Rain Gear for Day Pack

I guess it depends on where you’re going and what conditions might be.

Long ago and far away in a different lifetime I wore ponchos when I lived in FL. Now living in a northern state I prefer a rain jacket with a hood. It gives me better protection from rain, keeps me warmer and no fabric is flapping around.

I prefer the jacket when traveling to Europe as well. Headed to Orkney and Shetland in June and will have a waterproof rain jacket and pants for wind and rain. For my October trip to France I’ll have the rain jacket but won’t need the rain pants.

Travel well and welcome to the forum!

I would not feel comfortable discarding multiple large pieces of plastic. I would much rather have a regular lightweight jacket that is more sustainable and less damaging to the environment..

The plastic rain ponchos can be very uncomfortable because they aren’t breathable and they don’t ventilate. Your own body heat will make you uncomfortable even during a short time wearing one.

I too would not choose a poncho. A lightweight rain jacket works great and you are not generating garbage. Another thing to think about regarding ponchos, is that if it is windy, it will be blowing all over.

I have a lightweight Columbia waterproof windbreaker with a hood. It folds down very small and has served me well. Even if it’s not raining, but just windy, it keeps you a good deal warmer if you pair it with a fleece. I would prefer it to a poncho but to each their own.

I sometimes carry one of the disposable rain ponchos with me if I'm going out and there is a very slim possibility for light rain. I have had to use them for circumstances like that a couple of times and they've done the job. I don't like to use one time plastic items and try to reuse them a couple of times before discarding. But for a trip that includes a destination where rain is a pretty good possibility, I bring my lightweight Eddie Bauer rain jacket.

So, your plan addresses only light rain or sprinkles - what if the rain increases? Unless you have found a way to prevent heavy rain, this plan still can leave you getting wet. And I agree, I am definitely looking to decrease, not increase, my use of one-time-use plastic.

IMO, they’re great for riding the water rides in the Disney parks (and theirs are recyclable) but that’s about it, especially not good for our environment.

Last year I purchased a Marmot Precip Eco rain jacket. Prior to that I used a Columbia Glennaker Lake rain jacket for many years. The Marmot is a double layer rain jacket so it is more water resistant than the Glennaker Lake. I like them because the hood folds into the collar so they look like a windbreaker. I wear the jacket daily as my outer layer and layer under it as needed. I also use a collapsible umbrella if it is raining and normally do not bother with the hood. The Marmot can be found for about $80.00 to $119.00 depending on the color and the Glennaker Lake II is $50.00 on the Columbia website. I have never taken rain pants.

I actually carry one with me. As mentioned, it's very small, and weighs next to nothing. I find them next to useless for rain protection, especially if there is any wind. But opened up and laid flat on a bench or handy ledge, it is the perfect thing for keeping my bum dry when I want to sit down outside on a damp day. And I can fold it up and tuck it away when I'm done for use at another time. I've been using the same one for that purpose for quite a few trips now. But a shopping bag would probably do the same job.

I probably have the same Columbia rain jacket as Barbara G. Why I like it:

• It helps keep me warm on the plane. And if there’s breezy air on me while trying to sleep, I just pull up the hood.
• I chose a light blue color, and it looks very complimentary in photos. A poncho would not be flattering.
• It folds up into its hood and weighs 13 oz.
• I don’t carry a backpack around in Europe during the day. My jacket looks fine walking around the city where a poncho would not.
• It doesn’t blow around. The jacket stays on me.
• I am not throwing away “stuff”.
• If I happen to be out doing something without my coat, and it begins to rain a lot, I will get wet. No big deal. I walk back to my hotel, change clothes and hang the wet items in the shower to dry.

Proven kit is a featherweight hooded jacket with a 21L day pack. If rainy, the day pack is worn in front. If heavier rain encountered, it’s worn in front but inside the jacket.