9 Tips To Optimize Your Rain Gear To Keep You Dry While Hiking

While planning a hike during the rainy season, many people tend to load up on rain gear and purchase the best ones in order to be prepared for the rain.

But rain gear is of no use if you don’t know how to use it properly. 

In order to stay dry while hiking, it is important you follow some basic practices to make sure you protect yourself as well as your gear from water.

Given below are some tips to optimize your rain gear.

Some rain jackets come with attached caps but most of them don’t. Wearing a separate waterproof cap under your rain jacket’s hood can keep rain out of your eyes and prevent it from trickling down your face and neck. 

The trickling water can get inside your raincoat and cause you to feel wet and uncomfortable which can hamper your progress while hiking.

Make sure you don’t purchase cotton caps or caps made from materials which absorb water like a sponge. This will do more harm than good.

You can go for synthetic caps but waterproof caps offer more protection. The waterproof technology which is utilized for making these caps induces water repellent properties and helps keep your head dry.

Most of the rain jackets designed for activities like hiking, climbing and running have pit zips. 

Pit zips are incorporated in them for the purpose of ventilation. This lets sweat go out and air come in at the same time to dry the skin.

Without pit zips your body will retain the sweat and you can end up being drenched or even shiver in your own sweat.

Keep your pit zips open in case of light to medium rain even if a tiny amount of water manages to sneak in. This will help you be comfortable in situations where you are sweaty but you cannot open your jacket because of rain or wind.

Gaiters are protective garments which are worn over the footwear and legs to prevent things like mud and water from getting into your boots. 

They are generally worn by hikers and mountaineers. Gaiters are useful for hiking in snow, very muddy grounds or in sand dune hiking.

Wearing gaiters under your rain pants can create a shingled effect which effectively sheds rain and keeps the rain flowing down and out. Don’t wear them over your rain pants since the water will easily trickle down your legs and land in your boots.

While hiking, rain pants are usually worn over regular pants in case of heavy rain. These pants are waterproof and will keep your legs dry since they add an extra layer of protection.

Rain pants should only be worn if they are necessary. They are usually not worn alone since they don’t have enough ventilation. You can wear rain pants when you start feeling wet from the rain and need to conserve body heat.

Make sure you tuck your undershirt into your rain pants. This will prevent it from getting wet by being exposed to the elements.

The waistband of your rain pants will also not come in direct contact with your skin which can otherwise be uncomfortable.

In cases of light rain, wearing a hood is not necessary most of the time. Sometimes wearing a rain jacket will be necessary while hiking in order to shield your body from the rain.

Since you will already be hot because of the jacket,  wearing the hood will just add to your discomfort. In such cases, it is recommended to wear your hood like a collar.

This will prevent water from collecting in your hood and streaming down the back of your neck.

Usually the 3 layer system is followed while hiking.

This layer is worn directly next to the skin and has the purpose of wicking away moisture.

When wearing a rain jacket becomes necessary during hiking, it is advisable to take the mid layer off since you become hot and sweaty. Your rain jacket is already going to be hot enough, so a base layer will only make you more uncomfortable.

If you insist on wearing the mid layer, make sure your rain jacket is lightweight and comfortable. You can find some of the best lightweight rain jackets recommendations at resmarty.com website.

Make sure your rain gear is easily accessible in case of a sudden downpour.

If you keep them inside the main compartment of your backpack, water might get into it while you try to withdraw your rain gear.

You can also try to waterproof your backpack in order to prevent it from getting wet. A pack cover is an inexpensive way to protect your pack and its contents from the rain. Store wet sensitive gear in dry bags or ziploc bags.

There are waterproof backpacks available but fully waterproof bags are expensive.

If you are planning to hike during rain, I recommend getting some wrist straps. 

Wrist straps will prevent your rain jacket’s sleeves from riding up. If your sleeves ride up, your wrists will get exposed and water will manage to sneak in through your jacket sleeves.

If your jacket rides up, water will manage to sneak into places you don’t want it to and make you feel wet.

Try tightening or loosening the elastic drawcord hem and see which secures your jacket better.