Rain gear is a tricky thing.
Modern backpacking rain gear allegedly keeps a person dry from the rain yet allowing moisture to escape.
However, as any person who backpacks extensively can tell you, this is just BS.
I have yet to find the perfect rain gear.
Some rain gear soaks out too quickly. Others do not breathe at all and leave you sweaty. Or are bulky. Heavy. Fragile. Etc. Etc.
As with all gear, rain gear is a compromise between price, function, durability, lightness and what particular goal I have in mind for a trip.
What I do find that works surprisingly well is something inexpensive, light and packs easily: UltraLite2 Frogg Toggs..formerly known as DriDrucks.
In the Gore Range with my DriDucks (Frogg Toggs). PCO Mark T.
Minimalist rain gear. No pit zips, no pockets. A very thin zipper.
A suit weighs ~11+ oz for the medium size. That’s jacket and pants both. The price? A princely $20. A good piece of gear for a person on a budget..or for the person who realizes that a lot of extra money spent on gear does not always translate to “better” gear.
The suit does not wet out as easily as other very light rain gear and breathes reasonably well.
The gear does have its limitations, however. They are fragile. Best for non-bushwhacking. And for constant use, they would not last too long in my opinion (Though many a duct tape clad Appalachian Trail thru-hiker would say differently. Duct tape is magic after all…)
But for my Rockies hiking on trail or even off-trail tundra walks? I love the DriDucks.
If you decide to get the suit, note they size very large. Get a size down from what you normally wear. Also, I find the pants need some TLC. I use wind pants instead. Finally, the jacket can be bought separately for $15, but for an extra $5 the pants are nice to have. I keep mine in the emergency car kit and throw in my pack for a day hike sometimes.
If I am going to be bushwhacking, I’ll bring my trusty GoLite Tumalo.
But for the price, lightness and functionality in certain conditions?
Love the DriDucks jacket.
Disclosure: Purchased with my own filthy lucre
I love this suit as well. I’ve been using the same pair for a couple years in the Smokies and am really impressed by how well they’ve held up. Nothing is going to keep you completely dry when you’re walking in the rain all day, but these do a better job than any other rain gear I’ve used. They’re warm too. I’ve found that I can carry less insulation if I have these along. They’re also awesome for wind protection. The baggy fit makes me look more muscular too. Better for impressing the ladies.
According to the Amazon link, the men’s suit costs $19.95, but he women’s version costs $31.96 – $71.80. Perhaps the pink dye for the women’s jacket was exorbitantly expensive?
Other than the pink, not much different in the women’s version. A men’s md is basically a men’s I large. So a men’s med is probably equivalent to a women’s xl
Pants will last about a mile before disintegrating entirely. Best to turn them into a super stylish rain skirt, which I find keeps me dry just fine in most any conditions. I believe Mike Clelland has instructions on his site – basically just turn them into shorts, and then cut along the inseam. Plus the duct tape patches make you look super rad 😉
Agreed with LB. Spend a half hour turning the pants into a rain skirt because the crotch seam rips out on the pants within the first few times of wearing. Here is the one I built in 2010: https://goo.gl/RwyBJt
I never did care for the pants. As mentioned, keep them in my emergency car kit (or stash for a day hike once in a while). Though the skirt has a certain panache!