Jackets? Raingear?

Haven't bought backpacking rain gear in soooo long. Don't see many changes tho. I have driducks currently. Got them out of storage and realized I have a major seam failure. I think I will pass on them for now since that happened without any strenuous use! I have several lightweight rain jackets I could use....all betwn 12 and 15 oz. Is there anything else out there that will hold up better than dri ducks but not be as heavy as regular jackets?
What are you all using????

I love my Marmot Precip gear. light, compact and simple, not to mention very affordable compared to other Gore and Gore-like products on the market.
http://marmot.com/products/precip_jacket

I have a (much) older model that doesn't have the face-shield hood, but I couldn't care less. My only gripe is the lack of a model that comes without a hood at all. I hate wearing hoods.

I've been happy with my Outdoor Research Foray jacket and pants.

If you don't want a hood, visit the local golf store - I've seen a number of hoodless jackets there.

That's an interesting suggestion, and it's good to know if anyone else is looking for a hoodless option.
The Precip is nice because it has a thin strap that can be used to tie the rolled-up hood down, and keeps it out of the way.
Whatever the case, a replacement jacket isn't on my radar yet, and I'm kind of a Marmot fanatic.

+1 on the Marmot "Precip" jacket. I really like the pit zips as well since I tend to get warm rather quickly if it's not cold out. The only negative comment I've ever heard about the jacket is that it wears out quickly and it will begin to leak after a while. For that reason I only use it on overnight trips; carrying an older, heavier rain jacket on day trips where weight isn't an issue. I've had the Precip now for 2 years and so far it's still working great.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...Be well.

snapper

I got a Marmot Precip jacket and it was leaking within 18 months. They were definite leaks, through the fabric at the shoulders. I tried washing and renewing the DWR, but no joy.

It depends on what degree of rain protection you need. I also have not had good luck with Marmot Precip. I use the jacket with the idea that it is not waterproof except for short duration. This works for me in the Sierra in the summer because I generally will not choose to walk in the rain. It is a great jacket for light rain while in camp and is good to use when backpacking in a high wind (works like a wind jacket).

In my experience, all the "breathable, waterproof" type jackets I have had were expensive and leaked in a real rainstorm. The last jacket I bought was a simple coated nylon parka. This is the jacket I take if I really expect heavy rain.

I agree - the only real way to avoid getting wet is to get out of the rain. (This is where having route options pays off - you can hole up and adjust your trip plan, if necessary.)

I look at rain gear as a way to get a bit less wet in prolonged rain (maybe) or to stay reasonably dry for a couple of hours of gentle rain. As far as Gore Tex, I didn't choose it for any particular "miracle fabric" reason; it was on sale, they had it in my size, and it fit well. I've also used the Precip; the Gore Tex doesn't keep me any drier (or let me get any wetter), but the OR product has lasted longer than the Marmot product did.

I have a flow chart for rain gear.

Is it going to be heavy ongoing rain? If yes, do I really need to go in the first place? If yes, I look at the temperature and purpose. If on a search bushwacking and in the rain, I take a rain jacket and pants, with ventilation zippers. I don't plan to keep them in one piece or even necessarily stay dry. I will be sweating and miserable either way. But, perhaps my clothing will not be torn to shreds by the whitethorn.

Is it a good chance there will be rain for a significant part of the trip? If so, I take a poncho and rain pants. I might take the umbrella if it's not so stormy it'll blow me away.

Is it going to be a slight to no chance of rain? If so, I take an emergency poncho instead of the heavier PU coated poncho.

Is it going to be cold, like within 10 or so degrees of freezing, with a slight to moderate chance of precipitation but not necessarily rain? I take a jacket and rain pants, but not the same ones I take on a search.... The more expensive, breathable (we pretend they are anyway) ones.

Sometimes when it rains, I don't put on rain gear at all, because there is enough sun and time left in the day to dry and it's just a summer afternoon shower in the Sierra.

Sometimes it's obviously here to stay for hours, and it's getting colder. So on it goes, pit zips open if it's a jacket, and I have a dry change of base layer in the pack for when I set up camp, because it's not like I pretend that I'll stay dry - just more dry than I would have been without the rain gear, and moderately warmer.

"I have a flow chart for rain gear."

On behalf of myself and the other accountants on the site, Congratulatons! You are now an honorary accountant.

I've yet to encounter any leakage issues with my Percip, but I'll keep an eye on it to see if this rings true. I've had the thing for almost ten years now and it's gotten me through some nice rainstorms. However, I do need to confess that I follow a system kind of like Lori's: for winter, hard-weather, or snow outings, I have an REI Elements jacket that covers me then. It's heavier than I'd like, but offers fantastic water resistance and a nice wicking layer to help ward off clamminess.

I also must agree full-heartedly with the sentiment that rain gear isn't to keep you truly "dry" but drier and less miserable than you could be.

I think the Foray has a similar strap for the hood; I'd have to check to be sure because I always use the hood in the rain. On the few occasions where I use it as a windbreaker, in camp, the hood just hangs down the back out of the way.

“What are you all using????”

I’ve been loving umbrellas.
I used to have a 5oz one that folded small but the Wind Rivers range tore it up last year. I bit the bullet and got a heavier one that doesn’t fold --- the 8oz Golite version. That’s a very well designed beast. 90% of the time it has kept me and my Murmer dry. In the harsher rains I whip out the 1.2oz $2.00 poncho and put it over me and my backpack. The poncho only lasts about 3-4 days. But out West here, I only go through about 2 ponchos/year. So I’m not in the mood to invest in an expensive rain jacket. Plus I use my poncho a lot in the morning. I plop it on the ground and lay my pack contents on it while I pack up.

Good luck on the rain gear.
-Barry
-The mountains were made for Tevas

I am a poncho + umbrella guy as well. But, I need to get a new umbrella. I just used a cheap one that folded small. It did great, but didn't last all that long. I might look at that golite one. I probably wouldn't pick a poncho for the PNW, but out here in the Rockies, rain is not common.