What to buy for rainy day hikes in northern NSW/SE QLD

[glache]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the northern NSW/SE QLD area and there's a hell of a lot of rain! I've never hiked in rain before, what do I need for day hikes, e.g. Waterfall Way, Lamington and Border Ranges National Parks, etc. I have absolutely nothing suitable for walking in the rain, so babble away!Thanks.

[Onestepmore]

A hat if you wear glasses!
I'd suggest a light shell with good ventilation - having gone through a similar dilemma, and after good advice from here, I chose an Outdoor Research Aspire jacket. http://www.campsaver.com/aspire-jacket-women-sIt It is Goretex, has TorsoFlo zips - hem to armpit, can be opened up either way.
Consider some of the men's gear too - esp for outerlayer where the fit isn't as vital - they have a much bigger range available. I also ended up getting a Medium sized men's Marmot Super Mica 247g (in green with blue zips) as I liked hubby's one so much. Has been great so far, even wore them as our shells in the Snowy's this easter (only light rain but v windy) http://www.campsaver.com/super-mica-jacket-men-s
Light merino T to to deal with the sweatiness - no cotton, or one of those light ventilated fitted synthetic cycling tops
If it's sunny I always wear one of those long sleeved light drip dry polyester travel/hiking shirts with a collar, and sleeves with rollups and the drawcords at the side so they look neat and non-bulky (Kathmandu makes good ones - get when on sale)
I use merino undies even in summer as they just don't have the sweaty problems other ones do, and have recently started to wear an icebreaker shaped merino bra (but not under a slim fitted T-shirt - I need a proper underwire bra for that as it shows more and I don't want any saggage factor. Then I just put up with an underwire T-shirt bra and sweat /sigh)
I only wear wollen socks, no cotton
Light synthetic zip off pants - if it's warm just get wet or wear them as shorts. Otherwise you can have the 'fun' of trying to find a pair of women's rain pants that fit....(see numerous threads with us having a bit if a whinge!)
I saw some heavier waterproof full zip ones with decent waist closures at Ray's outdoors for only $80 which looked promising, but have yet to try them on. Likey to heavy for SE Qld though.
Rainbirds etc will only keep light rain off, and in decent soaking rain they will wet through. They do help with wind though.
Waterproof electrical protection pouches for your phone and GPS (mine is a $10 Kathmandu one) , and similar larger one for map cover - Sea to Summit makes some. Osprey has one that rolls up and attaches to the front shoulder strap but I haven't tried that one so don't know how waterproof it it. The StS works fine.
Proetoction for camera equipmnt - I don't take my big one if it rains and just use a small camera or my phone, but I am sure the photographers here can give some good advice regarding keeping photographic equipment dry.
Pack cover and roll closure liner (ultrasil or cuben) - or use an Aarn pack which has fully waterproof inners

Ditch the mascara (unless you like the panda look!)

[Giddy_up]

Good waterproof gear, you really do get what you pay for so try not to compromise because of budget. Topographic map, with the sort of rain that we can get you can be stuck between two waterways very quickly and to be able to navigate to a safe area to wait or be extracted may save your life.
First aid kit, you can buy a pre-packed one or make up your own.
Compass, and know how to use it!!!!!!!!!!
Travel plan, tell people where your going and what time you will be home also provide waypoints if you can.
Communication link, this can be your phone a PLB or spot locator etc......... If your in trouble you need to be able to get some sort of message out.
Know your capabilities, more people get stuck through thinking they "can" only to get half way through a walk and realise they "can't".
The rest will be dependent on how long you go for and where, otherwise get out there and enjoy.
G_U

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[Hallu]

I ditched merino for wet weather, chafing is really bad in those conditions for me. For some people it's fine. Now I use synthetic shirts and underwear for wet conditions. Arc'teryx, Patagonia and Outdoor Research make some nice ones.

Don't forget some waterproof storage pouches, I used to have a couple of small ones, but now I have this : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OF ... UTF8&psc=1 . My wallet, guidebook, maps, mobile and camera all fit in there.

For the jackets you already have some advice there, and since I've never hiked in hot rainy conditions, I can't help you.

When it's not too windy, I prefer to hike with an umbrella. Yes you look a bit ridiculous, but you can take photos, your face isn't wet, and it even acts as a shield against wet thick vegetation.

[peregrinator]

Topographic map, with the sort of rain that we can get you can be stuck between two waterways very quickly and to be able to navigate to a safe area to wait or be extracted may save your life.

Yes, and I would suggest also a plastic map case (for example, http://www.melbmap.com.au/cgi-bin/site/wrapper.pl?c1=Accessories&c2=Map_Cases&c3=Portable&catno=77&Sno=. A soggy paper map is of little use and a map that stays in a pocket or a pack all the time is of even less use!

[Bluegum Mic]

I use the same jacket onestepmore suggested and find it great. However Im unsure if you simply doing track walking or offtrack. If off track around the parks you suggested I'd suggest something more robust (if anything at all...if its warm enough Id simply go for fast drying fabrics n coverage...the wait-a-while and gympie gympie can be a killer). However I find walking around the Lamington etc is often quite cool so a rain jacket is definitely warranted. Just make sure the jacket vents well.

Totally agree with the need for good dry bags and map cases. If offtrack I find sturdy gaiters (I use canvas ones but there's plenty to choose from...just make sure they breathe) great for above mentioned annoying plants and also great for lathering in some bushmans as a first line of defence for the leeches...mind you not a lot stops them lol. Plus it can get pretty muddy in the rainforests after rain. The other item I always have is my trusty ironclad gloves (any good sturdy gardening glove will do). Good for holding on if slippery and wet (especially with above mentioned plants...again).

[dannnnn]

+1 - will definitely need bushman insect repellent because rainy weather in SEQ = leech weather.

i do a lot of day walks in the rain and i only take an outer shell jacket. my legs can get wet and it's not too cold. if the rain is pretty persistant and it's going to be a long walk consider taking a small tarp so you have somewhere dry to eat lunch.

[glache]

Thanks guys! I only do track walking--I don't think it's a good idea to go off trail alone. I shall go to the hiking shop tomorrow and see what I can get.

[wayno]

be wary of shop staff, a lot sound like they know what they are talking about, but quite a few of those don't!
if they start telling you you MUST get whatever, then i'd be wary....

[wayno]

avoid waterproof boots if you can, while they can be a quality product, they are overkill for a hot wet environment, they still water in them and they take longer to dry than non waterproof boots. but you'll find every other pair of boots are gore tex....

[dannnnn]

+1 to that too
so long as you have woolen socks i find it much more comfortable to walk in runners that dry quickly, than big boots that take longer.

[glache]

I didn't make it to the hiking shop today, will go tomorow, any other suggestions still welcome.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I think the rain jackets sold in the local stores are a overkill for our climate. You will get just as wet from sweat wearing those jackets.

And I agree with the advice, be wary of salesman, they might make out they know it all, but often they know *&%$#! and give very poor advise.

Merino works great for me in the cooler months, those patagonia capilene i find are not so good for our climate. Im very disappointed in them.

[wayno]

theres also poncho options, not so good in strong wind or cold though or with scrub bashing

[Rob A]

Leech protection.

[findbuddha]

Is a hardshell too hot for these conditions? I've only ever had Rainbird type jackets and found them rather sweat inducing. I'm not really sure what to be looking for but the Arcteryx Alpha FL has caught my interest.

Confounding factor for me is I'd also like whatever I buy to work for a trip to Nepal / Annapurna Circuit or EBC I'm pondering.

Cheers!

[wayno]

@ onestepmore,
how is your super mica going, have you had a chance to use it much yet?

[Onestepmore]

Hey Wayno - the Marmot super micas are great. Light, windproof, compact, good ventilation, haven't had any issues with their waterproofness. We both wore them for a few days in the Snowies at Easter where it was very windy above the snowline and the last day was sleety and drizzly. We didn't fnd we needed a heavier shell warmth wise, with just a fine merino and a light fleece underneath. Got cold when we stopped though. No problems with wear at the shoulders under packs but ask me again after a few more months! Hubby wore his last month on a 3 day Nattai trip where there was sme scrubby regrowth stuff in parts and it stood up fine, but that's not what it's designed for. It's become the jacket I stick in my pack all the time. If it was colder or already raining I'd take one of my heavier jackets though.

[Jason68]

Go the ponchos! Good quality one though (gate wood cape), one piece 2 avoid any clips/studs that will blow/rip open. As far as the flapping/catching, the old high tech hootchie cord around the waste will sort it
Hot - I don't worry about legs, boots'll get wet anyway, cold - set of cheap rain bird equivalent pants only, nothing underneath