> I backpack in the Pacific Northwest and have hiked for hours in pouring rain at temperatures of berween 40 and 80 degrees and have found a standard gortex jacket by Marmot to be totally acceptable for this task.
Aren't you sweating inside the jacket anyway due to hiking? So you're wet inside whether you’re wearing a jacket or not? So what's the point in a waterproof jacket?
I think it's best to just accept you're going to get wet, wear basic fabrics, and practice wet-dry drills.
Depends how fast you’re moving, what kind of climb you’re hiking up and what kind of load, I guess, but I’ve been sweating out in a snow storm in Wales when carrying a heavy pack moving at speed and I would not have wanted a waterproof on.
Sure, you can sweat more than your jacket can transpire. In general though I think you should strive to avoid liquid sweat in winter conditions, not just "accept" it. Improve your layers, or your fitness, or reduce your load or speed. Getting wet in winter can be dangerous.
Not really an option if you need to be at a given place at a given time with given equipment! That's why the military don't fight in waterproofs. They just accept they're going to get wet and then practice disciplined wet-dry drills.
I thought we were talking about backpacking in the pacific northwest (or at least other recreation). Obviously the military is a completely different animal, and they do not care what I think.
Aren't you sweating inside the jacket anyway due to hiking? So you're wet inside whether you’re wearing a jacket or not? So what's the point in a waterproof jacket?
I think it's best to just accept you're going to get wet, wear basic fabrics, and practice wet-dry drills.