Raingear to bring on the CT?

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#1

What type of raingear should I buy for my July-August Thru-hike? I am trying to keep my packweight low, but I dont like to be cold. I am sure this is a loaded question with all sorts of different opinions. What are some jackets that will provide the warmth for the possible 20+ degree times in the San Juans, yet be forgiving enough to wear at the lower elevations? With respect to rain-gear AND a coat, what did YOU wear on your Thru? How did it perform? I have only hiked the lower elevations and don’t really know what to expect up top. Any advice is great.

Stephen

#2

I hiked in Early July. When I got just past Brekinridge I hit a big Hailstorm with temps in the low 40’s. It was very cold. Also had a couple of nights at altitude where it got below freezing. I used a light fiber filled jacket and light rain coat which was fine the entire time. Camp was pretty cold sitting around in the morning sometimes but a few minutes of hiking would cure that.

Big B

#3

Stephen, I used a Patagonia rain jacket, home-sewn syl-ny kilt and leggings for rain gear. Fleece top and pants for warmth as needed. My body was never cold but my exposed hands were. Carry gloves of some kind. Some hikers use latex “kitchen” gloves as part of their raingear. My trail running shoes and socks got soaked in heavy rain. I consider that unavoidable. On my thru hike, I had only 2 days with serious rain. Otherwise, expect an afternoon shower (2 minutes to 2 hours)every day.

Bowlegs

#4

Okay, so rain gear can be a source of insulation, but my preference is to separate the two roles. I like Frogg Togg DriDucks because they are super light and super cheap, and slightly breathable. If the temps hit the 50s, then the Frogg Toggs provide just enough warmth to be comfortable sitting around camp.

But, on the CT, my opinion is that you’ll probably also have a cold night or two where temps get to low 40s or high 30s. For that, I’d suggest a down sweater or a light primaloft jacket. To me, having that insulation layer is like an insurance policy against very bad weather…and you can always put your Frogg Toggs over top of the insulaton.

Loup

#5

I’ve always brought rain gear, unless there is no chance of rain, winter or very mild risk in the desert. In the desert, I would bring a rain jacket on any extended hike. I also have developed a bias against Goretex (except in alpine conditions) and most “breathables” as I feel I sweat as much in them as in the cheapest rain jackets. Frequently, the cost is quite high for breathables. I agree that a rain jacket is primarily for warmth on the trail. I’ve hiked in expensive Gortex, Frogg Toggs, Marmot PreCip, and cheap nylon coats. All of them worked fine if seam sealed. Weight and cost are usually my guide. The book, Extreme Alpinism by Mark Twight, while not gear toward hiking offers some interesting insights in how to do with less in difficult environments.

Flash

#6

I have done 2 separate section hikes on the CT, Denver to Breckenridge (2012), and the sections 20-21 through the San Juans(2011). When we did the San Juans, we had about ten inches of rain in 3 days. Unbeievable. Then none in 2012 on an 8 day trip. When we hit the rain in the San Juans the 5 of us each had a different rain jacket, everybody was fine and not to cold. 2 gore-tex, three not. Hands were the big problem: No one had waterproof gloves. All of our hands were cold and the gloves basically useless once wet. Note that I almost always hike in shorts and ended up keeping my rain pants on for 2 days. They were just bottom of the line sierra designs but were fine. Bottom line, make sure the dry hands and pants are covered also. When they say monsoon season, it is not necessarily an exageration.

jbsbestfan

#7

I did the CT last year and used a Bab Momentun in eVent paired with a ULA rain wrap; I needed the combo a few times - most notably in a stinging rain. sleet, and snow storm on the aptly named Snow Mesa.

I took a Montane windshirt and used it quite a lot early mornings.

I agree about the hands; I only had liner gloves but my Buff mitts should have come along for the ride too.

edh