Raincoats for Southwest Tasmania

[JamesMc]

What's everybody's philosopy on choosing a raincoat for the Southwest?

My old raincoat is delaminating, and I have some big walks in the Southwest planned for the coming summer, so it's time to think about buying a new one. It seems to me that choosing a raincoat for the Southwest is particulary challenging. Years ago, Gore refused to honour their "guarantee to keep you dry" because the raincoat that I had returned to them appeared to have a large number of tiny holes, consistent with damage from prickly vegetation. (Guilty as charged - the coat had seen a lot of scoparia!) I haven't bought a GoreTex raincoat since then.

One interesting comment from the Gore man was that thicker outer fabrics have less dense weave, leaving the membranes less protected from punctureing by prickly scrub. I'm inclined to believe this and am more concerned about punctures than tears which can be repaired.

One of Mowser's youtube videos recommends an Arc'Terix raincoat for SW Tas that costs $1000. Is it really going to last long enough to warrant spending that sort of money? (Assuming I maintain it properly but still wear it in scoparia.)

Should I buy a cheap raincoat and plan on throwing it out after a few years when it deterioates?

Should I buy an expensive raincoat but keep it away from prickles for the first few years of it's life then "demote" it to Southwest use?

Should I just accept getting wet and focus on keeping warm?

Anyway, what are people's thoughts?

Cheers

JamesMc

[johnrs]

Hi James
Here is something from Snowgum, well made, sturdy, not light but inexpensive
John
https://snowgum.com.au/products/snowgum ... oof-jacket

[oldpiscator]

What about some of the NZ hunting gear. Should be pretty tough stuff. Stony Creek, Ridgeline (eg. Monsoon Classic jacket) etc.

[JamesMc]

What about some of the NZ hunting gear. Should be pretty tough stuff. Stony Creek, Ridgeline (eg. Monsoon Classic jacket) etc.

Thanks oldpiscator.
I had assumed NZ hunting gear would be too heavy. The fact that they don't talk about weight on their web sites kind of supports this.

[oldpiscator]

Yes might be heavy. I have only bought shirts and pants and thermals. If you are anywhere near Ballarat Refischs have good stocks.

[north-north-west]

Tassie scrub - especially the prickly stuff - will kill any supposedly waterproof fabric; some just take a little bit longer. While ArcTeryx make very good gear, nothing you take into the SW is going to give you $1000 worth of scrub bashing. I'd try a cheapie if you can find one that isn't too flimsy, or go for something sturdier like the WE Deluge; it may be GoreTex but it will still last as well as any similar style fabric being used the same way so I fail to see the relevance of the guarantee.

[Meganw]

I struggled with that decision 2 years ago. I ended up buying a Mont Supersonic jacket- also expensive but not as much as the Acteryx. Not sure why 'supersonic'. It is pretty tough- lasting well so far.

[JamesMc]

So here's what I've done.

I have a Rab Vital running jacket, which is super light at 110 g, is fairly tough, and is somewhat water-repellent. I've run out and bought a MacPac Traverse raincoat, which seems really nice and is light at 330 g. I don't imagine that it's particularly durable.

The novel part of the plan is to wear the running jacket OUTSIDE the raincoat for walking in scoparia and the like. Essentially, it will be a sacrificial layer to protect the raincoat, in much the same way as a separate groundsheet is a sacraficial layer for a tent with a light floor.

I'll check back in after my Tassie trips with feedback on how it went.

JamesMc

[Tortoise]

Hi James. An interesting approach - thinking outside the traditional box that really doesn't work very well. I have an embarrassing number of rain jackets, none of which keep my dry like an old one used to. Not sure what I'll do for some SW Tassie walks I have planned this summer. I might bump into you.

It may be hard to know for sure how it goes without pressure testing your new jacket afterwards, but it should be reasonably apparent if it keeps you relatively dry after some scoparia walking. Thanks for checking back in.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I think the inside one will sweat and end up just as wet.

[Moondog55]

The Dutch army use a Goretex liner inside a thick and heavy duty poly/cotton shell so the idea has precedence. CrossFire here in Oz did something similar before they moved to the USA. Those shells were about 150/200GSM fabric to take the abuse of military use, SW Tasmania may well be more brutal

[Lostsoul]

In my experience expensive goretex and similar fabrics don’t stay waterproof for long.I now use cheaper plastic type shells,with a merino layer worn under it if needed.

[bernieq]

I've not found a jacket that will keeps me dry in persistent rain while walking. Pushing through vegetation makes it even worse. If you're working hard (uphill, fast, into the wind, that sort of thing), sweat will not be able to escape fast enough & you'll be wet anyway.

The primary function of a jacket, imo, is to block the wind. With a good DWR surface, the jacket will resist wetting out and will keep you dry for awhile - but not if you're in it for hours.

I bought my first gortex jacket in 1975, or thereabouts. After many years of use, the seam tape began to detach so I retired the jacket & bought a Macpac Copeland - good for a few years but the surface material degraded & it was replaced with a Macpac Aspiring (Event material) - a better jacket but heavy.

Many years ago, planning a 10 day NZ trip, I was trying to reduce weight and decided to resurrect the 1975 jacket (450g c/w 800g). I stripped off the remaining seam tape, reproofed with nicwax liquid (painted on the surface material, not washed in) and it was a great success (in the cold, windy & wet conditions of SI NZ). This jacket is now my go-to for all trips. I reproof it as needed.

[Bill P]

Bernie, are you really still using a 1975 Goretex jacket? Respect.