Hello everyone,

Looking for opinions on LW waterproof outerwear. It’s hard to find QUIET hard shell, waterproof gear, but figured if there was a solution, someone here would know what it was.

Thanks in advance,

MK

Waterproof and light weight? No such thing.

Salomon Bonatti Jacket works well but is not especially quiet. Usually the loudest noise I can hear is the rain on the hood.


mike r

My solution was to give up on trying to get something that's lightweight, waterproof, and quiet. In other words, just accept the noise. I like Marmot Precips., mostly because of the side zips on the bottoms that allow you to put them on or take them of with boots on and to ventilate during lulls in the downpour.

I have been using the Torrent Shell rain gear from Patagonia as my go too for a few years but the packability and weight were an issue and always wanted a better solution. This years trip to the Andes in Peru I took a TerraHiker poncho:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/history?ref_=nav_timeline_view_history
Light and packs down to nothing. performed very well in the high winds and heavy rain at above 14,500' for 2 weeks. This is now my go to and I can live with the short comings of a poncho versus full coverage. It breathes well.
It is loud, like the Torrent, but have found nothing worthwhile in the rain gear category that was quiet and did the job. It does fully cover the backpack so no issues there either.
If I were in an area where rain was a normal everyday occurrence, and the temperatures were low like in the low 40's and lower, I would stay with a full coverage rain suit.
I ended up buying 8 more of these for friends in Peru who were in impressed with this poncho.
Cost of these are around $20 so well worth a try.

In your experience what makes lightweight hardshells not waterproof?

The seams.

Seam tape can and does still fail in regular weight hardshells.

I was rather disappointed in how easy the full width seam tape detached in 3 layer gore-tex jacket of mine.

It wasn't an expensive technical featured alpine jacket like my others which are Arcteryx -
(one has regular seam tape the other micro seam tape) , but it was still Gore certified
and failed miserably in short time with only light and irregular urban use.

I hope my Arcteryx gear does not end up like this:
https://imgur.com/zDBHtwN

Four observations, in response:

1) That's not what I'd call a revelation;

2) I didn't say otherwise;

3) That wasn't the question' and

4) Seams are the weak link in rain gear of any weight you'd want to carry around in a pack.

To some readers it may well be, best you don't take it upon yourself to speak for all others.



I don't recall saying that you did.



My question was and is still open to whatever answers are relevant.



Some hardshell owners have reported some zippers are proving the weak link while the seam tape keeps holding up.

Yes, and 4 out of 5 dentists recommend Dentyne for their patients who chew gum.

Seriously though, by "weak link" do you mean the zippers fail to function as designed, or that they allow water to penetrate?

relatively quiet (not fleece quiet though) and relatively lightweight is the Sitka Dewpoint- 3 layer Gore, long pit zips @ 13 oz for size large

Waterproof means rubber!

Breathable means the fabric can release moisture. Which in turn means pressure can and will push water through the fabric. I don't know about you, but I hunt with a pack most of the time. I hunt in brush. I sit down and glass. I have slings on my guns. All of which rub and push water through the fabric.

The Marmot Precip is a decent jacket however it is not durable at all.

This.

My latest Precip cost me $60.00. For occasional use they are awesome.


mike r

Yes they are fairly inexpensive decent throw away jackets.

LOL. I wore mine on a 12 day walk-in sheep hunt in AK. It rained constantly. They did fine and I still have them, even after sliding down a gravel chute on my butt with a pack full of meat.

Laffin,
You must be old to remember that.....


Hey, wait. I must be old........damn.

Old is a state of mind, 'slave. Well, mostly......

Several of the Guide services on Denali recommend Precip Jacket and pants.



mike r

I think I go through 2 per year, but I wear it a lot more than 12 days. As I said they are a fairly cheap good throw away jacket and pants.

You're my hero but I do have a question. If you have to throw away two pairs a year why do you keep buying them?

I've had good luck with Grundens Weather Watch stuff. $50-$60 and usually holds up for a few years of hunting/wood cutting/fishing and whatnot.

Quiet and waterproof is tough. PVC ain't bad but not quiet. I like the Kuiu Chugach stuff, but waterproof it isn't Your best bet could be to just get wet, and have spare clothes/pvc when you don't want to be wet.

What is cheaper and lighter, that works as well? Let me know and I'll switch.

The only downfall I see is that they aren't durable.