Wetting out - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

A couple people have referred to their rain jackets as wicking water into it, or soaking through.

On a jacket like the precip, the actual “waterproof” coating is applied to the inside of the face fabric. That face fabric has nothing more than a layer of DWR on it. The fact that the jacket is wetting out has nothing to do with the interior waterproofing, and everything to do with the dwr/face fabric. The wetness you feel underneath the areas that have wet out is not actual water leaking through, but instead a clamminess caused by the condensation and decreased breathability once the face fabric has wet out.

Twintipteles

#2

I’ll add some info to Twintipteles’ excellent post. Waterproof fabric works in what can be best described as contradictory system.

You may notice a clamminess whenever you hike and wear waterproof/breathable shells like Gore-Tex, Precip, System III. That’s because in order for the breathability to work, your body heat creates condensation against the inner side of the waterproof shell. The condensation moves through the tiny holes in the waterproof fabric, and once on the outside, it’s suppose to evaporate into the air. That could be one reason why people feel a wetness on the inside of their waterproof/breathable shell.

Suvid

#3

I’ll add some info to Twintipteles’ excellent post. Waterproof fabric works in what can be best described as contradictory system.

You may notice a clamminess whenever you hike and wear waterproof/breathable shells like Gore-Tex, Precip, System III. That’s because in order for the breathability to work, your body heat creates condensation against the inner side of the waterproof shell. The condensation moves through the tiny holes in the waterproof fabric, and once on the outside, it’s suppose to evaporate into the air. That could be one reason why people feel a wetness on the inside of their waterproof/breathable shell.

blogs.lancasteronline.com/basecamp

Suvid

#4

The system “works” as long as the humidity is lower, outside of said garment, than inside. In cold weather dry weather its very easy to see body moisture evaporate into the air if you look at the shoulder of a warm hiker against a background. Steam. In those condition you’ll stay relatively dry. Try that on a 55* rainy day and hump a 40# pack up hill…you’ll have water in you sox from it condensing on the inside, no where to go since it more humid outside than in. That’s maybe where a sil poncho comes into play-more ventilation than pants and jacket. Or a bumpershoot. We just quit wearing rain gear above 50*. Too hot and the above problem.

Bushwhack

#5

I’m a heavy sweater. Even on mild days. I’ve tried the Precip and Sierra Designs Hurricane outfits. Regardless, I will soak everything inside the raingear. If it’s not too cold I will often hike with next to nothing on inside the raingear - and not worry about the condensation or sweat or whatever it is.

A poncho gives a lot more ventilation - but just wait until you get some incoming wind. You will be fighting to keep it in place. I’ve often wondered if there are ponchos that have some type of elastic band or strap that keeps the poncho (lightly) around your body.

The Unknown Hiker

#6

Yes, some of them have an elastic draw cords. Ones that Campmor sells, I don’t recall the model, sorry, going by a friend’s journal posting and gear list, no name mentioned. Campmor has a bunch of models, have to search them all.

Bushwhack