I was reminded yesterday what a challenge hiking in the rain can be here in the Pacific Northwest. What often sounds so good in theory doesn't work well in practice. For example, I have no less than 5 so called breathable-waterproof jackets. I'm not impressed. Also, simple chores like cooking, changing clothing, setting up a tent, even pitching a rain fly, turn out to be more complicated and less satisfactory than planned. I know our climate is a bit extreme in the Fall compared to most places in the US. Anyway, to start with a simple question:
Have you ever hiked for 4 hours with a pack (at least partly up hill) in pouring down rain? Did you stay dry (10,20,30....100%?)? What were you wearing? Do you think most of the water was from the outside (rain) or inside (sweat)?
From a strategy stand point you would:
A. Not go hiking if the forecast was 90% chance of rain.
B. Go hiking in spite of a bleak forecast because you are not .....a pantywaist.
C. Change plans to make the hike shorter.