Windshirt/precip

imported
#1

I own both a Windshirt and a PreCip. I think the Windshirt is fantastic and feel less enthusiastic about the PreCip, but it gets the job done and is a reliable piece of gear. My question is whether both are necessary for a thru-hike? I was thinking that I could bring the Windshirt (which holds up fine in a light snow/rain or drizzle) and use a silnylon or even a disposable poncho during anything heavier and save some space and weight. Is this a bad idea on an extended hike? Taking both seems redundant and I don’t really want to leave my Windshirt behind, but it does rain a lot on the AT.

Jean

#2

Are you planning a thruhike or a section? When are you starting? If you plan to hike before mid-May or after early September, I would definitely have good raingear. Mid-summer you can get by with minimal raingear - but not when you are in either high elevation (ie. NC or NH) or early season or late. The windshirt is good for hiking in cool conditions - but isn’t much help when it is either really cold or really hot. Before May you will want good fleece and a good rainjacket.

Ginny

#3

I orriginally bought the precip over another cheaper brand of rain jacket because the small town I was in didnt have much other choice and the less expensice gear was too big for me and didnt fit right. I am sorry to say I am not thrilled with the Precip. I have been hiking on teh NCT with it and it did help much when the sky opened up and poured before I could get out to the car and I was almost back to the trail head. (it was the last day of a backpack)
My cheepo rainpaints kept me dry, my precip did not.

Nikkie

#4

The windshirt is a great piece of gear. But it’s not a substitute for raingear.

Peaks

#5

I was pretty upset finding out that my “water proof” Precip jacket is not “water proof”. It definitely doesn’t breathe well either.

Freeform

#6

I was pretty upset finding out that my “water proof” Precip jacket is not “water proof”. It definitely doesn’t breathe well either.

Freeform

#7

If your breathable raingear is not waterproof, and doesn’t breathe, then it sounds like it is dirty and needs to be re-waterproofed. Get a goretex cleaner and wash it, then treat it with a goretex waterproofer.

Peaks

#8

My jacket was not water proof right off the shelf. I’ve cleaned it with nikwax wash and reproofed it. The jacket is simply not water proof. I did some research and it seems several others had the same issue with their Precip.

Freeform

#9

There’s no such thing as “water proof” when hiking in the rain. If the garment is waterproof, the rain will drip down your neck and back, etc. until you’re wet. And if you’re hiking you’ll perspire under that waterproof thing, and get wet from inside.

Best way to deal with hiking in rain is to maintain your body temp without overheating. But you’ll get wet, one way or another.

Soaked

#10

Dear Jean:

My sole rain gear on the AT and other places was a poncho and it always worked just fine. They also cover your pack, thus eliminating the need for pack rain covers. Wind problems with a poncho? None, once you take a brief moment to think about it and apply some common sense to the situation.

One other thing: Sitting in the forest, or on a ridge, or on mountaintop, in the rain, in a poncho, is an absolute full coverage delight. Need a quick tent for lunch or a snack? You have one at hand.

People have moved away from ponchos in recent years, but their versatility, and their light weight, is pretty much unmatched by any other raingear.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#11

Dear Jean:

One more thing: Ponchos have absolutely the best ventilation. Fully adjustable either way.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan…

#12

If you don’t like your rainjacket - take it back and get another.

That said, because you usually sweat under a rainjacket, you will probably get wet regardless - the difference is warm wet vs. cold wet.

Conan - I started backpacking many years ago with a poncho, but for hiking in open windy areas, they aren’t much good and in heavy brush and blowdowns, again, not much good. On the AT, you would probably be okay with it, but hiking out west . . .

Ginny

#13

I wasn’t soliciting instruction or advice. Just simply saying if you’re contemplating buying a Marmot Precip for rain protection, consider yourself forewarned. I switched to a poncho and am much happier

Freeform

#14

I started a section hike out of Damascus in April. Second day got caught in a terrific thunderstorm (rain, sleet, wind, lighting). I got drenched and borderline hypothermic. My clothes were soaked and useless the next day. Had to bail out of the trip. I’m just not tough enough to put wet clothes back on. My next purchase was a Northface rain suit. I’ll never take a poncho again.

Omega Man