rain gear seems to be the hardest thing for me to decide on!

so im thinking about making my own...

anyone have suggestions on fabric? looking for light durable and not overly expensive.

anyone ideas? :)

It depends on what you're trying to make.

Rain Gear...

Shawn, it depends on what kind of rain gear you are trying to make.

A short rain jacket might be one fabric. A long hooded rain parka might be another. Rain pants might be another. A poncho might be another.

--B.G.--

Add to that list:
anorak
parcho
kilt
rain sleeves
mittens
gloves
hat
umbrella

calgoule

I would use different materials if making a poncho/pack cover/groundsheet versus a w/p/b jacket and pants or rain skirt or poncho and chaps or poncho with a hat cover and detachable sleeves or etc etc

What type of rain gear are you considering?

Edit: repetive ideas due to my slow posting from an iPhone.

Edited by bluewater on 03/25/2012 21:01:22 MDT.

sorry i didnt realise there was so many types!

im more of a pants and jacket (w/hood) kinda guy. not a big fan of panchos...

Shawn, just for one place to start, take a look at the Liberty Ridge kits sold by Thru-Hiker, and look at the fabrics used there.

Some people would want something that is mostly waterproof and mostly breathable. However, some people are hotter and some are colder, so there are fully waterproof items like Sil-Nylon, event, etc.

--B.G.--

more waterproof is important to me. i live on the oregon coast, we see alot of rain. i could always add some pit zips for more vent

If light and durable are your main requirements I have also had good results with the Liberty Ridge pattern (Thru-Hiker). Silnylon is a good value, but not breathable. W/p/b cuben at Zpacks is supposed to be good (and durable), but at a price ($60/sqyd ouch).

Most of the MYOG suppliers offer WPBs, but few provide specific weights.
One that does, is Questoutfitters.com, and they have several offerings under 3 oz. per square yard. Cost runs $13-14 per running yard.

Edited by scfhome on 03/25/2012 23:18:27 MDT.

rockywoods sells gtx fabrics

I recently made an anorak with a 2.5-layer WPB fabric from Quest Outfitters. I think I paid about $10-11 a yard for 2nds. (I only need about 1.5 yds for an anorak 2/hood.) Simple design without pockets or fancy hood. Completed weight is 5oz on my scale.

Try some Versatech. I'm not sure of its weight, but the price is great.

Recently tested out tyvek tarp in a very serious rain storm. Anybody have experience with tyvek weeping once it has been softened? Mine held up pretty well for extreme conditions. Ridgeline weeped a very small amount but I was still the driest guy there.

Sumi,

I don't suppose you have a pattern for this somewhere?

Cheers,
Corey

@Corey, I just used a McCall's pattern (M6252) purchased from JoAnn's. I altered the neck/hood area a bit so that the zipper is longer and comes up to just under my chin. Used the same simple hood design but cut the pattern to fit my head.

I previously made it out of silnylon (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=42386) and it's been really useful but I wanted something a little more breathable, even if a few ounces heavier. Since I took the pics, I've added an elastic cinch cord around the hood, which I did for the WPB version as well. I also dropped the back hem so that it covers my butt.

The 2.5-layer WPB fabric that I got has abolutely no give and that made the sleeves really tricky, more so than the silnylon. I would try to find a pattern with raglan sleeves for this. Either way, it would be simple to sew in pitzips if you want.

I would use 2.5 layer WPB from Quest

I don't think pit zips offer a big enough opening to provide significant ventilation

Full zipper on the front offers more ventilation

That's my experience in Oregon where it rains often : )