Bushwalk Australia

I'm after people's first hand experiences of rain wear in Queensland or similar conditions. So fairly high humidity and reasonably warm temperatures. Especially in the rainforest.

Up until this point I have been using fairly conventional, moderately priced, rain jackets. Currently I have a Berghaus that weighs about 650g. I sweat a fair bit no matter what the conditions are so as soon as I put on a rain jacket and start walking I probably get just as wet inside as out. I've recently bought a Golite poncho and am hoping that it will have alot more ventilation but don't think it will be suitable for off track walking (because it kinda flaps around) and much up hill walking because you can't see your feet.

I guess my main question is, does Event or Goretex actually keep you dry inside in conditions I have described with people that sweat alot? Or should I just accept that I'm going to get damp and get the lightest non breathable jacket I can get (not taking into account durability)? Maybe with pit zips.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Bikini top, shorts and a lot of Rid.

Why worry about getting wet when it's that warm? You'll dry out quickly enough.

If only I could pull off a bikini. Yeah, good point. Thing is, with the humidity and no sun things don't necessarily dry out that quick. And I am still simply curious as to whether these expensive materials do work in these sorts of environments. They're kind of expensive to just try out.

Frankly I have grave doubts about the ability of high end Goretex type jackets in higher temperatures.
I don't think they work so well and the poncho idea is far better if you feel you must keep the bulk of the rain off you.
Save the dollars I say.

roysta wrote:Frankly I have grave doubts about the ability of high end Goretex type jackets in higher temperatures.
I don't think they work so well and the poncho idea is far better if you feel you must keep the bulk of the rain off you.
Save the dollars I say.

+1

Also, if it is wet and your are in scrub you are going to get wet anyway. Brushing on wet trees and shrubs is the quickest way to get soaked, full length gore or not.

Maybe find ways to tie you poncho around your waist if it really turns out to be a problem.

Buy a brolly. Seriously though some of those synthetic lightweight clothes that dry out really quick is the way to go. A good pair of gaiters to keep most of the moisture out of your shoes and yer golden.

Gortex only works when the temperature outside is dramatically colder than the inside. So in snow and ice conditions. You're worse off getting Gortex.

I just get wet. Why not? It's refreshing. But sometimes I just sick of getting drenched from one storm cell after the other, so I use my Ultra Sil poncho, wait for the cell to pass, then take off the poncho again. For winter hikes or hikes up at Lamington, I put on the thermal which sucks the water off the body and keeps me warm.

I've done off track hiking with my ultrasil poncho in open eucalyptus forest. It's doable but not enjoyable. Visibility and hearing suffers. I get hot, flustered, and simply frustrated. Not a good thing if navigating.

It's a personal choice. But try off track hiking at your local with your poncho (even if there is no rain) and you'll see how *&%$#! annoying it is. I pack a poncho, thermal and pack liner.

All good guys. Thanks. I'll stick with the poncho for a while I think. Experiment a bit. Also probably invest in a few more quick drying base layers rather than another rain jacket.

poncho's are only good for graded walking tracks IMHO... especially in the rainforest... as an idea... in SE Qld I use an oiled cotton hat and a windshirt mostly... in winter when it is cold and wet I will take a 2 layer jkt ... I reckon eVent is worth it and there is enough quantitative data around to support its reputation...