Rain gear

[dmccarty]

The problem with rain gear and work is that it seems like you have two choices. Get wet from the rain? Or get wet from the sweat?

I have a nice Goretex jacket and pants. It keeps you dry as long as its not too warm outside AND I'm not workng/walking too much. Once you start burning calories you just start to sweat and it overwhelms the Goretex. My jacket is old at this point so maybe they material has improved.

Given what I paid for the Goretex there is no way in heck I would wear it when there was a good chance of it getting tore up. If its cold out and rainy I'll wear my wool jacket and pants. They might get wet but at least I'm warm and they are quiet. Some of the new Fleece materials are supposed to do the same while being lighter.

It interesting that the old "technologies" seem to work best for doing work in the rain.

Later,
Dan

 

[ray66v]

I have never found rain gear, tough enough you can work in, and not end up just as wet, as if you did not wear it.

If it exists, I'll buy it.

 

[studor]

Oil cloth like Filsons, Barbour, Australian Outback or DrizaBone will keep you dry, are usually in colours suitable for hunting, last a long time with little care and look better as they get older. I wear mine every season except summer -- cause then who needs it? I tried the modern stuff like goretex but always found it hotter then the oilskin and not as waterproof JMHO

 

[pennwalk]

The power company linemen who have to work out in the rain ( OK one guy works and 5 guys stand around and watch him ) Anyway they wear those yellow rain suits that look like rubber coated fabric. Looks pretty durable but I'll bet they are wet on the inside all the time.

Chris

 

[browns40]

Used to be a sternman on a number of commercial F/V... Wet gear coming at you or swinging just above you all day... only PVC impregnated canvas with neoprene cuffs can keep you mostly dry all day, and them you still will be damp with sweat here & there...

Favorite set I ever had were actually Carharrts, then Grundens, followed by Helly Hansens... look for neoprene cuffs, double lined knees & elbows, and double/triple stiched construction thats heat sealed on top of it...

My buddy knows of a place you can custom order just exactly what reinforcement, clips, pockets, neoprene, etc. you want, plus your actual dimensions (tailored), and they'll send you one perfectly cut for your body... think in National Fisherman there's an ad...

 

[QueBota]

Appreciate all the input, went with some "medium" budget stuff from Calela's. I will post the link if anyone is interested in taking a look. (Herter's FowlTech Rainwear)

Cabela's -- Herter's FowlTech™ Rainwear

I went with the Parka and Pants, I'll post back when I get a chance to field test them.

I have a Goretex shell and pants that are suitable for hiking in the rain, or bird watching or going to a football game in the rain but I wouldn't wear them while doing farm/woodlot chores.

My PVC/vinyl suit is good quality and will keep you dry but it is very clamy(sp) inside, you get more wet from sweat than the rain and it limits my mobility.

I have "waterproof" fleece and wool clothing. The waterproof fleece eventually soaks through but does keep you warm while you are wet, but you are wet. Same with the wool, although it soaks through faster and gets heavy when it gets wet.

I don't have a problem getting cold, I'm not a guy that tends to get cold. I spent my first 20 something years in western PA, and it can get cold up there, and only remember being cold a few times in my life. I would like to be able to work in wet weather and stay dry.

I guess I am looking for a product that does it all. The part of the Peoples Republic of Maryland where I live features cold rain from November through March, not much snow and when it does snow it usually turns to rain/sleet/freezing rain before the storm ends.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[Egon]

Dave, you may have your work cut out for you trying to find clothing that keeps you dry from the rain and lets condensation out so the interior stays dry.

My best answerer would be a layered system using silk, fleece or wool and then a water resistant outer shell. As long as you are working you will stay warm.

When I was out back country skiing this was a very common system with Gortex in the bag to put on when you stopped working.