What is your preferred rain gear?

[Jason Philips]

Good morning everyone. As the weather changes and the sun starts dropping early you know the rains are coming.

I was out this weekend and picked up a simple rain pant and wanted to ask what rain gear people are using. And do you recommend it, and of course what sort of pricing range.

Rain golf will be coming soon enough, are you going to be sitting inside with a quilt and a book or will you be out slogging it in the trenches looking for the disc that slipped from your hands?

And for those in Portland, hope you stopped by Next Adventure over the weekend to get some deals. The sales were thick.

[emmarose]

gaiters and an umbrella and fleece beanies or an oilskin rainhat (i would have the OR rainhat but after 15 years mine finally bit the big one and somehow in the Shack this random oilskin one turned up).

i rock nike dri-fit shirts and running tights as underneath layers and have a really great fleece hoodie that is super absorbent and keeps the rain from reaching my underlayers pretty well (except for on the shoulders where my bag sits).

i just can't play in rain gear. too constrictive.

i also bring several changes of clothes and shoes for if i'm playing multiple rounds in the rain. starting each round dry makes a big difference.

[General Scales]

Coleman Xtreme jacket and pant. 65 bucks total at Walmart and is incredibly waterproof and non restrictive. The only issue is the jacket does not breathe well.

[matt]

i have a helly hanson shell/coat with lots of zippered vents
but i need some pants
i did just buy a couple pairs of north face shoes to keep my toes dry

[Matt Kelly]

I like Columbia's rain pants and jackets, but they are a little bit pricey. I have a huk-lab square umbrella that I love and a North Face Gore-tex baseball cap. But most importantly 2 pairs of North Face boots and several changes of socks, so I can change them at every opportunity. (The gore-tex in the boots does keep water out for a while, but after a couple of deep puddles they don't seem to do so as well.)

[Darr]

Nike makes Gore-Tex trail running shoes that have kept my feet dry as a bone for 5 years of wet, cold, Oregon TDG. I buy a new pair every season and they haven't failed me yet. It helps to have the hook up with the employee discount, they end up being $60.

[JMan]

A comforter my Grandmother made and gave me years ago...keeps me so warm looking out the window at all that rain...lol

[J.P.]

It cost a lot of money, but if you can afford GoreActive is incredible fabric. Every large outdoor company has a piece that uses it and its extremely light fabric that will take a downpour, stretch with your movement, breathes like a champ, and is lightweight. My favorite is the axiom jacket by outdoor research. I work for an outdoor retailer so the manufactures come in every season explaining the new line, and every companies GoreActive piece has been a winner. If you have money to waste on something other than plastic check out of these for the rainy season.

[Celeste]

I've had a Sherpa hard shell set that I've worn for team golf the last three years. They're still really waterproof. They're nice and breathable with the type of fabric and lots of vents. The fabric also has a bit of a stretch to it and nice articulated elbows. It's a close enough fit that the fabric doesn't get bunched up or in the way when I'm throwing. It's an investment but I found them both on sale at Next Adventure and got them with scrip for less than $100 each. Here's links although mine are probably an older version.

Pants:
http://www.sherpaadventuregear.com/fw12-womens-hard-shell.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v5.tpl&product_id=418&category_id=65

Jacket:
http://www.sherpaadventuregear.com/fw12-womens-hard-shell.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v5.tpl&product_id=419&category_id=65

I wear the Salomon GoreTex Trail runners. They seem to last about a year or two of playing all through the winter.
http://www.salomon.com/us/product/xa-pro-3d-ultra-2-gtx-w.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=dt_salomon%2Bxa%2Bpro%2B3d%2Bultra%2Bgtx&utm_campaign=SKU%2BFootwear%2B-%2BDesktop&CMPID=ps_gg_us_salbrand_dt_salomon%2Bxa%2Bpro%2B3d %2Bultra%2Bgtx

[Jason Philips]

Loving the suggestions. Keep them coming. I don't want this thread to be just for me. Would love for people to be able to see what other people are using.

[CarlitosBonitos]

An Umbrella and 5 or 6 towels per round kept in a zip loc bag. I wear my normal disc golf clothes and as long as I keep the umbrella over me or my bag while i am throwing and make sure to have a new towel clipped to my belt every 3 to 4 holes I have zero problems. I cannot stand wearing rain jacket or pants. Although I do admit waterproof Gore-tex Salomons' & Wool Socks are a must for the feet/ toes.

[Chelle]

I ended up last year for TDG finally getting a pair of waterproof Keens; what a life saver.

I pack extra socks/extra pants/extra shirt and extra warm hoodie to change into between rounds or at the end.

A couple hats and LOTS of packs of hot hands.

But the best overall ticket to my happiness a football handwarmer (it even has an internal pouch for my hot hands). HEAVEN!!!

[matt]

i have a helly hanson shell/coat with lots of zippered vents
but i need some pants
i did just buy a couple pairs of north face shoes to keep my toes dry

i will recommend the helly hanson coat
but i dont recommend the northface shoes, they dont seem to last very long when compared to how much they cost (but they are the best shoes i have found that fit my narrow feet)

also, the other really cool wet weather item i have is......
my fade bag - weather gaurd suspenders (http://fadegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=96) they are pretty good at keeping everything dry, plus there is room to throw extra stuff in behind the bag

[dan mc]

Nike storm light golf shirts. Foot joy golf rain pants. Lots of cool cheap ball golf rain gear at tgw.com. Also check out Nike outlet stores for killer deals on golf rain gear. The Centralia outlet mall has Nike and Helley Hanson stores next door to each other

[Jason Philips]

I think for shoes my preference is Merrell. They are a perfect fit for my feet. I find Solomon and Keen to be a little too narrow for my feet.

I just picked up a pair of Red Edge rain pants from Next Adventure.

I have an REI coat for rain purposes.

Then add a Columbia Sportswear wide brimmed hat and I am fairly warm and dry.

I am thinking this year of getting a different coat. I'll have to shop around for something that works for me. I know I need new shoes and I'll be picking some up soon but paired with my Seal Skinz nearly any shoe can work with good tread.

[emmarose]

yo, phillips! the only raincoat i've ever been able to play in is the Marmot Precip. it's not any more expensive than an average good rain coat (which means waaaaayyy more expensive than the big ol' golf umbrella my dad left on the porch when he moved out of the Shack) and it lasted me a good 2 or maybe even 3 seasons.



p.s. i also totally trust people who like big butts... :biggrin2:

[puttmin]

All the 70-100$ raincoats look good the last cpl yrs, but... the all have the (fancy) plastic liners (breathable though) fused to the fabric, which would be fine for hiking-general outdoor stuff, but once you wear a softspot(crack) its not wp. Thus the dilema for us golfers who are constantly rubbing straps on our shoulders.1-2 yrs use i'm thinkin...
You get what you pay for. So to bump up to the next step your lookin at 169$ and up to get a gore-tex like fabric or even lighter,better versions now competing. I got a REI Kimtah rain jacket last yr w their Event fabric. I got a score @ 125$ w a sale, new mbrshp coupon, a 229$ coat. I wanted all around wp coat for mtnbiking and everyday wear, downpour mushroom hunting,camping...I wore this thing in the shower for 15min when I got it, bone dry. wore it for a yr,packed up in a little ball for the golf bag. awesome coat, someone jacked it at bar poker. They updated the coat this yr, moved the pockets(seamed) for better bkpacking, 239$ right now, 20% sale Oct 5 through I dont know(cpl wks). Highly recomend this jacket.(w a sweater it was my winter coat, bike commuter)
Stopped at columbia outlet in Bend last wk, they had their new version of goretx in a pretty good raincoat for 129$, you could see the step down in construction, but it wasnt that fancy plastic...
SHOES. Went to Sports Authority beginning last summer, Alpine design keen lookalikes 35$. lots of waterproof golf for a yr n a half. discontinued, gotta drop a hundo to get the real deal(REI sale oct 5-?) 20 % off coupon.
Hope this saves a few ppl an hr here and there.

[Jason Philips]

yo, phillips! the only raincoat i've ever been able to play in is the Marmot Precip. it's not any more expensive than an average good rain coat (which means waaaaayyy more expensive than the big ol' golf umbrella my dad left on the porch when he moved out of the Shack) and it lasted me a good 2 or maybe even 3 seasons.



p.s. i also totally trust people who like big butts... :biggrin2:

Marmot is great gear. I also am a member on TheClymb.com and see Marmot on there occasionally. I do swear by Columbia Sportswear. The outlet stores are a great value. Lots of sales happening there and lots of good layers.

Any suggestions on keeping hands and discs dry outside of the usual towels and microfiber? Curious about this one.

What can I say, I cannot lie Emma.

[NWDiscer]

you other brothers cant deny...

[emmarose]

and this is what i do for hands and discs:

first off, the grip bag has the most rad rain fly ever and that keeps everything in the bag dry. makes a pretty big difference.

here's how my towel system works: i have 3 towels in use at all times. the designated mud towel, the binky and the pocket towel. the designated mud towel is a section of shamwow that i use for wiping off mud and gobs of yuck and a ton of excess moisture. then i use the binky (a baby blue next adventure micro fiber towel) to wipe off any more moisture. then i stick my disc under my fleece hoodie until it is my turn to throw. then i use the pocket towel (which lives in my pocket most likely to stay dry) for a last minute dry off of fingers and disc.

sometimes i have two sections of shamwow... one for mud and one just for excess moisture. i pack 2 spare set ups in a ziplock bag.

[Jason Philips]

Good system. I think we need a shamwow endorsement in this sport. I think it could be another sponsorship opportunity.

[rasfade]

great suggestions! I like your towel system emmarose...was trying to decide how many spare sets I would need and a good system to use so that tip really helps.....it is my first year to start playing a ton in the winter, but I have tons of snow and extreme rain backpacking and mountain biking experience.....

I use a Marmot precip for many acitivities paired with rei goretex pants, but with my unusual body type(6 foot 4 and fairly skinny) the xl jacket size that fits my arms is a little too bulky in the chest and stomach and tends to get in the way for me for some more active pursuits, even though it is an awesome rain shell for snowboarding, snow camping with lots of layers, and also a great value for the quality in my experience....

I have gravitated to higher end bicycling oriented rain gear due to a really streamlined cut in the model I found (size L, arms are a bit short)....made by performance bikes and a great value therefore, pretty sure it is just called the "Commuter" jacket and pants, they have sweet illuminite panels too which are hardly useful for disc but great for the bike ride home or not getting hit in the parking lot at dusk! haha!

I agree with most people about shoes, would like to add from many, many years of wet hiking that the best route i have found sock-wise is wool socks paired with a pair of ultra thin polypro liner socks, I use wigwam gobi, i think, for liners...I have guaranteed many peeps enhanced comfort and a complete lack of blisters with this dual sock setup and had many satisfied guarantee-ees:) Considered trying waterproof socks but have read so many horrible reviews of these I think I will just keep lots of spare socks and use goretex lined shoes...for me my feet are usually way too hot in goretex lined shoes but with disc golf movement is minimal so these will probably work best I am thinking....

I plan to bring rain gear and a large umbrella this year, but avoid wearing the rain gear at all costs so as not to hamper my throws...I wear shorts whenever possible and just focus on keeping the core dry except in dangerously cold scenarios (which rarely occur in oregon in the valleys for me, but keep in mind i am known for running exceptionally warm body temp wise)....for the upper I love a fleece vest, arm warmers and a synthetic shirt of some kind....also my mountain hardwear windshirt is a great addition and is amazingly packable and awesome for light rain, mobility, and a great warming layer.

[J.P.]

If you are using a GoreTex lined shoes without a wool sock you will lose a ton of breathablity. The way GORE breathes is transferring moisture when it is in a vapor state. Synthetic materials wick on a liquid level so they never transfer the liquid through the membrane. If you switch to lightweight wool socks (Smartwool, tecko, or Darntough they are the longest lasting) they wick moisture at a vapor state increasing the breathability of shoes.

[ScottW]

My rain gear kicks @$$. Starting at the bottom I wear the Oboz Firebrand shoes, expensive but durable, waterproof, and great for disc golf, next is waterproof gaiters, water proof and breathable pants - legs sweat has to escape, a waterproof and breathable jacket that is just a shell because I am a sweater - snug but not too tight and definitely not too loose with velcro/elastic cuffs so the don't slip over my hands, and HUGE umbrella. My golf umbrella is what I go to first to keep me dry and if it's miserable then I will layer up. I get ALL of my rain gear at REI. Their return policy alone is worth any extra cost - perhaps I did not get my umbrella there though. I think my rain jacket is Mountain Hardwear or along those lines and it has its own stuff sack that I can cram into/or clip to my bag if I no longer need the jacket. Raingear is a must.

[blu666z]

If you are using a GoreTex lined shoes without a wool sock you will lose a ton of breathablity. The way GORE breathes is transferring moisture when it is in a vapor state. Synthetic materials wick on a liquid level so they never transfer the liquid through the membrane. If you switch to lightweight wool socks (Smartwool, tecko, or Darntough they are the longest lasting) they wick moisture at a vapor state increasing the breathability of shoes.


http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mind-blown.gif

[overstable, underthrown]

Here's how I do it!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyYa6uLWFj8
Does this look like Maple Hill in Leicester, MA to anyone else?

[PDX_Stu]

Can anyone tell me where you can get a pair of waterproof socks\liners? I used to buy Rockys. I want to buy them at a local retail outlet. Is there anywhere in town - outdoor store, hunting\fishing place you can find these? I can't find them in PDX anymore and not in Hood River or Corvallis either. Nothing found at Dick's, REI, Sports Authority, Next Adventure, ETC.. I don't shop on the internet..

Thanks !

STU

[Jason Philips]

Can anyone tell me where you can get a pair of waterproof socks\liners? I used to buy Rockys. I want to buy them at a local retail outlet. Is there anywhere in town - outdoor store, hunting\fishing place you can find these? I can't find them in PDX anymore and not in Hood River or Corvallis either. Nothing found at Dick's, REI, Sports Authority, Next Adventure, ETC.. I don't shop on the internet..

Thanks !

STU


I haven't found any locally and I am sure I am just not looking in the right places. I'd love to know as well.

[Mcw5378]

Next time you pass thru Salem might wanna try The Sportsmans Warehouse. It's just off I-5 on Lancaster & Hwy 22.

[PhilStomp]

There are two types of rain. Drizzle / rain and bloody F-n down poor.
For Drizzle / rain most anything will due.
For the F-n down poor only Columbia - Titanium holds up. Mine never leaves the car unless in use.
Spendy but I have no regrets on that purchase.

[Carie CPink]

Can anyone tell me where you can get a pair of waterproof socks\liners? I used to buy Rockys. I want to buy them at a local retail outlet. Is there anywhere in town - outdoor store, hunting\fishing place you can find these? I can't find them in PDX anymore and not in Hood River or Corvallis either. Nothing found at Dick's, REI, Sports Authority, Next Adventure, ETC.. I don't shop on the internet..

Thanks !

STU

Stu,

Last pair of Rocky GoreTex socks I have found in Portland was at G.I. Joe's. No fisherman's warehouse or other outdoor stores. These were the cheapest I found online: http://www.botachtactical.com/rocgorsoc.html for $42.

REI has them for $60! :waaah:

Cheers!

[Jason Philips]

Seems plastic bags inside of the shoes would be cheaper. Ha!

[olydiscgolf]

Zero Restriction Golf wear. http://www.zerorestriction.com/shop-mens/waterproof-rainwear.html

Its the most comfortable/ least restrictive that I've found and the water proofing seems to hold up. Not easy on the wallet, but nothing of quality is.

[Jason Philips]

Got some new shoes this weekend. Picked up a pair of Columbia Sportswear mid waterproof hikers (Model escapes me at this moment). A two mile hike in last nights downpour and my feet were bone dry. My rain coat failed miserably so on to raincoats now.

[J.P.]

Just picked up the highest end rain jacket I could. I got an insane deal through work so I picked up the Arcteryx Beta FL. It the thing gear whore's dreams are made of. Im pretty sure that for that price it comes with a force field.

[Casey Kimball]

Here's how I do it!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyYa6uLWFj8
Does this look like Maple Hill in Leicester, MA to anyone else?

Haha! I don't know about Maple Hill but that is awesome....Thanks for posting!

[matt]

i will recommend the
the other really cool wet weather item i have is......
my fade bag - weather gaurd suspenders (http://fadegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=96) they are pretty good at keeping everything dry, plus there is room to throw extra stuff in behind the bag
I just think these are great
at the fall fling my bag was dry!
Even though I wasn't.