For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
A lot of times, the manufacturer will let me keep the gear or shoes or whatever, but I sent the zPacks back. I did keep their Vertice rain jacket from a different QA testing, though
Thanks. Is good to know that there are alternatives. Looked at Amazon. Unfortunately they are not that cheap anymore. Around 80 euro for the light ones.I own an Altus and REI ultralight rain jacket, but I will walk this June with the same jacket I wore on my first two-week Camino — an extra-extra large Frog Togg jacket that fits around me and my pack, as I am five feet tall and not too overweight (a bit, though). I paid $5.00. It’s not very durable, but it served me well from Astorga to SdC with no rips or damage. Weighs 185grams or 0.4 lbs. It came with rain pants that are far too large; I don’t use those. Unconventional choice, but I love it!
I purchased a Zpack last year for my Caminó Primitivo in June. I purchased the smaller size and it was too big! I’m 5’6” and 130 pounds. I found it to be cumbersome and hot (and the weather was still quite cool in early June). Even with the pit zippers open, I sweated profusely and was just as wet as if I wore nothing at all. With on and off rain, taking it on and off was burdensome even though it was stayed on my backpack. This year I’m going with a pack cover and rain jacket. Unless it is cold out, I probably will opt to get wet rather than sweat.Hi,
I have been looking into ultralight rain jackets for my upcoming Camino Frances. I have already decided that I don’t want to bring a poncho this time. I want to go as low as possible, weight wise and have been looking into the Zpacks vertice rain jackets for women. I like the fact that they are longer and have a good breathability. But they come at a price! Especially when they have to be send to Europe. Any experiences with this jacket. Are they worth the money. I would like to last them at least three caminos. What do you think?
I had wondered if those two threads could be combined together...just a thought.
Only $5 bucks! Did you buy it used? Although very inexpensive, they are not dirt cheap. I too, love my Frogg Toggs rain jacket and pants...but they are definitely not a fashion statement.I paid $5.00. It’s not very durable, but it served me well
I have taken my Frogg Toggs on six Caminos and for the price they are outstanding and never leave me feeling wet in sweat or spring rains.I carry a set of $20 Froggy Toggs rain gear. Weigh almost nothing and on my last Camino Frances I wore the jacket twice. Otherwise it sat at the bottom of my pack unused. Fortunately it weighs almost nothing so I didn't care.
Thank you. I did look into their seizes and they are quite different to European sizes. Good to read that not everybody thinks these jackets are highly breathable!I purchased a Zpack last year for my Caminó Primitivo in June. I purchased the smaller size and it was too big! I’m 5’6” and 130 pounds. I found it to be cumbersome and hot (and the weather was still quite cool in early June). Even with the pit zippers open, I sweated profusely and was just as wet as if I wore nothing at all. With on and off rain, taking it on and off was burdensome even though it was stayed on my backpack. This year I’m going with a pack cover and rain jacket. Unless it is cold out, I probably will opt to get wet rather than sweat.
Thank you. I did look into their seizes and they are quite different to European sizes. Good to read that not everybody thinks these jackets are highly breathable!
Not especially breathable, but very thin — kind of like very thin felt coated with wax? If it’s not significantly cheaper than something else, you might prefer something more durable.Thanks. Is good to know that there are alternatives. Looked at Amazon. Unfortunately they are not that cheap anymore. Around 80 euro for the light ones.
Is the jacket breathable?
Yes.Thanks. Is good to know that there are alternatives. Looked at Amazon. Unfortunately they are not that cheap anymore. Around 80 euro for the light ones.
Is the jacket breathable?
My friend has Z packs jacket she wore on the Francigena, and still wears - looks like a black garbage bag, so I guess you've done wellI used a hefty trash can liner upside down with hole out for my head and arms. Worked like a charm, covered my backpack and did not weigh much. That, with my Tilley hat, kept me dry enough.
What’s the weight with both jacket and pants?I own and have used both the Zpacks Vertice and the latest OR Helium jackets. They both weigh about the same and resist water the same. It takes about the same amount of time for them to wet out. For me, the inner material of the Helium is more comfortable against bare skin - like when wearing short sleeve shirts.
For the Camino, I'll be bringing both my OR Helium jacket and pants. I use them not only against the rain but also an extra layer for warmth as well as for wind resistance. I'm not a fan of ponchos.
This is great to know about Frogg Toggs, will test water in spring before head out on the camino. I plan to do Norte in late June and full July, wondering how many days that I might need a rain gear in the mountains.I have taken my Frogg Toggs on six Caminos and for the price they are outstanding and never leave me feeling wet in sweat or spring rains.
Hi Monique,Hi,
I have been looking into ultralight rain jackets for my upcoming Camino Frances. I have already decided that I don’t want to bring a poncho this time. I want to go as low as possible, weight wise and have been looking into the Zpacks vertice rain jackets for women. I like the fact that they are longer and have a good breathability. But they come at a price! Especially when they have to be send to Europe. Any experiences with this jacket. Are they worth the money. I would like to last them at least three caminos. What do you think?
I don't have this jacket - but I have OR Helium rain pants and I like them very much!Not worth it. The OR Helium jacket is almost half price, light, durable, as rainproof as any lightweight rain jacket Comes in good colors and looks better.
I own an Altus and REI ultralight rain jacket, but I will walk this June with the same jacket I wore on my first two-week Camino — an extra-extra large Frog Togg jacket that fits around me and my pack, as I am five feet tall and not too overweight (a bit, though). I paid $5.00. It’s not very durable, but it served me well from Astorga to SdC with no rips or damage. Weighs 185grams or 0.4 lbs. It came with rain pants that are far too large; I don’t use those. Unconventional choice, but I love it!
Hi,
I have been looking into ultralight rain jackets for my upcoming Camino Frances. I have already decided that I don’t want to bring a poncho this time. I want to go as low as possible, weight wise and have been looking into the Zpacks vertice rain jackets for women. I like the fact that they are longer and have a good breathability. But they come at a price! Especially when they have to be send to Europe. Any experiences with this jacket. Are they worth the money. I would like to last them at least three caminos. What do you think?
Hi,Hi Monique,
Given Dave Bugg's verdict (and he is the guru on Camino gear) that no rain jacket - no matter how expensive - is going to be truly waterproof and fully breathable in real life, may I suggest you visit your local Decathlon and have a look at their summer weight rain jacket? In the UK the women's version weighs 175g and costs £9.99. It is described as waterproof and breathable.
Buen Camino!
Actually it was someone else that mentioned this jacket but I will definitely look at yoursHi,
Thank you! I have already decided that I won’t buy a Zpack jacket and nothing else from the US. I am not convinced that it offers extra value. And the cost of shipping, customs and Dutch VAT (21% of the value) is just too high.
What I will do is bringing a gossamer gear handsfree umbrella, my 150 Gr more or less waterproof jacket from Inov 8, a rain skirt.
I have actually been to Decathlon today to buy a few things but didn’t see this jacket. There is also no FH2900 (cannot see the number now while typing this, hope it is the correct one)on our website.
Thank you all for your thoughts!
Old Version: https://www.decathlon.nl/p/wandeljas-voor-dames-fh900/_/R-p-302193?mc=8503842Hi,
Thank you! I have already decided that I won’t buy a Zpack jacket and nothing else from the US. I am not convinced that it offers extra value. And the cost of shipping, customs and Dutch VAT (21% of the value) is just too high.
What I will do is bringing a gossamer gear handsfree umbrella, my 150 Gr more or less waterproof jacket from Inov 8, a rain skirt.
I have actually been to Decathlon today to buy a few things but didn’t see this jacket. There is also no FH2900 (cannot see the number now while typing this, hope it is the correct one)on our website.
Thank you all for your thoughts!
I simply do not see the value in bringing an utlra-light raincoat for the Camino. Unless you plan on camping, you do not have to bring a tent, sleeping bag and air mattress so very little weight in your pack already. Any rain jacket or rain overcoat or poncho will do just fine.Hi,
I have been looking into ultralight rain jackets for my upcoming Camino Frances. I have already decided that I don’t want to bring a poncho this time. I want to go as low as possible, weight wise and have been looking into the Zpacks vertice rain jackets for women. I like the fact that they are longer and have a good breathability. But they come at a price! Especially when they have to be send to Europe. Any experiences with this jacket. Are they worth the money. I would like to last them at least three caminos. What do you think?
For even less weight (110g for a mens large) and a bit lower price (i find it often at a discount in europe) you could look at the Berghaus Hyper 100 jacket. It served me well on my camino (although i had not so much rain) and is well regarded by a couple of people that are well more experienced hikers than i am.
For a lot less money and a bit more weight (200g for a mens large) you could look at the decathlon FH900 jacket which i personally also liked a lot for a good compromise between water resistance and
Thank you! I will have a look this week!
‘Nuf said. That works for me! Thank you one and all.I suspect that there is some marketing going on here. Tearing up a rain gear by walking against a bush? I walked the Camino Frances twice and I can assure you that you a pilgrim will have to walk out of his way to brush up against a bush. The Camino Frances is NOT Bushwhacking!
To walk the Camino Frances, one does not need to have an expensive rain gear period.
The Camino Frances is not the only Camino. The lesser travelled caminos can have bushy thorny sections where the path is more like a goat trail!I suspect that there is some marketing going on here. Tearing up a rain gear by walking against a bush? I walked the Camino Frances twice and I can assure you that you a pilgrim will have to walk out of his way to brush up against a bush. The Camino Frances is NOT Bushwhacking!
To walk the Camino Frances, one does not need to have an expensive rain gear period.
True. But the OP is walking the Camino Frances and asked for information based on that planned route.The Camino Frances is not the only Camino. The lesser travelled caminos can have bushy thorny sections where the path is more like a goat trail!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?