[at-l] at-l: Rain Pants, yes or no?

[janl2@mindspring.com (Jan Leitschuh)]

>I'm undecided about taking rainpants on my thru-hike.
 >  For my
> jacket, I want breathable, but I don't know if it's as critical for
> the pants.  Can I get some list insights?

a) Provent jacket, or Rainshield 's O2 jacket and pants set.
b)rain shorts
c) rain chaps

Below is a quote from BackpackingLight's Ryan Jordan:
"No shell fabric tested here will breathe well enough by itself to keep up
with hard working
             backpackers, climbers, and other outdoors people. Perhaps one
of the newer high-tech fabrics
             missing from this test can. Notables include the ProVent
fabrics used in Frogg Toggs, Rainshield, and
             ProVent clothing, as well as some of the Swiss Schoeller
fabrics..." 

I have the Provent, and I wonder why more people don't use the jackets since
they are 
1) cheaper than FroggToggs
2) have a better (more generous) hood
3) and a better storm baffle on the zipper.

The Provent rainpants are another story - I bought a medium, and am on the
slim side but it became apparent immediately that I would rip the seat out
before long by squatting. So, I cut them off at the knees and have rain
shorts - ventilation problem solved and the large muscles of the things
don't get wet and chilled. I could also wear these when all my other laudry
is in the wash on a long whike.

A friend has the Rainshield O2 jacket and pants which are EVEN cheaper. A
big guy, he sweats alot when hiking and finds the sizing fine (better in the
pants than Provent).
Two inexpensixe options. FrggToggs makes a fine product too, but the
competition has surpassed them, my opinion, in design and price.

I'll have to search for Provent (or you can) but here is Rainshield:
O2 Rainshield:
http://www.upnorthgeneralstore.com/rainshield.html
                  Yellow Rain Suit
                  Item #169-1090
                  We have packaged our yellow hooded rain
                  jacket with yellow pants together to offer you a
                  complete rainwear package. The combination
                  package will keep you dry from head to toe.
                  Packs into a compact stuff sack. 3M™ Microporous Fabric. 
 Weight: Jacket = 5.7 oz., Pants = 4.15 oz., Stuff Sack = .5 oz.
Sizes: M, LG, XL, XXL, XXXL - See Sizing Chart
$45.95
(Free Shipping*)

Finally, some people love the ventilation of silnylon rain chaps, custom
made from Moonbow Gear: http://moonbowgear.com/. Very light.

Best,
Jan in NC
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