SANG H LEE
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2022
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I did the Frances from SJPP Sep1-Oct1, 2021, and I needed/used a poncho a lot more than I expected (10 days, usually a morning drizzle). It was just a cheap plastic, but big&easy to cover the pack, too.For me, the question to ask is:
1. How much rain is expected during the time I will be walking the Camino.
2. How much time is needed to don the raingear and also get out of it. Too long and the rain may stop by the time the gears are worn.
3. How comfortable is it? Breathable material? etc.
4. Cost. Pieces of plastics vs elaborate clothing.
5. How heavy to carry it?
And since my first Camino, number 5 carries the most weight (no puns intended). So it has always been the poncho.
I think your advice on trying equipment you already have is a fantastic advice. I'm hoping to do CF in September. I was planning to bring a rain jacket, but early this month I walked several national parks in Tasmania. The first days it rained a lot, so I tried a very expensive Kathmandu rain jacket. Even though this jackets has several areas to allow air to come in, I sweat a lot inside. No comfortable. I am now considering a poncho and perhaps and umbrella.Some use ponchos.
Some use rain pants, rain jacket and backpack cover.
Some use rain kilts instead of rain pants.
Some use umbrellas.
Some use poncho-like raincoats that also cover your pack, like the Altus poncho.
Some use flimsy single use ponchos.
Some just cut holes for head and arms in a large trash bag (yes, actually saw that).
Some don't bring any rain gear at all in summer, and just hope for the best (not a wise choice... especially on mountains...).
It all depends on personal preferences and the time of year you're walking. My advice would be to go for some long walks in the rain with the equipment you already own and see how well it goes. If it doesn't work for you, try something else. There are many options to choose from, so you'll certainly find something you feel comfortable with
Poncho or rain jacket/pants are both very popular and good choices for walking the Francés in april/may.
Happy planning and buen camino!
Ultra lite Columbia titanium jacket, ultra lite Berghaus pants, Merrell Activio gore tex trail shoes = totally dry!I'm planning to do CF during the last week of April and May.
Which would you recommend, a poncho or a rain jacket (and pants)?
Hello Sang, I prefer to wear a rain coat with hood and carry a small hiking umbrella. I sweat very bad in a poncho so much that I seem to create my own rainy weather system inside of a poncho.I'm planning to do CF during the last week of April and May.
Which would you recommend, a poncho or a rain jacket (and pants)?
Ultra lite Columbia titanium jacket
I found a "Titan" shell jacket on both REI and Columbia sites, but no mention of weight on either.@Barbara Whelan, I have looked at Columbia's current web site and looked for "Ultra lite" and "Titanium"
This is the one I got. It’s really light but I don’t have the weight details. I think they do a men’s equivalent.@Barbara Whelan, I have looked at Columbia's current web site and looked for "Ultra lite" and "Titanium"
Neither search gave a direct result.
So, looked at two jackets. Both product pages gave a lot of information. But weight was not listed.
Are you able to help?
Kia kaha (be strong, take care, get going when you can)
Thanks for your comment.It’s really light but I don’t have the weight details
Ola,I have decided not to make recommendations. No-one takes any notice even when I do - "Yes Minister, lowering your head very slowly into this vat of boiling oil will make you very popular on the back-benches".
What time of year are you walking? If you go with the rain jacket option you will definitely need a pack cover (I don’t take with the Altus) and possibly pants (if it’s not a warm time of year). Also, if you are concerned about weight, my Altus weighs around 1 lb.I can't decide which way to go. My original plan was to bring a rain jacket and use it as a windbreaker at other times. However, a lot of people are singing the praises of the Altus, which means I would need to bring a windbreaker also. One item that is adequate for two uses, or two items that are very good for their intended use.
I'm going May/June. I'm not too worried about my legs getting wet, I normally walk in shorts. Yes, I have a pack cover or I can just put my stuff in dry bags or ziplock bags.
If you are going early May, I would definitely have some pants. I walked in a white-out snow storm at Cruz de Fero on May 12th. I was there in May a couple of years later and got a little snow. A beautiful time of year to walk for sure!!I'm going May/June. I'm not too worried about my legs getting wet, I normally walk in shorts. Yes, I have a pack cover or I can just put my stuff in dry bags or ziplock bags.
I have zip on pants legs for cold weather and formal events.If you are going early May, I would definitely have some pants. I walked in a white-out snow storm at Cruz de Fero on May 12th. I was there in May a couple of years later and got a little snow. A beautiful time of year to walk for sure!!
I can't decide which way to go. My original plan was to bring a rain jacket and use it as a windbreaker at other times. However, a lot of people are singing the praises of the Altus, which means I would need to bring a windbreaker also. One item that is adequate for two uses, or two items that are very good for their intended use.
In comparing the Altus to the warmth of a rain jacket, it would depend on the rain jacket. Without a doubt a gore-Tex rain jacket would be warmer. The Altus does provide warmth and breaks the wind, but you would need more than a mid-layer in extremely cold temperatures.When I walked in March we hit a snow storm that was pretty wicked around O Ceb. I had rain pants and a rain jacket that worked well in snow. I'd prefer to use an altus style poncho, but I'm not sure how that works to keep you warm if you are tramping through 6 inches of snow and walking backwards to avoid sleeting ice in your face. Does an altus style poncho offer enough protection from icy wind, assuming you have a mid layer on along with pants and shoes with dirty girl style gaitors?
Also, there's an altus style poncho on Amazon US that has good reviews written by fellow camino pilgrims. It supposedly weighs less than a lb and is pretty affordable.
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