frank john
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- October 2016
October-November 2024
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These are great suggestions. I’ve never worn a hat before since I walk in October/november. I just remember the poncho flapping in the wind. Pants very wet but pack and head dry. Never thought about glasses fogging up.I think that it comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer a poncho while others like me prefer a jacket and pack cover. I stopped wearing rain pants a few years ago and just wear quick-drying pants with a light rain jacket w/hood. I haven't had any issues with my pack cover trapping any water. I've also hiked with many who swear by the poncho.
So to answer your question, I do think that a rain jacket, rain pants, and pack cover are enough to get you by in the rain.
Frank,Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
May 2024 was quite rainy. I had no rain pants but a garbage bag around my waist worked well as a rain kilt. Light, and easily packed.Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
I’ve used ponchos but I don’t get on with them. Fine if you have a companion to help you in and out and sort out the drape over your pack otherwise a struggle for limited benefit.
I see comments like this all the time and I do not doubt either of you for a moment. But I seriously wonder why this is the case.Many times helped pilgrims maneuver their ponchos on in wind and rain - no thanks!
You will get wet. Not a deal breaker, just annoying. Trash bag as an internal rain barrier in my backpack worked.Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
FrankHi Frank, I tend to wear a rain jacket and shorts ( skin is waterproof and dries easily). I use a pack cover because I want to be confident that I’ll have dry clothes to change in to if my jacket fails. Sometimes in heavy or continuous rain the “pumping” action of rucksack straps will force water through even the most expensive of the available “outdoor” gear. Every thing in my rucksack is in dry bags because pack covers don’t cover the bit between you and your rucksack and over all day down pours water will get where it wants to go. I’ve used ponchos but I don’t get on with them. Fine if you have a companion to help you in and out and sort out the drape over your pack otherwise a struggle for limited benefit.
Were you looking for a definitive answer? There ain’t one
I see comments like this all the time and I do not doubt either of you for a moment. But I seriously wonder why this is the case.
I have a simple basic decathlon poncho.
I can take it out of the side pocket of my pack without taking off my pack, put my arms through the sleeves, chuck it up and over myself and my pack and pull it down in roughly 30 seconds. I don't even have to take my baseball cap off.
I'm not some superfit, super flexible young thing, I'm 60 years old.
I just tried an alternative as well - simply releasing waist and chest straps, sliding the Pack so it hangs off one shoulder, removing the poncho, doing the straps back up and putting it on - again, under a minute.
Sure I practiced a couple of times before I got it initially but after using this a few times it just became second nature. Very occasionally it's got caught on top of my pack: I simply pull it back towards my head and then flick it backwards again and down it goes. A video including this will be part of my rain Gear video that'll come out sometime in the next month or two (I need to get some rain first!).
It also comes off really quickly and easily should the rain cease. I then stuff it back into the side pocket until I need it again (occasionally just 10 minutes later).
Last October it rained so hard for so long, nothing worked. Anything remotely rainproof makes one sweat - bad. Went I took all my protective layers off, I was still soaked. A poncho does help keep the bag dry. I walked with a bag cover and everything still got soaked. A poncho over the bag cover seemed to work.Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
I’ll happily walk with you in the rainI see comments like this all the time and I do not doubt either of you for a moment. But I seriously wonder why this is the case.
I have a simple basic decathlon poncho.
I can take it out of the side pocket of my pack without taking off my pack, put my arms through the sleeves, chuck it up and over myself and my pack and pull it down in roughly 30 seconds. I don't even have to take my baseball cap off.
I'm not some superfit, super flexible young thing, I'm 60 years old.
I just tried an alternative as well - simply releasing waist and chest straps, sliding the Pack so it hangs off one shoulder, removing the poncho, doing the straps back up and putting it on - again, under a minute.
Sure I practiced a couple of times before I got it initially but after using this a few times it just became second nature. Very occasionally it's got caught on top of my pack: I simply pull it back towards my head and then flick it backwards again and down it goes. A video including this will be part of my rain Gear video that'll come out sometime in the next month or two (I need to get some rain first!).
It also comes off really quickly and easily should the rain cease. I then stuff it back into the side pocket until I need it again (occasionally just 10 minutes later).
Ever tried to put on a poncho over your pack on your own in windy and rainy weather?Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
Honestly, I had no trouble at all putting my Altus on and off multiple times a day (Or hour!). After the first couple of days I rarely even stopped, just did it while continuing walking. My pack stayed completely, totally dry the whole 3 weeks of rain.Ever tried to put on a poncho over your pack on your own in windy and rainy weather?
That will give you some idea of how difficult it is.
Rain jacket doubles as a wind cheater as well so much more versatile. Rain pants keep rain off and if warm can be worn over underwear.
Very versatile, easy to put on however nothing keeps out really heavy wind driven rain. A friend had a poncho torn to shreds crossing the Pyrenees.
What would you use most afterwards?
Buen Camino
Mark
As I said just a few posts above, frequently. It's extremely easy. It's also much quicker than putting on a rain jacket. And whilst my rain jacket and pants typically stay in my cupboard, my poncho is with me in my day pack nearly every day in normal life - it's far more practical. No more wet crotch or backside.Ever tried to put on a poncho over your pack on your own in windy and rainy weather?
I have a similar questionHello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
Yes, but having the warmer lining attached means that the jacket only serves one purpose - rain protection in cold weather.I thought a thicker lined rain jacket would serve a dual purpose of warmth plus rain protection.
I often walk this time of year and even into December. Rain gear is essential always but probably even more so in October. My personal preference is the Packa, similar to the Altus in that it’s a combination rain jacket / poncho that also covers the backpack. I haven’t used the Altus but many folks on this forum are probably familiar with it. My Packa is waterproof, has all the functionality of a rain jacket, with put zips for ventilation and cinch cords to tighten things down if it’s windy. Even the portion that covers the backpack is cinchable. And, unlike a poncho, the Packa does not flap around in the wind. Check out the website and watch the video for more info about features.Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
I hear you and I could not find that. The light rain jackets were so light they seemed like they would not do anything. If only there were perfect Camino clothes. We need to open a returned pilgrim store that has all the best gear! REI has been a bit disappointing this Camino. On the other hand, I grew up in Florida and when it's 65 I'm freezing, so the lined jacket will likely be worn a lot!!! :-0 ) but if you have any favorites, feel free to recommend them. I have three more days until I depart.Yes, but having the warmer lining attached means that the jacket only serves one purpose - rain protection in cold weather.
It provides more flexibility if you have two separate layers that can be combined as needed (or not needed) - a light long sleeve layer to wear with or without other layers, and a light waterproof shell that can be worn alone or with whatever layers are needed.
i’d rather have an excellent quality rain jacket than a trouser.Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
The purpose of a rain jacket is to keep you dry. If it does that it's doing it's job. If you want warmth you layer something underneath it.I hear you and I could not find that. The light rain jackets were so light they seemed like they would not do anything
We think this, but what we have are a variety of materials that won't let moisture pass. More modern fabrics will allow transpiration of vapour, which allows some of our sweat vapour to escape, but otherwise it keeps sweat in as much as it keeps rain out. So it is naive to think that we will stay dry if we are active enough to raise a sweat. I always hope that getting wet from my (warm) sweat is a better option than getting both wet and cold from the rain. As I noted earlier, it isn't always so.The purpose of a rain jacket is to keep you dry. If it does that it's doing it's job. If you want warmth you layer something underneath it.
Good advice, but I live in the desert.I always keep the inside of my pack lined inside with a trash bag. In addition all clothes are sealed in plastic,so there is no worry they will get wet.
Whatever system you decide upon, walk with it at home on a rainy day in training.
There's always the shower.Good advice, but I live in the desert.
Thankfully I have the Decathlon poncho as well.I see comments like this all the time and I do not doubt either of you for a moment. But I seriously wonder why this is the case.
I have a simple basic decathlon poncho.
I can take it out of the side pocket of my pack without taking off my pack, put my arms through the sleeves, chuck it up and over myself and my pack and pull it down in roughly 30 seconds. I don't even have to take my baseball cap off.
I'm not some superfit, super flexible young thing, I'm 60 years old.
I just tried an alternative as well - simply releasing waist and chest straps, sliding the Pack so it hangs off one shoulder, removing the poncho, doing the straps back up and putting it on - again, under a minute.
Sure I practiced a couple of times before I got it initially but after using this a few times it just became second nature. Very occasionally it's got caught on top of my pack: I simply pull it back towards my head and then flick it backwards again and down it goes. A video including this will be part of my rain Gear video that'll come out sometime in the next month or two (I need to get some rain first!).
It also comes off really quickly and easily should the rain cease. I then stuff it back into the side pocket until I need it again (occasionally just 10 minutes later).
Ola Frank. I’ve done Camino with and without rain pants. I’m going again in 2 weeks and I’ll take rain pants , they are light and worth it.Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
In September 2015, my husband and I walked the first day of our very first walk on the Camino Frances in the remnants of a tropical storm. So lots of driving rain and plenty of wind! It's a wonder we didn't quit and go home! But we sure did learn fast about what not to do! So here's a couple of additions to what everyone else has already said:Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
Shorts in November? We Americans are known for wearing shorts even into the dead of winter, lol, but just wondering if that's a good idea for Camino.Hi Frank, I tend to wear a rain jacket and shorts ( skin is waterproof and dries easily). I use a pack cover because I want to be confident that I’ll have dry clothes to change in to if my jacket fails. Sometimes in heavy or continuous rain the “pumping” action of rucksack straps will force water through even the most expensive of the available “outdoor” gear. Every thing in my rucksack is in dry bags because pack covers don’t cover the bit between you and your rucksack and over all day down pours water will get where it wants to go. I’ve used ponchos but I don’t get on with them. Fine if you have a companion to help you in and out and sort out the drape over your pack otherwise a struggle for limited benefit.
Were you looking for a definitive answer? There ain’t one
Would you mind sharing a favorite brand or two for quick-drying pants? Thanks.I think that it comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer a poncho while others like me prefer a jacket and pack cover. I stopped wearing rain pants a few years ago and just wear quick-drying pants with a light rain jacket w/hood. I haven't had any issues with my pack cover trapping any water. I've also hiked with many who swear by the poncho.
So to answer your question, I do think that a rain jacket, rain pants, and pack cover are enough to get you by in the rain.
That's what I'm considering too, although we may opt for the Via de la Plata, pending more information. If we go for Frances, maybe we'll see each other.Hello all. I’ll be walking the Camino CF in late October thru November. It’s been 8years since my last Camino. Given the likelihood of rain, is wearing a light, hooded rain jacket, plus a backpack cover and rain pants enough coverage instead of the Altus rain poncho? Are the rain pants necessary?
Thanks for any suggestions
Frank
I like Prana Stretch Zion pants, but they have gotten pricey. Last Camino I went with Adidas Tiro training track pants.Would you mind sharing a favorite brand or two for quick-drying pants? Thanks.
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