Rain gear

[karenmillion]

I am doing my first walk of the Camino beginning Oct 1. I need advice on rain gear. I am a small woman, 120 lbs, so my pack only weighs 15 lbs now. I have only packed one of those thin ponchos, very thin, and of course, my pack has a cover that came with it. Several of my friends who are hikers say I should take more rain gear than that or at least a waterproof jacket and pants. Having lived 7 years in Colorado in the mountains, I know I dislike being cold and wet. Any advice would be appreciated.

[John Hussey]

Any article of clothing is subject to wearer preference. Ponchos work fine until the temperature plummets. Leaving in October and subject to some snow by the time you get to O'Cebreiro, I'd suggest a good quality rain jacket, one with pit zippers so you can regulate the amount of moisture (sweat) you can expel from your body. The Jacket keeps you warmer than a poncho if it becomes really cold. But it is not necessary to get a really heavy, expedition grade rain jacket but rather one of the the lighter weight, thinner, more breathable ones. Two that I have used are:
Patagonia Rainshadow: Patagonia Men's Rain Shadow Jacket
Marmot PreCip: PreCip Jacket | Marmot Clothing and Equipment

The PreCip is probably the most widely used jacket in the backpacking community. It has been around for many, many years. You can find decent sales on either or, there is a plethora of alternatives. Just dont let some over-zealous salesman try and sell you one of the more expensive, heavier rain parkas because, with a good layering system, they are just not necessary and far to heavy for where you are going. Either of the two jackets above weigh less than one pound and you should carry nothing heavier

Rain pants, another personal preference, perhaps more varied and controversial than one's rain jacket selection. Personally I don't find them necessary at all but a lot of others do. Your lightweight rain jacket will keep your trunk quite dry and warm and your body will shield a lot of your pants from the rain were you to occasionally use your evening wear paints. Even if you wear mostly shorts-as I do- you should still carry a pair of very lightweight trousers for evening wear when you will not be exerting as much and generating less body heat. So, if you are adamant about carrying rain pants, at least don't carry two pair and have them double as your evening wear. I'll be right behind you wearing Railrider shorts, and no rain pants, leaving here October 18th!

[Oak Hill Walkers]

Others on this forum and myself like the Altus Atmospheric ponchos.

[zzotte]

I use "The Packa" (rain jacket/backpack cover) it's a little heavy but for me it’s a matter of certain comfort and rain pants for sure, I hate getting inside my boots wet, my socks gets wet and oh...then I am not a happy camper it's a big mess so rain paints dry and tostie oh.... life is good

Zo

[Leslie]

I go for the lightest rain wear. However I have only walked in the summer when I have dried out fairly quickly. Only nearing Santiago sis I ever have to walk in the rain - thankfully.

[John Hussey]

The original poster is going in late fall and it gets quite cold in Galicia. I left in the Fall in 2005 and walked in snow over O'Cebreiro. The advantage of a rain jacket, particularly a breathable variety, is its ability to keep so much of one's body heat inside and hence is warmer than a flapping poncho. Gore-tex, for instance was first developed for the US military not as rain gear but as cold weather gear and the original parkas were heavy, very heavy, but extremely warm. While heavy they were still much lighter and so more convenient than a combination of what they replaced. You can't beat a poncho though otherwise.