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.

 

[Robo]

Always lots of debate about this.
We wear Merino shirts and very light gortex rain jacket & pants.
It can pour with rain all day and we stay dry….bone dry.

I suspect a lot depends on the quality of the gear.
But maybe also, the amount you sweat.
I always learned to adjust clothing and / or reduce exertion so as not to sweat too much when hiking.

Loosen collars, use layers, adjust headgear, 30% of body heat is lost through the head. If I go fast up a hill, wearing lots of layers, I’m going to sweat a lot….and I might get wet under my jacket. So I don’t and I don’t….

 

[JabbaPapa]

There is no fully waterproof solution, though as to the feet a good pair of army boots works well.

Some people seem to have no problems with perspiration in a poncho, but really : lucky them, but not all of us are like that.

The solution that works for me to avoid sweat problems is use a cape instead of a poncho, and it wouldn't need to be a traditional one, but really any kind that is open in front to let moisture out but protects your back, head, shoulders, and upper arms.

Apart from that, I saw a YT video recently suggesting that alpaca wool is superior to merino, more breathable and better at keeping rain out.

Something like this ? https://fr.ecualama.eu/collections/...pen-poncho-cape-shawl-blanket-unisex-handmade

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I saw a YT video recently suggesting that alpaca wool is superior to merino, more breathable and better at keeping rain out.

I have an Alpaca scarf I received as a gift from Peru; I'll bring that next time.

 

[Stivandrer]

Even the best of gear can clog up when constant rain hits, the internal humidity rises and the external layer is waterlogged.
I have an Endura MT 500 (bicycle) jacket (Sco)that has a very high water pressure number and still will get waterlogged in constant rain like yours does....

My merino solution is a 200 grams quality jumper with wool frotté fleece ( Woolpower, Sweden) that will become humid but still retains warming properties....

ps when indoors, I will turn it inside out and the loops will dry out fast and even faster in a bit of sunshine ( when there is any !!)

 

[david marquez]

Short answer, NO

 

[Bill905]

When you must walk in precipitation,
Exertion will cause some perspiration,
Rainwear will prevent its evaporation,
Hence you will have condensation.
I have found that on occasion,
Adjusting some zippers relieved frustration,
And allowed some controlled aeration
To reduce and control the condensation.

 

[amrmeaner]

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.

The best gear for wet weather is either a cafe or a bar. Simply do not walk in the rain and you will stay dry.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

The best gear for wet weather is either a cafe or a bar. Simply do not walk in the rain and you will stay dry.

It rained on the Invierno all day yesterday. I'd love to hang out in a cafe or bar and wait it out, but all day is too long, and I ain't taking a taxi unless I would be injured.

 

[mcm]

When you must walk in precipitation,
Exertion will cause some perspiration,
Rainwear will prevent its evaporation,
Hence you will have condensation.
I have found that on occasion,
Adjusting some zippers relieved frustration,
And allowed some controlled aeration
To reduce and control the condensation.

Very clever!

 

[Thomas Yingst]

The best gear for wet weather is either a cafe or a bar. Simply do not walk in the rain and you will stay dry.

 

[Thomas Yingst]

Or a taxi

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Or a taxi

If a pilgrim has a week of straight rain, which luckily I have never had, I would be disappointed to be arranging a taxi day after day to my end stages, with very little walking and unable to "smell the wet roses".

 

[t2andreo]

Through all the hoops you wil ljump to try to find a solution - hah! - ft chance, consider these two maxims:

1. Being wet and warm is sometimes not bad, and depending on the circumstances, can be very nice indeed.

2. Being cold and wet is NEVER good. It hastens hyperthermia, illness, poor judgment and accidents. Avoid being wet and cold.

I have learned to be as minimally wet as is possible, while maintaining body heat. I concentrate on keeping my head, feet and hands warm, first. The rest of my prodigious corpus is drip dry. Human bodies are like that. They do dry fairly fast when removed from the source of the wetness.

While I may not LIKE being wet to the skin, either through condensation or precipitation, as long as I can regulate my temperature, I know I will be okay. I may be wet and uncomfortable when I arrive at my day's destination, but I will be safe. Besides, that is part of the "charm" of a Camino!

I also found that wearing a baseball type "ball" cap with a visor is superior to any other style headgear when worn under a hood. As I wear eyeglasses, this also keep the "windscreen" relatively clear of water.

Wearing any other hat with an all-around brim will channel water down your back. It will find it's way into your rucksack through the back panel - even if it is covered on the front, and worn under a hiking poncho. Water will always find it's own level.

I hope this helps.

Tom