Rain gear

[sdways01]

In planning ahead for purchasing more gear to be better prepared... I was wondering what kind of rain gear people here use. Obviously I want to stay dry, but I also wouldn't want it to be too hot since it will be used in any warm month of the year. So something light and vented/breathable would be nice.

[Charlie]

i have EMS rain pants and jacket for over 16 years now and i have used it hard .it is light weight and it has zippers under your arms to open if you get hot

[CHRIS]

After a lot of research I just picked up one of these North Face's http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp...94944.10756443 I have a friend who loves his and there is a bunch of good reviews online. It weighs 14oz's and has pit zips. It is costly but you get what you pay for (199.00) I find it very comfortable.

[mahony]

I use Marmot Precip pants and Jacket. They are lightweight, supposedly breatheable (I sweat in everything anyway) and can be purchased for somewhere in the $60 range.

They get used for hiking, kayaking and even waterskiing.

[mtruman]

I have a North Face jacket as well. Good service over 4+ years. Got it at the North Face outlet in Freeport for a really good price. My wife and I both got them and I think it wasn't much over $100 combined.

[Trailsend]

I use a Marmot Oracle rain jacket (http://www.rei.com/product/809455/ma...in-jacket-mens) that I purchased last year at REI and this thing is great, very light weight with lots of adjustments.

[Brad]

I use Marmot Precip pants and Jacket. They are lightweight, supposedly breatheable (I sweat in everything anyway) and can be purchased for somewhere in the $60 range.

They get used for hiking, kayaking and even waterskiing.

Waterskiing? You must be kidding. I wear a shorty wetsuit in the spring and fall. We used to wear dry suits but we have not needed them in years. We start skiing one week after the ice is out and quit mid to the end of October.

[fifteendays]

Start here: http://www.mountwashington.org/partners/ems/

If you end up picking something up from Eastern Mountain Sports, the Observatory gets a percentage of the purchase. You get a deal and we get a piece of the action. Not bad.

FYI, in summer, the summit crew is outfitted in EMS Deluge rain jackets to protect from the "moist" weather on the mountain.

Happy shopping!

Scot
MWObs Staff

[Trekker]

I've found that a few bucks spent on a good rain jacket - breathable, light weight, etc. - will be more than worth it in the end. I go for ultra cheap rain pants, as I almost never use them. I, too, sweat way too much using the rain pants, so, generally, just put on the rain jacket and wear breathable shorts that dry quick - and let my legs get wet. The only time I really use my rain pants is when I need them for wind protection - layering up with fleece underneath if I need the additional warmth. Other than that I just use them to sit around a wet camp site. A cheap pair will more than handle that, and even the cheap ones are light weight . . . just my TCW . . .

[mtruman]

Start here: http://www.mountwashington.org/partners/ems/

If you end up picking something up from Eastern Mountain Sports, the Observatory gets a percentage of the purchase. You get a deal and we get a piece of the action. Not bad.

FYI, in summer, the summit crew is outfitted in EMS Deluge rain jackets to protect from the "moist" weather on the mountain.

Happy shopping!

Scot
MWObs Staff

Great tip Scot. Checked out the Deluge and the reviews were all great. Stopped in today and picked one up. $199 on sale for $159 = $15 gear bucks card from goody bag - $25 gift certificate from the $500 fundraising challenge - $100 gift certificate from team fundraising = $20 final price. Sweet! This is a really nice lightweight Gore Tex jacket. The "side pull" hood is a great feature (that the EMS sales rep pointed out). Much better than the normal tunnel-vision hood.