Lightweight, packable rain suit

[Chief_Rick]

I'm looking for something to keep in my work bag in case I get caught in an afternoon downpour. Something to get me 1/4 mile from where I work to where I have to park. Also, want it to be something I can carry with me when I travel. I have Gore-Tex that I wear when I know I'll be needing it, but sometimes you can't plan for pop-up showers along the MS Gulf Coast.

I've had Frogg Toggs in the past, but they tore very easily.

Outdoor Research Apollo, Outdoor Research Dryline, Merrell Fallon, and Vortex Cloud Shaker are a few rain jackets that I've looked at (online). Not sure if they have pants or if I'd have to mix and match.

Appreciate thoughts and recommendations.

 

[WeiserBucks]

What's the budget and what kind of durability do you need?

 

[chzhd]

I keep a pair of these in my truck just in case. They are very lightweight and relatively inexpensive and pack down pretty small.

https://www.marmot.com/men/bottoms/mens-precip-eco-pants/AFS_889169478659.html

T

 

[SmileMaker]

Helly Hansen Impertech

Helly Hansen Impertech Raingear Review | Alaska Gear Reviews - Alaska Outdoors Supersite

Are you in the market for a really good set of rain gear for your Alaska trip? One of the best brands going is Helly Hansen. Impertech is the brand of choice for many fishing and hunting guides in Alaska. If it's tough enough for guiding, it's worth a look.

alaskaoutdoorssupersite.com

 

[Chief_Rick]

What's the budget and what kind of durability do you need?

I would like to keep the set to under $250, under $200 if possible.

I don't want cheap. I won't be trying to hike through the woods or over the mountains, but the more durable the better.

 

[Fmilby]

I'm looking for something to keep in my work bag in case I get caught in an afternoon downpour. Something to get me 1/4 mile from where I work to where I have to park. Also, want it to be something I can carry with me when I travel. I have Gore-Tex that I wear when I know I'll be needing it, but sometimes you can't plan for pop-up showers along the MS Gulf Coast.

I've had Frogg Toggs in the past, but they tore very easily.

Outdoor Research Apollo, Outdoor Research Dryline, Merrell Fallon, and Vortex Cloud Shaker are a few rain jackets that I've looked at (online). Not sure if they have pants or if I'd have to mix and match.

Appreciate thoughts and recommendations.

Frog rigs are decent I use them a lot and not expensive

 

[Fmilby]

Frog rigs are decent I use them a lot and not expensive

Sorry frogtogs

 

[smcfarland]

I’ve been very happy with my Kuiu Chugach rain gear. Expensive, but has been worth every penny when I needed it. Has held up well over the past 7 years of intermittent use. You can watch their outlet web site for occasional deals.

 

[Fmilby]

Sorry frogtogs

And very packable

 

[Chief_Rick]

Is Mountain Hardwear good?

Looking at Quasar Lite™ GORE-TEX Active Jacket & Exposure/2 GORE-TEX Paclite® Pants.

Discount/sale gets me just under $300.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Honestly anything from mountain hardware, marmot, Columbia, patagonia or similar that has a 2 layer membrane will be similar. You can get good deals on it and unless durability is a concern buying the super Gucci shit is kind of a waste of money. I have rain jackets from all of the above and rotate through them. Coming from the PNW with 8 months of rain, we just get used to having a jacket stashed away. I wouldn't pay more than $75-125 for one.

 

[powdahound76]

I find that after a lot of use, Goretex holds up better than say the Marmot Precip or whatever the patagonia is called.

Those work and keep you dry for short periods (less than 2 hrs of not torrential downpour).

Gore works better for longer (all day) repeatedly in my experience.

Everything I have owned from Mountain Hardware has been good stuff.
Plenty over the years.

That Gore top and bottom looks darn good for a bump in budget.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

There are different versions of goretex. 2 and 3 layer. 3 layer is more durrable and expensive but it doesn't breathe as well as 2 layer.

 

[Baron23]

Is Mountain Hardwear good?

Looking at Quasar Lite™ GORE-TEX Active Jacket & Exposure/2 GORE-TEX Paclite® Pants.

Discount/sale gets me just under $300.

Yes, very good quality but I've found that in general they cut their clothing to the slim side for men much younger than I.

I prefer Arc'teryx for fit but it is very pricey.

 

[Chief_Rick]

The other set that I'm currently considering are the Black Diamond Men's Stormline Stretch Full Zip Rain Pants and Men's Stormline Stretch Rain Shell. These are not Gore-Tex but are also slightly less expensive after discount.

Should I stick with the Gore-Tex?

Those Arc'teryx are more than I'm wanting to spend for what these will be used for. I whatever I chose stays folded up in the backpack/work bag.

I appreciate all the feedback.

 

[lht645]

Antigravitygear

Rain Gear | AntiGravityGear

 

[powdahound76]

The other set that I'm currently considering are the Black Diamond Men's Stormline Stretch Full Zip Rain Pants and Men's Stormline Stretch Rain Shell. These are not Gore-Tex but are also slightly less expensive after discount.

Should I stick with the Gore-Tex?

Those Arc'teryx are more than I'm wanting to spend for what these will be used for. I whatever I chose stays folded up in the backpack/work bag.

I appreciate all the feedback.

I have never used any of BD’s clothes.

Used a lot of their gear rock climbing, ice climbing, back country skiing, and ski mountaineering.


My guess is it will fit on the slim side as well.
Say, normal for sizing 20 yrs ago….

Everything of their’s I have used was top notch and functioned great.
The small issues I had, were taken care of 100% and quickly.

I bet over the years I have owned 15k + pretty easy of their gear.