over fleece to 10 degrees While skiing 30 degrees over fleece base layer While cooking or other camp activities To holding items for quick access in chest pocket
Of all the camp gear I have ought it is the one that has the most use and is front and center
Never seen it again and can't find anything close Found in golf shop cheap $ 30
I have been using a Patagonia Rainshadow jacket and Precip pants. I just got the Rainshadow in December - my Precip jacket got retired the same time. But....I just bought a set of Dry ducks for 14.99 at Gander Mountain the other day - pants and jacket. The weight difference is 16 ounces for the set. I am planning to try them out this weekend or next weekend when I go on my next outing.
As far as experience with raingear goes I can say that the Precip stuff has always been a good performer and a fantastic investment. The zipper gets caught up in the fabric alot, but otherwise it is great. The precip is tough, dry as anything else, and cheap in comparison. I quit wasting my money on Goretex years ago. The rainshadow is a good jacket with a good design. It feels more breathable than the Precip, but the hood sucks. The hood design is not what I expect from Patagonia. I think their design flaw is that they make one hood style that can accomodate a helmet or be used without a helmet. I don't think that works well. Either you have a helmet on or you don't - and head size changes a lot from one to the other.
If I getr trashed in my Dryducks I will be sure and post about it. But I think from what I have read that if used properly the Dry Ducks should work just fine for warm weather, on trail hiking.
Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:
Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!