Raingear: I expect to be clammy

[Gznokes]

With everything that has been discussed about raingear, I'd like to ask for your opinion about my expectations with raingear, and to ask if you have any tips.

Short story: Even with the best raingear, I expect to be clammy and feeling wet, but not soaked.

Longer explanation: I went to Prince of Wales Island in the Spring a few years ago when it was raining like crazy and remember being clammy and damp in just about everything I wore ranging from Arcteryx Gore Tex rain gear to Sterns rubber gear and Cabelas breathable chest waders. My experience is that Gore Tex is good for shedding water as long as the DWR finish is shedding water, but after about 15 minutes of heavy rain, the fabric starts to "wet out" and then all the pores get saturated and it is just the same as wearing a rubber rain jacket in terms of interior condensation. When you combine that with the fact that rainy conditions are by definition "humid", and mix in some physical exertion that is causing you to sweat, you are also fighting the fact that everything is going to feel clammy AND its hard to dry out. (The other dirty little secret I've read about is that goretex (and related fabrics) can have water forced through the membrane with 20lbs PSI (which explains why your butt still gets wet when you are skiing on damp ground or during a day when it is snowing and wearing gore tex pants. All that sitting on the ski lift melts the snow, then the water drops get forced through the membrane).

Anyway, would you agree that my expectation about still feeling clammy and even wet in rain gear is accurate? Are there any other tips or products you have found that will improve the situation? Lately, I've been quite impressed with the breathable Orvis waders I have--if for no other reason than, my butt doesn't seem to wet through when I'm sitting on a wet bank. I've often wondered why we don't see more companies fully waterproofing the butt and knees of raingear.

 

[ozyclint]

wow, i was doing searches looking for info on non breathable raingear and came across this old thread.

yes i think you can expect to get clammy. yes i agree with your take on gore tex and just about every other breathable fabric. this has lead me on the path of exploring non breathable raingear. why not? after 15 mins of rain, breathable high $$$ gear becomes non breathable. i have found almost no conditions where a breathable fabric will breathe enough to be breathable. almost seems like a marketing ploy.

so i'll ask the question here, anyone using non breathable raingear? i'm even considering making my own.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Holy necropost Batman. Reaching way back.

I think non-permeable rain gear has its place. I don’t take as dim view on breathable though. I just think you can’t expect magic and have to realize a lot of that Clammy feeling is your perspiration not water from the outside. I sweat a lot and even without rain I can soak clothes while hiking. Wearing a soft shell or even just a fleece, with no rain, I can push out enough sweat to have my base layers clammy after some exertion. It will eventually dry off but I am clammy until it does.

Well the same thing happens under a quality goretex jacket, only now it is even harder to get that moisture to the outside of my clothing system. The fabric just can’t breath fast enough to keep up. However, if I am not sweating, I stay dry under goretex. Years ago in the army I learned that I could put on goretex over wet clothes (and socks) and dry out while I was static or sleeping, and that was in cotton army uniforms.

Now goretex can fail. The pores lose efficiency and the dwr can fade which both reduce breathing. There is some tricks to helping mai rain and restore that function.

As far as no permeable rain gear goes, it is fine if you are not sweating. It is great on boats and in places where you are going to get wet regardless. If you go non permeable think about sizing up to get some air flow. Also look into a poncho type design. They block water but allow plenty of circulation. My “I don’t expect rain” set up is a soft shell and poncho called a gatewood cape that doubles as a shelter tarp.

 

[ozyclint]

Holy necropost Batman. Reaching way back.

ha ha, this thread has been on rokslide longer than you have been on rokslide.

i carry an emergency poncho in my first aid kit for unexpected rain or if i need to sit something out and STAY DRY.
certainly, trying not to sweat underneath is going to help alot with any rain gear.

 

[W1bowo]

Holy necropost Batman. Reaching way back.

I think non-permeable rain gear has its place. I don’t take as dim view on breathable though. I just think you can’t expect magic and have to realize a lot of that Clammy feeling is your perspiration not water from the outside. I sweat a lot and even without rain I can soak clothes while hiking. Wearing a soft shell or even just a fleece, with no rain, I can push out enough sweat to have my base layers clammy after some exertion. It will eventually dry off but I am clammy until it does.

Well the same thing happens under a quality goretex jacket, only now it is even harder to get that moisture to the outside of my clothing system. The fabric just can’t breath fast enough to keep up. However, if I am not sweating, I stay dry under goretex. Years ago in the army I learned that I could put on goretex over wet clothes (and socks) and dry out while I was static or sleeping, and that was in cotton army uniforms.

Now goretex can fail. The pores lose efficiency and the dwr can fade which both reduce breathing. There is some tricks to helping mai rain and restore that function.

As far as no permeable rain gear goes, it is fine if you are not sweating. It is great on boats and in places where you are going to get wet regardless. If you go non permeable think about sizing up to get some air flow. Also look into a poncho type design. They block water but allow plenty of circulation. My “I don’t expect rain” set up is a soft shell and poncho called a gatewood cape that doubles as a shelter tarp.

+1