I would bring rain pants along on your trip---just in case.mfster wrote:What do you guys think about the necessity of full rain gear (in late July). I have an Arcteryx shell, but wondering if rain pants are a necessity.
And if so, any affordable recommendations?
Thanks!
I'm thinking about trying a Rain Kilt this year.. Its basically just a rectangular piece of waterproof fabric with a velcro waist band.mfster wrote:What do you guys think about the necessity of full rain gear (in late July). I have an Arcteryx shell, but wondering if rain pants are a necessity.
And if so, any affordable recommendations?
Thanks!
Hehehehe!!mattB wrote:I'm thinking about trying a Rain Kilt this year.. Its basically just a rectangular piece of waterproof fabric with a velcro waist band.mfster wrote:What do you guys think about the necessity of full rain gear (in late July). I have an Arcteryx shell, but wondering if rain pants are a necessity.
And if so, any affordable recommendations?
Thanks!
Easy on, easy off; and if you have gaiters, you're pretty much covered..
You can even make them yourself, at least the you-tube videos look pretty easy.
I've never worn one, but I think it would be worth a try..
Otherwise I have a pretty light pair of rain pants, and a pair of light rain chaps, I usually bring one of the other when backpacking. I've only rarely had to use them, but its better to have them and not use them than need them and not have them..
But, I'm like Pete, my first line of defense is to not go out in the rain!!
I don't like taking chances with ending up cold and wet. I also don't like carrying extra weight. My favorite "insurance policy" rain pants are the Montane Minimus pants. They weigh about 5.5 ounces and they're the most comfortable and breathable rain pants I've ever used. They're not built for bushwacking in heavy brush, but they're great for keeping me dry on the trail in three seasons. And they're light enough that I don't mind having them in my pack when the rain doesn't materialize. At $140 retail, I wouldn't consider them affordable, but I managed to find mine for $80 in a Facebook gear swap group. With a sale and a coupon, they might be a possibility. Note: The Montane Minimus pants run small - order up one size.mfster wrote:What do you guys think about the necessity of full rain gear (in late July). I have an Arcteryx shell, but wondering if rain pants are a necessity.
And if so, any affordable recommendations?
Thanks!
Should have been more specific. The question was about a multiday trip in the backcountry (four nights).llholmes1948 wrote:I am unclear if the original question was pertaining to backcountry hiking or day hiking. For overnight hikes it would be best to be cautious and have some rain gear. For day hikes, as long as the weather appears decent (and the weather report is decent) I usually pack quite light and do not carry rain gear. Perhaps I have lived a charmed life so far but I can think of only two day hikes in Glacier where the weather turned unexpectedly bad and in those instances we just hiked out. In an overnight we would have been miserable in those conditions, but on a day hike we survived quite well.
If the weather is bad we just don't hike that day and spend the day in Whitefish, Kalispell, Browning or Waterton instead. I realize that some do want to hike rain or shine and they will have to assess their priorities accordingly.
Lyman