Hardshell vs Softshell + Poncho

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jtmoose

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I've been trying a bunch of different jackets to keep me dry inside and out here in western WA with less than ideal success. Breathable jackets seem to wet out eventually, and rubber obviously doesn't breathe well enough for any pace much faster than still. I've been considering a softshell and then have a poncho at the ready for when the rain picks up suddenly without having to remove pack, etc. Any thoughts on the concept?
 
I wore several layers of fleece and then had a rain jacket ready when I got to camp. I could dry the fleece pretty quick and didn't get too soaked sitting at camp. In western Washington you're gonna get wet. Period. The thing you need is how to get dry.
 
Thank you Justin I appreciate that anti-thesis of shifting focus on getting dry rather than avoiding getting wet. It's still unnerving for me though during an overnight or two away from a basecamp.
 
I once again soaked my clothes through during non-stop rain/snow this year. I don't think there is really a way to dry out clothes when spiked out. I carry a six moons gatewood poncho tarp. I need to quit being a dumbass and stop and setup the tarp and get out of the rain. I have never tried the poncho setup, but I really need to try it.
 
I found myself on an incline during a sprinkle; my output was enough to keep the moisture evaporating off me. Then suddenly a downpour hit and I was soaked before I could get my pack off and my rain gear out. Made me think I need to be in rain gear unless the sky is blue. However, I don't want to overheat or be too tough on an expensive rain shell.
 
I found myself on an incline during a sprinkle; my output was enough to keep the moisture evaporating off me. Then suddenly a downpour hit and I was soaked before I could get my pack off and my rain gear out. Made me think I need to be in rain gear unless the sky is blue. However, I don't want to overheat or be too tough on an expensive rain shell.
I'm always the first in my group to put on rain gear, then laughed at when when the downpour doesn't happen. Guess who's laughing when it does rain hard.

That is where the good quick drying/ warm when wet clothes pay for themselves.

To be dry and not over heat I'll strip to my light baselayer only under my rain shell when hiking. Open pit zips and don't chinch the waist unless its very windy.

As far as not destroying an expensive rain jacket. Buy one suitable for where you will use it. Buy it at a discount. Better to damage a nice one instead of kicking yourself for using a sub par one. Example my fifty dollar jacket with a 10,000-10000 raiting is fine for Colorado but I wouldn't take it to AK or the PNW.
 
I use the Dewpoint raingear from Sitka, 40% lighter than Kuiu and a big improvement from the ole Sitka Stormfront Lite gear I used to wear. That said, I take it during monsoon season and keep in in the lid of my pack for instant access. I also have a sea-to-summit rain poncho for sporatic rain that covers me and my pack. Takes seconds to put on and fits in a small belt pouch. I have not sweat in the Dewpoints like I did in the Stormfront Lite. The poncho is for those passing clouds that make ya wanna sit it out for a short time. Do with this what you will. Big fan of Sitka's layering systems.
 
I use the Dewpoint raingear from Sitka, 40% lighter than Kuiu

40% lighter than Kuiu what? It's not 40% lighter than the Chugach and it's much heavier than Kuiu Ultra NX and Teton. Have you ever worn Kuiu raingear? I thought you said that the fit of Kuiu clothing didn't work for you so you didn't use it?
 
.....and i thought i was the only guy to wait too long to put his raingear on- grin.

The perfect combo? it varies for me ...and it usually isn't perfect. I try to limit myself to dual function clothing on backpack hunts...so no softshell. Base layer, insulation layer and then rain jacket for outer shell.

If hunting from a base camp you have far more options.
 
Over the last few years a rain jacket is the only outerwear I have. Base layer, insulation layer (puffy), then a rain jacket. Sometimes I'll wear a fleece over the base layer instead of a puffy.
 
I hunt back east so a bit different weather and perhaps more rain than you guys. I have been a believer in a good solid wind proof and water proof top for a long time as a hiker and in .mil. I cant count the number of times a good shell has been the difference between misery and relative comfort. There are a few instances where I would say it prevented hypothermia for sure. I started with the ecwcs goretex jackets 25 years ago and then went to a two layer goretex jacket like the north face mountain light. About 15 years ago I became a fan of soft shells.

I like soft shells for any cold weather other than rain where I find I need more waterproofing. Over the years I went from goretex hard shells to a lightweight rain top in hyvent or something similar that spent most of the time in my pack with the softshell handling general duty up to light rain.

Now, when hunting I carry a lightweight rain top for rain and a synylon tarp - I think 8 x 5 - that can be used as a poncho for me and my pack for heavy, heavy rain by tying two grommets together to make a hood. The tarp weighs 6oz and can also be shelter, a pack cover or a ground cloth for things like cleaning and butchering.

My go to rain top is an FL boundary but I hunted it this past weekend in some slushy snow and some thorns shredded the shoulder. I am rethinking my rain top to possibly go with something heavier and more durable.
 
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