Recommend a backpacking rainshell

[bossass]

So, I went backpacking on the Olympic Penninsula this weekend and it rained like 4 inches in the first 24 hours. I had my HH Packable Jacket as I couldn't seem to find my Marmot Precip. Anyway, I tried to hike with the HH for like 10 minutes and ditched it as I was getting way too hot. I decided to get wet and change into a dry shirt when we got to camp. I did get wet, BTW.

Anyway, is there gonna be any rainshell that is gonna keep me dry and breath so I'm not a sweat machine? Let's say in 50-65 degree weather? My HH didn't have any much-needed pit vents.

I'm thinking I need to go Gore Tex Paclite, as my rainpants are made of this and I was moderately comfortable in them (with the vents open and nothing but boxers underneath).

Anyone have a great rainshell they really like?

[Sirshredalot]

I have a Gore Tex Paclite shell from Go-Lite. It seems to do the job, but I haven't used it in weather as warm as 65.

[lemon boy]

a rainshell for use when it's warm and not that gnarly?

It's called an umbrella dude.

[El Chupacabra]

Big plastic poncho over you and the backpack; carry shell in your pack and change into it when you're at camp.

[bossass]

Umbrella...good one.

Poncho, good idea. I think I like my get wet method. I had a pack cover to keep my gear dry.

Okay, so I'm gonna need a new rainshell regardless. Recommed me one.

Criteria:
1. Light (not for weight, but for keeping cool)
2. Venting
3. Waterproof
4. Breathable

Is a paclite jacket gonna be better than something like a marmot precip?

[Platinum Pete]

Umbrella...good one.

Poncho, good idea. I think I like my get wet method. I had a pack cover to keep my gear dry.

Okay, so I'm gonna need a new rainshell regardless. Recommed me one.

Criteria:
1. Light (not for weight, but for keeping cool)
2. Venting
3. Waterproof
4. Breathable

Is a paclite jacket gonna be better than something like a marmot precip?

I have a Moutain Hard Wear gore Tex Pac-Lite jacket, worn 2x, that I have been hoping for over a year to skinny into with no luck. Yours for $100 - retail on it was something like $275. It's a large and fits great everywhere except the belly. You are skinnier than I so this should fit. Red and Charcoal.

[Particle Board]

Check out integral designs:

http://www.integraldesigns.com/produ...roducttypeid=1

Rab:

http://www.rab.uk.com/products_waterproof.html

Montane:

http://www.montane.co.uk/productdeta...tid=120&rid=11

For reviews/advice check on http://www.backpackinglight.com

[bfree]

I have a Moutain Hard Wear gore Tex Pac-Lite jacket, worn 2x, that I have been hoping for over a year to skinny into with no luck. Yours for $100 - retail on it was something like $275. It's a large and fits great everywhere except the belly. You are skinnier than I so this should fit. Red and Charcoal.

i might be interested if bossass doesn't want it.

[TeleHoar]

Lemon boy is correct.
a go-lite umbrella and pack cover is better than any poncho or rain shell.

[yesIsaidyes]

Ray Jardine swears by umbrellas...

[cj001f]

Ray Jardine swears by umbrellas...

and people in India swore by them before Ray was born. If it's warm and the rain isn't coming sideways go with an umbrella. or just get wet

[AsheanMT]

I've recently given up on it. After having hiked thousands of miles with at least a couple hundred having been in the rain I don't think there is a jacket out there that can do it. Maybe if you're not carrying a pack but you create way to much heat when hiking with all the weight. I always end up getting drenched underneath just from sweat when I've worn my precip. (which,IMO, is about as "light" and "breathable" as you are going to find) I'm gonna shoot for the "get wet then change" idea when its warm and carry my patagonia latitude for when I need to stay dry/protected.

[pechelman]

i had a golite wizard i really liked except it fit a bit too techy for what i wanted it for. their 3 layer alchemy fabric or whatever its called breathed really well and kept me really dry.

[summit]

eVent is the ultimate in breathability

[dfinn]

At 9oz the GoLite Virga is pretty light. I wore it for about 3 hours in full on down pour the other day and it didn't keep me 100% dry but it did pretty good. It could use some pit vents but from my limited time with it I'd say it breathes OK. It's pretty cheap too. I do wish it had a waist draw string but I don't think any GoLite jackets come with those.

[rockdude]

Big plastic poncho over you and the backpack; carry shell in your pack and change into it when you're at camp.

+1 thats the way I do it.

[hemas]

Big plastic poncho over you and the backpack; carry shell in your pack and change into it when you're at camp.

The poncho is actually really good option... I little bit havier than an umbrella, but also much nicer if it's windy.

As an added bonus, you can rig a small canopy from it really easily and fast for breaks and whatnot.

As for Precip and breathing... Well, they don't breath for shite. Gore Packlite seems to breath somewhat, but you still need a lot of ventilation.

I often just have a really lightweight windbreaker (often Pertex Quantum or similar, GoLight and Montagne should have something like that in their catalog), keeps a moderate drizzle out and will dry quickly plus as a windbreaker you won't get cold even if you're wet.

I'd still carry a "real" waterproof jacket (eg. you HH or Precip) for hanging around at the camp...

[bossass]

Epic is the ultimate in breathability

What is Epic?

[hemas]

What is Epic?

"membrain" like GoreTex or similar.. Although strictly speakin' it's not in fact a membrain, but a threathment. Hence Epic is not complitely waterproof, but close enough for practical purposes.

eVent is another top breathing "real" waterproof membrain. And according to some independent research, eVent breaths better than any Goretex fabric (that is sold as waterproof) especially when the outer surface is wet (like when it's raining).

[summit]

eVent is another top breathing "real" waterproof membrain. And according to some independent research, eVent breaths better than any Goretex fabric (that is sold as waterproof) especially when the outer surface is wet (like when it's raining).

OOOOOOOOOOOOOPS that is what I meant!!!

eVent is the ulimate in breathability...

[rip]

My choice is, if you want to shell out the bucks, the Arcteryx Beta SL. I have it and use in all the time in any temperature. It has XCR on the top of the jacket(shoulders, sleeves, etc) to keep you super dry, and then paclite on the bottom, where your jacket really isn't exposed to rain, to save weight.

Plus it has a stowable hood, and the hood is not like other stowable hoods that are all thin material and crappy, its XCR, its HUGE, and has a big brim to keep water off your face.

Its a little heavier than the super light summer jackets, but it kicks there ass in performance.

[Particle Board]

There's a breathability study from the US Army’s Natick labs on waterproof breathable fabrics:

http://www.shelby.fi/tips/breathability.pdf

Also, epic is the fabric that Black Diamond is using in their new lightweight tents (the yellow ones), and they've gotten pretty good reviews for waterproofness in rain.

[ulty_guy]

I use an old gore paclite pullover thing with the sleeves cut off around the bicep and then add cycling armwarmers if it's chilly. Keeps the wet off the chest, still allows breathability/wind through. Also, people generally completely under estimate the amount of heat lost from your wrists/underside of forearms. Look how close your veins/blood runs to the surface there.

[bossass]

There's a breathability study from the US Army’s Natick labs on waterproof breathable fabrics:

http://www.shelby.fi/tips/breathability.pdf

Also, epic is the fabric that Black Diamond is using in their new lightweight tents (the yellow ones), and they've gotten pretty good reviews for waterproofness in rain.

Looks like event is the shit then?

[Particle Board]

Looks like event is the shit then?

So it would seem from the tests, and the guys at backpackinglight.com. I want to get my hands on one of Westcomb's lightweight jackets that will be coming out this fall to try it out. They seem like they're really well constructed, at least the ones I got to look at in Boulder last year.