Check out the ENGWE M20 Electric Bike: geni.us/3qZ8Fyc And be sure to take advantage of the 9th Anniversary Promotion: bit.ly/3MbemfC Gear Used in this video: Traditional Rain Jacket: geni.us/FmqcarZ Traditional Rain Pants: geni.us/aBiNZq Umbrella: geni.us/pDMZsn2 Rain Kilt: geni.us/tlqM8cr Rain Cover: geni.us/AN73 Black Hoodie I'm Wearing: geni.us/EGWb9nd
when I switched to carnivore way of eating I reduced sweating by A LOT. Beside impressively huge health improvements this was one of unexpected side-effects.
in that respect, what about using a disposable plastic apron then.. easy to use, replaceable, light weight, protects top, bottom, behind relatively, breaths better then full rain gear, and doesn't break the bank
This is pretty specific to covered trails in moderate to warm weather. I'm sure umbrellas are great when you have enough clearance and coverage from trees. Even a moderate wind would make you question that choice, even more when you are in an open clearing. When I lived in Ireland I learned really quick why nobody owns umbrellas.
There’s definitely a limit beyond which you can’t use an umbrella, but it’s way higher than people imagine. Especially if you use a super burly compact umbrella. This isn’t necessarily a purpose built hiking umbrella.
So I'm not touting this umbrella as an actual alternative while hiking, that would just be silly, but if you're in need of an umbrella that can survive even the unruliest winds of the UK, the gustbuster brand is the only one I've found that will not break after 5 seconds. All other 'windproof' umbrellas get buggered in a proper gust, but I've got 3 gustbusters that have all been going for years. P.s. I'm not getting paid for this advert lol. But gustbuster, if want to throw a fiver my way I'll take it :p
Here in Tennessee in the USA, I have exactly the opposite problem: the trails look more like green tunnels, with rhododendron and mountain laurel close packed and arching overhead. I can't imagine trying to maneuver an umbrella through that sort of tangled mess, particularly with all the blow-downs. It would be snagged, ripped, torn, and shredded into uselessness within the first 10 miles!
I've bought a hiking umbrella (ShedRain WindPro Mini) 10 years ago for a month-long hike on the Camino de Santiago. It's very cleverly designed to not lock up but change shape with the wind, and it works surprisingly well. It can be used as a "shield" against almost horizontal rain and strong winds. Protects against rain AND wind chill. It's extremely sturdy and can be used for shade in the sun too. So don't be too quick to say no to umbrellas for hiking even in rough weather, I'd recommend trying it out. I'd use it together with rainpants though, because it can't protect your legs and feet.
I only wear a goretex here in Canada when it's like -5 Celsius or colder and for that it is awesome. It blocks 100% of wind, breathes better the colder it gets outside, and makes insulated under layers much more effective and allows to be much less bulky. Good too about -20 Celsius. If it's warmer outside just wear a cotton smock and a poncho for that 0.01% of the time it rains. You'll be way more comfortable Funny how goretex is only awesome for the exact opposite of its intended use
The umbrella's greatest weakness is wind, which can make it practically unusable. Personally, I carry both. Umbrella provides better ventilation, jacket provides better coverage and hands-free use.
Love my blunt umbrella! It’s a tank but works like a charm in the wind. Also works reasonably well in the snow (as long as you don’t let it pile on top too much)
I did a 96 mile walk with an umbrella and found you develop skills in using it at different angles making the wind less of an issue, in fact it often became a great windbreak esp at break times!
When I was hiking the Appalachian trail, I tried fully covering up the first time it rained. I ended up soaked with sweat after a few minutes. From then on I would just take rain as a chance for a free shower, and only use my jacket when it was windy or cold. This was mostly in the summer, so hypothermia was less of an issue. When we got cold rain in the fall, the only thing to do was cover up and move slowly enough that we didn’t sweat much.
As a bike courier in Vancouver, I soon realised that Gore-tex is neither waterproof or breathable when you're riding hard all day. After much experimenting my approach could be summed up as "since I can't avoid getting wet, I need to stay warm when wet and speed up drying time". The colder months of December and January (which are mild by canadian standards) where it's 2 degrees and raining, were the only time I wore a Gore-tex rain jacket, though it was a must to stay warm. Throughout the spring and fall months, wicking long sleeve shirts, a very thin fleece and the MEC Samurai Vest made entirely out of Cordura was the way to go. The setup would keep my warm and not overheated. Even when I'd get soaked, which is unavoidable, I would be mostly dry within 10-15 minutes during lunch. Polypropylene, cordura, fleece and wool socks were essentials while rain gear was practically the worst thing to wear until you got to April where it would be 6 degrees and rain for 33 straight days.
I'm one of the few strange people who got those 5 toed Gore-Tex Vibram shoes... I quickly found that out too, even though I'm on the other side of Canada. I've had better luck with a pair of canvas boots from Xero Shoes that I soaked in waterproof treatment. Usually when it's warm enough, I wear water shoes or crocs, with clothes made of swim shorts material since it gets wet, but will dry off in about 10-20 minutes. On colder days, I have a slightly oversized traditional raincoat that apparently was made in BC (I can't remember the brand off the top of my head, but traditional, fairly heavy, but good), and sometimes I use a thinner windbreaker type thing. I like the thicker one for being in the garden too, as the sleeves have elastic, something I don't see too often, so I can tuck my gloves inside and not get my arms full of mud. It's also long enough to sit on which helps, even if it's cold enough to wear rain pants.
As a Calgarian with so much sun, the idea of 33 days straight rain makes me want to cry. Yah, yah ok, so it's snowing end of April ...whatever.... ;P but I got sunshine most days.
While biking in new Westminster I passed a kid on a bike who had an umbrella 😂 😂😂 I’m still trying to figure out optimal rain commuting gear. It’s not a long commute and I’ve found less is better.
Probably something that can only be done in 55-70 temp (typical socal weather in the fall/winter) and being a wimp to even mild chilly weather, but I've found that wearing a base layer + jersey + gore-tex shake dry to be my go to. It doesn't rain much here but where I live, it is very windy so the shake-dry still does help a lot. When I'm riding hard and I break a sweat enough to drench me, I'll unzip a part of my shake-dry and usually it is enough to dry me out enough for me to feel comfortable again. Essentially, my base layer will get soaked, my jersey will pull that and dry it when I've partially unzipped the shakedry.
I was once based in the Philippines. During the rainy season, I tried increasing impenetrable rain gear to keep dry. Finally, I found something that worked. The problem was, it's so hot there that I arrived soaked with sweat instead of rain. At that point I gave up on keeping dry. Instead, I carried extra clothes and just got wet. 😅
The trick is using natural fibers and not using plastic based clothes. My waxed wool coat, keeps me warm in winter, dry in rain and im not soaking wet from sweat in the summer.
@@MrEatSomeBrains The humidity in the Philippines will make that wool unbearable. Even a cotton tshirt is unbearable when the humidity is very high. The only real solution is to do what the locals do which is to bring extra clothes, and to keep your office shoes at the office, or bring it with you, and wear waterproof shoes. Or get yourself a car if you can afford it. Even when it's not raining, you still need to bring extra clothes, at least an extra undershirt, because the humidity for most of the year is really very extreme. There is some relief from November to February though.
I agree with the poncho. It took a long time for me to appreciate it. I spent years in combat units and a couple years overseas. It was when I came home and used traditional rain gear while being outdoorsy... that I realized how much the poncho did for me. Its a transformer. Having a tent like place to tuck into to perform tasks is invaluable. You ever try to use a smartphone with wet hands? Tuck into your poncho, dry your hands, then pull your phone out and use it while inside of the poncho. Or taking a break, setting up a small stove... having the ponch to go from rain jacket to tarp like mini tent is just the way to go. Its always in my EDC bag.
This guy understands. Army surplus poncho is a wet weather life saver. It can be buttoned up or worn loose. Build a fire and huddle close and it functions like a greenhouse. Anything you can do with a tarp you can do with that style of poncho, ie Converts into an A frame shelter, lean to, teepee style, ground cover or a water proof cover for all your gear. Multiple ponchos can be snapped together, if you are hiking with others and you guys bought the same style. They are a bit on the heavy side, if you are an ultra light hiker, but I'm the type of guy that hikes a full back camp chair, 60lb pack be damned, I want to be comfortable when I get to camp.
Issued a poncho while stationed at Bangor Washington. Only time i used it was to keep rain from getting into the HUMV and to collet the water leaki g through the roof while on a Pole Gate. Super useful
Poncho is absolutely the way to go. Just wear it over your backpack so you won't get sweaty like with the rain jacket. Simple, easy and very multifunctional.
Thanks for the very informative video. I'm a big fan of using a poncho and have been doing so for at least 35 years. Many years ago I got a North Face Gortex rain jacket and never liked it while hiking. It trapped sweat and was always hot and clammy. These days I use a poncho while hiking. I use the ultra-light Frogg Togg rain jacket in camp. The poncho also has the advantage of being used as an emergency shelter. I'll have to try an umbrella but they seem to be hard to use if it is windy and difficult to use if you are using trekking poles.
I think more people should consider an umbrella as a solution for sunburn while hiking as well. As long as you don't need your hands for climbing, I prefer an umbrella over coating myself in sunblock as suntan lotion on your face and arms gets gross feeling on a hot day as well, and the umbrella keeps direct sun off your face and arms, so you are cooler.
Many companies that offer hiking umbrellas also offer ways to attach them to your shoulder straps, so you can go hands-free and continue using your trekking poles.
I think a sun hoodie and hat would be just as good as the umbrella but if it was crazy hot and i was hiking somewhere super exposed like the desert section of pct i would definitely use a sun umbrella
@@brycetheshredder wide brimmed hats are great for rain as well, assuming it was made to be water resistant/proof. That plus a lightweight water resistant jacket or shirt have usually kept me dry in anything except for a torrential downpour.
Just a fun idea: your skin is mostly waterproof and dries alot faster than wet clothing. If you are hiking in summer, try stripping down when it starts to rain. I remember as a kid that we were out on a hike with friends and my best friend stripped down to his underwear when it started to rain. While everyone of us got really wet and drenched, his clothes stayed dry. It was the peak of august, so 30°, thus cooling out was no worry.
I worked as a summer camp counselor for many years. One super rainy summer I just had my bathing suit on most of the time with maybe some quick dry shorts.
@@maudbrewster9413 Only if it rains hard enough to get soaked and there is a moderate to strong wind. And even that is up for debate. People can swim for hours in 20C or 25C water without having to worry about hypothermia. Worst case scenario, just grab an umbrella if the rain lasts for more than half an hour.
Capes were made for a reason. I've got a 70s era German rain cloak, and it works wonders. And being a cloak, it can also double as a tarp when camping.
I see a lot of people discussing umbrellas and wind. Surprised no one has mentioned the Storm Umbrella. Developed by a University student in the Netherlands (TU Delft). It works really well, obviously in the Netherlands we get a LOT of wind but this one is undeterred and you can even cycle with it just fine. Think the original is by Senz company but probably a lot more out there these days.
Yes they still have it at senz with a com added to the end. Still, a poncho keeps your hands free which is better when out in nature. This way you can grab whatever safety thing you need to grab if security becomes a sudden issue.
I've had my Senz umbrella for nearly 14 years now. I love it. It's gone through all sorts of weather and has never failed me. In light to moderate rain the asymmetrical design allows me to cover myself and my kid walking beside me. People give me funny looks sometimes, but I don't care if I'm dry.
I relate, it’s easy to spot tourists in my city whenever you see them chasing their umbrella. And that’s down at sea level, hiking here is almost exclusively above the tree line
Ditto. I live in Scotland and our backcountry areas are really exposed to the wind so wind gusts of 60 or 70 MPH are common. The umbrella would last five minutes.
Same here in Ireland - there's always wind...always! So holding an umbrella steady in a gale isn't going to work. And the rain is never far away either
Poncho, kilt, wool cape. That was always the point of these items in ancient/ye olde times. The idea was that the mass and natural water resistance of wool lanolin would keep the traveler dry enough to prevent them from becoming soaked, and possibly keep them completely dry. They also are loose-fitting and allow evaporated sweat to escape and are naturally breathable. They also don't hold condensation well because of the massive surface area of wool. When people think wool, they think warm, and that's true to a point. However, the different thicknesses of cloaks, kilts, ponchos, etc. would keep the wearer cooler or warmer in different climates. I'd highly recommend giving one a try, at the risk of looking like a Jacobite rebel or a hobbit taking a ring to Mordor.
I use the Poncho from Sea To Summit. Light, small package and really good protection. Bonus, it also protects your backpack. Layering is always the key and a Ponch is a great top layer.
I do reenactment and Larp. And when the weather gets too bad outside, the period clothes come out, and I stop caring about wether people look at me funnily. Wool lined with linnen is simply the best.
I'm not a really experienced hiker but I found that using a cheap rain poncho was the best. It has open sides so I can air out on the sides and I can place it over my backpack as well so it covers me and the backpack but lets me remain cool.
2nd this. Spent a lot of time in the field as a soldier. I lived and died by a smuggled multicam goretex poncho in wet field conditions. Also its superversetile, can be rigged up as a shelter, laid on the ground, and is big enough go cover our ruck on the go or in a halt.
As someone who is out twice every day of the year in all weathers here in the rainy U.K., I go through an awful lot of waterproof gear and figured out a long time ago that the big brand waterproof jackets are complete rubbish. They never take long to fail. Thank you for all your effort, it is much appreciated. : )))
A over clothing rain poncho is amazing, like those old military ones. It goes over you, your pack and gear. And since it has plenty of space between your body as it’s not something you wear per say, but drape over yourself, has proven to solves all this problems and more. Old Surplus Military gear can be and effective gear setup, I recommend
Yes! I just rediscovered my nice camping poncho that my mum gave me when I was a boy (teenager) scout. It still fits fine, and is so drafty that I've had none of the problems biking with it like with 'breathable' rain coats . A poncho over a hoodie, rain pants over my legs, and I am all good for our summer rain storms in Montreal. I will see how this setup can hold up come fall and winter.
Yeah, poncho is the way to go. Stuffed into its own separate bag carabinered to your pack for easy access. I live in a very rainy area and have been using ponchos since I was a kid. I’ve experimented with other gear, but I always return to the poncho.
Here in Norway we use wet equipment and dry equipment. Wet is for walking dry or wet, typically Goretex jacket with wool shirt and trousers if it’s cold. Then we have a set dry wool and dry wind protection jacket. Not much weight. For protection when eating from rain and wind we use a 6x4 feet tarp that’s rain protected with a layer aluminum on the inside to sit under to shield ourself from wind and rain. Once inside body temperature quickly dry wet wool shirt on body, and we are warm. The tarp can be used as a poncho aswell, or used over the tent as an extra layer on top if there’s a lot of rain. Easy.
"Only one solution." I've provide another alternative that I used during my decades working in MT/WY large wildernesses. Note: this is for the physically intense labor of clearing trails, digging trails, and hard hiking while leading pack stock. I knew I was going to get wet from sweat regardless of wearing rain gear and an umbrella was completely impractical. So I would wear wool layers on my upper body and rain pants for the the constant brushing against wet brush. I would get wet, but the warmth I generated by hard work kept me sufficiently warm and more comfortable than clammy rain gear. I would have a dry change of clothes for when I hit camp with rain gear to wear during the low activity part of the day. This would work well for the PNW were you were hiking and the warmer months in the intermountain west. If I was inactive, e.g. riding I would wear rain gear as an umbrella and pack stock aren't really compatible. I do own both a Golite umbrella and CF rain skirt for simple back packing.
Exactly what I thought. People have been using wool for weather protection for centuries. For outer wear you would usually use "unwashed" wool though, which still has a lot of its natural wool fat. While modern garments usually have their wool fat stripped off, you can add it back in. You can buy a jar of lanolin and dissolve it in warm water and a little detergeant, then soak your garments in this to weatherproof them. While this wa of wheatherproofing also works with other natural fibres (oilskins, waxed canvas), wool is by far the best at regulating body temperature and the only one that still keeps you warm even if it does get wet.
totally agree on the wool part is cool when weather is warm is warm when weather is cold its takes a good time to get wet but when wet it still gives you insulation and you stay warm
Lmao this reminds of my mom telling me about how how great great grandpa was the captain of ship and all the sailors would wear woolen sweaters to deal with the cold ocean where they’d obviously get wet being fishermen
This my preferred method for the summer. Just sacrifice a t-shirt to the rain while on the move. Hang it up at camp. Maybe it will dry, maybe you'll have to put on a wet shirt the next day before heading out again. Oh well, it's summer!
Before a pilgrimage, my wife and I were faced with a similar question. After some research, we decided on an umbrella with UV protection (Swing liteflex trekking umbrella). This experience completely changed my view on the subject and I have been totally enthusiastic about it ever since! On hot days, you can use the umbrella as an absolutely solid source of shade. When it rains, the umbrella is big enough to keep you almost completely dry. You can also attach it securely to your rucksack and have your hands free. The umbrella in your video seems a bit too small to really do its job when hiking! Try a bigger one. It's fantastic.
My dad hiked the E5 long distance trail through the Alps like 20 years ago. It rained and they wore jackets etc, then they met a guy that was painting the trail markers. He wore t-shirt, shorts, and had an umbrella. He said its the only way to truly stay dry.
@@garrethtinsley2435 The E5 trail markers are just a red, a white, and then another red line on random rocks / trees along the path, you can do that on wet rocks/ trees too.
@@y0uRF4t3haha, I would not trust that. Especially in the alps or any mountains. Why? Because of wind, your umbrella will fold and or you get wet from the side and from the top 😅
Historically, wool was great for outerwear because it’s somewhat water-repellent, but it also can absorb a truly stupid amount of water before feeling wet. It can get heavy from this, but you are drier than you’d be with plastic. Also, combining that with a linen underlayer, which is great at wicking away sweat while also being antimicrobial, helps a lot too. It’s maybe not perfect, but out ancestors would have looked askance at the plastic raincoat hotbox approach, too.
IIRC there was a UK (probably BBC?) non-fiction TV show in which they took a number of modern pro mountaineers out in Victorian woollen mountaineering gear. The wool took a while to soak through and performed very well until then, but when it finally did saturate the wearers would have been in serious trouble.
The condensation issue in breathable jackets is not just an issue in cold weather, it's an even bigger one in warm weather. You very rapidly completely overpower whatever level of breathability it has. I've spent a lot of time in cold climates and hot, humid tropical climates, and things like GoreTex works *much* better in the colder climates than in the warmer ones. In warmer weather I tend to use an umbrella and a poncho (an actual poncho, not that silly unzipped jacket, when I can, or just get wet. Sometimes that latter is the best option in terms of comfort and practicality (an umbrella does not at all work when you're dealing with fieldwork in a secondary growth hilly jungle). A proper rain poncho has a few key advantages. It can cover your pack (which also means more ventilation for you), and you can quickly turn it into an impromptu tarp to cover a sitting area when you're taking a break.
I agree. In colder climates it works surprisingly well, especially if there is a heavy wind to cool you down and incentivize vaporization overall. My overall favourite hiking weather is 5-10°C with a heavy wind. 😅 Not super cold, but cold enough to keep cool with a hard shell.
I finally tried an umbrella and I will never be without one. It is pretty easy to attach an umbrella to a pack. Even around camp I found it was so handy to quickly keep the rain off of something I didn't want to get wet. It bought me time and I could just set it down if the rain stops.
Another good technique is having a a wet outfit and dry outfit. Sounds crazy but it’s what was taught to me in Ranger school and works quite well. Because you can easily overheat or get soaked from sweat while moving with waterproof outer layers (granted this assumes you have a heavy pack and/or moving briskly) you instead have one outfit that you wear while moving that is warm, breathable, and not waterproof. It gets wet and unless it dries stays wet. Your movement and body heat keeps you warm and can also even dry it if the rain ceases. Then when you’ve gotten to your next base camp, patrol base etc and are stationary you switch into your dry clothes with your waterproof shit on. It can make for some extremely uncomfortable moments during cold mornings when you have to change back into the semi-frozen, damp wet outfit at the beginning of your movement tho lol.
Yep this is the way. Multi day backpacking and bushwhacking in temperate rainforests I found I could not stay dry no matter what I tried. Having a dry set of clothes to change into made it tolerable. But yeah it took some self convincing to put on the wet clothes in the morning. I found it was best to stay in the dry clothes until the last minute and put on the wet stuff only when I was about to be moving around so I could warm up the clothes with my body heat.
Basically pack a good sweatshirt? That's what I do as they're great as kind of a towel against sweat and excellent at building heat when there's not much in terms of weather problems.
couldn't agree more.. at least for me, I'll wear my rain gear in the elements exclusively and make sure I have dry clothes to switch into out of elements. Plus my feet blister in moisture at the sight of water so no way around bringing extra wool or blended socks, flip flops to dry them. I just switch between rain gear and dry depending.
Camp discipline is life: there are different requirements for staying still in camp vs moving actively. The reality is that there is NOTHING that will keep you dry for 3-4 days of rain while hiking in the underbrush at just-above-freezing temepratures. But the goal isn't to be dry, it's to be warm. Baselayer+fleece will keep you comfortable even when continuously being wetted by a drizzle as long as you're moving. Add a gortex and you'll be good even in a downpour. The problem is that when you stop, you NEED something dry to give you enugh warmth and it needs to stay dry day-in-day-out (especially when you get sub-zero temps at night). Cold mornings suck, but better than having hypothermia. That said, ponchos/umbrellas are GREAT, but the real tradeoff is in safety/versatility for comfort. If you have a goretex jacket and a down undersuit you can pretty much stay in camp indefinitey and be safe. Not so much with an umbrella. A good poncho is ALMOST as good as gortex, unless you have to bushwack, then you're gonna get wet (and it's gonna get ripped). If you know the weather and terrain these are acceptable tradeoffs: west coast trail in summertime I'd never both bringing a gortex jacket, and high mountains in dry season an umbrella is probably fine (if you have a good windshirt and some warm layers). But the reason gortex is preferred is that it represents an "oh shit" backstop for the worst case scenario: subzero nights with barely above zero heavy rain in the daytime. Obviously you won't be comfortable, but if you have to spend a few weeks in those conditions while maintaining mobility, comfort was never really an option.
My partner and I attached an umbrella to a hiking pole. The extended pole allows us to hold it more easily when the umbrella is open while also doubling up as a hiking pole when closed. The wind can make the umbrella more challenging to use but can be managed if you actively angle it in the right direction. The other thing I wanted to mention is that an umbrella is helpful in the sun as well as the rain. We make sure to bring our umbrella-hiking pole when we're in the desert and any trail that has little to no tree cover.
Can you share how you did this modification? Can you stake it into the ground as some use their trekking poles as tent stakes, but use only the pole-umbrella as standing shelter for a short time?
@@granitejeepc3651lover, colleague, walking buddy... How does knowledge of that affect the commentary on rain gear? Doesn't seem like it's our business, or relevant.
As a mountain biker watching your channel, please make sure you are careful when riding motor bikes on Mountain bike trails. Most often they are not accepted on sanctioned mtb trails because they destroy the work that the builders spent a lot of time and money on
There are plenty of shared use moto MTB trails in my area. Usually it's the easier trails that get torn up in the rain by novice dirt bike riders digging holes with their rear tire.
I didn't see him destroying anything. I probably cause more damage on my mountain bike just from braking. I really think this kind of attitude is more damaging than any minor trail erosion an ebike may cause...
Umbrella is a multi-tool. You have a rain shield. A sun shield. Can collect rain water for drinking. You have a walking stick. You have a hook. It’s the single most useful tool to have on a serious hike. Get one with a knife in the handle as you’re set.
I love my umbrella and use it frequently, with and without a rain shell (frogg toggs Extreme lite) depending on the conditions. But there is an alternative you didn't mention. Growing up in Hilo Hawaii, people would visit and when they realize how often it rains they would ask "what do you do when it rains?" To which we answer: "Get wet." If you change your plans because it is raining you would never do anything. In the tropics and even in other areas (e.g. just did the Trans Catalina Trail 50F and rain/fog, and I live in the PNW), in the right conditions, wearing material that dries quickly I can simply get wet without care. I do carry a dry base layer for sleeping in, but that is part of my normal gear anyway. If as an adult, you haven't spent the day walking in the rain, soaked to the bone, and splashing in the puddles like a 5 year old...I feel sorry for you. You have no idea what you are missing. ;-D
So true :) I can personally attest that this works in colder weather too, if you're willing to wear a wool outer layer in the rain. Good temperature control, breathability, majority of water shed, and a warm fire at camp dries you off in minutes. LindyBeige and Fandabi Dozi have also experimented with this.
I currently live on Oahu and my problem is always, no matter if it's raining or not, if I put on a rain jacket I will be wet from sweat because it's so hot. But up on the Ko'olau ridge you dry off so quick with the constant wind that once it stops raining you're dry not long after.
You reminded me of one of my favorite memories: Buddy and I did a charity run, but they canceled and turned it into a walk around the block with umbrellas but the course was still setup. So my buddy and I decided to run it in the dumping rain anyway. I don't even recall if I had blisters it was so fun.
Polypropylene is a nice material/fabric to wear in the rain. Silicone coated polyester is pretty good too (though doesn't wick). Wool is ok. My ancestors (Highland Scots) probably used a more ideal form of wool i.e. more lanolin rich/soaked, which would have really increased the water resistance. Modern wool, once it is wet, it stays wet for a long time, and while it is slightly warmer when wet as compared to many other fabrics--it is not ideal.
Tried everything mentioned. Great point on the umbrella at camp!👍 IMO, the ultimate solution, yet, is a Dyneema poncho with straps and an inner fabric/mesh layer. Waterproof + stable in wind + warm at camp + ventilation + cover backpack + whatever you ask for, BUT, likely very expensive😂
@@ZachSprowls Zpacks sells dyneema Ponchos, expensive for a poncho as usual for the obvious reason. But with no inner comfortable layer. While backpacking in Philmont for 11 days during the monsoon season with rains every day, all Nylon based rain gears, no matter cheap/expensive, got soaked through after hours of rains. Eventually, widely cutting out a large plastic trash bag into a poncho won 😂😂😂
I have used umbrellas for 40 years now even in the foothills in the Himalayas (where all the locals use them). For $10 they deal with most sun and rain problems. They are very easy to attach to the rucksack shoulder strap, if you're practically minded. Most of my treks are 3 weeks or more and I would never go without a lightweight umbrella/parasol.
An alternative with less messing about is to go for clothing with directional technology like Buffaloe or Paramo. I hate clammy sweat and also hate carrying extra kit. I use a Paramo smock 3.5 seasons, and Buffalo jacket in the snow. There's also a safety bonus. If you have the misfortune to fall into water, (once you get out) the Buffalo kit continues to keep you warm.
Was waiting for Paramo and Buffalo to pop up in the comments. These are my only true reliable jackets and I’ve tried far too many Gore Tex jackets at great expense.
I've used an umbrella for 6-7 years on many backpacking trips in Alaska, JMT, Oregon and the French alps. An added benefit is keeping your glasses dry, not having to rely on a hat or hood to keep your head dry in the rain, and protecting a camera or binoculars in a light rain. I also carry/use a rain jacket, rain pants or chaps, and a home made rain kilt, and rain mitts depending on conditions. I almost always attach the umbrella to my pack so my hands are free. Sure the wind is too strong at times, but don't diss it until you try one. Only a sturdy full size lightweight umbrella with fiberglass or carbon fiber struts, not a folding "travel" umbrella. Zpacks, Six moon Designs, Gossamer gear all have good ones. 6.5-8 oz. And they are also great for shade on hot sunny hikes.
After trying out many different set-ups in my very rainy home country Germany, I ended up with: - Umbrella (Doppler Zero at 99 grams) - Rain Kilt Vertice (Zpacks at 68 grams) - Calve Gaiters Vertice (Zpacks modified at 51 grams) - unfortunately the vertice version is no longer available and a - Rain jacket (Berghaus Hyper 100 XL at 111 grams) Rain Kilt and Calve Gaiters together are nearly as protective as rain pants. In total 329 grams (11.61 oz), but I have all the possibilities for all kinds of weather situations 😎
An umbrella which was light, a sun shade, waterproof and did not turn inside out in the wind - that’s what I’m after! Rain dripping off your rain jacket onto your legs - sucks. Perhaps lightweight waterproof chaps / long gaiters instead of a rain kilt?
I hiked twice for 2 weeks since I'm back in Germany. I'm working for a hotel with golf course so taking vacation in summer is a bit difficult. The 2 hikes took place in December and November. I took my umbrella with me for rain protection. My jacket kept me warm and is waterproof, too. Additionally I brought waterproof pants for additional protection and warmth. In my opinion an umbrella makes sense because theoretically you don't get wet from above. It worked pretty well for me. For the next hike I will make a holder for the umbrella and need to get different shoes because my feet did hurt at camp.
As someone who has traveled /hiked solo for decades and just couldn't carry everything, I find that a rain jacket is absolutely important unless it's never ever dropping below 22C (72F). Any cool wind can chill you fast, even to hypothermia especially when stopped. I tend to travel longer term also, rather than short hikes - so that rain jacket is just good all round warmth that I can layer. BUT I find my most important thing is NOT using the rainjacket hat and using a separate one. So much more comfort but also a lot more breathability. And then if it's really coming down I throw the rain hood over a small hat and it helps hold the jacket hood in a better position. I bought an umbrella for my last trip with the idea of protection from the sun in high heat places (egypt, jordan etc) as well as super rain (Georgia in the caucasus would have been a bit nice) but ended up not bothering bringing it.
You don't really need a hardshell for 21C, even when there's some rain a windshirt over a fleece will do the job as long as you keep moving. It's 10C and POURING will screw you when you skimp on raingear, but lots of places just don't get that combo.
@Graeme Hill well I think you are missing important thinking about risks and nature then . Maybe spent less time outdoors. If you get sweaty and have to stop you get cold. If theres any wind, even much much warmer than 21, its easy to get a chill. Shivering from adrenaline and pain sucks with extra cold. Also if you just simply stop for lunch. Mountains and high elevation breeze are much colder also than the day seems when walking. A shell is just smart to have. PLUS you need to remember that bigger people and men tend to produce more heat so maybe you don't need one in a chill but they're very smart to have. When i say "unless its never dropping below 22" i mean at NIGHT.
@@AdventuressAli I think we're probably agreeing on principle and may just have different personal experiences/expectations; you're quite right to point out I'm a big dude who runs hot. And to be fair, when I am talking about "need" I am usually talking about "at risk of dying/hypothermia without", not a risk of (severe) discomfort. My knees and back are not good, so keeping pack weight down for me is usually worth a lot of discomfort for the odd day of bad weather! That said, no argument with your point that you need something to stop wind from freezing you, even at warm-ish temperatures, and especially at altitude. My only quibble is that for me that's probably a windshirt/DWR pants, with a silnylon poncho as my rain gear, and that together they weigh less than my gortex and offer more comfort/versatility for everything outside of winter (under 5C and raining/snowing) or shoulder season bushwacking (15C and pouring). Regarding night time, I find that if it's not SUSTAINED rain, my poncho+down undersuit is good to around zero C, but you can't keep it dry for 3-4 nights of evening rain if you're setting up camp each time. In those conditions, I want a hard shell to protect it anyway, so I'll leave my shirt/poncho at home. And honestly, if you're dealing with several days of near freezing nights and windy days with driving rain, I'm probably going to just bail early, because the effort necessary to make that trip comfortable is just not worth it. YMMV, and a lot is going to be dependent on your route, climate, and personal tolerances.
@Graeme Hill it keeps looking like you're actually in full agreement with me but quibbling about the word rain jacket. When talking about having Any outter cover vs only an umbrella, I am saying a jacket is needed and for good reason.... arguing semantics on what a jacket may be is cool but you're actually in agreement with me. a poncho being a great example. An ultralight option is fine as long as it holds to emergency needs. Ponchos are a great lightweight option rainjacket. And can double as a lot of other things, far more than classic jackets.
I'm a big game hunter in the western Cascades of Oregon.... I do like my military or mil-spec poncho. I'm also a fan of gators, and good high-quality boots.... Those three workout pretty well for me I can carry my rifle and gear under my poncho even covers my backpack....
I hike regularly for around 20-25 years now, and I learned a lot. I live in a temperate continental/oceanic climate region. When hiking, I never use any rain coat or jacket. I know that I sweat excessively, so I will be soaking wet under the jacket anyway. If it's summertime and warm, it is not really a problem - change the shirt after the rain, and I am good to go. If the weather is cold, I put on a wool sweather. It will be wet, but it is able to keep me warm enough to avoid getting a cold. If it is cold winter time, I put on a plain thin polyesther jacket with rolled-up sleeves to keep my core wind-free.
I started backpacking with an umbrella about 20 yrs ago. A large carbon fibre golf umbrella works great. I have one modified with a metal spike at the handle to anchor it in the ground. It’s big enough to sit under for a trail side snack. Once at camp it can serve as one pole for a tarp tent. It’s overall much more comfortable when hiking. Pack fits better and clothing stays drier.
My wife and I did Four Pass Loop last August. We took all rain gear but mostly used the umbrellas. It was way more convenient to grab during the small drizzles and helped with the sun exposure
I‘ve been trekking in the Alps for the better part of a decade. I’ll go for two plus weeks. An umbrella has always been part of my rain quiver. It’s especially appreciated when it hails (though it’s a liability during lightning!) and can be used as a sun shade, too. I’ve even used it to prop up the inside of my 1 lb ultralite bivvy tent on snowy nights. The key to ultimate rain protection is flexibility of layers, which includes wool/alpaca sweaters/underlayers, quick drying camp shirts and pants (never, ever cotton!), a good hooded gortex jacket with pit zips, a pack cover, a thin plastic rain poncho as backup (that packs down to the size of a wallet and costs a buck), gortex hiking shoes with wool socks, thin sport gloves, a wool beanie AND AN UMBRELLA. All of these items come in ultra-light and pack-down-able versions, including micro umbrellas for a few bucks, and all together weighs maybe 2 lbs. I adapt combos of these layers to the conditions at hand. I’ve never truly suffered from inclement weather thanks to this system. I don’t mind dropping my pack to change out a few items as necessary. My go-to combo: A thin smartwool underlayer under a gortex rain jacket with pit zips open (and maybe the front open) will keep the condensation down but breathes and has amazing temp regulation (wool rocks as THE superior fiber!). If I overheat, I unzip the front and pull up all the layers to expose my belly for a bit. The rain doesn’t really reach there. Never fails. If it’s a really hot and humid rain, off comes everything but a quick-dry camp shirt and out comes the umbrella.
I'm a road and trail runner, and I honestly prefer just getting wet. In winter though I've found that windlayers are just as good if not better. I wear the adidas wind rdy line, and haven't had any issue with them wetting through or getting muggy. I kinda feel like mountain brands are overthinking what track and soccer brands already have figured out.
There's stuff that is designed for when you're moving and stuff that's designed for when you are not. If I am running or cross country skiing in winter, I am usually doing fine at 20 F with a wool baselayer and not much else. This is very far outside of what most outdoor apparel companies design for in their outer shells (and possibly why I see a lot of ski mountaineer youtubers leaving their absurdly expensive 3 layer goretex gear at home more often than not). If I am hiking, I find that nothing beats an umbrella in the rain protection vs breathability tradeoff, but also that I can wear warmer stuff when its cold without having problems with fogging up.
Totally agree with your conclusions and have been walking with a largish umbrella (no kilt) with some desirable results, until the wind picked up! Then the umbrella morphs into a sail and sails need to be reefed when the wind gets up and the only reef available with an umbrella is 'fold-down'! Thanks for your work.
A lot of (mountain) hikes in Japan end up having you climb over/squeeze through rocks. Also, many times you go through dense vegetation, and tight areas. For most of the hikes I’ve been on here, an umbrella would be very cumbersome and overall would get in the way. But I know exactly how you feel! When it starts drizzling, I always hope, “Ah it will probably stop soon.” I just put my rain over over my pack and keep on going. I dread putting my rain jacket on, just because I get so sweaty. However, I absolutely love my rainjacket when I reach peaks/summits, just because it keeps me warm by blocking off all the wind.
@@GummBo3 no he means when you have them opened and have to hold it over your head. that can be kind of cumbersome when you're going through dense vegetation or need to have your hands free to do stuff. just having to hold this thing up all day can get kind of annoying.
Here is a secret: GoreTex is water tight OR breathable. Not water tight AND breathable. When the GoreTex surface is covered by water, it won't breathe anymore.
Very informative and helpful video . I have pretty much always known most of this from my Military days and hiking and camping trips . That is why I tended to use a German Hooded Military poncho a lot over me not a rain jacket so much and a waterproof Poncho can cover your gun also . Although I live in a warm climate and I do realize it gets more complicated in cold conditions . The main thing is if you get sweaty in cold conditions you must dry off and change cloths as soon as you stop exercising and before night fall when it gets even colder . I agree with Pneumaticcannon that fighting wind chill especially when you are all sweaty is important to fend of hypothermia . Sometimes in freezing conditions it's better to go slow and don't build up a sweat as much as possible . Have spare dry clothing and stop , light a fire warm up and dry out you sweaty garments . Spending all day in sweaty underclothing in freezing conditions can make you ill. Umbrellas don't work in the Jungle very well but big banana leave do . In my day I used a pack liner and a built in cover and spare clothes in zip sealed plastic bags , the Poncho also covers the pack and if you sit down , you , your gun and the pack are fully covered . In the jungle it's common to fall over fording creeks and rivers so you don't want your stuff inside the pack getting wet and it supplies buoyancy so you can swim a river using the pack as a floaty .
One method from history was a treated cloak. You get a breathable thick fabric that keeps the rain off and keeps you a relatively ok temp. The cloak eventually gets a bit damp, but it depends on the exact situation you get put in.
I originally made myself a hooded cloak for Halloween with dirt cheap jute fabric sold to protect topiary... One, it was way way warmer then I ever expected a fabric with a single digit thread count to be! Second, it takes to rain like wool. Meaning it keeps you warm even when wet! Third it is very very breathable, I meat it’s nearly a net it’s so roughly spun! Finally it was very cheap (less then 15can$ for the bolt, and 20min with a knife and needle. I’ve been in ice rain with it, it did go a bit stiff, but it held admirably.
Try wool jackets - they are surprisingly water resistant, breath well and warm even when damp. I found that the problem with Goretex is when it wears (old age) the water comes through with none of the benefits of wool.
Just for my dail bike commuting I've actually been using a semi-waterproof soft shell jacket that has a bit of fleece on the inside. It works wonders. It prevents a little rain from getting you wet at all and even though it soaks when it pours it still keeps you warm and is windproof. Idk if I'd want it when I go hiking overnight, but for daily use it's absolutley great.
Poncho is a radical and ideal solution, as it is almost completely water-proof, and it is large enough to protect both your body from head to feet, and the backpack too, providing at the same time good body ventilation as it is not tight. It is also easier to wear/unwear than a jacket. I have a 60-liter poncho which weighs around 300g and has a water-proof capacity of 2000 mm, which can protect from a 2-hour heavy rain.
Nice experiment, and I guess the umbrella and rain kilt can work for you in these circumstances. But there's another factor that needs consideration: terrain. If I'm in (high) mountains and on steep trails, I want to have my hands free for balance. So a rain jacket, on top of the aforementioned wind protection, also provides maximum mobility.
Just did a quick 10km training walk in the rain with a 24kg sandbag. Didn’t want to sweat in gortex so decided to just get drenched. Then I remembered this video and took a small umbrella. Sensational!! Sweated like crazy but stayed dry from rain. Could easily take phone out to check distance and time. Dry to drink water under the brolly. Great idea.
Thanks for sharing your insights on rain gear. For me personally a big poncho is the way to go. Because it‘s airy enough for me to not start sweating while hiking, gives me perfect protection in all circumstances no matter how hard the rain is and it‘s super easy to set up (when the weather is changing every hour for example, i just let the poncho hang over my backpack so i can pull it over my head whenever it starts raining again. I haven‘t seen a quicker system than this so far). Also i‘d prefer the poncho over an umbrella because i like to have two free hands for moving over obstacles or catch me in case i slip.
I learned this the hard way trekking in N. Vietnam . The heat and humidity had me soaked to the bone in my goretex and hiking boots. Luckily I'm a quick learner and I quickly adopted the local garb, shorts, tee shirt, flip-flops and an umbrella. Lesson learned.
And when the killer vietnamese sun comes out remember to protect your skin, either by applying sunscreen, dressing up with light, long clothing or staying under the umbrella after the rain too
Been to Vietnam twice. Fully agree. Umbrellas aren't even that common unless you plan to be in the rain for a long time. Most just wait it out or use a plastic poncho if they need to use a scooter.
I think it'd be difficult using an umbrella in the locations I usually hike in. Too much wind on open moorland, generally. Might think about a kilt, but generally in the seasons I'd use one I wear shorts anyway, and skin is waterproof. I only really wear waterproof over trousers when it's windy in summer. I struggle with sweating in rain gear nowadays (well, sweating in general tbh; I'd like to say it's age but it's definitely lack of fitness & increased weight over the last two and half years). I have to make a mental note to just slow down and try to exert myself less if I'm clobbering up for rain. Which I generally fail to do, especially on ascents.
My wife and I regularly use our Zpacks umbrellas as wind breaks. The Zpacks is by far the best we have found for standing up to the wind. We're in New Zealand, which is in the "roaring forties": we know a little about wind. I have her original one (five years old), she has one, and she's bought another for "Sunday best". 🙂 They're also parasols in the hot sun. The shading you get on a hot day is sooo good. Much cooler than having to wear a hat. We use velcro ties to strap the Zpacks to our trekking poles, so they're out of the way when we don't need them. They are standard equipment on every hike for us. Give one a try - you might like it!
@@gregvanpaassen what other umbrellas have you used that makes you say the zpacks is best in wind. Just curious as ive been looking into getting an umbrella and a few other companies have good options(six moons designs, gossamer gear)
I really like my poncho. For the most part if it's done up properly it provides great coverage for me and my pack, it's really light and very breathable, and it works around camp too Seems to me the umbrella/kilt system would be cumbersome, and I like walking with poles, so I would have to secure the umbrella somehow to my pack.
Ponchos are great because you can do so much more with it than a rain coat. Depending on the kind you have you can even tie each corner to the trees to create a nice dry space like a light duty tarp during camp. I don't think I can just toss my poncho for an umbrella during a hike. I like to grab the trees around me to keep me stable when by the cliff side and I think the umbrella will just cause more problems than being more helpful.
I find umbrellas work well until the conditions get windy enough. Either the umbrella catches the wind and eventually breaks, or the rain ends up at an angle difficult to block with the umbrella. Not as ventilated as a poncho, but a rain jacket with pit zips helps with ventilation as well.
I would definitely advocate for a short cape such as the Varusteleka Luhka - throw it on over your normal clothes, T-shirt, fleece, whatever and it's like wearing a hands-free umbrella, plus you can wear your backpack underneath so it protects that as well.
Yes. The umbrella is a very functional solution for trail and camp. One additional benefit of the umbrella that you didn’t mention is when getting up at night to relieve yourself. I don’t know about you, but I always stay under my quilt too long. And when I can’t hold it any longer, I jump up frantically seeking a suitable place to go. The last thing I want to fool with is a rain coat and pesky zipper. The umbrella is a life saver in those situations. Other than that, my rule is umbrella when I’m walking and rainsuit in camp. It works for me.
Thanks for the video. As others have said: wind or bush-whacking limit the use of hiking parasols/umbrella. But I do bring one on all my trips, mainly to protect my toddler on my back from the sun. For hiking in sunny locales, it’s the best. And it’s no replacement for the insulating layer of a rain shell. I vote “yes, and”.
As a hiker in the tropics, going through dense jungle greatly inhibits umbrella use. While I definitely prefer umbrellas over rain jackets so my arms aren't soaking wet, there's also the problem of extremely cold winds that come around the 2000 masl mark here in the mountains I've hiked in. Rain while on the trail is just a bad time here because it results in being cold AND wet. Perhaps a poncho could work but I'm afraid it would tear against the vegetation along the trail.. I've actually considered layering both breathable and non-breathable rain jackets for this reason, but I've yet to try it
I think thin layers are the way to go. If you can use it to manage the heat you generate underneath it. And how fast you can get what's wet to dry again. But that latter could be difficult in humid areas since you specifically mentioned the tropics.
I use umbrella and rain gear for years. Depend on terrain i'm on and overall situation. It works perfectly. Umbrella also gives you a chance to hide inna shadow when its hot and sunny.
The umbrella idea is definitely interesting. It would really depend on your hike, those trails were pretty wide. From my experience there's a number of times where I'm digging my way threw trees so it wouldnt work. But on the other hand set up is super easy and I could use that for lunch and if you do get it big enough it would help to keep your pack dry. I definitely will consider it!
A kinda thick woollen shirt (and hat) is the best thing whilst hiking. Keeps you warm even when soaking wet, allows your own sweat to dissapate and allows air to pass. It is the most comfortable thing ever. And even though it is quite heavy, I use it on the trail continuosly so I never regretted bringing it. I do have a lightweight rain jacket with me when I am not moving that much, but I nearly never use it and I think I will not be bringing it with me any more.
That gave me an idea. In olden times wool still had loads of animal oils making them water repellent. This is not the case anymore. My big fear with wearing something thick when raining is that it will absorb tons of water making it very heavy after a while. But we have modern ways of making just about anything water repellent. I might have to try
@@timonix2 modern wool is still good in the rain; retaining 70% of the warmth, wicking away sweat and allowing airflow If it's Merino, it won't itch either
As scouts we all have the same poncho and it works great. It also doubles as our ground tarp since we don't use modern plastic tents, but tents that look kinda like tipis with canvas that you knot together to create a tent , so we have to lay something down to protect our gear from the wet ground
@@MrCmon113 nah, it works pretty great. You can put up the Kothe in under 5 minutes and the problem is that they usually don't sell round tarps, which is why we have to use our ponchos. (I live in Germany. Dunno if you'd already consider this cold climate, but we definitely do winter camps as well)
@@MrCmon113 They did. Though the actual point is they spend long days outside in all weather conditions. Wind, rain, snow and sun but their boots were for saddle use, not best for hiking.
An umbrella also protects you from the sun, say hiking on a glacier. But it requires low wind, and easy hiking. If you get into hikes where you scramble and need to use your hands from time to time an umbrella is a pain. Or if there are low branches, close together trees. So an umbrella is really an item that works well in a limited set of situations.
My three-season+ silver bullet is an umbrella with hands-free attachment, optional rain pants or kilt, and a hammock/tarp setup. In camp, the tarp goes up first and I can do that while getting minimally wet. Then I have a sheltered spot to do everything else I need to do (cook, set up my hammock, etc). I can wear normal insulation layers to stay warm, like a fleece - add a wind shirt if it's windy. If I need to leave the tarp to get water, relieve myself, whatever, I just grab the umbrella. The tarp also gets me out of the rain to eat lunch or take a break - the tarp takes very little time to set up and break down. I store it in a stuff sack on the outside of my pack, so I don't care if it's wet when I put it away. If you add a pair of waterproof knee socks like SealSkinz, you can use this setup deep into the shoulder seasons by virtue of keeping your feet warm and dry. I used this method on a complete, successful Appalachian Trail thru-hike, but didn't even bother with the rain kilt/pants. Additional bonus: didn't have to carry sunscreen for the few sections exposed enough to get sunburn. A few other thoughts in response to the comments here from people who clearly haven't tried umbrellas: Do they get snagged on trees? I used a Six Moons Designs version and it was a good size to fully cover me without getting snagged up. You just have to be aware that you're a little wider and bend/shift it around trees and branches. You stop even thinking about it after a few miles. To be sure, it was pinholed in several places after 2200 miles of backpacking, but it STILL WORKED BETTER than a rain jacket. What about wind? (1) Backpacking umbrellas are tougher than you think. Mine could stand up to some pretty serious wind, though it couldn't be totally hands-free in high winds. (2) It's rare that you get high enough wind that it's a problem at all. I used mine for about three years on hikes across the USA, and only once ran into a scenario where it was too windy to use at all - a day of 50 mph gusts in the Smokies, and frankly no one stayed dry if they hiked that day. The force of the rain in that much wind ate right through every type of raingear without exception. If you live somewhere it's particularly exposed and windy (hello Ireland, I guess?), it certainly could be a problem, but from an American perspective, it's the only rain gear I've ever found pleasant to use while backpacking.
I would add that it depends on a terrain, climate and general geographical region where you hike. I'm a hiking guide in Balkans and Dinaric Alps, and from my experience, depending on different factors all three options work in a way. Maybe for me, poncho is the best for rain overall, but in general I always carry my jacket because it's more versatile. Poncho: I carry it only when I know there will be heavy rain. In general I share everything you said about poncho, it's breathable, lightweight, your hands are free etc. The downside is when you are using your hands while climbing (or cable or you are on via-ferata) because it just gets in the way and it's not safe. Also poncho has to be used with hiking poles, otherwise it has the same effect as a goretex jacket. I found it better in forest than jacket, just because that excess moisture that can escape (especially when you have to stand for a longer time to wait a thunder storm to pass). Also I found it difficult to wear poncho on a heavy wind without natural shelter because all the heat will escape from underneath. While this is great during the summer, during the winter it can be a terrible decision to loose all your heat on -20 celsius and be left with a wet and cold under layer. During balkan summer/autumn period, when the temperature is good enough for a t-shirt but it can rain like hell for 10 minute intervals, poncho is the guy because you can just pack and unpack it in a matter of seconds. Jacket: I carry it all the time. It's just more versatile than poncho, but it's not better than poncho on a rain day for the same reasons you mentioned. Again I will always prefer jacket if I'm climbing or if I'm on a ridge during the rain and wind. During winter jacket is waaay preferable and I always leave poncho at home during winter. Umbrella: In Dalmatia and Herzegovina, umbrella is better during hot summer days than during the rain. While rain can seem refreshing, beware of bura winds. Believe me, you don't want to be in Dalmatia during the rain/wind of bura, but if you do, an Iron Man suit isn't enough. I found out that umbrella doesn't work with European forests, mostly because our forests are much younger and trees are shorter, more often than not, you hit your head on a branch, so umbrella just gets in a way and shortens your view and it can get ripped. Also when you get out of the forest in Europe, you are mostly on a flat open field which doesn't have a forest for a reason - it's too much windy for trees.
I use old school Helly Hansen from Norway. It is the best rain gear by a far amount. Kinda stiff with double walls, and it rests solely on your shoulders with plenty of room for evaporation. Use wool longsleeve when it's cold and use synthetic T-shirt for summer and you are golden.
I've been using Paramo directional clothing for years and they are great at keeping me dry. They don't use the same tech as Goretex, not exactly sure how it works tbh but it uses pressure generated by your body heat to move liquid from your skin outwards. Even if I'm wet when I put it on I get dry. Only issue is that they are quite warm so I do get hot walking sometimes, but then I can just vent and even if some rain gets in the vents it will soon dry when I close them again. Added benefit is that they don't use toxic chemicals to make their gear and they are made in a factory with well paid female workers who where helped to get out of horrible life situations.
Personally, I've been a poncho wearer for years. I find that it works in all weather and is so much cooler than traditional rain gear. If you find a nice large one, you can even drape it over a small pack when hiking, keeping everything dry without additional rain flies. On hot or light rain days, I would be more open to trying the rain kilt and umbrella combo, but usually when I'm in a torrential downpour I just don't see there being much protection against heavy sideways rain that traditional rain gear would work in (and there's concern about the wind hitting that umbrella). I'm loving this channel -- thank you for posting!
This was an informative Q and A on the different gear and problems. It comes down to an accurate evaluation of the environment you are going to be in and its possible extremes. There will always be drawbacks to some of these but that's part of the outdoor adventure, A little Wet, A little Hot or Cold, Windy, Dirty Etc...
It’s better to “get dry” rather than try to “stay dry” set up a tarp when you get to your campsite, and change into dry clothes. When you’re at your campsite you can wear something cheap and impermeable
Firstly, thanks for more great content. Your channel rocks! Lightweight, breathable rain gear is best if you suspect light rain and you need mobility like when climbing class 3/4. If you suspect heavy rain and colder temperatures and need mobility then go with breathable, heavy rain gear. If you don’t need mobility like when just walking a trail or if you need to protect a long gun while hunting then it’s hard to beat a poncho, preferably the Packa. If it’s warm, above 80°, then don’t use any rain gear. Enjoy natures shower. If you’re wearing the right materials you’ll dry out in no time and it’ll feel great.
In the first and second scenario you said do you think the sane light rain gear can work...and added warmth can be a matter of adding layers beneath that like fleeces, hoodies,sweaters, or whatnot? That way only need one set of rain gear that serves well all year round when needed
Yes. To be clear, I don’t backpack with multiple sets of rain gear. I only go out with one set. What I bring depends on the forecast and activity. Hiking through a rainforest in Honduras, synthetic clothing that drys quickly maybe a poncho. Hiking the Sierras in July, Ultralight Frogg Toggs. Getting airdropped in Kobuk Valley, Alaska in late summer, Gore Tex Pro.
My granpa was a fisherman from the north coast of Norway, where you would guess, can be pretty wet and cold at the same time. And doing fishermans job can make you break a hard sweat when reeling in the fish to reach the quotas and beat the storms. I always wondered why he rarely got sick and and such as I live aswell in a pretty humid and temperate area. He told me, always to being extra change and a solid raincoat, the 100% proof ones. And Managing the heat is the key. Always wear appropiate layers of clothes and change when you start breaking a sweat. Technically, use your underlayer of clothes as a Heatsink. Once things get to hot, take a short break and switch t shirt as an example. And carry on. The new cool and dry t shirt not only absorbs the moisture, but the short break and quick switching of underlayers flushes the heat and sort of "resets" you. During long hauls he would often re use the switched out clothing after leaving it nearby to "dry" off if he didnt have enough shirts. And this is why, consider I also work a lot of outdoors, often in remote areas, i always make sure to pack a few extra undershirts and my trusty super sized umbrella. Once i start feeling that wetness coming down from my back area, thats the qeue to go and quickly change, and thats where the supersized umbrella comes in sorta working as a quick impromptu tent to change even if its a downpour. Tl;Dr: Old saying goes; always bring a fresh set of clothes to change to.
I prefer a cloak and hood personally. With a waterproof outer layer such as oilcloth or a good thick wool (preferably lanolin intact), it's like a wearable umbrella that doesn't restrict your clothes from handling sweat their way. And they can be made in different thicknesses for different locales or seasons.
@@DaGoon_ Sadly, my pattern is at least a decade old and I have no idea where I would find another that I like. But I know TH-cam has some great tutorials for a lot of things, including blanket cloaks and simple hoods. I made a Viking hood in the Hedeby style from a youtube tutorial and love it to pieces. I'm finding that I like separating the cloak and hood, as it means I can mix and match. If you meant to buy the cloak itself, I think most renn fairs will have some form of clothier who carries a few cloaks. You're probably looking at $100-200 in the US but wool doesn't come cheap any way you get it.
I consider my rain jacket as my wind jacket and as an extra layer for warmth. I’ve never really used rain pants. I could see adding an umbrella though!
The main hurdle with anything besides neoprene raingear is that in many situations you are hiking through wet Alders which slap against you and permeate any breathable gear or go under the umbrella. Also many high altitude locations hold 50-60 mph winds in fall
In 1990, I bought a water-repellent (impregnated with fish oil - took it years to lose the scent) 100% cotton wide-brimmed hat, which I've been using instead of an umbrella - it frees my hands, always on my head anyways, and is good even nowadays against rain (I did not re-apply fish-oil to re-impregnate it..) - the one drawback is you might want a lanyard to be able to secure it in strong or gusty wind.
Very interesting video! I use a 1950's British military rain cape with a waterproof hat. I love it because I get ventilation through the bottom and it doubles as rain protection for my backpack! :)
Thanks for this. Very interesting and generates some good debate here. I think all this gear has a time, a place and a wind speed. I tried a kilt and poncho in Scotland last year and gave up on them due to the strong winds. If using an umbrella, it or I would have flown over the mountains like something from the Wizard of Oz!
Just some friendly advice with regards to the electric bike, it might be worth checking out the rules and laws for your particular region, some trails have bans on electric mountain bikes, others just limit the max assisted speed but most if not all have rules against the twist throttle bikes like in this video.
I was just about to write a similar comment when I saw your comment! Thanks for calling this out! Please respect MTB trails. There is a lot of effort, often through weekend volunteers, that goes into maintaining trails and repairing trail features.
My wife and I used umbrellas on the West Highland Way this summer. Was an amazing bit of kit. We were able to walk in the rain, stay relatively dry, AND not get sweaty. Will always hike with one now if there is any rain forecast. We knew about kilts, but hadn’t considered them, we are a bit interested now. This was a ‘supported’ thru hike, staying in paid for accommodation. When we do proper ‘tent’ backpacking I carry my full waterproof suit to use as an extra warm layer when at camp or whenever, rather than extra clothes. (I’m in shorts most of the time.) Keeps the dry pack weight down to below 5kg 👍🏻
The risk of winds too strong for an umbrella is too high to consider an umbrella where I hike. I'll stick with my poncho. While that can also be annoying in windy weather, I'm not worried about damaging it. My biggest issue with ponchos is that they all seem to come with buttons down the sides. This means that I'll rip the sides open when I'm walking between trees or through shrubs.
@@cathyajames or the decathlon poncho with sleeves for around 30-40 bucks. I really like that one and just tie the excess material into a knot in the front if it's windy.
Another poncho design is the SMD Gatewood Cape, which I use all spring/summer/fall here in the PNW in temps between 40-90. Below 40 I use breathable waterproof materials with base layers and fleece. The Gatewood Cape has a front zipper and closed sides, so wind is less of a problem and ventilation is still great.
The best I found for spring and fall is a traditional felt coat and hat. Sure, it gets wet and heavy, but you stay warm. During hiking, I had to wear the coat like a cloak, because I was getting too warm. Having the armpits and front exposed really makes huge difference when it comes to cooling down. Still, I wouldn't want to wear a cloak, though if you're really into camping, then it could serve as a blanket too...
I've never got cold when I'm wearing wool. Wet and uncomfortable sometimes, but cold, never. I have an old woollen military greatcoat which people shit on for being heavy, but honest to god I've never got wet in it. There's a reason human beings wore wool for the longest time, it's well sick
The problem with umbrellas is wind. Wind can send rain from different angles and break your umbrella. I think a really thin Gortex jacket & layers in the winter works best. For the summer I prefer quick dry clothes and just let them get wet (can be a rash guard or a light T-shirt with bathing suite bottoms)
I have just retired after 35 years delivering mail. Here is what I learned. Even the best raingear is only there to buy time. At the end of the day, if it rains constantly, you WILL be wet. Really good gear buys more time. That's all. What the video says about GoreTex is true. Getting soaked by your own trapped sweat is not really different from getting soaked by rain. Spray-on silicone is good stuff. You do need to apply it every month or more. Wool has been awesome for thousands of years and it still is. Wet wool is better than wet cotton or nylon. Neoprene socks (worn over regular socks and inside a roomy boot) are worth the money. Do NOT put them in a hot dryer! Neoprene socks will lose their mojo if you put them in a hot dryer. In the coldest weather I wore polypro long johns, postal trousers, and rain pants on top as a windbreaker. At some point, whether I was wearing rain pants because it was cold or because it was rainy, it was often necessary to remove the rain pants and let the sweat/moisture evaporate. In heavy rain I would wear a raincoat (to keep myself somewhat dry) and a rain cape (to keep the mailbag dry, and the raincoat too). With full rain gear UNDER A CAPE, and a good waterproof hat (silicone spray) and neoprene socks, you can stay dry a REALLY LONG TIME. But not forever. If your feet are warm all day, you won't even notice they are wet until you peel those neoprene socks off in the evening.
I feel like there's one option that's kind of forgotten: a rain cloak. My favourite piece of rain gear for when it's really wet is this huge piece of traditional rain gear cloak. It's got a big hood, and without a backpack on, it reaches down past my knees. It can be put on outside of not only your clothes, but your pack as well, protecting the whole package. And though there are buttons that go pretty far down, you don't need to close them all, giving you excellent ventilation.
@@SimonGrayDK No. I mean, I've seen people call similar things a poncho, but a poncho is a garment you pull over your head. This is something you wrap around yourself, with buttoning up the front.
I gave up on breathable rain gear years ago. While on 80 mile bike ride in a heavy rain and the temperature just above freezing and traveling fast, my jacket totally delaminated. The warm body vapor passing through the fabric hitting the cold rain caused the fabric to fail. This has also happened to my son on a trip he was on. I have found a better solution is to forgo rain gear and only use it in camp. I now use Wool that I lanolize. I wear a wide brim felted wool, Western style hat, sometimes called a cowboy hat. Sometimes I carry a traditional Crusher hat, made of felted wool that folds and easy to carry. A good European felted wool will get damp, but never leaks and keeps the head warm and water out of the face. On my upper body I wear a tight weave wool shirt. Wool when wet retains 80% of its insolation value. Did you ever see a sheep shivering? While bike touring, or hiking, in warmish weather I sometimes I wear a short sleeve loose weave wool shirt. I would rather be wet and warm in wool than sweaty and clammy in raingear. While kayaking in S.E. Alaska it sometimes rains for nonstop for days. After a while you don't realize when it is raining or has stopped raining, strange as that sounds. But my Woolrich tight weave wool shirt never fails me. There is rain and then there is rain so heavy, ice cold and wind driven you are forced to stop because you can't see six ahead. That is why I carry my tent rain fly on any type of trip where it is easy to reach to protect myself. Studies show that a double layer of wool triples the rain protection and warmth.
All my wild camps involve climbing hills, scrambling, and technical sections with high winds so an umbrella is totally out of the question - however on a stroll around a lake - I think I'll go with the umbrella :) As long as it's not windy...
The only rain gear I haven't tried but want to is the pump-liner type gear - Paramo and Buffalo make jackets like this - they're not designed to be totally waterproof but they draw moisture away from the body using a 'pump liner' and the outer shell is so breathable your body heat simply makes water evaporate. I've heard great things but they're not that cheap and I've already bought a load of Gore Tex Pro stuff
Exactly. Need my hands free at all times. Mounting an umbrella? No thanks. An easy stroll with the kids maybe I could see an umbrella but even then I’m not generally working up a sweat the pit zips won’t solve.
Poncho is my go to! 1. Covers my pack aswell and I can reach stuff in my hip pocket etc without getting stuf wet 2. Hands free 3. Good ventilation and since im hands free I can choose hold up the front of the poncho for really good ventilation if needed 4. While still being waterproof material! 5. Use it as a tarp if you need to rest when raining
Normally I wear a medium, maybe a large rain jacket. Instead I put on my backpack first, then an extra large rain jacket over that. Im dry. My bag is dry. Yet I have air flow so I don't over heat or sweat too much.
I’m on the PCT right now, and I have both an umbrella and a rain jacket but I would 100% get rid of the rain jacket before the umbrella. It works in the sun, and it keeps anything you’re carrying dry too. The only drawback is wind, which ponchos suffer from as well.
I almost expected you to circle back and decide on the poncho. It seems like it is the option that provides the most ventilation while ensuring full coverage.
@@MyLifeOutdoors Did you have your pack over or under the poncho? I'm a fan of having the poncho cover the pack too so water isn't running down your back. I'm a little taller so wear a rain skirt (plus gaiters) as well to keep the water coming off the the poncho from just soaking my legs.
@@MyLifeOutdoors Wait...I'm confused. Were you wearing the poncho over yourself and your pack (see:www.rei.com/media/e659b25e-2039-48a5-8758-5cc48149db30.jpg?size=576x768) ? How was rain getting to your straps?
I've been using an umbrella on hikes for over 15 years. It has so much utility that for me its a no brainer. There are ways to attach your umbrella to your backpack so you can hike hands free. Its great for stopping water running between your backpack and jacket. And no matter the price and how good the membrane is any breathable rain jacket will at some point let water through. For me it usually happens at around 6 hours of hiking in constant rain. (New Gore-Tex 3 Layer Jacket). The umbrella is great for keeping your camera gear dry while taking photos, its a great windbreak for cooking in windy environments. I usually peg it down with 2 tent pegs to keep it from flying off. Also I love to use it as a shelter extension. I will leave my tent door open during rain and block the entrance using the umbrella. That way I have a place to cook under the umbrella and I can still have a view by looking over the umbrella. Its also great when its rainy outside at night and you need to go pee or something you don't have to bother with putting on all that gear. Usually I hike with shorts because that way I wont need anything protecting my legs. At the end of the day I'll just dry them off. Legs don't tend to get cold during hikes because you are using your muscles. If you get a UV protective umbrella (the ones with the silver coating), it will supply you with premium shade anywhere above the treeline. Any time I meet other hikers in the mountains, they are really curious about my umbrella and once I tell them all the pros of using one, they are sold on the idea of getting one themselves. For me an umbrella is not something that will keep me from taking a rain jacket because there are environments and weather conditions where it is just not practical to use. I will also advise to bring a bothy bag. Its a kind of emergency shelter that you can pitch really fast in bad weather conditions. Usually you can see the type of rain that is coming and if its only a short shower, I will just dish out the bothy bag and skip rain gear all together. I'll just take a break in my bothy, have lunch and wait for it to pass. That way everything stays dry.
I did this that umbrella and kilt through Philmont. Worked great. Even at camp it was easy. Plus entry into the tent while raining was so much less problematic.
I can only speak for myself, but most of the places I go hiking here in South Africa are pretty rocky and not necessarily very easily traversed. I think that even though the problems that come with traditional rain gear could be annoying, having my hands free and large range of motion in my legs is critical for my safety on the trail. It seems like the umbrella and kilt is a cool idea on clear paths and perhaps routes where you can afford to reduce your overall mobility a little, other than that, it seems like it could be a little uncomfortable climbing over rocks with an umbrella in hand. I only recently found your channel and I'm loving the videos you put out, keep up the good work!
I don't use a hiking specific umbrella and am able to strap it on my pack in a way that my hands are free. When not in use it is strapped to the pack. I was the only person with an umbrella on one group hike and the next trek everyone had an umbrella. I've never tried a rain kilt, but his looked a bit snug for what I'd want. If you have to make a dynamic move you could hike up the kilt.
Breathable rain gear will wet out eventually, so having a ventilated, non-breathable layer (a brolly or poncho or rain kilt) is probably wise. Seeking shelter and deploying a warm jacket may also be the choice of champions: hypothermia is not to be trifled with.
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Great video! New subscriber! Don't sleep on the poncho, though. I find they optimize rain protection and ventilation.
when I switched to carnivore way of eating I reduced sweating by A LOT. Beside impressively huge health improvements this was one of unexpected side-effects.
What kind of helmet are you wearing on the ebike?
in that respect, what about using a disposable plastic apron then.. easy to use, replaceable, light weight, protects top, bottom, behind relatively, breaths better then full rain gear, and doesn't break the bank
Wind and umbrellas do not mix. Wyoming and umbrella, trucks, vans, RVs, and school buses do not mix. Hint - they get 50 mph plus wind gust regularly.
This is pretty specific to covered trails in moderate to warm weather. I'm sure umbrellas are great when you have enough clearance and coverage from trees. Even a moderate wind would make you question that choice, even more when you are in an open clearing. When I lived in Ireland I learned really quick why nobody owns umbrellas.
Same here in the Scottish highlands.
There’s definitely a limit beyond which you can’t use an umbrella, but it’s way higher than people imagine. Especially if you use a super burly compact umbrella. This isn’t necessarily a purpose built hiking umbrella.
So I'm not touting this umbrella as an actual alternative while hiking, that would just be silly, but if you're in need of an umbrella that can survive even the unruliest winds of the UK, the gustbuster brand is the only one I've found that will not break after 5 seconds.
All other 'windproof' umbrellas get buggered in a proper gust, but I've got 3 gustbusters that have all been going for years.
P.s. I'm not getting paid for this advert lol. But gustbuster, if want to throw a fiver my way I'll take it :p
Here in Tennessee in the USA, I have exactly the opposite problem: the trails look more like green tunnels, with rhododendron and mountain laurel close packed and arching overhead. I can't imagine trying to maneuver an umbrella through that sort of tangled mess, particularly with all the blow-downs. It would be snagged, ripped, torn, and shredded into uselessness within the first 10 miles!
I've bought a hiking umbrella (ShedRain WindPro Mini) 10 years ago for a month-long hike on the Camino de Santiago. It's very cleverly designed to not lock up but change shape with the wind, and it works surprisingly well. It can be used as a "shield" against almost horizontal rain and strong winds. Protects against rain AND wind chill. It's extremely sturdy and can be used for shade in the sun too. So don't be too quick to say no to umbrellas for hiking even in rough weather, I'd recommend trying it out.
I'd use it together with rainpants though, because it can't protect your legs and feet.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that a rain jacket also protects you from the wind, reducing wind chill and hopefully not getting cold.
It depends on the temperature. Is it hot? Umbrella. Is it cold? Jacket.
@@DoctorDinosaur but if it's hot, why not just get wet. Wear something that'll dry quickly and embrace the wet
@@blaise3004yeah that's what I was thinking 🤔
A softshell jacket does the same job and has way better ventilation IMO.
I only wear a goretex here in Canada when it's like -5 Celsius or colder and for that it is awesome. It blocks 100% of wind, breathes better the colder it gets outside, and makes insulated under layers much more effective and allows to be much less bulky. Good too about -20 Celsius. If it's warmer outside just wear a cotton smock and a poncho for that 0.01% of the time it rains. You'll be way more comfortable
Funny how goretex is only awesome for the exact opposite of its intended use
The umbrella's greatest weakness is wind, which can make it practically unusable. Personally, I carry both. Umbrella provides better ventilation, jacket provides better coverage and hands-free use.
Exactly, umbrella doesnt work vs sideways rain
Which means umbrella doesn't work where I live.
Love my blunt umbrella! It’s a tank but works like a charm in the wind. Also works reasonably well in the snow (as long as you don’t let it pile on top too much)
I did a 96 mile walk with an umbrella and found you develop skills in using it at different angles making the wind less of an issue, in fact it often became a great windbreak esp at break times!
@@rubke2 You hold the stick part by both ends and use it like a shield. I live in a very windy city.
When I was hiking the Appalachian trail, I tried fully covering up the first time it rained. I ended up soaked with sweat after a few minutes. From then on I would just take rain as a chance for a free shower, and only use my jacket when it was windy or cold. This was mostly in the summer, so hypothermia was less of an issue. When we got cold rain in the fall, the only thing to do was cover up and move slowly enough that we didn’t sweat much.
As a bike courier in Vancouver, I soon realised that Gore-tex is neither waterproof or breathable when you're riding hard all day. After much experimenting my approach could be summed up as "since I can't avoid getting wet, I need to stay warm when wet and speed up drying time". The colder months of December and January (which are mild by canadian standards) where it's 2 degrees and raining, were the only time I wore a Gore-tex rain jacket, though it was a must to stay warm. Throughout the spring and fall months, wicking long sleeve shirts, a very thin fleece and the MEC Samurai Vest made entirely out of Cordura was the way to go. The setup would keep my warm and not overheated. Even when I'd get soaked, which is unavoidable, I would be mostly dry within 10-15 minutes during lunch. Polypropylene, cordura, fleece and wool socks were essentials while rain gear was practically the worst thing to wear until you got to April where it would be 6 degrees and rain for 33 straight days.
I'm one of the few strange people who got those 5 toed Gore-Tex Vibram shoes... I quickly found that out too, even though I'm on the other side of Canada. I've had better luck with a pair of canvas boots from Xero Shoes that I soaked in waterproof treatment. Usually when it's warm enough, I wear water shoes or crocs, with clothes made of swim shorts material since it gets wet, but will dry off in about 10-20 minutes. On colder days, I have a slightly oversized traditional raincoat that apparently was made in BC (I can't remember the brand off the top of my head, but traditional, fairly heavy, but good), and sometimes I use a thinner windbreaker type thing. I like the thicker one for being in the garden too, as the sleeves have elastic, something I don't see too often, so I can tuck my gloves inside and not get my arms full of mud. It's also long enough to sit on which helps, even if it's cold enough to wear rain pants.
Isn't wool or fleece good for keeping warm when wet? Cotton is terrible wet for sure.
As a Calgarian with so much sun, the idea of 33 days straight rain makes me want to cry. Yah, yah ok, so it's snowing end of April ...whatever.... ;P but I got sunshine most days.
While biking in new Westminster I passed a kid on a bike who had an umbrella 😂 😂😂
I’m still trying to figure out optimal rain commuting gear. It’s not a long commute and I’ve found less is better.
Probably something that can only be done in 55-70 temp (typical socal weather in the fall/winter) and being a wimp to even mild chilly weather, but I've found that wearing a base layer + jersey + gore-tex shake dry to be my go to. It doesn't rain much here but where I live, it is very windy so the shake-dry still does help a lot. When I'm riding hard and I break a sweat enough to drench me, I'll unzip a part of my shake-dry and usually it is enough to dry me out enough for me to feel comfortable again. Essentially, my base layer will get soaked, my jersey will pull that and dry it when I've partially unzipped the shakedry.
I was once based in the Philippines. During the rainy season, I tried increasing impenetrable rain gear to keep dry. Finally, I found something that worked. The problem was, it's so hot there that I arrived soaked with sweat instead of rain.
At that point I gave up on keeping dry. Instead, I carried extra clothes and just got wet. 😅
I will be living in the Philippines next month which is why I am here XD
my thoughts exactly you won't melt if you get wet and if you're wet so is everyone else
If it's hot is not even a bad way to deal with it
The trick is using natural fibers and not using plastic based clothes. My waxed wool coat, keeps me warm in winter, dry in rain and im not soaking wet from sweat in the summer.
@@MrEatSomeBrains The humidity in the Philippines will make that wool unbearable. Even a cotton tshirt is unbearable when the humidity is very high. The only real solution is to do what the locals do which is to bring extra clothes, and to keep your office shoes at the office, or bring it with you, and wear waterproof shoes. Or get yourself a car if you can afford it. Even when it's not raining, you still need to bring extra clothes, at least an extra undershirt, because the humidity for most of the year is really very extreme. There is some relief from November to February though.
I agree with the poncho. It took a long time for me to appreciate it. I spent years in combat units and a couple years overseas. It was when I came home and used traditional rain gear while being outdoorsy... that I realized how much the poncho did for me. Its a transformer. Having a tent like place to tuck into to perform tasks is invaluable. You ever try to use a smartphone with wet hands? Tuck into your poncho, dry your hands, then pull your phone out and use it while inside of the poncho. Or taking a break, setting up a small stove... having the ponch to go from rain jacket to tarp like mini tent is just the way to go. Its always in my EDC bag.
This guy understands. Army surplus poncho is a wet weather life saver. It can be buttoned up or worn loose. Build a fire and huddle close and it functions like a greenhouse. Anything you can do with a tarp you can do with that style of poncho, ie Converts into an A frame shelter, lean to, teepee style, ground cover or a water proof cover for all your gear. Multiple ponchos can be snapped together, if you are hiking with others and you guys bought the same style. They are a bit on the heavy side, if you are an ultra light hiker, but I'm the type of guy that hikes a full back camp chair, 60lb pack be damned, I want to be comfortable when I get to camp.
Issued a poncho while stationed at Bangor Washington. Only time i used it was to keep rain from getting into the HUMV and to collet the water leaki g through the roof while on a Pole Gate. Super useful
Poncho is absolutely the way to go. Just wear it over your backpack so you won't get sweaty like with the rain jacket. Simple, easy and very multifunctional.
The woobie liner is the best piece of gear! I actually thought the old rubber Gumby overalls and jacket were pretty effective too
Yep. Cloaks still exist too. Even just a waxed cloth tarp makes for surprisingly decent rain gear.
Thanks for the very informative video. I'm a big fan of using a poncho and have been doing so for at least 35 years. Many years ago I got a North Face Gortex rain jacket and never liked it while hiking. It trapped sweat and was always hot and clammy. These days I use a poncho while hiking. I use the ultra-light Frogg Togg rain jacket in camp. The poncho also has the advantage of being used as an emergency shelter. I'll have to try an umbrella but they seem to be hard to use if it is windy and difficult to use if you are using trekking poles.
I think more people should consider an umbrella as a solution for sunburn while hiking as well.
As long as you don't need your hands for climbing, I prefer an umbrella over coating myself in sunblock as suntan lotion on your face and arms gets gross feeling on a hot day as well, and the umbrella keeps direct sun off your face and arms, so you are cooler.
Could you put something to hold your umbrella on your pack? Back to hands-free
Many companies that offer hiking umbrellas also offer ways to attach them to your shoulder straps, so you can go hands-free and continue using your trekking poles.
I think a sun hoodie and hat would be just as good as the umbrella but if it was crazy hot and i was hiking somewhere super exposed like the desert section of pct i would definitely use a sun umbrella
@@brycetheshredder wide brimmed hats are great for rain as well, assuming it was made to be water resistant/proof.
That plus a lightweight water resistant jacket or shirt have usually kept me dry in anything except for a torrential downpour.
In Germany I have seen people biking with and umbrella.
Just a fun idea: your skin is mostly waterproof and dries alot faster than wet clothing. If you are hiking in summer, try stripping down when it starts to rain. I remember as a kid that we were out on a hike with friends and my best friend stripped down to his underwear when it started to rain. While everyone of us got really wet and drenched, his clothes stayed dry. It was the peak of august, so 30°, thus cooling out was no worry.
Smart guy. Hope he had good taste in undies.
I worked as a summer camp counselor for many years. One super rainy summer I just had my bathing suit on most of the time with maybe some quick dry shorts.
My mom used to yell at me for doing that, I'd strip down to bare essentials cause a tank top and shorts dries a lot better than a jacket and pants.
30c plus water can still give you hypothermia because your core temperature is 36C.
@@maudbrewster9413 Only if it rains hard enough to get soaked and there is a moderate to strong wind. And even that is up for debate. People can swim for hours in 20C or 25C water without having to worry about hypothermia. Worst case scenario, just grab an umbrella if the rain lasts for more than half an hour.
Capes were made for a reason. I've got a 70s era German rain cloak, and it works wonders. And being a cloak, it can also double as a tarp when camping.
What’s it made out of
Go poncho worked great for me on field stuff in always raining Hawaii
I have it too
@@b22chris rubber
@@b22chris I couldn't tell you. Maybe rubber? Maybe fabric coated with plastic?
I see a lot of people discussing umbrellas and wind. Surprised no one has mentioned the Storm Umbrella. Developed by a University student in the Netherlands (TU Delft). It works really well, obviously in the Netherlands we get a LOT of wind but this one is undeterred and you can even cycle with it just fine. Think the original is by Senz company but probably a lot more out there these days.
Yes they still have it at senz with a com added to the end. Still, a poncho keeps your hands free which is better when out in nature. This way you can grab whatever safety thing you need to grab if security becomes a sudden issue.
Blunt umbrella's do well with wind. Even if they flip out in the wind they don't break and can revert to shape. From Wellington, NZ's windiest city
@@davidmanning7912 If I am getting wet under an umbrella even if it does revert back to shape, then its useless in my books. Thanks!
@@davidmanning7912 I don't want my umbrella to do tricks, I want it to keep me dry.
I've had my Senz umbrella for nearly 14 years now. I love it. It's gone through all sorts of weather and has never failed me. In light to moderate rain the asymmetrical design allows me to cover myself and my kid walking beside me. People give me funny looks sometimes, but I don't care if I'm dry.
Too much wind here for me to try that. If the umbrella doesn't turn inside out the wind will just blow the rain all over me anyway
I relate, it’s easy to spot tourists in my city whenever you see them chasing their umbrella. And that’s down at sea level, hiking here is almost exclusively above the tree line
It is trip dependent.
That's why combo umbrella and jacket is the best, jacket will be wet but not completely soaked through. Otherwise you need to hide in shelter anyway 😅
Ditto. I live in Scotland and our backcountry areas are really exposed to the wind so wind gusts of 60 or 70 MPH are common. The umbrella would last five minutes.
Same here in Ireland - there's always wind...always! So holding an umbrella steady in a gale isn't going to work.
And the rain is never far away either
Poncho, kilt, wool cape. That was always the point of these items in ancient/ye olde times. The idea was that the mass and natural water resistance of wool lanolin would keep the traveler dry enough to prevent them from becoming soaked, and possibly keep them completely dry. They also are loose-fitting and allow evaporated sweat to escape and are naturally breathable. They also don't hold condensation well because of the massive surface area of wool. When people think wool, they think warm, and that's true to a point. However, the different thicknesses of cloaks, kilts, ponchos, etc. would keep the wearer cooler or warmer in different climates. I'd highly recommend giving one a try, at the risk of looking like a Jacobite rebel or a hobbit taking a ring to Mordor.
Let's be honest, just about everyone would want to look like a hobbit taking the ring to Mordor while backpacking.
I use the Poncho from Sea To Summit. Light, small package and really good protection. Bonus, it also protects your backpack.
Layering is always the key and a Ponch is a great top layer.
its almost like 5000 years of walking outdoor has already figured out best way for different situation.
Why did cape went out of style?!
I do reenactment and Larp. And when the weather gets too bad outside, the period clothes come out, and I stop caring about wether people look at me funnily.
Wool lined with linnen is simply the best.
A lot of expensive outdoor hunting gear is made out of wool for a reason. It insulates even when wet if it ever gets wet
I'm not a really experienced hiker but I found that using a cheap rain poncho was the best. It has open sides so I can air out on the sides and I can place it over my backpack as well so it covers me and the backpack but lets me remain cool.
Exactly! Poncho is the best deal. Here I can get a nice one for less than USD 10. And it works wonders.
@@gesangmanggala9966 here you can get 1 for $2.50. THIS IS THE WAY!
And it's really tiny when wrapped up.
I’ve thought the same thing. Growing up in Boy Scouts many years ago, we all used ponchos. No one had goretex back then. The ponchos worked great.
2nd this. Spent a lot of time in the field as a soldier. I lived and died by a smuggled multicam goretex poncho in wet field conditions. Also its superversetile, can be rigged up as a shelter, laid on the ground, and is big enough go cover our ruck on the go or in a halt.
As someone who is out twice every day of the year in all weathers here in the rainy U.K., I go through an awful lot of waterproof gear and figured out a long time ago that the big brand waterproof jackets are complete rubbish. They never take long to fail. Thank you for all your effort, it is much appreciated. : )))
The big question remains, then what do you use instead? Different brands? Different gear? (I'm cycling twice a day as well, rain or shine....)
A over clothing rain poncho is amazing, like those old military ones. It goes over you, your pack and gear. And since it has plenty of space between your body as it’s not something you wear per say, but drape over yourself, has proven to solves all this problems and more. Old Surplus Military gear can be and effective gear setup, I recommend
Yes!
I just rediscovered my nice camping poncho that my mum gave me when I was a boy (teenager) scout. It still fits fine, and is so drafty that I've had none of the problems biking with it like with 'breathable' rain coats . A poncho over a hoodie, rain pants over my legs, and I am all good for our summer rain storms in Montreal.
I will see how this setup can hold up come fall and winter.
Yeah, poncho is the way to go. Stuffed into its own separate bag carabinered to your pack for easy access.
I live in a very rainy area and have been using ponchos since I was a kid. I’ve experimented with other gear, but I always return to the poncho.
Right? People don't realize how how good it is. It might not look as good by is far more useful
Problem: Rain plus strong wind.
@@gottfriedmayrock1967 waterproof pants and a poncho that clips under the crotch
Here in Norway we use wet equipment and dry equipment. Wet is for walking dry or wet, typically Goretex jacket with wool shirt and trousers if it’s cold. Then we have a set dry wool and dry wind protection jacket. Not much weight. For protection when eating from rain and wind we use a 6x4 feet tarp that’s rain protected with a layer aluminum on the inside to sit under to shield ourself from wind and rain. Once inside body temperature quickly dry wet wool shirt on body, and we are warm. The tarp can be used as a poncho aswell, or used over the tent as an extra layer on top if there’s a lot of rain. Easy.
Very interesting
How come you use the Imperial system, “6x4 feet tarp”, and not the metric one there in Norway? 😊
@@ohmypaper for some reason it should be meters. watching american yt videos makes my brain say feet and hands and legs as measuring unit lol.
"Only one solution." I've provide another alternative that I used during my decades working in MT/WY large wildernesses. Note: this is for the physically intense labor of clearing trails, digging trails, and hard hiking while leading pack stock. I knew I was going to get wet from sweat regardless of wearing rain gear and an umbrella was completely impractical. So I would wear wool layers on my upper body and rain pants for the the constant brushing against wet brush. I would get wet, but the warmth I generated by hard work kept me sufficiently warm and more comfortable than clammy rain gear. I would have a dry change of clothes for when I hit camp with rain gear to wear during the low activity part of the day. This would work well for the PNW were you were hiking and the warmer months in the intermountain west. If I was inactive, e.g. riding I would wear rain gear as an umbrella and pack stock aren't really compatible. I do own both a Golite umbrella and CF rain skirt for simple back packing.
Exactly what I thought. People have been using wool for weather protection for centuries. For outer wear you would usually use "unwashed" wool though, which still has a lot of its natural wool fat. While modern garments usually have their wool fat stripped off, you can add it back in. You can buy a jar of lanolin and dissolve it in warm water and a little detergeant, then soak your garments in this to weatherproof them. While this wa of wheatherproofing also works with other natural fibres (oilskins, waxed canvas), wool is by far the best at regulating body temperature and the only one that still keeps you warm even if it does get wet.
totally agree on the wool part is cool when weather is warm is warm when weather is cold its takes a good time to get wet but when wet it still gives you insulation and you stay warm
Lmao this reminds of my mom telling me about how how great great grandpa was the captain of ship and all the sailors would wear woolen sweaters to deal with the cold ocean where they’d obviously get wet being fishermen
This my preferred method for the summer. Just sacrifice a t-shirt to the rain while on the move. Hang it up at camp. Maybe it will dry, maybe you'll have to put on a wet shirt the next day before heading out again. Oh well, it's summer!
Before a pilgrimage, my wife and I were faced with a similar question. After some research, we decided on an umbrella with UV protection (Swing liteflex trekking umbrella). This experience completely changed my view on the subject and I have been totally enthusiastic about it ever since! On hot days, you can use the umbrella as an absolutely solid source of shade. When it rains, the umbrella is big enough to keep you almost completely dry. You can also attach it securely to your rucksack and have your hands free.
The umbrella in your video seems a bit too small to really do its job when hiking! Try a bigger one. It's fantastic.
My dad hiked the E5 long distance trail through the Alps like 20 years ago. It rained and they wore jackets etc, then they met a guy that was painting the trail markers. He wore t-shirt, shorts, and had an umbrella. He said its the only way to truly stay dry.
How did he paint the wet trail markers 🧐
@@garrethtinsley2435 The E5 trail markers are just a red, a white, and then another red line on random rocks / trees along the path, you can do that on wet rocks/ trees too.
@@y0uRF4t3 R/TiL lol
@@y0uRF4t3haha, I would not trust that. Especially in the alps or any mountains. Why? Because of wind, your umbrella will fold and or you get wet from the side and from the top 😅
CAN U SHEEP WAKE UP.... hes literally AFF marketing linking all this shit to get commission hes a sellout...... STOP ROBBING URSELF...omg
Historically, wool was great for outerwear because it’s somewhat water-repellent, but it also can absorb a truly stupid amount of water before feeling wet. It can get heavy from this, but you are drier than you’d be with plastic. Also, combining that with a linen underlayer, which is great at wicking away sweat while also being antimicrobial, helps a lot too. It’s maybe not perfect, but out ancestors would have looked askance at the plastic raincoat hotbox approach, too.
Exactly. I came here to say this.
Id rather wear poly than have the feeling of wet wool against my skin.
@@DBZHGWgamer yeah man, that’s why you use a lining like linen lol.
@@DBZHGWgamermerino wool can be as soft as cotton. If the wool you are wearing against your body feels terrible, it’s cheap
IIRC there was a UK (probably BBC?) non-fiction TV show in which they took a number of modern pro mountaineers out in Victorian woollen mountaineering gear. The wool took a while to soak through and performed very well until then, but when it finally did saturate the wearers would have been in serious trouble.
The condensation issue in breathable jackets is not just an issue in cold weather, it's an even bigger one in warm weather. You very rapidly completely overpower whatever level of breathability it has. I've spent a lot of time in cold climates and hot, humid tropical climates, and things like GoreTex works *much* better in the colder climates than in the warmer ones.
In warmer weather I tend to use an umbrella and a poncho (an actual poncho, not that silly unzipped jacket, when I can, or just get wet. Sometimes that latter is the best option in terms of comfort and practicality (an umbrella does not at all work when you're dealing with fieldwork in a secondary growth hilly jungle).
A proper rain poncho has a few key advantages. It can cover your pack (which also means more ventilation for you), and you can quickly turn it into an impromptu tarp to cover a sitting area when you're taking a break.
I agree. In colder climates it works surprisingly well, especially if there is a heavy wind to cool you down and incentivize vaporization overall.
My overall favourite hiking weather is 5-10°C with a heavy wind. 😅 Not super cold, but cold enough to keep cool with a hard shell.
Exactly. Breathable fabric works best when there's a big difference between the inside and outside temperature.
I finally tried an umbrella and I will never be without one. It is pretty easy to attach an umbrella to a pack. Even around camp I found it was so handy to quickly keep the rain off of something I didn't want to get wet. It bought me time and I could just set it down if the rain stops.
Another good technique is having a a wet outfit and dry outfit. Sounds crazy but it’s what was taught to me in Ranger school and works quite well. Because you can easily overheat or get soaked from sweat while moving with waterproof outer layers (granted this assumes you have a heavy pack and/or moving briskly) you instead have one outfit that you wear while moving that is warm, breathable, and not waterproof. It gets wet and unless it dries stays wet. Your movement and body heat keeps you warm and can also even dry it if the rain ceases. Then when you’ve gotten to your next base camp, patrol base etc and are stationary you switch into your dry clothes with your waterproof shit on. It can make for some extremely uncomfortable moments during cold mornings when you have to change back into the semi-frozen, damp wet outfit at the beginning of your movement tho lol.
Yep this is the way. Multi day backpacking and bushwhacking in temperate rainforests I found I could not stay dry no matter what I tried. Having a dry set of clothes to change into made it tolerable. But yeah it took some self convincing to put on the wet clothes in the morning. I found it was best to stay in the dry clothes until the last minute and put on the wet stuff only when I was about to be moving around so I could warm up the clothes with my body heat.
Basically pack a good sweatshirt? That's what I do as they're great as kind of a towel against sweat and excellent at building heat when there's not much in terms of weather problems.
This is very much my approach as a horseman, and yes, likewise taught to me by the military (in my case, British Army). This is the way.
couldn't agree more.. at least for me, I'll wear my rain gear in the elements exclusively and make sure I have dry clothes to switch into out of elements. Plus my feet blister in moisture at the sight of water so no way around bringing extra wool or blended socks, flip flops to dry them. I just switch between rain gear and dry depending.
Camp discipline is life: there are different requirements for staying still in camp vs moving actively. The reality is that there is NOTHING that will keep you dry for 3-4 days of rain while hiking in the underbrush at just-above-freezing temepratures. But the goal isn't to be dry, it's to be warm. Baselayer+fleece will keep you comfortable even when continuously being wetted by a drizzle as long as you're moving. Add a gortex and you'll be good even in a downpour. The problem is that when you stop, you NEED something dry to give you enugh warmth and it needs to stay dry day-in-day-out (especially when you get sub-zero temps at night). Cold mornings suck, but better than having hypothermia.
That said, ponchos/umbrellas are GREAT, but the real tradeoff is in safety/versatility for comfort. If you have a goretex jacket and a down undersuit you can pretty much stay in camp indefinitey and be safe. Not so much with an umbrella. A good poncho is ALMOST as good as gortex, unless you have to bushwack, then you're gonna get wet (and it's gonna get ripped). If you know the weather and terrain these are acceptable tradeoffs: west coast trail in summertime I'd never both bringing a gortex jacket, and high mountains in dry season an umbrella is probably fine (if you have a good windshirt and some warm layers). But the reason gortex is preferred is that it represents an "oh shit" backstop for the worst case scenario: subzero nights with barely above zero heavy rain in the daytime. Obviously you won't be comfortable, but if you have to spend a few weeks in those conditions while maintaining mobility, comfort was never really an option.
My partner and I attached an umbrella to a hiking pole. The extended pole allows us to hold it more easily when the umbrella is open while also doubling up as a hiking pole when closed. The wind can make the umbrella more challenging to use but can be managed if you actively angle it in the right direction. The other thing I wanted to mention is that an umbrella is helpful in the sun as well as the rain. We make sure to bring our umbrella-hiking pole when we're in the desert and any trail that has little to no tree cover.
Can you share how you did this modification? Can you stake it into the ground as some use their trekking poles as tent stakes, but use only the pole-umbrella as standing shelter for a short time?
try a golfer's umbrella they're usually big enough for 2 plus your packs
your partner? like someone you work with?...if not then dont be generic
@@granitejeepc3651what
@@granitejeepc3651lover, colleague, walking buddy... How does knowledge of that affect the commentary on rain gear? Doesn't seem like it's our business, or relevant.
As a mountain biker watching your channel, please make sure you are careful when riding motor bikes on Mountain bike trails. Most often they are not accepted on sanctioned mtb trails because they destroy the work that the builders spent a lot of time and money on
100% agree
There are plenty of shared use moto MTB trails in my area. Usually it's the easier trails that get torn up in the rain by novice dirt bike riders digging holes with their rear tire.
I suppose it depends on who owns that land.
Perhaps it is public land
I didn't see him destroying anything. I probably cause more damage on my mountain bike just from braking. I really think this kind of attitude is more damaging than any minor trail erosion an ebike may cause...
Umbrella is a multi-tool. You have a rain shield. A sun shield. Can collect rain water for drinking. You have a walking stick. You have a hook. It’s the single most useful tool to have on a serious hike. Get one with a knife in the handle as you’re set.
And when the driving rain in the wind comes in
@@Grimytherunner … you still have a multi tool you pedantic fool.
British army used double ventile cotton garments for waterproof and wind protection all natural.
I use mine to re-enact Mary Poppins numbers a la Dick Van Dyke.
I love my umbrella and use it frequently, with and without a rain shell (frogg toggs Extreme lite) depending on the conditions. But there is an alternative you didn't mention.
Growing up in Hilo Hawaii, people would visit and when they realize how often it rains they would ask "what do you do when it rains?" To which we answer: "Get wet." If you change your plans because it is raining you would never do anything.
In the tropics and even in other areas (e.g. just did the Trans Catalina Trail 50F and rain/fog, and I live in the PNW), in the right conditions, wearing material that dries quickly I can simply get wet without care. I do carry a dry base layer for sleeping in, but that is part of my normal gear anyway.
If as an adult, you haven't spent the day walking in the rain, soaked to the bone, and splashing in the puddles like a 5 year old...I feel sorry for you. You have no idea what you are missing. ;-D
So true :) I can personally attest that this works in colder weather too, if you're willing to wear a wool outer layer in the rain. Good temperature control, breathability, majority of water shed, and a warm fire at camp dries you off in minutes. LindyBeige and Fandabi Dozi have also experimented with this.
I currently live on Oahu and my problem is always, no matter if it's raining or not, if I put on a rain jacket I will be wet from sweat because it's so hot. But up on the Ko'olau ridge you dry off so quick with the constant wind that once it stops raining you're dry not long after.
You reminded me of one of my favorite memories: Buddy and I did a charity run, but they canceled and turned it into a walk around the block with umbrellas but the course was still setup. So my buddy and I decided to run it in the dumping rain anyway. I don't even recall if I had blisters it was so fun.
Polypropylene is a nice material/fabric to wear in the rain. Silicone coated polyester is pretty good too (though doesn't wick). Wool is ok. My ancestors (Highland Scots) probably used a more ideal form of wool i.e. more lanolin rich/soaked, which would have really increased the water resistance. Modern wool, once it is wet, it stays wet for a long time, and while it is slightly warmer when wet as compared to many other fabrics--it is not ideal.
@@justinw1765 And soaked wool is heavy! Fisherman's wool (that you re-lanolin after washing) is a good choice for mild rain.
Tried everything mentioned. Great point on the umbrella at camp!👍 IMO, the ultimate solution, yet, is a Dyneema poncho with straps and an inner fabric/mesh layer. Waterproof + stable in wind + warm at camp + ventilation + cover backpack + whatever you ask for, BUT, likely very expensive😂
Any recommendations on brands that make the dyneema ponchos?
@@ZachSprowls Zpacks sells dyneema Ponchos, expensive for a poncho as usual for the obvious reason. But with no inner comfortable layer. While backpacking in Philmont for 11 days during the monsoon season with rains every day, all Nylon based rain gears, no matter cheap/expensive, got soaked through after hours of rains. Eventually, widely cutting out a large plastic trash bag into a poncho won 😂😂😂
I have used umbrellas for 40 years now even in the foothills in the Himalayas (where all the locals use them). For $10 they deal with most sun and rain problems. They are very easy to attach to the rucksack shoulder strap, if you're practically minded. Most of my treks are 3 weeks or more and I would never go without a lightweight umbrella/parasol.
CAN U SHEEP WAKE UP.... hes literally AFF marketing linking all this shit to get commission hes a sellout...... STOP ROBBING URSELF...omg
An alternative with less messing about is to go for clothing with directional technology like Buffaloe or Paramo. I hate clammy sweat and also hate carrying extra kit. I use a Paramo smock 3.5 seasons, and Buffalo jacket in the snow. There's also a safety bonus. If you have the misfortune to fall into water, (once you get out) the Buffalo kit continues to keep you warm.
Was waiting for Paramo and Buffalo to pop up in the comments. These are my only true reliable jackets and I’ve tried far too many Gore Tex jackets at great expense.
I've used an umbrella for 6-7 years on many backpacking trips in Alaska, JMT, Oregon and the French alps. An added benefit is keeping your glasses dry, not having to rely on a hat or hood to keep your head dry in the rain, and protecting a camera or binoculars in a light rain. I also carry/use a rain jacket, rain pants or chaps, and a home made rain kilt, and rain mitts depending on conditions. I almost always attach the umbrella to my pack so my hands are free. Sure the wind is too strong at times, but don't diss it until you try one. Only a sturdy full size lightweight umbrella with fiberglass or carbon fiber struts, not a folding "travel" umbrella. Zpacks, Six moon Designs, Gossamer gear all have good ones. 6.5-8 oz. And they are also great for shade on hot sunny hikes.
After trying out many different set-ups in my very rainy home country Germany, I ended up with:
- Umbrella (Doppler Zero at 99 grams)
- Rain Kilt Vertice (Zpacks at 68 grams)
- Calve Gaiters Vertice (Zpacks modified at 51 grams) - unfortunately the vertice version is no longer available
and a
- Rain jacket (Berghaus Hyper 100 XL at 111 grams)
Rain Kilt and Calve Gaiters together are nearly as protective as rain pants.
In total 329 grams (11.61 oz), but I have all the possibilities for all kinds of weather situations 😎
I don't swear by ponchos because they keep me dry, but because they keep my pack dry. Sounds like a sweet kit though.
I am similar to you except I add rain socks + no umbrella because its ALWAYS too darn windy
An umbrella which was light, a sun shade, waterproof and did not turn inside out in the wind - that’s what I’m after! Rain dripping off your rain jacket onto your legs - sucks. Perhaps lightweight waterproof chaps / long gaiters instead of a rain kilt?
I hiked twice for 2 weeks since I'm back in Germany. I'm working for a hotel with golf course so taking vacation in summer is a bit difficult. The 2 hikes took place in December and November. I took my umbrella with me for rain protection. My jacket kept me warm and is waterproof, too. Additionally I brought waterproof pants for additional protection and warmth. In my opinion an umbrella makes sense because theoretically you don't get wet from above. It worked pretty well for me. For the next hike I will make a holder for the umbrella and need to get different shoes because my feet did hurt at camp.
Who would had ever thought an umbrella is good at protecting you from the rain? Lol
As someone who has traveled /hiked solo for decades and just couldn't carry everything, I find that a rain jacket is absolutely important unless it's never ever dropping below 22C (72F). Any cool wind can chill you fast, even to hypothermia especially when stopped. I tend to travel longer term also, rather than short hikes - so that rain jacket is just good all round warmth that I can layer. BUT I find my most important thing is NOT using the rainjacket hat and using a separate one. So much more comfort but also a lot more breathability.
And then if it's really coming down I throw the rain hood over a small hat and it helps hold the jacket hood in a better position.
I bought an umbrella for my last trip with the idea of protection from the sun in high heat places (egypt, jordan etc) as well as super rain (Georgia in the caucasus would have been a bit nice) but ended up not bothering bringing it.
You don't really need a hardshell for 21C, even when there's some rain a windshirt over a fleece will do the job as long as you keep moving. It's 10C and POURING will screw you when you skimp on raingear, but lots of places just don't get that combo.
@Graeme Hill well I think you are missing important thinking about risks and nature then . Maybe spent less time outdoors.
If you get sweaty and have to stop you get cold. If theres any wind, even much much warmer than 21, its easy to get a chill. Shivering from adrenaline and pain sucks with extra cold. Also if you just simply stop for lunch. Mountains and high elevation breeze are much colder also than the day seems when walking. A shell is just smart to have. PLUS you need to remember that bigger people and men tend to produce more heat so maybe you don't need one in a chill but they're very smart to have. When i say "unless its never dropping below 22" i mean at NIGHT.
@@AdventuressAli I think we're probably agreeing on principle and may just have different personal experiences/expectations; you're quite right to point out I'm a big dude who runs hot. And to be fair, when I am talking about "need" I am usually talking about "at risk of dying/hypothermia without", not a risk of (severe) discomfort. My knees and back are not good, so keeping pack weight down for me is usually worth a lot of discomfort for the odd day of bad weather!
That said, no argument with your point that you need something to stop wind from freezing you, even at warm-ish temperatures, and especially at altitude. My only quibble is that for me that's probably a windshirt/DWR pants, with a silnylon poncho as my rain gear, and that together they weigh less than my gortex and offer more comfort/versatility for everything outside of winter (under 5C and raining/snowing) or shoulder season bushwacking (15C and pouring).
Regarding night time, I find that if it's not SUSTAINED rain, my poncho+down undersuit is good to around zero C, but you can't keep it dry for 3-4 nights of evening rain if you're setting up camp each time. In those conditions, I want a hard shell to protect it anyway, so I'll leave my shirt/poncho at home. And honestly, if you're dealing with several days of near freezing nights and windy days with driving rain, I'm probably going to just bail early, because the effort necessary to make that trip comfortable is just not worth it.
YMMV, and a lot is going to be dependent on your route, climate, and personal tolerances.
@Graeme Hill it keeps looking like you're actually in full agreement with me but quibbling about the word rain jacket. When talking about having Any outter cover vs only an umbrella, I am saying a jacket is needed and for good reason.... arguing semantics on what a jacket may be is cool but you're actually in agreement with me. a poncho being a great example. An ultralight option is fine as long as it holds to emergency needs. Ponchos are a great lightweight option rainjacket.
And can double as a lot of other things, far more than classic jackets.
I'm a big game hunter in the western Cascades of Oregon.... I do like my military or mil-spec poncho. I'm also a fan of gators, and good high-quality boots.... Those three workout pretty well for me I can carry my rifle and gear under my poncho even covers my backpack....
I hike regularly for around 20-25 years now, and I learned a lot. I live in a temperate continental/oceanic climate region. When hiking, I never use any rain coat or jacket. I know that I sweat excessively, so I will be soaking wet under the jacket anyway. If it's summertime and warm, it is not really a problem - change the shirt after the rain, and I am good to go. If the weather is cold, I put on a wool sweather. It will be wet, but it is able to keep me warm enough to avoid getting a cold. If it is cold winter time, I put on a plain thin polyesther jacket with rolled-up sleeves to keep my core wind-free.
I started backpacking with an umbrella about 20 yrs ago. A large carbon fibre golf umbrella works great. I have one modified with a metal spike at the handle to anchor it in the ground. It’s big enough to sit under for a trail side snack. Once at camp it can serve as one pole for a tarp tent. It’s overall much more comfortable when hiking. Pack fits better and clothing stays drier.
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I thought about trying to attach an umbrella to a backpack, carrying one in my hands is just an absolute no go.
My wife and I did Four Pass Loop last August. We took all rain gear but mostly used the umbrellas. It was way more convenient to grab during the small drizzles and helped with the sun exposure
I‘ve been trekking in the Alps for the better part of a decade. I’ll go for two plus weeks. An umbrella has always been part of my rain quiver. It’s especially appreciated when it hails (though it’s a liability during lightning!) and can be used as a sun shade, too. I’ve even used it to prop up the inside of my 1 lb ultralite bivvy tent on snowy nights. The key to ultimate rain protection is flexibility of layers, which includes wool/alpaca sweaters/underlayers, quick drying camp shirts and pants (never, ever cotton!), a good hooded gortex jacket with pit zips, a pack cover, a thin plastic rain poncho as backup (that packs down to the size of a wallet and costs a buck), gortex hiking shoes with wool socks, thin sport gloves, a wool beanie AND AN UMBRELLA. All of these items come in ultra-light and pack-down-able versions, including micro umbrellas for a few bucks, and all together weighs maybe 2 lbs. I adapt combos of these layers to the conditions at hand. I’ve never truly suffered from inclement weather thanks to this system. I don’t mind dropping my pack to change out a few items as necessary. My go-to combo: A thin smartwool underlayer under a gortex rain jacket with pit zips open (and maybe the front open) will keep the condensation down but breathes and has amazing temp regulation (wool rocks as THE superior fiber!). If I overheat, I unzip the front and pull up all the layers to expose my belly for a bit. The rain doesn’t really reach there. Never fails. If it’s a really hot and humid rain, off comes everything but a quick-dry camp shirt and out comes the umbrella.
I'm a road and trail runner, and I honestly prefer just getting wet. In winter though I've found that windlayers are just as good if not better. I wear the adidas wind rdy line, and haven't had any issue with them wetting through or getting muggy. I kinda feel like mountain brands are overthinking what track and soccer brands already have figured out.
There's stuff that is designed for when you're moving and stuff that's designed for when you are not. If I am running or cross country skiing in winter, I am usually doing fine at 20 F with a wool baselayer and not much else. This is very far outside of what most outdoor apparel companies design for in their outer shells (and possibly why I see a lot of ski mountaineer youtubers leaving their absurdly expensive 3 layer goretex gear at home more often than not).
If I am hiking, I find that nothing beats an umbrella in the rain protection vs breathability tradeoff, but also that I can wear warmer stuff when its cold without having problems with fogging up.
Yeah if it's cold and wet I just throw on my thermals...im wet but nice and warm and it's a uniform feeling of warmth and wetness
Totally agree with your conclusions and have been walking with a largish umbrella (no kilt) with some desirable results, until the wind picked up! Then the umbrella morphs into a sail and sails need to be reefed when the wind gets up and the only reef available with an umbrella is 'fold-down'! Thanks for your work.
A lot of (mountain) hikes in Japan end up having you climb over/squeeze through rocks. Also, many times you go through dense vegetation, and tight areas. For most of the hikes I’ve been on here, an umbrella would be very cumbersome and overall would get in the way.
But I know exactly how you feel! When it starts drizzling, I always hope, “Ah it will probably stop soon.” I just put my rain over over my pack and keep on going. I dread putting my rain jacket on, just because I get so sweaty. However, I absolutely love my rainjacket when I reach peaks/summits, just because it keeps me warm by blocking off all the wind.
Umbrellas are super light, and don't take up any space, when you pack them up. I don't think in any scenario's umbrellas are "very cumbersome"
@@GummBo3 no he means when you have them opened and have to hold it over your head. that can be kind of cumbersome when you're going through dense vegetation or need to have your hands free to do stuff.
just having to hold this thing up all day can get kind of annoying.
@@zwenkwiel816 Yeah, pack it up and use your hand, but having an umbrella on your person, to use if convenient is not problem.
Here is a secret: GoreTex is water tight OR breathable. Not water tight AND breathable. When the GoreTex surface is covered by water, it won't breathe anymore.
In reality it doesn't breath and it isn't waterproof.
Thx for repeating author captain Obvious
Very informative and helpful video . I have pretty much always known most of this from my Military days and hiking and camping trips . That is why I tended to use a German Hooded Military poncho a lot over me not a rain jacket so much and a waterproof Poncho can cover your gun also . Although I live in a warm climate and I do realize it gets more complicated in cold conditions . The main thing is if you get sweaty in cold conditions you must dry off and change cloths as soon as you stop exercising and before night fall when it gets even colder . I agree with Pneumaticcannon that fighting wind chill especially when you are all sweaty is important to fend of hypothermia . Sometimes in freezing conditions it's better to go slow and don't build up a sweat as much as possible . Have spare dry clothing and stop , light a fire warm up and dry out you sweaty garments . Spending all day in sweaty underclothing in freezing conditions can make you ill. Umbrellas don't work in the Jungle very well but big banana leave do . In my day I used a pack liner and a built in cover and spare clothes in zip sealed plastic bags , the Poncho also covers the pack and if you sit down , you , your gun and the pack are fully covered . In the jungle it's common to fall over fording creeks and rivers so you don't want your stuff inside the pack getting wet and it supplies buoyancy so you can swim a river using the pack as a floaty .
One method from history was a treated cloak. You get a breathable thick fabric that keeps the rain off and keeps you a relatively ok temp. The cloak eventually gets a bit damp, but it depends on the exact situation you get put in.
Poncho and cloak are kinda the same thing aren’t they?
@@youtubecopyrights Slightly different design, but you do have a good point
I originally made myself a hooded cloak for Halloween with dirt cheap jute fabric sold to protect topiary...
One, it was way way warmer then I ever expected a fabric with a single digit thread count to be!
Second, it takes to rain like wool. Meaning it keeps you warm even when wet!
Third it is very very breathable, I meat it’s nearly a net it’s so roughly spun!
Finally it was very cheap (less then 15can$ for the bolt, and 20min with a knife and needle.
I’ve been in ice rain with it, it did go a bit stiff, but it held admirably.
I actually used this growing up in the sticks of the usa! Had a cheap cathartic coat with a shell, when i got hot I'd zip it open.
Try wool jackets - they are surprisingly water resistant, breath well and warm even when damp. I found that the problem with Goretex is when it wears (old age) the water comes through with none of the benefits of wool.
Just for my dail bike commuting I've actually been using a semi-waterproof soft shell jacket that has a bit of fleece on the inside. It works wonders. It prevents a little rain from getting you wet at all and even though it soaks when it pours it still keeps you warm and is windproof. Idk if I'd want it when I go hiking overnight, but for daily use it's absolutley great.
Gortex needs to be reconditioned in a hot dryer to keep working at maximum.
Poncho is a radical and ideal solution, as it is almost completely water-proof, and it is large enough to protect both your body from head to feet, and the backpack too, providing at the same time good body ventilation as it is not tight. It is also easier to wear/unwear than a jacket. I have a 60-liter poncho which weighs around 300g and has a water-proof capacity of 2000 mm, which can protect from a 2-hour heavy rain.
Nice experiment, and I guess the umbrella and rain kilt can work for you in these circumstances. But there's another factor that needs consideration: terrain. If I'm in (high) mountains and on steep trails, I want to have my hands free for balance. So a rain jacket, on top of the aforementioned wind protection, also provides maximum mobility.
Make a head-band attachment your umbrella to wear as a giant hat. I have seen them. 😅
Maybe for those circumstances you can attach the umbrella to the backpack in some way, so that it keeps you dry while having your hands free
And then some wind come and both fly away
Just did a quick 10km training walk in the rain with a 24kg sandbag. Didn’t want to sweat in gortex so decided to just get drenched. Then I remembered this video and took a small umbrella. Sensational!! Sweated like crazy but stayed dry from rain. Could easily take phone out to check distance and time. Dry to drink water under the brolly. Great idea.
Thanks for sharing your insights on rain gear. For me personally a big poncho is the way to go. Because it‘s airy enough for me to not start sweating while hiking, gives me perfect protection in all circumstances no matter how hard the rain is and it‘s super easy to set up (when the weather is changing every hour for example, i just let the poncho hang over my backpack so i can pull it over my head whenever it starts raining again. I haven‘t seen a quicker system than this so far). Also i‘d prefer the poncho over an umbrella because i like to have two free hands for moving over obstacles or catch me in case i slip.
Silver Moon does make a kit to attach umbrella to backpack strap though🙂
Thumbs up, I agree with you 100%. Umbrella + kilt for walking & traditional rain gear for camp setup.
I learned this the hard way trekking in N. Vietnam . The heat and humidity had me soaked to the bone in my goretex and hiking boots. Luckily I'm a quick learner and I quickly adopted the local garb, shorts, tee shirt, flip-flops and an umbrella. Lesson learned.
And when the killer vietnamese sun comes out remember to protect your skin, either by applying sunscreen, dressing up with light, long clothing or staying under the umbrella after the rain too
@kevinw.weiser9820 you are not a quick learner
Been to Vietnam twice. Fully agree. Umbrellas aren't even that common unless you plan to be in the rain for a long time. Most just wait it out or use a plastic poncho if they need to use a scooter.
@@mustardofdoom I call them water burqas
I think it'd be difficult using an umbrella in the locations I usually hike in. Too much wind on open moorland, generally. Might think about a kilt, but generally in the seasons I'd use one I wear shorts anyway, and skin is waterproof. I only really wear waterproof over trousers when it's windy in summer.
I struggle with sweating in rain gear nowadays (well, sweating in general tbh; I'd like to say it's age but it's definitely lack of fitness & increased weight over the last two and half years). I have to make a mental note to just slow down and try to exert myself less if I'm clobbering up for rain. Which I generally fail to do, especially on ascents.
When it's windy and the rain is coming in sideways an umbrella doesn't really do much anyway. Otoh you usually sweat less in windy conditions...
My wife and I regularly use our Zpacks umbrellas as wind breaks. The Zpacks is by far the best we have found for standing up to the wind. We're in New Zealand, which is in the "roaring forties": we know a little about wind. I have her original one (five years old), she has one, and she's bought another for "Sunday best". 🙂
They're also parasols in the hot sun. The shading you get on a hot day is sooo good. Much cooler than having to wear a hat. We use velcro ties to strap the Zpacks to our trekking poles, so they're out of the way when we don't need them. They are standard equipment on every hike for us. Give one a try - you might like it!
@@gregvanpaassen what other umbrellas have you used that makes you say the zpacks is best in wind. Just curious as ive been looking into getting an umbrella and a few other companies have good options(six moons designs, gossamer gear)
I really like my poncho. For the most part if it's done up properly it provides great coverage for me and my pack, it's really light and very breathable, and it works around camp too Seems to me the umbrella/kilt system would be cumbersome, and I like walking with poles, so I would have to secure the umbrella somehow to my pack.
what poncho do you use?
I use the helicon poncho and swagman roll as I can use them as a tarp and sleeping back system in fair weather 👍
Ponchos are an excellent choice 👌🏻
Ponchos are great because you can do so much more with it than a rain coat. Depending on the kind you have you can even tie each corner to the trees to create a nice dry space like a light duty tarp during camp. I don't think I can just toss my poncho for an umbrella during a hike. I like to grab the trees around me to keep me stable when by the cliff side and I think the umbrella will just cause more problems than being more helpful.
I use a poncho too. Sometimes if it’s windy it’s a pain but it gas so much flexibility for other uses.
Your channel is pure gold and superior to other "review oriented" channels because of the scientific approach. Subscribed, greetings from Germany.
I find umbrellas work well until the conditions get windy enough. Either the umbrella catches the wind and eventually breaks, or the rain ends up at an angle difficult to block with the umbrella. Not as ventilated as a poncho, but a rain jacket with pit zips helps with ventilation as well.
I would definitely advocate for a short cape such as the Varusteleka Luhka - throw it on over your normal clothes, T-shirt, fleece, whatever and it's like wearing a hands-free umbrella, plus you can wear your backpack underneath so it protects that as well.
Yes. The umbrella is a very functional solution for trail and camp. One additional benefit of the umbrella that you didn’t mention is when getting up at night to relieve yourself. I don’t know about you, but I always stay under my quilt too long. And when I can’t hold it any longer, I jump up frantically seeking a suitable place to go. The last thing I want to fool with is a rain coat and pesky zipper. The umbrella is a life saver in those situations. Other than that, my rule is umbrella when I’m walking and rainsuit in camp. It works for me.
Thanks for the video. As others have said: wind or bush-whacking limit the use of hiking parasols/umbrella. But I do bring one on all my trips, mainly to protect my toddler on my back from the sun. For hiking in sunny locales, it’s the best. And it’s no replacement for the insulating layer of a rain shell. I vote “yes, and”.
As a hiker in the tropics, going through dense jungle greatly inhibits umbrella use. While I definitely prefer umbrellas over rain jackets so my arms aren't soaking wet, there's also the problem of extremely cold winds that come around the 2000 masl mark here in the mountains I've hiked in. Rain while on the trail is just a bad time here because it results in being cold AND wet. Perhaps a poncho could work but I'm afraid it would tear against the vegetation along the trail.. I've actually considered layering both breathable and non-breathable rain jackets for this reason, but I've yet to try it
I think thin layers are the way to go. If you can use it to manage the heat you generate underneath it. And how fast you can get what's wet to dry again. But that latter could be difficult in humid areas since you specifically mentioned the tropics.
I use umbrella and rain gear for years. Depend on terrain i'm on and overall situation. It works perfectly. Umbrella also gives you a chance to hide inna shadow when its hot and sunny.
The umbrella idea is definitely interesting. It would really depend on your hike, those trails were pretty wide. From my experience there's a number of times where I'm digging my way threw trees so it wouldnt work. But on the other hand set up is super easy and I could use that for lunch and if you do get it big enough it would help to keep your pack dry. I definitely will consider it!
The shot at 5:39 is stunning. Wow
A kinda thick woollen shirt (and hat) is the best thing whilst hiking. Keeps you warm even when soaking wet, allows your own sweat to dissapate and allows air to pass. It is the most comfortable thing ever. And even though it is quite heavy, I use it on the trail continuosly so I never regretted bringing it. I do have a lightweight rain jacket with me when I am not moving that much, but I nearly never use it and I think I will not be bringing it with me any more.
That gave me an idea. In olden times wool still had loads of animal oils making them water repellent. This is not the case anymore. My big fear with wearing something thick when raining is that it will absorb tons of water making it very heavy after a while. But we have modern ways of making just about anything water repellent. I might have to try
@@timonix2 modern wool is still good in the rain; retaining 70% of the warmth, wicking away sweat and allowing airflow
If it's Merino, it won't itch either
As scouts we all have the same poncho and it works great. It also doubles as our ground tarp since we don't use modern plastic tents, but tents that look kinda like tipis with canvas that you knot together to create a tent , so we have to lay something down to protect our gear from the wet ground
Ya, I use a poncho and a real hat. If you want the best gear, look closely at how the Cowboys did it.
That sounds very impractical.
Especially in cold climates.
@@nunya___
I don't recall cowboys climbing mountains.
@@MrCmon113 nah, it works pretty great. You can put up the Kothe in under 5 minutes and the problem is that they usually don't sell round tarps, which is why we have to use our ponchos.
(I live in Germany. Dunno if you'd already consider this cold climate, but we definitely do winter camps as well)
@@MrCmon113 They did. Though the actual point is they spend long days outside in all weather conditions. Wind, rain, snow and sun but their boots were for saddle use, not best for hiking.
An umbrella also protects you from the sun, say hiking on a glacier. But it requires low wind, and easy hiking. If you get into hikes where you scramble and need to use your hands from time to time an umbrella is a pain. Or if there are low branches, close together trees. So an umbrella is really an item that works well in a limited set of situations.
My three-season+ silver bullet is an umbrella with hands-free attachment, optional rain pants or kilt, and a hammock/tarp setup. In camp, the tarp goes up first and I can do that while getting minimally wet. Then I have a sheltered spot to do everything else I need to do (cook, set up my hammock, etc). I can wear normal insulation layers to stay warm, like a fleece - add a wind shirt if it's windy. If I need to leave the tarp to get water, relieve myself, whatever, I just grab the umbrella. The tarp also gets me out of the rain to eat lunch or take a break - the tarp takes very little time to set up and break down. I store it in a stuff sack on the outside of my pack, so I don't care if it's wet when I put it away. If you add a pair of waterproof knee socks like SealSkinz, you can use this setup deep into the shoulder seasons by virtue of keeping your feet warm and dry. I used this method on a complete, successful Appalachian Trail thru-hike, but didn't even bother with the rain kilt/pants.
Additional bonus: didn't have to carry sunscreen for the few sections exposed enough to get sunburn.
A few other thoughts in response to the comments here from people who clearly haven't tried umbrellas:
Do they get snagged on trees? I used a Six Moons Designs version and it was a good size to fully cover me without getting snagged up. You just have to be aware that you're a little wider and bend/shift it around trees and branches. You stop even thinking about it after a few miles. To be sure, it was pinholed in several places after 2200 miles of backpacking, but it STILL WORKED BETTER than a rain jacket.
What about wind? (1) Backpacking umbrellas are tougher than you think. Mine could stand up to some pretty serious wind, though it couldn't be totally hands-free in high winds. (2) It's rare that you get high enough wind that it's a problem at all. I used mine for about three years on hikes across the USA, and only once ran into a scenario where it was too windy to use at all - a day of 50 mph gusts in the Smokies, and frankly no one stayed dry if they hiked that day. The force of the rain in that much wind ate right through every type of raingear without exception. If you live somewhere it's particularly exposed and windy (hello Ireland, I guess?), it certainly could be a problem, but from an American perspective, it's the only rain gear I've ever found pleasant to use while backpacking.
I would add that it depends on a terrain, climate and general geographical region where you hike. I'm a hiking guide in Balkans and Dinaric Alps, and from my experience, depending on different factors all three options work in a way. Maybe for me, poncho is the best for rain overall, but in general I always carry my jacket because it's more versatile.
Poncho: I carry it only when I know there will be heavy rain. In general I share everything you said about poncho, it's breathable, lightweight, your hands are free etc. The downside is when you are using your hands while climbing (or cable or you are on via-ferata) because it just gets in the way and it's not safe. Also poncho has to be used with hiking poles, otherwise it has the same effect as a goretex jacket. I found it better in forest than jacket, just because that excess moisture that can escape (especially when you have to stand for a longer time to wait a thunder storm to pass). Also I found it difficult to wear poncho on a heavy wind without natural shelter because all the heat will escape from underneath. While this is great during the summer, during the winter it can be a terrible decision to loose all your heat on -20 celsius and be left with a wet and cold under layer. During balkan summer/autumn period, when the temperature is good enough for a t-shirt but it can rain like hell for 10 minute intervals, poncho is the guy because you can just pack and unpack it in a matter of seconds.
Jacket: I carry it all the time. It's just more versatile than poncho, but it's not better than poncho on a rain day for the same reasons you mentioned. Again I will always prefer jacket if I'm climbing or if I'm on a ridge during the rain and wind. During winter jacket is waaay preferable and I always leave poncho at home during winter.
Umbrella: In Dalmatia and Herzegovina, umbrella is better during hot summer days than during the rain. While rain can seem refreshing, beware of bura winds. Believe me, you don't want to be in Dalmatia during the rain/wind of bura, but if you do, an Iron Man suit isn't enough. I found out that umbrella doesn't work with European forests, mostly because our forests are much younger and trees are shorter, more often than not, you hit your head on a branch, so umbrella just gets in a way and shortens your view and it can get ripped. Also when you get out of the forest in Europe, you are mostly on a flat open field which doesn't have a forest for a reason - it's too much windy for trees.
I use old school Helly Hansen from Norway. It is the best rain gear by a far amount. Kinda stiff with double walls, and it rests solely on your shoulders with plenty of room for evaporation. Use wool longsleeve when it's cold and use synthetic T-shirt for summer and you are golden.
I've been using Paramo directional clothing for years and they are great at keeping me dry. They don't use the same tech as Goretex, not exactly sure how it works tbh but it uses pressure generated by your body heat to move liquid from your skin outwards. Even if I'm wet when I put it on I get dry. Only issue is that they are quite warm so I do get hot walking sometimes, but then I can just vent and even if some rain gets in the vents it will soon dry when I close them again. Added benefit is that they don't use toxic chemicals to make their gear and they are made in a factory with well paid female workers who where helped to get out of horrible life situations.
Personally, I've been a poncho wearer for years. I find that it works in all weather and is so much cooler than traditional rain gear. If you find a nice large one, you can even drape it over a small pack when hiking, keeping everything dry without additional rain flies. On hot or light rain days, I would be more open to trying the rain kilt and umbrella combo, but usually when I'm in a torrential downpour I just don't see there being much protection against heavy sideways rain that traditional rain gear would work in (and there's concern about the wind hitting that umbrella).
I'm loving this channel -- thank you for posting!
This was an informative Q and A on the different gear and problems. It comes down to an accurate evaluation of the environment you are going to be in and its possible extremes. There will always be drawbacks to some of these but that's part of the outdoor adventure, A little Wet, A little Hot or Cold, Windy, Dirty Etc...
It’s better to “get dry” rather than try to “stay dry”
set up a tarp when you get to your campsite, and change into dry clothes. When you’re at your campsite you can wear something cheap and impermeable
Firstly, thanks for more great content. Your channel rocks!
Lightweight, breathable rain gear is best if you suspect light rain and you need mobility like when climbing class 3/4.
If you suspect heavy rain and colder temperatures and need mobility then go with breathable, heavy rain gear.
If you don’t need mobility like when just walking a trail or if you need to protect a long gun while hunting then it’s hard to beat a poncho, preferably the Packa.
If it’s warm, above 80°, then don’t use any rain gear. Enjoy natures shower. If you’re wearing the right materials you’ll dry out in no time and it’ll feel great.
In the first and second scenario you said do you think the sane light rain gear can work...and added warmth can be a matter of adding layers beneath that like fleeces, hoodies,sweaters, or whatnot? That way only need one set of rain gear that serves well all year round when needed
Yes.
To be clear, I don’t backpack with multiple sets of rain gear. I only go out with one set. What I bring depends on the forecast and activity. Hiking through a rainforest in Honduras, synthetic clothing that drys quickly maybe a poncho. Hiking the Sierras in July, Ultralight Frogg Toggs. Getting airdropped in Kobuk Valley, Alaska in late summer, Gore Tex Pro.
My granpa was a fisherman from the north coast of Norway, where you would guess, can be pretty wet and cold at the same time.
And doing fishermans job can make you break a hard sweat when reeling in the fish to reach the quotas and beat the storms.
I always wondered why he rarely got sick and and such as I live aswell in a pretty humid and temperate area.
He told me, always to being extra change and a solid raincoat, the 100% proof ones.
And Managing the heat is the key.
Always wear appropiate layers of clothes and change when you start breaking a sweat.
Technically, use your underlayer of clothes as a Heatsink.
Once things get to hot, take a short break and switch t shirt as an example. And carry on.
The new cool and dry t shirt not only absorbs the moisture, but the short break and quick switching of underlayers flushes the heat and sort of "resets" you.
During long hauls he would often re use the switched out clothing after leaving it nearby to "dry" off if he didnt have enough shirts.
And this is why, consider I also work a lot of outdoors, often in remote areas, i always make sure to pack a few extra undershirts and my trusty super sized umbrella.
Once i start feeling that wetness coming down from my back area, thats the qeue to go and quickly change, and thats where the supersized umbrella comes in sorta working as a quick impromptu tent to change even if its a downpour.
Tl;Dr:
Old saying goes; always bring a fresh set of clothes to change to.
I prefer a cloak and hood personally. With a waterproof outer layer such as oilcloth or a good thick wool (preferably lanolin intact), it's like a wearable umbrella that doesn't restrict your clothes from handling sweat their way. And they can be made in different thicknesses for different locales or seasons.
I've been wanting to acquire a good hooded cloak. Do you have any recommendations on where to get one?
@@DaGoon_ Sadly, my pattern is at least a decade old and I have no idea where I would find another that I like. But I know TH-cam has some great tutorials for a lot of things, including blanket cloaks and simple hoods. I made a Viking hood in the Hedeby style from a youtube tutorial and love it to pieces. I'm finding that I like separating the cloak and hood, as it means I can mix and match.
If you meant to buy the cloak itself, I think most renn fairs will have some form of clothier who carries a few cloaks. You're probably looking at $100-200 in the US but wool doesn't come cheap any way you get it.
I consider my rain jacket as my wind jacket and as an extra layer for warmth. I’ve never really used rain pants. I could see adding an umbrella though!
The main hurdle with anything besides neoprene raingear is that in many situations you are hiking through wet Alders which slap against you and permeate any breathable gear or go under the umbrella. Also many high altitude locations hold 50-60 mph winds in fall
In 1990, I bought a water-repellent (impregnated with fish oil - took it years to lose the scent) 100% cotton wide-brimmed hat, which I've been using instead of an umbrella - it frees my hands, always on my head anyways, and is good even nowadays against rain (I did not re-apply fish-oil to re-impregnate it..) - the one drawback is you might want a lanyard to be able to secure it in strong or gusty wind.
Very interesting video!
I use a 1950's British military rain cape with a waterproof hat.
I love it because I get ventilation through the bottom and it doubles as rain protection for my backpack! :)
Damn, i believe you need this in the uk 😅
Thanks for this. Very interesting and generates some good debate here. I think all this gear has a time, a place and a wind speed. I tried a kilt and poncho in Scotland last year and gave up on them due to the strong winds. If using an umbrella, it or I would have flown over the mountains like something from the Wizard of Oz!
Just cinch the poncho with a belt enough to keep it from flying but not enough to hold humidity.
Just some friendly advice with regards to the electric bike, it might be worth checking out the rules and laws for your particular region, some trails have bans on electric mountain bikes, others just limit the max assisted speed but most if not all have rules against the twist throttle bikes like in this video.
Many areas are banning them due to their weight and the damage they cause to trails and features.
I was just about to write a similar comment when I saw your comment! Thanks for calling this out! Please respect MTB trails. There is a lot of effort, often through weekend volunteers, that goes into maintaining trails and repairing trail features.
My wife and I used umbrellas on the West Highland Way this summer. Was an amazing bit of kit. We were able to walk in the rain, stay relatively dry, AND not get sweaty. Will always hike with one now if there is any rain forecast. We knew about kilts, but hadn’t considered them, we are a bit interested now. This was a ‘supported’ thru hike, staying in paid for accommodation.
When we do proper ‘tent’ backpacking I carry my full waterproof suit to use as an extra warm layer when at camp or whenever, rather than extra clothes. (I’m in shorts most of the time.) Keeps the dry pack weight down to below 5kg 👍🏻
The risk of winds too strong for an umbrella is too high to consider an umbrella where I hike.
I'll stick with my poncho. While that can also be annoying in windy weather, I'm not worried about damaging it. My biggest issue with ponchos is that they all seem to come with buttons down the sides. This means that I'll rip the sides open when I'm walking between trees or through shrubs.
You might like the Packa, which is a poncho with sleeves instead of button-down sides. Well worth considering.
@@cathyajames or the decathlon poncho with sleeves for around 30-40 bucks. I really like that one and just tie the excess material into a knot in the front if it's windy.
Another poncho design is the SMD Gatewood Cape, which I use all spring/summer/fall here in the PNW in temps between 40-90. Below 40 I use breathable waterproof materials with base layers and fleece. The Gatewood Cape has a front zipper and closed sides, so wind is less of a problem and ventilation is still great.
The best I found for spring and fall is a traditional felt coat and hat. Sure, it gets wet and heavy, but you stay warm.
During hiking, I had to wear the coat like a cloak, because I was getting too warm. Having the armpits and front exposed really makes huge difference when it comes to cooling down. Still, I wouldn't want to wear a cloak, though if you're really into camping, then it could serve as a blanket too...
I've never got cold when I'm wearing wool. Wet and uncomfortable sometimes, but cold, never. I have an old woollen military greatcoat which people shit on for being heavy, but honest to god I've never got wet in it. There's a reason human beings wore wool for the longest time, it's well sick
why wouldnt you want to wear a cloak
The problem with umbrellas is wind. Wind can send rain from different angles and break your umbrella.
I think a really thin Gortex jacket & layers in the winter works best. For the summer I prefer quick dry clothes and just let them get wet (can be a rash guard or a light T-shirt with bathing suite bottoms)
I have just retired after 35 years delivering mail. Here is what I learned.
Even the best raingear is only there to buy time. At the end of the day, if it rains constantly, you WILL be wet. Really good gear buys more time. That's all.
What the video says about GoreTex is true. Getting soaked by your own trapped sweat is not really different from getting soaked by rain.
Spray-on silicone is good stuff. You do need to apply it every month or more.
Wool has been awesome for thousands of years and it still is. Wet wool is better than wet cotton or nylon.
Neoprene socks (worn over regular socks and inside a roomy boot) are worth the money. Do NOT put them in a hot dryer! Neoprene socks will lose their mojo if you put them in a hot dryer.
In the coldest weather I wore polypro long johns, postal trousers, and rain pants on top as a windbreaker. At some point, whether I was wearing rain pants because it was cold or because it was rainy, it was often necessary to remove the rain pants and let the sweat/moisture evaporate.
In heavy rain I would wear a raincoat (to keep myself somewhat dry) and a rain cape (to keep the mailbag dry, and the raincoat too).
With full rain gear UNDER A CAPE, and a good waterproof hat (silicone spray) and neoprene socks, you can stay dry a REALLY LONG TIME. But not forever.
If your feet are warm all day, you won't even notice they are wet until you peel those neoprene socks off in the evening.
Great information. Enjoy your retirement.
I feel like there's one option that's kind of forgotten: a rain cloak. My favourite piece of rain gear for when it's really wet is this huge piece of traditional rain gear cloak. It's got a big hood, and without a backpack on, it reaches down past my knees. It can be put on outside of not only your clothes, but your pack as well, protecting the whole package. And though there are buttons that go pretty far down, you don't need to close them all, giving you excellent ventilation.
Aren't you talking about a poncho?
@@SimonGrayDK No. I mean, I've seen people call similar things a poncho, but a poncho is a garment you pull over your head. This is something you wrap around yourself, with buttoning up the front.
I gave up on breathable rain gear years ago. While on 80 mile bike ride in a heavy rain and the temperature just above freezing and traveling fast, my jacket totally delaminated. The warm body vapor passing through the fabric hitting the cold rain caused the fabric to fail. This has also happened to my son on a trip he was on. I have found a better solution is to forgo rain gear and only use it in camp. I now use Wool that I lanolize. I wear a wide brim felted wool, Western style hat, sometimes called a cowboy hat. Sometimes I carry a traditional Crusher hat, made of felted wool that folds and easy to carry. A good European felted wool will get damp, but never leaks and keeps the head warm and water out of the face. On my upper body I wear a tight weave wool shirt. Wool when wet retains 80% of its insolation value. Did you ever see a sheep shivering? While bike touring, or hiking, in warmish weather I sometimes I wear a short sleeve loose weave wool shirt. I would rather be wet and warm in wool than sweaty and clammy in raingear. While kayaking in S.E. Alaska it sometimes rains for nonstop for days. After a while you don't realize when it is raining or has stopped raining, strange as that sounds. But my Woolrich tight weave wool shirt never fails me. There is rain and then there is rain so heavy, ice cold and wind driven you are forced to stop because you can't see six ahead. That is why I carry my tent rain fly on any type of trip where it is easy to reach to protect myself. Studies show that a double layer of wool triples the rain protection and warmth.
All my wild camps involve climbing hills, scrambling, and technical sections with high winds so an umbrella is totally out of the question - however on a stroll around a lake - I think I'll go with the umbrella :) As long as it's not windy...
The only rain gear I haven't tried but want to is the pump-liner type gear - Paramo and Buffalo make jackets like this - they're not designed to be totally waterproof but they draw moisture away from the body using a 'pump liner' and the outer shell is so breathable your body heat simply makes water evaporate. I've heard great things but they're not that cheap and I've already bought a load of Gore Tex Pro stuff
Exactly. Need my hands free at all times. Mounting an umbrella? No thanks. An easy stroll with the kids maybe I could see an umbrella but even then I’m not generally working up a sweat the pit zips won’t solve.
Poncho is my go to!
1. Covers my pack aswell and I can reach stuff in my hip pocket etc without getting stuf wet
2. Hands free
3. Good ventilation and since im hands free I can choose hold up the front of the poncho for really good ventilation if needed
4. While still being waterproof material!
5. Use it as a tarp if you need to rest when raining
Normally I wear a medium, maybe a large rain jacket. Instead I put on my backpack first, then an extra large rain jacket over that. Im dry. My bag is dry. Yet I have air flow so I don't over heat or sweat too much.
Been using this method going on 5 seasons now!
Glad to hear this works because I just purchased a packa!🙂
I’m on the PCT right now, and I have both an umbrella and a rain jacket but I would 100% get rid of the rain jacket before the umbrella. It works in the sun, and it keeps anything you’re carrying dry too.
The only drawback is wind, which ponchos suffer from as well.
And…… you can’t wear your umbrella as an insulating layer 🤷. Good luck with your PCT adventure!
I almost expected you to circle back and decide on the poncho. It seems like it is the option that provides the most ventilation while ensuring full coverage.
The problem I had with the poncho was rain running down my pack straps and soaking my shirt. Because of this I got more wet from it than the others.
@@MyLifeOutdoors Did you have your pack over or under the poncho? I'm a fan of having the poncho cover the pack too so water isn't running down your back. I'm a little taller so wear a rain skirt (plus gaiters) as well to keep the water coming off the the poncho from just soaking my legs.
@@MyLifeOutdoors Wait...I'm confused. Were you wearing the poncho over yourself and your pack (see:www.rei.com/media/e659b25e-2039-48a5-8758-5cc48149db30.jpg?size=576x768) ? How was rain getting to your straps?
My poncho covers me and pack. Snugpack patrol poncho.
I was going to say poncho goes over the pack. I use the Helicon poncho and swagman roll as a light summer sleeping system too.
I've been using an umbrella on hikes for over 15 years. It has so much utility that for me its a no brainer. There are ways to attach your umbrella to your backpack so you can hike hands free. Its great for stopping water running between your backpack and jacket. And no matter the price and how good the membrane is any breathable rain jacket will at some point let water through. For me it usually happens at around 6 hours of hiking in constant rain. (New Gore-Tex 3 Layer Jacket). The umbrella is great for keeping your camera gear dry while taking photos, its a great windbreak for cooking in windy environments. I usually peg it down with 2 tent pegs to keep it from flying off. Also I love to use it as a shelter extension. I will leave my tent door open during rain and block the entrance using the umbrella. That way I have a place to cook under the umbrella and I can still have a view by looking over the umbrella. Its also great when its rainy outside at night and you need to go pee or something you don't have to bother with putting on all that gear. Usually I hike with shorts because that way I wont need anything protecting my legs. At the end of the day I'll just dry them off. Legs don't tend to get cold during hikes because you are using your muscles. If you get a UV protective umbrella (the ones with the silver coating), it will supply you with premium shade anywhere above the treeline. Any time I meet other hikers in the mountains, they are really curious about my umbrella and once I tell them all the pros of using one, they are sold on the idea of getting one themselves. For me an umbrella is not something that will keep me from taking a rain jacket because there are environments and weather conditions where it is just not practical to use. I will also advise to bring a bothy bag. Its a kind of emergency shelter that you can pitch really fast in bad weather conditions. Usually you can see the type of rain that is coming and if its only a short shower, I will just dish out the bothy bag and skip rain gear all together. I'll just take a break in my bothy, have lunch and wait for it to pass. That way everything stays dry.
I did this that umbrella and kilt through Philmont. Worked great. Even at camp it was easy. Plus entry into the tent while raining was so much less problematic.
I can only speak for myself, but most of the places I go hiking here in South Africa are pretty rocky and not necessarily very easily traversed. I think that even though the problems that come with traditional rain gear could be annoying, having my hands free and large range of motion in my legs is critical for my safety on the trail.
It seems like the umbrella and kilt is a cool idea on clear paths and perhaps routes where you can afford to reduce your overall mobility a little, other than that, it seems like it could be a little uncomfortable climbing over rocks with an umbrella in hand.
I only recently found your channel and I'm loving the videos you put out, keep up the good work!
I don't use a hiking specific umbrella and am able to strap it on my pack in a way that my hands are free. When not in use it is strapped to the pack. I was the only person with an umbrella on one group hike and the next trek everyone had an umbrella. I've never tried a rain kilt, but his looked a bit snug for what I'd want. If you have to make a dynamic move you could hike up the kilt.
Breathable rain gear will wet out eventually, so having a ventilated, non-breathable layer (a brolly or poncho or rain kilt) is probably wise. Seeking shelter and deploying a warm jacket may also be the choice of champions: hypothermia is not to be trifled with.