To rainwear or not?

[Caligal]

Last year I walked from Pamplona to Santiago in April/May lots of rain! I had a rain jacket, pack cover and a poncho, was thankful for all three as I kept dry and warm. This year I am walking in Sept/Oct. Pamplona to Sarria, taking train to Porto and doing the CP to Santiago, then the Santiago-Finisterre- Muxia - Santiago Camino. Do I need all 3 of my rain gear or can i get by with just a poncho? Thanks for any advice. Dee

 

[Juspassinthru]

Caligal,

You never know about the weather but being prepared is better than not. For the first time, I’m considering a poncho instead of a rain jacket. I like the extra layer the jacket provides and I don’t like a poncho blowing in the wind but for gentle rain, a poncho is more comfortable/cool. I won’t take both, I’ll make my decision based on the extended forecast and cross my fingers. I leave on May 30. The extended forecast for Spain and Portugal is above average temps. Good luck.

 

[FLEUR]

if we had a crystal ball we might be able to answer your question.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

You could try an Altus rain poncho with gators. Would replace need for rain jacket/pants and bag cover and easy to unzip for venting when necessary. could check a bunch of your boxes.

 

[ranthr]

I always take both rain jacket, raintrousers, gaiters , raincover to my bp and poncho, october may be cold and rainy, bring some warm clothes for cold albergues as well, and a headlight for dark mornings.

 

[David Tallan]

Many people find a poncho enough. It probably depends on how much it would bother you if it wasn't and you got wet.

 

[Hobbyhorse]

I did as Jozero suggesed: Altus poncho (adding gators when needed). It worked perfectly for both of my Camino's on the Frances. Loved both the venting aspect and the ease of keeping the poncho at hand, just wrapping the poncho arms through my pack waist straps and leaving the pack covered as the rain kept switching on & off. Got my Altus in SJPDP.

 

[Northernlights]

I bought a packa years ago and it is perfect. Pack cover and rain jacket in one http://www.thepacka.com/

 

[John Sikora]

Poncho was enough for me. The Ferrino poncho that I have has a reflective inside lining that keeps you real toasty.

When it rains you will get somewhat wet. Warmth is more important than dry

 

[NorthernLight]

I use a poncho and a very lightweight jacket. They get used in various combinations. I use a pack cover also. I have rainpants that only come on late season caminos. I'm okay with wet trousers, but not cold and wet.

 

[JeepsNRoses]

I bought a packa years ago and it is perfect. Pack cover and rain jacket in one http://www.thepacka.com/

Northernlights which model did you purchase. The Packa looks convenient although noisy.

 

[Dave2525]

My rain jacket also served as a windbreaker. It worked well both for walking, hanging out in the evening, etc. My sea-to-summit poncho was used the only 2 days it rained

 

[Leigh Macklin]

How comfortable are you with being wet? As long as I am not cold (10C+), I am good with being wet. So I bring:
- light rain coat (doubles as a windbreaker for evenings)
- short gaiters
- neoprene socks
- merino hoodie
and my smartwook socks can double-up as mittens

 

[Mark Barnes]

My Camino (Sept - Nov 2017) I took a Gortex jacket and rain pants. I sweated a lot wearing these and ended up as wet wearing these from the sweat as I would have from the rain. Now when hiking I take a Frogtogg poncho and a length of paracord to tie around my waist if the wind gets high.

 

[Packinglight]

I also have this question: due to work I can only go in July. I’m leaving from Pamplona the first week of July. Would I typically require a raincoat in high summer? Mine is huge and heavy, because I am rather huge and heavy.

 

[Northernlights]

Northernlights which model did you purchase. The Packa looks convenient although noisy.

I contacted the owner and he asked me what pack I used and he makes them to fit. You would think they would be noisy but they surprisingly are not. The material is very soft, no crunchy noise

 

[Rudie]

I also have this question: due to work I can only go in July. I’m leaving from Pamplona the first week of July. Would I typically require a raincoat in high summer? Mine is huge and heavy, because I am rather huge and heavy.

Just get some Frogg Toggs and you are good. They are huge, extremely lightweight, unless Goretex they never wet out and best of all, you can have them for like 15 bucks.

 

[James_Anderson]

Last year I walked from Pamplona to Santiago in April/May lots of rain! I had a rain jacket, pack cover and a poncho, was thankful for all three as I kept dry and warm. This year I am walking in Sept/Oct. Pamplona to Sarria, taking train to Porto and doing the CP to Santiago, then the Santiago-Finisterre- Muxia - Santiago Camino. Do I need all 3 of my rain gear or can i get by with just a poncho? Thanks for any advice. Dee

Yeah! It may be rain or not. But, you should carry all 3 pieces.

 

[WayWalker]

Three caminos in Sept/Oct. CF, CP and Norte respectively. Used our rain suits and pack covers on all three.

 

[KariC]

When I did the CP in the last 1/2 of September, one day of light rain - my ultralightweight raincoat, my dirtygirl gaitors (also ultralightweight) and a pack cover were all I needed.
While I didn't need these, I brought latex gloves to wear over lightweight wool gloves - another untralightweight idea.

 

[Packinglight]

Just get some Frogg Toggs and you are good. They are huge, extremely lightweight, unless Goretex they never wet out and best of all, you can have them for like 15 bucks.

I haven’t heard of Frogg Toggs, but I will do some googling to see if they are available where I live (Europe)

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I haven’t heard of Frogg Toggs, but I will do some googling to see if they are available where I live (Europe)

If you have access to Amazon, they probably are available.