Posted: 5/22/2010 8:06:51 AM EDT
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Who makes a lightweight rain jacket? It's going to sit in my hiking bag in case of emergency.
Any suggestions? Last summer, one day, weather was fine, weather was predicted to be fine for the whole day even. So I decided to go on a 8 mile hike with my buddy... Out of nowhere, we had hail, a tornado touch down outside the park, and pouring rain. I wore a cotton t-shirt that got soaked with water and I began to get chills. I want to be a bit more prepared this time around. |
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I bought one of these cause they were cheap and I thought I'd just see what it was like
Lightweight OD French rain/wind jacket Very lightweight, olive drab and perfect for stuffing away in a pack for a rainy day. I used it while instructing a recent rifle course in a steady rain. Worked great when two students surplus Mil Gore-Tex jackets soaked through. Very surprising and a good deal. I plan on buying a few more......... |
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I have two lightweight rain jackets, a L. L. Bean packable Gore-Tex and a The North Face HyVent DT. I've been wearing the L. L. Bean jacket for almost 5 years and it has really held up. The lining, stitching, velcro, zippers, etc are all in good shape after years of use.
The North Face jacket I got for Christmas this last year. It is lighter weight then the L. L. Bean, it is not lined. The interior is mesh. It looks well made and I have no doubt it will last, just haven't used it nearly as much as the other one yet. If you can, try one on first before you buy and see if you can size it to wear a fleece or some insulation underneath the rain jacket. |
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The North Face Resolve
I've had a couple and they are fantastic. |
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FWIW, most decent surplus stores and internet vendors will have GI OD PVC rain jackets and rain pants. Usually for cheap, since GoreTex is currently in vogue.
If the proper size is bought (larger is better), and in VG condition, a little low-gloss Armorall dashboard spritzing will make them into pretty serviceable garments. In fact, I'm on the lookout for just such an ensemble, to augment my GI GoreTex stuff. |
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http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/The-North-Face-Triumph-Anorak-Jacket-Mens/TNF3112M.html
I have one of these and totally worth the money. 6oz of waterproof breathable protection. I shopped and got it or less than $100 and it saved my life on a mountaineering trip (got rained on past the 10,000 foot mark on Mt Shasta) on a day that it was not supposed to rain. I had on a pair of softshell pants and a wicking shirt and got soaked talking hypothermia leval. by the time I put it on and set up the tent my undershirt was dry. Pants were another story 
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