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Rain Gear, Waterproof Shell or Jacket?

Lee

Lee

Guild of Calamitous Intent
Joined
May 21, 2020
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1061
Messages
1,252
Loc
The Natural State
Taking Jewels to SE AK this fall. My ~10 year old Cabela's Gore Tex PacLite shell is pretty well done. It's served me well, but it's time to replace it. I cleaned and reconditioned it with some Nikwax last year, it helped, but the shoulders still wet out pretty quick. The "welded" glued seam across the back that reinforces the hang tag is coming off too.

I got Jewels a Marmot Gore Tex shell a few years ago, it's nice, but I don't think I want to spend Marmot money. I've really liked that Cabela's jacket, but they don't seem to have anything quite like it anymore. I got it back when Cabela's was still Cabela's pre Johnny Morris.

Any suggestions? Gore Tex alternatives? I don't want to look like a Trapper Keeper or Culture Club band member. I just want earth tones in solid colors with zip up pockets and reasonably priced.
 
I'm not sure what your pain threshold is for "Marmot money" but I would look at Campmor.com - they are usually a closing house for last year's models/styles. I checked Sierra Trading Post and Ben's Bargains, but those sites aren't what they used to be 15 years ago.

I think spending a $130-160 for a quality name brand shell is reasonable (and agree Cabelas ain't what it used to be either; especially after the Bass Pro takeover - they used to be a quality outfitter, now it's all chinesium). I still treat things with a breathable waterproofing spray even when brand new. Being wet sucks and can lead to issues (hypothermia). And also consider your base layers: either synthetic or wool (merino is great); absolutely NO COTTON! You want to make sure you can open up to vent heat/body vapor, and then zip back up before all the heat is gone.

Technical pants aren't a bad idea either. I have hiked all over Ireland; and guess what? It's always raining somewhere along the trail =D

Head covering is also important - same rules apply. Hoods are nice, but a tight fitting skull cap is wonderful. Oh, and since we are outfitting you, some thin "running gloves" are also nice to have. If you start getting a chill, the body starts pulling heat/blood away from the extremities quicker than you would like.



ETA: I have never heard of Grundens before but just skimmed their site - looks well built and if a commercial fisherman says it works, that's the best endorsement I can think of. Might be a little heavy for trekking, but as said, no experience.
 
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Rhinoliner said:
Frogg Toggs !
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Garbage. They're ok for a sprinkle, after a few hours they give up.

Next up was gore-tex BDU shell. It lasts longer than frog togs but still soaks through eventually.


Helly Hanson and Carhartt rubbers are the only things I've found to be truly waterproof.

You'll want to have plenty of merino wool to stay warm. Cotton will get soaked from your sweat and get cold in a hurry.
 
Splib said:
No Patagonia or Northface Fanbois ?? :rainbow:


:flipoff2:
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If you want to spend the money for their expedition level gear, it lives up to the hype. If you want to look like every basic college girl in leggings, Uggs, and a Northface puffy jacket waiting in line at Starbucks, you have a point :laughing:
 
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Lee said:
Outdoorsy stuff in the rain. Brother and SIL will probably twist my arm into painting some vacation rentals while I'm there too.
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So painting outdoors in the rain?:lmao::lmao:

There is no such thing as waterproof. Just measures of effectiveness at not getting soaked

The Harbor Freight solution - Golf Rain gear. Easily stowed, will work for an hour or two to get you back to the club house bar. You are going to need your golf towel to dry off. Can be disposed of after a week long trip. Won’t care about the paint splashes.

The REI solution - Columbia, special Starbucks Latte brand to differentiate from every other millennial wearing outdoorsy gear on the way to mall in their built JKs. 5 x the cost or more than the HF solution, still built by 7 year old Chinese kids but the price includes a green guilt fee to alleviate climate change. Might last a season or two but will need to be replaced sooner to remain cool or hip or riz or whatever.

The actual solution. Helly Hansen, though I prefer Henri LLoyd, actual wet weather gear used by the best of the off shore trades or racers. They are only worth a damn if they reek of sweat, mould, year old spilled black coffee, and some diesel stench from forgotten engine repairs. You don’t buy these things, you invest in them, and sometimes the real gear stays buried in your sea bag for a year or two. But when you need it you need it. And paying the cost of a small car for that dry suit will barely make it worth getting out of your bunk so you can be firehosed on the wind ward rail for a 4 hour watch. And you will still get wet, and stay wet, sometimes for weeks. The rookies, if they come back for the next leg or ocean crossing will all have spent their checks at the Chandlery for the same Helly or Lloyd gear (and it will be shorts or speedo sailing for a month)

My Lloyd Offshore farmer John’s have almost 100k sea miles on them, 1000 plus days of snow boarding and apart from teak rash on the ass (aforementioned sitting on wind ward rail) they are brand new

Too expensive to get paint splashes on though.
Why are you painting in the rain again? :lmao:
 
Personal preference is Brit surplus MVP gear, varusteleka.com has a decent selection for good prices (no affiliation, have bought from them and been happy) but you generally have to like camo of some flavor to go that route. It's shell layer only so you'll need to figure out warmth separately, but is the best I've found at waterproof with some breathability. Straight up rubber/vinyl is more waterproof but gives up breathable to get there.
 
Work: Blaklader hi vis
Fishing, hunting: carhartt heavy duty
Playing: Columbia titanium
 
Lowe Alpine

25 years old. Been in a driving rain many times. The jacket never let me down.
 
I've had good luck hansen and mountain hardware. I've used them for at least 5 years maybe closer to 10. Either way, the money I paid has been well worth it. They are due to be replaced, but I justkeep putting them on and they keep working. They look like hell and have a few rips in non critical areas though.
 
HH always has good deals on Amazon for last years stuff. Look at sailing gear. Holds up great and nice mobility
 
This fall? It'll be winter in a week or two.

Most I've spent on rain gear was sacrificing a good trash bag. Cut head and arm holes.

Have a heavy as shit Grundens coat from work, I've worn it about 15 mins. Can't hardly move and end up getting drenched by sweat more than the rain.
 
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Rhinoliner said:
Frogg Toggs !
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I've had good luck with my frogg toggs as emergency rain gear

cheap enough and small enough that they live in the rig, i've only used them a couple of times and they worked great for those situations

idk if i would take them to alaska tho :laughing:
 
outdoir research or marmot

patagonia made for narrow shoulder skinny ppl
 
OP: I want to get some technical outdoor gear for playing outside in all conditions.

Shit shat: What you need is some rubber crusted work clothes designed to keep you dry standing on one spot on a freezing ocean. :flipoff2:

If you want to spend a lot of money check out Filson.com and don't buy the waxed tin cloth unless you're going to be logging.

If yóu want something less expensive OutdoorResearch.com is a Seattle based company that makes excellent technical outdoor gear for a reasonable price.

They also make made in USA gear for high speed low drag types. :smokin:
 
AKnate said:
This fall? It'll be winter in a week or two.

Most I've spent on rain gear was sacrificing a good trash bag. Cut head and arm holes.

Have a heavy as shit Grundens coat from work, I've worn it about 15 mins. Can't hardly move and end up getting drenched by sweat more than the rain.
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Brother & his family are pretty far south, won't be that bad. I've been there in December and it was warmer than Arkansas. This will be Jewels' first non spring/summer visit.


The trip to AK is really irrelevant, other than motivating me to get a new rain jacket. Just need to replace my Cabela's PacLite Gore-Tex shell with something comparable.


Grundens has some decent looking stuff, but they're out of stock in everything I like that's for normal sized people.

I've seen the Helly Hansen stuff in my searching but have ignored it, I don't want to walk around with a giant HH billboard on my chest.


I've got a "least objectionable" Marmot jacket in my shopping cart, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Someone find me a large Grundens Trident in Otter in stock at a reputable vendor. I'll say nice-ish things about you.
 
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