Exposure to the elements is a reality of hiking and backpacking, as is the unpredictable, tempestuous nature of those elements. A hike begun under clear, sunny skies could end in driving rain and low-hanging clouds. Walking long distances in soaked clothes can be downright dangerous, not to mention supremely uncomfortable. Raingear comes in all categories of manufacture and expense.
Necessity
When shopping for raingear, consider the nature and demands of your typical outdoor recreation. A day hiker with an aversion to walking in a downpour may not need to spend much on raingear; an inexpensive poncho stashed in the pack might be all you need to tote. Some trail hikers even use umbrellas, which are somewhat impractical for long-distance backpacking or rigorous cross-country travel. Certain locations demand raingear if you plan on hiking to any extent. Roaming the coastal ranges and Cascades of the Pacific Northwest, for example, means running into rainstorms, especially from autumn to spring, and an under-equipped hiker will likely have an unpleasant experience.
Waterproofing
Jackets and pants may be water-resistant, as in soft shells, which are constructed of a tight enough weave to block against light precipitation. In heavy downpours, however, they will be of limited protection. As Rick Curtis notes in The Backpacker’s Field Manual, soft-shell layers dry quickly, a great advantage. Truly waterproof materials are specially designed to shield against precipitation.
Breathability
The most ideal raingear is both waterproof and breathable, which means it reduces the dampness from perspiration that can build up under a water-repelling fabric. To that end, some raingear may be equipped with zippered vents. Truly waterproof and breathable material like Gore-tex often features miniscule pores to shed perspiration vapor but still exclude the larger raindrops.
Major Raingear
In a pinch, cheap ponchos can keep you at least somewhat dry on the trail—as can, more primitively, a garbage bag with a head-hole cut into it. More robust shells include rain jackets of various levels of waterproofing, breathability and insulation. The hoods of serious rain jackets extend protection to the head and face. The casual hiker might overlook the importance of rain pants, but these leggings, which can be pulled on over your regular pair, keep your lower body from getting uncomfortably or even dangerously wet. Rain pants come in particular handy in bushwhacking situations, especially in steep, heavily vegetated terrain that, under heavy rainfall, becomes a dripping, muddy, slippery mess.
Other Raingear
Gaiters, which slip on over hiking boots and attach below the knees, are synthetic leggings that buffer your shins and ankles from injury. But they also help repel water, whether during a stream-crossing or a deluge, keeping your lower legs and, to some extent, your footwear drier than otherwise. In a mild rainshower, hikers might opt for a wide-brimmed hat instead of the hood of their poncho or jacket. Along a rainy, muddy trail, especially on more level surfaces, big rubber boots are sometimes preferable to more specialized hiking footwear.
References
- "Hiking Light Handbook: Carry Less, Enjoy More"; Karen Berger; 2004
- "The Backpacker's Field Manual"; Rick Curtis; 2005
- "Hiking from Here to Wow—North Cascades"; Craig Copeland, Kathy Copeland; 2007 (p. 244)
Member Comments
mgraney April 29
Good article, it has some thoughtful tips. It helped me decided on my North Face Resolve Jacket purchase. It's a reasonable price rangemand it does what i need it to do. It is seam sealed waterproof, and lightweight for when I get stuck in unexpected downpours. I can pack it into a small hiking pack for my day hikes. It's also breathable I bought it from sportsunlimited.com. They had a pretty nice selection of rain gear, all different price ranges and styles.