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Hot weather rain jacket

mark5pt56

mark5pt56

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Nov 20, 2005
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So, I'm in SW Florida, recent events reminded me that I need another rain jacket. It seems that if not wearing a trash bag, anything leaks after time. Then of course you look like the fat guy wearing a sweat suit circa 1980, etc.
Anyhow, not fat, in shape what's a decent hot weather jacket nowadays that has a balance in performance and cost?
 
mark5pt56 said:
So, I'm in SW Florida, recent events reminded me that I need another rain jacket. It seems that if not wearing a trash bag, anything leaks after time. Then of course you look like the fat guy wearing a sweat suit circa 1980, etc.
Anyhow, not fat, in shape what's a decent hot weather jacket nowadays that has a balance in performance and cost?
Click to expand...
IMHO he first questions to ask are what is the balance you want to achieve between activity and weather protection. And relatedly, what activities do you want to engage in while wearing the jacket. As a general rule, will get wet one way or another if you are active in the rain. Either from leaking softshells or from sweating out hardshells/goretex.
 
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Patagonia thinks it is “unpretentious”. That’s rich.

When it’s hot, and rainy, I sweat so hard in rain gear I may as well not wear any. A single layer goretex shell is the best bet, in my opinion.

arcteryx Beta jacket comes to mind.

or seriously, the lightest, cheapest nylon rain jacket you can buy at “big box sporting goods“ of your choice.
 
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ma smith said:
IMHO he first questions to ask are what is the balance you want to achieve between activity and weather protection. And relatedly, what activities do you want to engage in while wearing the jacket. As a general rule, will get wet one way or another if you are active in the rain. Either from leaking softshells or from sweating out hardshells/goretex.
Click to expand...
Normally jacking off doing load development of the latest 6mm wahzoo with bubble levels and 3 chromo's while reading SH--haha, joking.
I'm not working anymore so it may be fishing or if having some rain while walking the dogs. Of course now they're certified to pee in 115 gust and the old Columbia is toast. Oh, tried to get some wind readings with the Kestrel but it didn't seem to work well.
Headed out and will check on the ones above later, tks for now.
 
OREGUN said:
arcteryx Beta jacket comes to mind.

or seriously, the lightest, cheapest nylon rain jacket you can buy at “big box sporting goods“ of your choice.
Click to expand...
+1 if its warm and inescapably wet, the basic entry leve rain jacket from a decent brand is perfect.

I'd personally also recommend you pair it with an umbrella, since it really helps breathability to not have to wear the hood.
 
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I don't think they make them anymore, but...
North Face Mountain Jacket...just the shell.
Gore-Tex and bombproof, probably why they don't make them anymore eh ?
It accepts zip in liner jackets of all types so when it does get cold it does that well too.
 
Have worn this jacket it all kinds of conditions and hasn't failed me yet. A trusted piece of gear when fishing the high country in the San Juan's and elsewhere.

www.simmsfishing.com

Flyweight Shell Fishing Jacket | Simms Fishing

SIMMS Flyweight Shell Fishing Jacket. Our lightest, waterproof-breathable shell that's always ready when summer squalls hit.
www.simmsfishing.com www.simmsfishing.com
 
n2ishun said:
I don't think they make them anymore, but...
North Face Mountain Jacket...just the shell.
Gore-Tex and bombproof, probably why they don't make them anymore eh ?
It accepts zip in liner jackets of all types so when it does get cold it does that well too.
Click to expand...
Bought the mountain jacket, pants and fleece liners many years ago before NF sold out. Absolutely bombproof and functional. My goto gear when its really nasty out there.
 
if it works for them you should have no problems
1664825308914.png

make Tarzan proud lol
 
Thanks, I will sort through these and see what fits the best. Yeah, if I know I won't be out long, I don't worry about it. But if I'm going to be out for a bit, I loose heat fast, especially in the "winter time" Yeah, Yeah I know, winter time haha. When I was working I had various jackets, coats, bibs and parka's But I don't need the heavy duty stuff to last in the winter mid Atlantic when it rains at 33 degrees for days, all day and you have to be in it.
 
A single layer GoreTex or similar jacket with large pit zippers is the way to go. No vapor permeable material will keep up with a high sweat rate - up to 2 liters per hour for fit folks. A the air inside a sealed/vapor permeable jacket will reach 100% saturation in about 15 min or less under moderate exercise. So you need the ability to open vents (mechanical ventilation) to dump vapor and exchange the air inside the jacket with less saturated air.
Kuiu, ArcTeryx, Patagucci, Varusteleka/Särmä and other light hardshell work well. So does a poncho.
 
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I'll probably regret asking this, but what about FroggToggs? Are they workable, or are they garbage?
 
Its a 3 layer jacket so it keeps you dry even during prolonged exposure. The downside is that it can get hot if you are active in Summer, but the pit zips make it less of an issue (I am extremely hot natured). I have had that jacket about 2 years and it still looks brand new. It has a somewhat slim fit, not baggy at all. The jacket has a lot of features for only $150. I have had jackets from Columbia and North Face, the Patagonia puts them to shame.

The Black Diamond mentioned is a nice jacket also, the two seem to be very similar. I think the OP would be happy with either.
 
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I've worked for a few of the companies mentioned above. Brand names aside, the fabrics and construction/sealing are to all intents, the same. Some might have better pockets, flaps, vents, but there's little functional advantage
Seam sealed jackets with Goretex or other "breathable" laminated membrane are great in winter, when ambient temps mean you're either not sweating or you're wearing sweat absorbing layers between skin and jacket.
But if you're wearing it in Florida, in any kind of heat you'll soon find that Goretex or other "breathable" laminated membranes that keep water out also keep all that heat your body's trying to dump, in. That'll make you sweat more and It'll get hot and slimy on the inside in short order.
Find something cheap and waterproof with underarm zips and a back vent you can open, it'll be as functional as an expensive jacket.
The other option, as someone suggested above, embrace the rain. Wear quick drying pants/shirt/knit top treated with DWR. Heavy rain will push through between the yarns, but the fabric itself won't hold any moisture- it will be breathable, you'll be comfortable, won't sweat like a pig and you'll air dry quickly...
 

Compare Products - The Best Rain Jackets for Men | GearLab

Review rating summary for the best Rain Jackets for Men from our review: Best Rain Jackets for Men of 2024.
www.outdoorgearlab.com www.outdoorgearlab.com

I would agree with a lot of what Aisparks said above.

"Find something cheap and waterproof with underarm zips and a back vent you can open, it'll be as functional as an expensive jacket."

My experience hiking in warm weather has been about the same. I have had tremendous luck with Marmot and consider one of their older designs my favorite rain jacket. My opinion, get something waterproof, lightweight (stupid to have a heavy rain jacket), and it MUST have pit zips NO MATTER WHAT. When moving in warm rain, pit zips are the difference between a mini sauna and staying dry under the jacket.


This one is a no frills model I've found to be less than comfortable overall, but very functional for a great price and is the one I recommend most often. The 2 we had didn't leak for 3 years with water repellent added when washing. It has pit zips; the website LIES as I couldn't find it at $45 or I would have picked 2 up for family members:

www.outdoorgearlab.com

The 5 Best Rain Jackets for Men of 2024

Over the last 10 years, we've tested over close to 60 of the best rain jackets designed for men. This review features 18 of the market's top contenders...
www.outdoorgearlab.com www.outdoorgearlab.com

I have a Frogs Togs very large jacket that I wear OVER my rain jacket in very heavy downpours. It is a horrible rain jacket if worn by itself (no breathing, water rolls into sleeves, hood too large unless you have a helmet on, etc). But having that over layer over your primary rain jacket is sometimes the difference between wetting out and staying dry. if you're moving in rain for extended periods, rain jackets do wet through sometimes.

for urban and short usage, the semi-disposable ponchos work great as we'll OVER a rain jacket, or just to toss over to get into a store

you need the semi-disposable because the ones less than $7 each are just dry cleaning thickness plastic and will literally last 0-3 uses. the heavy duty ones that are closer to $20 will last in terms of durability, but you're better off with a jacket for the weight. the semi-disposable ones are the thicker plastic that you can stretch/tear with effort, but likely will last a long while. those are the ones I prefer

I bought them last at Target, but can't find them on the website anymore.

Don't forget to use quality footwear or at least water repellant spray your footwear if walking for a while in rain. Maybe not flip flops.
 
Arcteryx Beta LT is the best thing I’ve found for FL rain storms and I went through a lot of jackets trying to find one that I didn’t sweat my ass off in or just got soaked in more than 5 minutes of exposure. Goretex is a must and so are under arm zippers. The Arcteryx doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a trash bag either and gets plenty of air flow. I have a LL bean gore tex shell that was probably my second favorite but the air doesn’t flow like with the Arcteryx.
 
pineoak said:

Compare Products - The Best Rain Jackets for Men | GearLab

Review rating summary for the best Rain Jackets for Men from our review: Best Rain Jackets for Men of 2024.
www.outdoorgearlab.com www.outdoorgearlab.com

I would agree with a lot of what Aisparks said above.

"Find something cheap and waterproof with underarm zips and a back vent you can open, it'll be as functional as an expensive jacket."

My experience hiking in warm weather has been about the same. I have had tremendous luck with Marmot and consider one of their older designs my favorite rain jacket. My opinion, get something waterproof, lightweight (stupid to have a heavy rain jacket), and it MUST have pit zips NO MATTER WHAT. When moving in warm rain, pit zips are the difference between a mini sauna and staying dry under the jacket.


This one is a no frills model I've found to be less than comfortable overall, but very functional for a great price and is the one I recommend most often. The 2 we had didn't leak for 3 years with water repellent added when washing. It has pit zips; the website LIES as I couldn't find it at $45 or I would have picked 2 up for family members:

www.outdoorgearlab.com

The 5 Best Rain Jackets for Men of 2024

Over the last 10 years, we've tested over close to 60 of the best rain jackets designed for men. This review features 18 of the market's top contenders...
www.outdoorgearlab.com www.outdoorgearlab.com

I have a Frogs Togs very large jacket that I wear OVER my rain jacket in very heavy downpours. It is a horrible rain jacket if worn by itself (no breathing, water rolls into sleeves, hood too large unless you have a helmet on, etc). But having that over layer over your primary rain jacket is sometimes the difference between wetting out and staying dry. if you're moving in rain for extended periods, rain jackets do wet through sometimes.

for urban and short usage, the semi-disposable ponchos work great as we'll OVER a rain jacket, or just to toss over to get into a store

you need the semi-disposable because the ones less than $7 each are just dry cleaning thickness plastic and will literally last 0-3 uses. the heavy duty ones that are closer to $20 will last in terms of durability, but you're better off with a jacket for the weight. the semi-disposable ones are the thicker plastic that you can stretch/tear with effort, but likely will last a long while. those are the ones I prefer

I bought them last at Target, but can't find them on the website anymore.

Don't forget to use quality footwear or at least water repellant spray your footwear if walking for a while in rain. Maybe not flip flops.
Click to expand...
x2
 
Jefe's Dope said:
x2
Click to expand...
Not sure how much Id believe that review....their missing some of the best performing, proven rain jackets on that list..... Depends which review you read I guess.

This review has pretty much all the main rain jackets discussed in this thread as best of the best in their category....

www.switchbacktravel.com

Switchback Travel | Best Rain Jackets of 2024

An in-depth look at the top rain jackets on the market, from versatile jackets for hiking and everyday use to ultralight emergency shells
www.switchbacktravel.com www.switchbacktravel.com


I wore my BlackDiamond StormLine stretch Monday from 4am - 4pm here in the northeast doing walkthroughs outside in the hurricane Ian remnants stalled over the region bringing sideways downpour all day at clients sites. I wore it over my Patagonia hooded Micro Puff. Was comfortable as can be, bone dry when I got home at 5pm. Love my StormLines. I have one in each car.

I did have a North Face Venture rain jacket before these Black Diamonds that served me well for a solid 6-7yr before it started leaking at the seams after prolonged exposure in the rain... Thats when I switched after doing some research and I have zero regrets. I have many times been in downpour for 6-8hr straight and the StormLine kept me bone dry. Just wearing a Orvis quick dry t-shirt in hot/humid weather and cold weather over a Patagonia coat or North Face fleece... The under arm pit zipper air vents are great when needed as well as the adjustble bucket hood! Especially in a driving rain or when wearing a ball cap. Adjustable hem and cuffs are great....
 
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Arcteryx makes great rain gear that is durable, albeit on the expensive side. Worth taking a look.
 
I have this in black and even after 10 years still waterproof. Seam tape is starting to peel a little but it’s 10 yrs old. Find whatever the newer version is and it’s light and Gore-Tex…which is a must
bootstrapadventure.com

The North Face Summit Series Pac-Lite Gortex Technical Shell

The North Face Summit Series Pac-Lite Gortex Technical Shell 56% Off Brand: The North Face Model: Summit Series Pac-Lite Size: EXTRA S Gender: Women Condition: Excellent Quantity: 1 Category: Used Gear
bootstrapadventure.com bootstrapadventure.com
 
Have had good expereince wit hREI's goretex rain shell, and Arcteryx Beta jacket (at 2x the price at least - but built extremely solid and using Goretex PRo material)
 
I'm surprised no one's mentioned Shake Dry yet. Best thing I've worn on the bike yet.

There's a pair of downsides: A. it isn't the most durable material out there so if you're wearing a pack, you may rub thru and B. it's black, black, or black. Pick one

I've also figured out that half-sleeve hardshells are great in the summer. The forearm free lets you shed heat in the summer and keeps in enough heat for aerobic activities in the winter. ...and yeah, I thought the buddy that sold me one was nuts too. Right up until I actually wore the thing

HTH

M
 
Outdoor Research Foray II Jacket. Single layer, light Gore-Tex. Decent price which is even better if Mil/Leo.
Foray II
 
Sitka Dewpoint Jacket is an awesome Gore-Tex jacket, has big pit zips to dump heat, rolls up small and beads water right off. On the expensive side but it has been a great jacket for me.
 
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For years I've been using my Arc'teryx Alpha LT, it's been with me from the Arizona desert, to central and South America, Europe and Asia and Antarctica. Love this jacket, I'm sure I'll get many more years out of it.
 
I was going to second the Sitka Dewpoint. I have like 15 Goretex/membrane jackets from super LW to sweat your ass off in the middle of the blizzard in antarctic.

Single Layer or 2 Layer Gortex is what you want. Something from Sitka, Patagucci, Mountain Hardware, Marmont, Arterx, Kuiu or any of the premium brands will work. Like has been mentioned, you NEED vents. The deciding factor will be durability. Something more durable will be thicker/hotter.

Also check out runners jackets for Ultra Lightweight stuff.
 
When in rain in hot weather I have always gotten wet by sweat inside a rain jacket or from the rain, even the most "breathable" goretex is not enough ventilation for me. One alternative has been a light quarter-zip polypro long underwear top, yes I get wet but not from sweat and the polypro provides insulation when wet to take the edge off the chill. This method only works when moving and you need to top up when you stop.

For pants I usually use foul weather gear bibs I purchase from shops that support the commercial fishing industry, I lain waste to too many pairs of lightweight breathable rain pants through kneeling, brush, ...
 
mark5pt56 said:
So, I'm in SW Florida, recent events reminded me that I need another rain jacket. It seems that if not wearing a trash bag, anything leaks after time. Then of course you look like the fat guy wearing a sweat suit circa 1980, etc.
Anyhow, not fat, in shape what's a decent hot weather jacket nowadays that has a balance in performance and cost?
Click to expand...
you need something gore tex
 
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