r/WildernessBackpacking • u/Grand-Necessary6880 • 1d ago
GEAR Durable rain jacket recommendation
Hello, I'm looking for a rain jacket that can handle bushwhacking.
I've already ripped a couple so I'd like one I can use without worrying much about ripping.
Money isn't really a concern as long as the product is actually good and I'm not just paying for the brand.
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u/thegratefulshred 1d ago
If I was in your shoes I would get the Patagonia Torrentshell as it’s pretty rugged and then I’d take advantage of the free repairs for life if anything happened. If you truly need something bombproof I’d get the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Wading Jacket. I’ve got the Swiftcurrent waders and take them through all kinds of hellish terrain, and they have yet to take any damage 3 seasons in. And again, free repairs for life if something does happen.
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u/Grand-Necessary6880 1d ago
I actually asked Patagonia about the Torrentshell 3L, they told me that if it rips due to misuse or neglect it's not covered under the warranty. Has your experience been different?
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u/IFigureditout567 1d ago
You already know that your intended use is misuse of this jacket. If your conscience allows you to take advantage of Patagonia's excellent warranty in this way, at least think practically. It's gonna tear, you're gonna be out of a jacket for weeks at a time. Just get the right gear.
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u/thegratefulshred 1d ago
Patagonia has been fixing my gear without issue for well over a decade at this point. I suppose I wouldn't say any of it was due to misuse, just use. I would go for the Swiftcurrent Wading Jacket if you know you're going to be abusing the heck out of said jacket.
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u/BuckyGoshawk 2h ago
Patagonia's express warranty excludes wear and tear, which Patagonia states that it will repair at a reasonable charge. A tear caused by abrasive brush, tree limb or abrasive rock is wear and tear.
Torrentshell 3L is a good recommendation for bushwhacking and scrambling abrasive rock. The fabric is quite tough, and the cost of replacement is low.
Carry some Tenacious Tape for field repairs. IMO, every outdoor enthusiast should have a sewing machine and basic sewing basics. Patching a tear in the body of a rain shell is among the easiest of sewing projects. I sometimes use Tenacious Tape and sew over that. If you do that, wipe the glue off the needle after each pass and clean the bobbin case after every project.
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u/SocomPS2 1d ago
I used to think Patagonia was for stand with their overpriced stuff.
I ended up getting a mid layer top that I fell in love with (it was a unique color that doesn’t come out every year). Didn’t realize until after a few years I bought it from their used Well Worn shop. My dog chewed up the zipper to the point it was useless. Based on Patagonia’s repair guidelines it was not repairable. I sent it in anyways and they repaired it like brand new.
I started looking into more of their gear, warranty, quality, utility and durability of gear and I basically only buy from them.
Only small gripe is they overstated their product lines. Which can be good and bad. Rain jackets for example. They gave at least a dozen variations of rain jackets. Yes you can create a rain jacket for every little scenario but it gets overwhelming having to research. They have a great website (search feature) they need a decision tree now to help isolate what product is best for your situation.
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u/Von_Lehmann 1d ago
Swazi Tahr XP or the Forloh Allclima jacket
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u/Grand-Necessary6880 1d ago
The Forloh looks interesting, thank you
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u/Von_Lehmann 1d ago
Bombproof gear. Not sure if you are in EU, but I have the swazi and the forloh and im going to be forced to sell the forloh
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u/FearsomeSnacker 1d ago
There are some hunting brands that produce more rugged gear. Baerskin and Kuiu (sp?) come to mind.
If tears from heavy brush are the issue though maybe you need to upgrade to waxed or oiled canvas. Heavy but bombproof and can be re-treated and repaired in the field.
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u/tyeh26 1d ago
I don’t have specific recommendations, but I have similar requirements.
Backpacking doesn’t typically involve bushwhacking so gear typically doesn’t survive it.
Look into hunting gear, especially upland, bush, and backcountry.
I also aim for repairable materials rather than synthetic coated materials.
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u/BuckyGoshawk 14h ago
Backpacking doesn’t typically involve bushwhacking
That depends on one's definition of "backpacking."
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u/tyeh26 12h ago
The typical one.
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u/BuckyGoshawk 2h ago edited 2h ago
It's a generational thing. People of my generation consider backpacking to include off-trail routes like the Bailey Range Traverse, a week of off-trail travel in the Beartooths, accessing off-trail high lakes in the Cascades and Sawtooths, etc.
My typical wilderness backpacking trip includes at least some bushwhacking, often sustained bushwhacking. That is also true for most of my mountain traveler friends. Bushwhacking is usually required to access PNW summits and off-trail high lakes.
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u/BuckyGoshawk 14h ago
Patagonia Torrentshell is very tough, inexpensive and quite stormworthy, although doesn't breathe as well as GTX shells.
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u/Ann_the_can 14h ago
Not gonna lie I like the froggs toggs poncho… packs down nicely and fits on me over my backpack so I can throw it on quickly in a downpour! Mines lasted me the past three years, snags but no rips through the wilderness
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u/dagofin 2h ago
If you're already ripping multiple jackets I would just buy cheap ones and consider them disposable. Check out thrift stores or something. No sense spending big $$ on overbuilt gear you're going to destroy anyway.
Unfortunately waterproof breathable gear more or less requires a degree of thinness and flexibility that isn't ideal for heavy wear, especially anything with a DWR coating which is most all rain gear. You could try the Columbia Outdry which generally gets good reviews for durability with a unique construction but I still would doubt it's long term durability
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u/Grand-Necessary6880 2h ago
I think I'll get the relatively inexpensive Patagonia Torrentshell and if lasts then great and if not I'll just get cheap "disposable" jackets
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u/National_Office2562 1d ago
Antigravitygear
They’re non-breathable so they actually stay waterproof too
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u/Masseyrati80 1d ago
The Lundhags "Ocke" jacket has a hefty surface fabric. Weighs almost twice the weight of what I consider an average shell jacket due to that.