How to Choose Rain Gear for Backcountry Backpacking

Protection from the elements while backpacking in the backcountry is probably the most important thing to consider before heading out. You can get caught out in the backcountry very easily in what would seem a rain from Noah's day. Hypothermia can occur even in warm weather if you cannot manage to stay dry and warm.  So what is this best rain gear for backpacking? Well that is going to depend on the climate you intend on packing in, how much body heat you develop when hiking, how much room you have and additional weight you want to carry in your pack, and how stylish you want to be.

Choosing the right rain gear can be a very confusing process especially if you look at all the exaggerated claims of the manufactures about performance and waterproofing characteristics of their perfect rain gear.  You will see rain gear listing waterproof laminates made from Gore-tex, Hyvent, Breeze Dry-tech, eVent, Precip, Pertex and so on, and you can spend anywhere from nothing to $300. Buying waterproof rain gear for high tech mountaineering or skiing may be overkill if you only backpack in mild or summer conditions.

My rain gear suggestions for the mild and summer backpacker would be to keep it simple. Look at rain gear that is thin and lightweight without a liner and minimal features. A good lightweight rain jacket weighs around 10-13 ounces and a good lightweight rain pants around 8-10 ounces. If you do overheat when hiking I suggest pit zips and side vents for your jacket. These are zippered openings underneath your arm pit areas and along the sides of your jacket which can be opened for ventilation needs. These jackets will cost a little more and the zippers will add additional weight but they are a great way to keep from sweating and burning up inside the jacket. Simply open the zippers to allow air in and out for ventilation. Pants with zippers up the sides or horizontally to make into shorts can also keep you from overheating.

Some other additional features to consider:

• Adjustable hood that can size to your head with a front bill to keep the rain out of your eyes.
• Pockets that are not blocked by your backpack hip belt.
• Adjustable wrist cuffs.
• Good DWR layer of outer protection that will allow your jacket to dispel the water rather than absorbing the water into the fabric.
• Seam taping for extra water sealing where the fabric has been stitched together.
• Durability of the fabric for your intended use.
• Fit or comfort
• Personal taste and style
• Breathability: Some fabrics breathe easier allowing for the heat from your body to escape but if you purchase rain gear with pit and side zips I do not believe superior breathability in the fabric to be worth the extra cost.

If you want to save money and go with the cheapest option you can skip the rain pants and buy a longer jacket or simply make a skirt out of a large garbage trash bag. I was in college without much money when I started backpacking in the High Sierras in California.  I often used a large heavy duty garbage sack for my rain poncho and backpack cover by simply cutting out a hole for my head. They are very waterproof but also keep your body heat in. Maybe good in a pinch by I really do not recommend this option as a long term solution.  So you see you can get as cheap as you want, but remember you usually get what you are willing to pay for.

In wet humid conditions or in days of constant rain, it is almost impossible to keep yourself and everything else dry. Here are some additional tips to keeping your gear and yourself dry:

• Keep a set of dry cloths just for sleeping in; do not use them on the trail or around the campfire. Store them separately in a waterproof stuff sack in your backpack.
• Always keep your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack.
• If your sleeping bag gets wet or damp dry it out if you have a break in the weather.
• Always pay attention to your own body temperature when hiking; avoid excess perspiration to stay dry.
• Use a pack liner and pack cover to keep the water out.

The best way to prolong the useful life of your rain gear is to keep it clean. The factory-applied water-repellent finish coating can become compromised by dirt and campfire smoke.  Wash your rain gear with a mild detergent when it becomes dirty and follow any manufactures recommendations if you want to add any DWR-restoring products to your fabric's waterproofing. Have fun and stay safe.