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Re: [at-l] Low tech/light weight rain gear
Hi Jim,
I agree with you about the G-Tex, but not just for summer. Based upon my
experience it isn't my inclement weather gear of choice any time of the
year. Too heavy, it does not breathe when it is raining. (higher humidiy
outside means that you are wet and sweaty inside). I don't use the stuff
at all for hiking. It is a product of excellent marketing hype though.
Concerning your option number 2, a poncho and a microfiber jacket.
I tried this early in my thru-hike. I got hypothermia. The microfiber
didn't do much for insulation or shed much water after a few hours,
and it is very difficult to keep a poncho on in side-ways rain.
Right now, I'm using option number one, a high quality taped and sealed
lightweight nylon jacket. I also use a poncho as small tarp, and I'll
keep using it until I can get my hands on a piece of tyvek to try out
for
that purpose.
Good hiking...
All The Way
Jim Mayer wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> I've convinced myself that my gortex parka (23 oz) is overkill for summer
> hiking. I've been thinking about two alternatives:
>
> (1) use a coated nylon parka (14 oz in a large/tall size)
> (2) use a poncho and a microfiber jacket. The poncho would also
> replace the small tarp I carry for use with my bivy sack.
>
> The weight of both solutions is about the same.
>
> My goals are (in order):
>
> (1) Hypothermia protection
> (2) Light weight
> (3) Comfort in as wide a range of conditions as possible
>
> I don't care about getting wet while I'm hiking, I just care about staying
> warm. Since I hike fairly "warm" this isn't usually a problem in the
> summer. In camp, though, I'd rather stay dry. I feel very secure about the
> ability of the coated nylon parka to keep me warm and to keep the rain off
> in camp, but realize I'll end up soaked in sweat if I wear it while
> exercising. On the other hand, the poncho/microfiber jacket combination
> would be less reliable in camp (the poncho would typically be rigged as a
> tarp), but the jacket would good by itself in windy or cool conditions.
>
> I'm looking for feedback from folks who have tried similar things (or from
> anyone else, for that matter).
>
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