Is there really a waterproof solution

[BiggBlue]

I am convinced that if I ever manage to invent air-conditioned underwear or truly waterproof gear for the Camino that keeps you dry, I will become a millionaire. Today, I walked in heavy rain from about 7 in the morning until about 11. I wore a shower-proof jacket and topped it with my poncho. Within an hour, everything was wet.

If there is a secret to staying warm, I think it involves wearing merino wool next to your skin because it retains heat even when wet. Unfortunately, I didn't have merino wool on today, so I lost heat and felt very chilled by 11 o'clock, in the temperature sense, not the lifestyle sense.

Having done many Caminos, I am still unsure about the best formula for staying dry and warm. Any suggestions are most welcome.

 

[Anhalter]

When it rains for this long with some intensity there is practically no way to keep dry. Simply because your sweat has no where to go. So even with the best raingear, you will become wet. Period. The trick is wearing clothes that still provide warmth when wet, like merino or polypropylen.

(technically you use an umbrella, i hear good things about it, but that will also only get you so far)

 

[MikeJS]

Never had a problem with my poncho letting in the wet and it is a 10 euro one bought in Spain.

 

[Lindsay53]

Had the same issue this morning. My high tech waterproof jacket has armpit zips and all the bells and whistles but I still end up soaking wet from sweat. Basically, anything that keeps moisture out also keeps it in.

 

[K_Lynn]

It rained every day when I walked Ingles last year at the end of October. I wore a merino tank, light long sleeve shirt and a light merino jacket under my poncho. I bought my poncho from Decathlon (dead cheap!) full sleeves with elastic cuffs, seamed sides and a 1/4 zip that was very easy to put on over my pack. the front of my shirt would often get wet because I have the bad habit of unzipping my poncho to check the map on my phone (worn on a lanyard). I was never too cold while walking or excessively sweaty with the poncho.

On both my Caminos I was frequently chilly the minute I stopped walking. I would take off my poncho, and pull on an ultralight polartech fleece and be toasty in a few minutes. On chilly mornings I wore merino glove liners, they're very thin but worked even in the rain. On my first Camino (september/october) I did buy a pair of hiking pants and a light jacket along the way as I found my leggings were not keeping me warm enough and I hadn't discovered polartech fleece yet lol.

Short answer: layers are always your friend.

 

[BiggBlue]

Never had a problem with my poncho letting in the wet and it is a 10 euro one bought in Spain.

My poncho is waterproof- its the condensation that sneaks up rather unexpectedly

 

[MikeJS]

My poncho is waterproof- its the condensation that sneaks up rather unexpectedly

That is why I only wear shorts and a thin top under my poncho.

 

[emmanuel]

That is why I only wear shorts and a thin top under my poncho.

Sounds kinky.