Tree work has me used to rough conditions, but my rain gear leaked on a coastal hike. What do you trust in wet weather? | Camping Gear Reviews - Opinions Matter
Yeah, I was totally in the "a jacket is a jacket" camp for years. Then I got caught in a sideways rain on a trail like that, and my cheap stuff might as well have been a paper bag. I was soaked in minutes. Now I just save up and buy the good stuff once. That miserable hike proved you can't skimp. A real shell is worth every penny when you're cold and wet miles from the car.
Paper bag" is putting it nicely. My old cheap one turned into a personal rain cloud that only rained on me. It was almost impressive how perfectly it failed.