Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Good Gear for Rain?

So a couple weeks ago (2/6) I was in the Manker Flats area all day in the pouring/freezing rain. Finally snowed some "grapple" later in the day.

Went through several pairs of gloves - all soaking wet. Good thing was fleece gloves kept my fingers warm even when wet, but still not ideal situation.

I've tried Seal Skin gloves (supposedly waterproof) in the past. They didn't feel waterproof, just clammy and cold. Took other supposedly waterproof Black Diamond gloves to Himalayas last year, got hit with unseasonal monsoon, and quickly found out they were far from waterproof as well.

Any of you have any luck with gloves that will truly withstand a pouring rain?

How about backpacks? What's with manufacturers not making backpacks out of waterproof material, or at least treating the fabric? They do know we're going to be using them out in the rain, right? My wife and I both said the GoLite day packs we took to Asia last year would be "the perfect pack" if only they were waterproof. Annoying to have to bag everything inside or use a pack cover, and still have stuff get wet.

Anyone using a pack you like that's also waterproof? I heard that some Granite Gear packs are.

Just wondering... Thanks!

I've had good luck with Marmot Sharp Point Gloves in the snow...not rain. TNF claims their Apex Bionics are W/B, I can attest to the latter but haven't had the opportunity to test the former. I always carry a w/b mitt shell and 2nd pair in the winter just in case my gloves wet out.

I've used a Summit to Sea Pack liner with my old leaky Lowe Alpine Vision 40 and it did a great job in the winter keeping thing dry. So far, the BD Sphinx 42 I currently using has held up pretty well hiking under tree melt.

Goretex is not an answer for this matter?

The SealSkinz got terrible customer reviews on the REI site. I've used REI Liberty Ridge gloves and love them, but have not used them in the conditions of a monsoonal downpour. They no longer seem to make them...maybe the Switchbacks are the replacement.

If you're using a waterproof material like Goretex, Elements, etc. it sounds like a problem with either condensation or leaky seams. I guess you could try seam sealer, or how about these?

http://www.rei.com/product/787289

I didn't know about graupel until a few days ago when Shreve mentioned it on her excellent Daily Coyote.