I’m heading out on a cross country bike trip and want to find some gore-tex pants / jacket (shell) to serve as some waterproof gear. i want something that i can use when i camp / hike as well. i know i’ll get hot if i try to ride fast with it, so i am more looking for something that will get me to a campsite relatively dry while i get ready to set up camp and hunker down. something that packs small / compact would be great.
let me know if you’ve used anything that would fit these requirements.
i hike alot in the fall and winter and found that the Marmot PreCip is just about the best thing I’ve ever relyed on. It is totally waterproof rain gear, but has a breathing technology and allows you to be very active and not sweat to death.
Every year on hikes, I’m the driest happiest hiker out there. Since I sweat alot, I just have to have something that breathes. I’m telling you, this breathes and keeps the rain out…and I’ve been in the most drenching rains, the PreCip never fails. My best friend and I both have PreCips now and there are days when we call each other all excited saying, “It’s a PreCip day!!” because the gear is just that awesome. Heck we can’t wait to wear it!!
www.marmot.com look under products and then under clothing. on the side you’ll see a catagory for rain. i’m sure that there is some kind of return guarantee as well. but you won’t even need it.
Oh, and it’s affordable too. The jacket will run you about a hundred smacks and the pants about 80. A really good outdoor shop near you should have it. Try it out…you’ll love it!!
i second the vote on marmot precips. they’re slightly less waterproof (ie., waterproof to a lower PSI, which is how this stuff is measured) than full Gore, but will still keep dry in the rain. they’re also lighter, cheaper, and breathe better - prefect for the trip you’ve got planned. have a killer time!
-mike
p.s - by way of disclaimers, i’m sponsored by marmot.
the thing with gortex is that you just won’t breathe in it. for cycling, that’s just a bad idea…
i can tell you–i’ve never gotten wet in my marot precip…and I have been out for literally hours in on/off downpouring rains with steady rain inbetween the downpours. the stuff is a champ.
this year i want a new marmot coat. i’d be tempted to sleep in it i already know! LOL!!
I wear Pearl Izumi AmFib tights for biking in the inclimate Oregon winter weather. I don’t know if you want to hike around in tights, but if you’re a triathlete you probably wouldn’t know there was anything wrong with wearing skin tight clothes in the woods.
i am going to check this out at REI. thanks for the suggestion. Anyone know a significant difference between the precip and Precip Rim jackets?
after getting caught in a snow / rain / sleet storm on mount whitney this past weekend with no rain gear, and 11 cold hours later i decided it is time to invest in this stuff.
I also do not like Gore™. The Marmot stuff is great, but a little pricey.
For a much less expensive option, I really like Gill items, I have the Freedom jacket and pants, the jacket is well vented, and with layering I find it quite warm.
They have kept me comfortable on 100 mile rides at 22 F in freezing rain/snow, well as comfortable as can be expected.
My other recommendation is a Clark hammock tent. You don’t have to find a flatspot to camp, just two trees ~12 feet apart. This is a significant advantage as you ride in unfamiliar country.