Raingear on Frances in September

[CaminoJoy123]

What rain gear are people using? I have heard of the Altus poncho, and was going to look for it in Europe. Is that still available, or has something else come along?

My raincoat and poncho have recently failed.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Seems many like the Altus ponchos/jacket but I'm a long-time fame of rain pants and jacket in colder months but in September a poncho may be a great idea. I use a Sea to Summit tarp poncho in warmer weather because it's got a lot of airflow. Some don't like the air flow however because if flaps the poncho around quite a bit. I once had a scare standing in front of a large cow with large horns, in the wind, with a madly flapping poncho. In my mind it was a bull and my poncho was a red flag just begging for him to charge me. After those first few seconds of irrational fear my right brain kicked in and I've laughed at myself for several years now! That said, I've never had even 2 secs of fear wearing my rain jacket

 

[jo webber]

I am taking the Sea to Summit poncho. It will need to be belted around me if there is a high wind with the rain (have a long shoe string for this, and laundry line if needed). It is very cool in hot weather, you can wrap it around your pack and have most of yourself uncovered for light rain. I did go out in the rain with it on, I did get wet on the sides of my clothes. Using hiking poles, I would get some water in no matter what.
Hubby has a non-vented over the head poncho. I will be great in colder weather and he chills easier than I. It will keep you and your pack very dry. Wear a billed cap under the poncho head covering and take a clip to attach the two, otherwise the rain cap will blow off in the wind.

We start walking 9/9.

 

[Phillypilgrim]

I have a Ferrino rain coat that is similar to the Altus, but I think it weighs a little more.
Got it on Amazon and have used it for three Caminos. It covers a backpack, but is a coat not a poncho. I love it.

 

[CaminoJoy123]

I have a Ferrino rain coat that is similar to the Altus, but I think it weighs a little more.
Got it on Amazon and have used it for three Caminos. It covers a backpack, but is a coat not a poncho. I love it.

Yeh I thought about the Ferrino! What do you like about it?

 

[CaminoJoy123]

I am taking the Sea to Summit poncho. It will need to be belted around me if there is a high wind with the rain (have a long shoe string for this, and laundry line if needed). It is very cool in hot weather, you can wrap it around your pack and have most of yourself uncovered for light rain. I did go out in the rain with it on, I did get wet on the sides of my clothes. Using hiking poles, I would get some water in no matter what.
Hubby has a non-vented over the head poncho. I will be great in colder weather and he chills easier than I. It will keep you and your pack very dry. Wear a billed cap under the poncho head covering and take a clip to attach the two, otherwise the rain cap will blow off in the wind.

We start walking 9/9.

Which Sea to Summit poncho? The Ultra Sil Nano Tarp looks fairly lightweight.

 

[CaminoJoy123]

I have a Ferrino rain coat that is similar to the Altus, but I think it weighs a little more.
Got it on Amazon and have used it for three Caminos. It covers a backpack, but is a coat not a poncho. I love it.

Do you overheat if it rains in warm weather? It seems pretty heavy.

 

[hel&scott]

Seems many like the Altus ponchos/jacket but I'm a long-time fame of rain pants and jacket in colder months but in September a poncho may be a great idea. I use a Sea to Summit tarp poncho in warmer weather because it's got a lot of airflow. Some don't like the air flow however because if flaps the poncho around quite a bit. I once had a scare standing in front of a large cow with large horns, in the wind, with a madly flapping poncho. In my mind it was a bull and my poncho was a red flag just begging for him to charge me. After those first few seconds of irrational fear my right brain kicked in and I've laughed at myself for several years now! That said, I've never had even 2 secs of fear wearing my rain jacket

Given wet NZ tramping conditions, and that we usually walk the Camino in northern Autumn, we invested in good lightweight coats and rain paints. Nothing worse them getting wet day after day and these work well. While blokes may get by with the simple draw string pants, Sheila's should consider ones with zips down both sides, this makes them easier to get on and off and you can usually zip them up from the bottom for your boots/ shoes or to just vent your legs, mine were designed for snow boarding and are light weight and dry... If a little snug these days.

 

[Kent Davis]

Walked last Sept-Oct and wore Marmont red star rain jacket and mostly wore shorts when it rained which was very little and it never really got that cold. The jacket is terrific because you can vent it. I would leave rain pants at home, other long pants are designed to deal with elements this time of year.

 

[jo webber]

Which Sea to Summit poncho?

Not the one that can be a tarp. This one is lighter. 6.4 oz.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CORQPW8/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[CaminoJoy123]

Not the one that can be a tarp. This one is lighter. 6.4 oz.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CORQPW8/?tag=casaivar02-20

Ultra sil nano, weighs about 6 ounces

 

[Phillypilgrim]

Caminojoy123, I like the full coverage of the Ferrino, but yes it is a little heavy.

 

[LukeK]

Seems many like the Altus ponchos/jacket but I'm a long-time fame of rain pants and jacket in colder months but in September a poncho may be a great idea. I use a Sea to Summit tarp poncho in warmer weather because it's got a lot of airflow. Some don't like the air flow however because if flaps the poncho around quite a bit. I once had a scare standing in front of a large cow with large horns, in the wind, with a madly flapping poncho. In my mind it was a bull and my poncho was a red flag just begging for him to charge me. After those first few seconds of irrational fear my right brain kicked in and I've laughed at myself for several years now! That said, I've never had even 2 secs of fear wearing my rain jacket

I just purchased the Sea to Summit tarp poncho. Looked like the best option.

 

[Patch]

I travel light (5kg pack)so on my September Camino I just used a cheap light weight coat, no trousers. I didn't have any problems with doing that.

 

[Bythesurf]

I am taking the Sea to Summit poncho. It will need to be belted around me if there is a high wind with the rain (have a long shoe string for this, and laundry line if needed). It is very cool in hot weather, you can wrap it around your pack and have most of yourself uncovered for light rain. I did go out in the rain with it on, I did get wet on the sides of my clothes. Using hiking poles, I would get some water in no matter what.
Hubby has a non-vented over the head poncho. I will be great in colder weather and he chills easier than I. It will keep you and your pack very dry. Wear a billed cap under the poncho head covering and take a clip to attach the two, otherwise the rain cap will blow off in the wind.

We start walking 9/9.

I leave the same day from St.Jean. I hope to meet you Jo.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

I just purchased the Sea to Summit tarp poncho. Looked like the best option.

I hope you'll like it, @LukeK but I'll impart just one more piece of (unsolicited) advice... wait for the windiest day back home before you leave for Spain and go outside with your pack on and practice putting and taking off the poncho. I made the mistake of not doing this before standing in SJPDP. This is an snippet from my blog about that fateful day... "My first moments in St Jean Pied-de-Port quickly went from inspired to slapstick. I exited the taxi only to have the skies open up with the first of many downpours and/or snow storms over the next 5 weeks. No problem, I’ve got this. I dug into my backpack and brought out a shiny new Sea-to-Summit backpackers poncho, the kind designed to envelope the pack and the packer in one neat and tidy waterproof package. As luck would have it, I didn’t try this poncho out at home in the wind and rain. Nope, just in a dry, windless store with two sales clerks helping me put it on. Now, on my own in Hurricane James, in front of a cute old Basque couple in their car having lunch, I began the ‘Dance of the Poncho’. Visualize a pudgy, middle-aged Canadian Peregrino wearing a 50L backpack in a wind stiff enough to bring the rain down sideways trying to finesse a billowing poncho over his head and then further dislocating both shoulders in a vain attempt to slide the poncho further down over his backpack while delicately balancing his trekking poles with an unoccupied hip. At one point during the dance I looked over at my Basque couple and saw a piece of Jamón Serrano (just fancy words for Spanish ham, pfffft) snort out of the man’s nose as he spasmed with laughter at my plight. She, the gentler and kinder of the two, was much more restrained, however, still needed to wipe the tears of laughter our of her eyes. An eternity (4 minutes if precision is warranted) later, on stiff legs, I went off in search of my recently lost dignity, poncho firmly planted in the bottom of my pack."

 

[AlexanderAZ]

Outdoor Research pants, Marmot PreCip jacket.

 

[LukeK]

I hope you'll like it, @LukeK but I'll impart just one more piece of (unsolicited) advice... wait for the windiest day back home before you leave for Spain and go outside with your pack on and practice putting and taking off the poncho. I made the mistake of not doing this before standing in SJPDP. This is an snippet from my blog about that fateful day... "My first moments in St Jean Pied-de-Port quickly went from inspired to slapstick. I exited the taxi only to have the skies open up with the first of many downpours and/or snow storms over the next 5 weeks. No problem, I’ve got this. I dug into my backpack and brought out a shiny new Sea-to-Summit backpackers poncho, the kind designed to envelope the pack and the packer in one neat and tidy waterproof package. As luck would have it, I didn’t try this poncho out at home in the wind and rain. Nope, just in a dry, windless store with two sales clerks helping me put it on. Now, on my own in Hurricane James, in front of a cute old Basque couple in their car having lunch, I began the ‘Dance of the Poncho’. Visualize a pudgy, middle-aged Canadian Peregrino wearing a 50L backpack in a wind stiff enough to bring the rain down sideways trying to finesse a billowing poncho over his head and then further dislocating both shoulders in a vain attempt to slide the poncho further down over his backpack while delicately balancing his trekking poles with an unoccupied hip. At one point during the dance I looked over at my Basque couple and saw a piece of Jamón Serrano (just fancy words for Spanish ham, pfffft) snort out of the man’s nose as he spasmed with laughter at my plight. She, the gentler and kinder of the two, was much more restrained, however, still needed to wipe the tears of laughter our of her eyes. An eternity (4 minutes if precision is warranted) later, on stiff legs, I went off in search of my recently lost dignity, poncho firmly planted in the bottom of my pack."

That you - some excellent advice. It is very windy in Sydney at the moment so I will just do as you say. Sorry to hear your sad story.

 

[Kanga]

@LukeK it is probably too late to say this, if you have spent your money. But for the sake of others....

Altus raincoats are available in Madrid, St Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, and Sarria. They cost about 49 euros. They don't blow about the way a poncho does, and they open all the way down the front so that they are easy to take on and off and for ventilation. They can be left hanging off the back of a pack and pulled on in a sudden downpour, and pulled back onto the pack when it stops raining. I have an old fashioned one, which weighs a bit more, but the newest ones are quite light.

Here is a link to the shop in Madrid - with photos so you can see what they look like.

 

[Deleted member 29041]

I'm partial to the Ferrino Trekker. It has it's faults, but IMO, it's better than most.

I also liked the old stiffer Altus, but dislike the new limp model. Admitted, last time I tried the new Altus was in 2012, and they may have improved it since. It may work better, if you soak it in Viagra before use

A few tips on wearing the Ferrino Trekker:

• It works much better when worn with a (baseball)cap or visor, as the brim/visor makes the floppy front flap of the hood manageable.
• It really needs an extra strip of Velcro glued on, with the top of the new strip midway between the two top strips, enabling you to leave the top strip open for ventilation.
• If you carry something on your pack straps (a camera pouch, your extra socks, an inflated plastic bag, anything that sticks out), that will keep the raiment away from your chest, and vastly improve ventilation.
• If the wind allows it, leave the zipper (partially) open and use only the Velcro strips.

I much prefer dry feet, so I combine the Ferrino with a pair of rain legs that deliver the runoff from the poncho beneath the top of my boots. The rain legs also come in handy in a stiff headwind, where the hem of any poncho will keep creeping up over your knees as you walk. They also allow me to use the smaller size, saving some weight.

 

[kinnear]

@LukeK it is probably too late to say this, if you have spent your money. But for the sake of others....

Altus raincoats are available in Madrid, St Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, and Sarria. They cost about 49 euros. They don't blow about the way a poncho does, and they open all the way down the front so that they are easy to take on and off and for ventilation. They can be left hanging off the back of a pack and pulled on in a sudden downpour, and pulled back onto the pack when it stops raining. I have an old fashioned one, which weighs a bit more, but the newest ones are quite light.

Here is a link to the shop in Madrid - with photos so you can see what they look like.

I don't know what the newer Altus rainwear is like...such a misconception when it is referred to as a "poncho" since as Kanga says it is a coat. What I know is that it is my non-negotiable item for my second Camino late September - November this year. (Just four weeks to go....So excited!!) Last time, ten years ago, I envied people who had one and when I purchased mine finally in Lyon it gave me such a sense of security....even though the rain stopped soon after. I figured if necessary I could camp out in it! Granted, I'm pretty small and it's pretty huge! Certainly not fashion gear so I will also bring a light wind/rain jacket for rest days etc

 

[LukeK]

@LukeK it is probably too late to say this, if you have spent your money. But for the sake of others....

Altus raincoats are available in Madrid, St Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, and Sarria. They cost about 49 euros. They don't blow about the way a poncho does, and they open all the way down the front so that they are easy to take on and off and for ventilation. They can be left hanging off the back of a pack and pulled on in a sudden downpour, and pulled back onto the pack when it stops raining. I have an old fashioned one, which weighs a bit more, but the newest ones are quite light.

Here is a link to the shop in Madrid - with photos so you can see what they look like.

Great work. Thanks @Kanga

 

[trecile]

I made a "parcho", from I kit I bought from Quest Outfitters. The kit cost me about $60, and you can customize to fit you and your pack. Mine weighs 7.2 ounces/204 grams.
http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-kits-cart.htm#PARCHO

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Seems many like the Altus ponchos/jacket but I'm a long-time fame of rain pants and jacket in colder months but in September a poncho may be a great idea. I use a Sea to Summit tarp poncho in warmer weather because it's got a lot of airflow. Some don't like the air flow however because if flaps the poncho around quite a bit. I once had a scare standing in front of a large cow with large horns, in the wind, with a madly flapping poncho. In my mind it was a bull and my poncho was a red flag just begging for him to charge me. After those first few seconds of irrational fear my right brain kicked in and I've laughed at myself for several years now! That said, I've never had even 2 secs of fear wearing my rain jacket

Since cattle are green/red colour blind (daltonico in Spanish) you need not have worried about the colour of your raingear - it would have been the madly flapping poncho that would have caused it to charge

 

[williamlittig]

Is this the most frequent question? If not it will have the most opinions, next to socks and shoes.
Put my vote in the jacket column. Double use when it is cold, and not raining. Mine is bright "Safety Yellow" better in the dark and on roadways..... Ultreya... Willy/Utah/USA

 

[Panama Francis]

Poncho Alert....yesterday on the French Camino a Pilgrim took a very bad fall (face down on a cobblestone street in Puente la Reina. Her poncho was long and she was going downhill and stepped on it causing her to slam into the street. We all want optimum rain protection but make sure your poncho isn't too long!!!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Is this the most frequent question? If not it will have the most opinions, next to socks and shoes.
Put my vote in the jacket column. Double use when it is cold, and not raining. Mine is bright "Safety Yellow" better in the dark and on roadways..... Ultreya... Willy/Utah/USA

I think the most frequent question is about backpack weight
I restored a 50 year old peddle bike and had it coated in Safety (or Signal) Yellow . . . bright isn't it?