Inexpensive Foul Weather Gear

[ggooch]

As the weather starts to warm up in the midwest, I am getting ready for my first season with a new to me boat. I know the first couple of months will be relatively cool. Do any of you have a good source for relatively inexpensive foul weather/warm gear?

Thanks,
Geoff

[night0wl]

As weather warms up, ski gear like Columbia gets cheaper and goes on clearance. I find that the outer shells are ok with some 303 waterproofing applied to 'em. Not quite foulies, but do the job.

[johnshasteen]

Nightowl is right, find something non-marine for the moment. If you can't afford quality foul weather gear, wait until you can - the bargain stuff is only a bargain on the day you buy it.

[jackdale]

Costco in Canada occasionally has Wetskins at a good price. I got a set a couple of years for $49. I use them for golf, but I have seen them on charter boats.

[kd3pc]

you may find that for the most part a layer of wicking tshirt, fleece, and a sweatshirt or hoody will do.
For really rainy weather, a slicker will do until you learn what you need.

Ski, mountain and hiking gear can often be had on sale and will do the major work for you.

Columbia, eddie bauer and REI, often have spring sales that are easy on the pocket book.

[tommays]

We will have to see It never really warmed up in 2009 for any lenth of time and is the first season in years i can recall using the heavy gear all season

[sahara]

If you can get Gore-tex on clearance, go for it - it really is better than non-gore-tex wet gear.

As I found out some years ago, in truly lousy weather, ski/climbing gear is not the same as FWG. If you find yourself doing a lot of night sailing in cold, crappy weather, you will eventually break down and buy true foulies.

[tager]

Oh come on, how come nobody has mentioned Grundens?

Grundens. It's what fishermen wear. It doesn't look "yachty" but it also doesn't leak, and doesn't cost you a whole ship ton of money.

[tager]

I am also totally ready to debate the greatness of gore-tex. Notably as a shoe lining material. Theoretically your feet can sweat, and you can walk in the rain, and your feet stay dry. This is so far from the case that half way through a 2-week backpacking trip in the Olympics I was wrapping plastic bags around my socks. So much for gore-tex!

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by tager

I am also totally ready to debate the greatness of gore-tex. Notably as a shoe lining material. Theoretically your feet can sweat, and you can walk in the rain, and your feet stay dry. This is so far from the case that half way through a 2-week backpacking trip in the Olympics I was wrapping plastic bags around my socks. So much for gore-tex!

Gore Tex works when ...

* It is clean. Dirt allows water to wick through. So shoes are not too successful, or rather not for heavy use in mud.
* It is not wet. It can only breath when there is free surface. If the water repentant coating goes or it is really raining, it can't breath through a layer of water. You might as well just have coated gear.

The only reason reason to look for Gore-tex rain wear is for misty weather (or spray - hence the appeal) and because it is generally an indicator of quality in other things. It is good, within its window... and they've really done a good job on the marketing!

Cheap gear? A thrift store. Honestly, you would be amazed what you can find at a good one. Found a North Sails suit from someone who had quit sailing and probably never sailed in the rain! ALL of the Gore-tex rainwear I keep on my boat - 3 sets - came from a thrift store. I picked up the habit when my kids were growing and I wanted good stuff for them, even if it wouldn't fit long. Skates, skis, and so forth. It is also amazing the extent to which the people shopping at these stores don't know what they are looking at. They just want a Nike logo on a sweatshirt.