High quality rain gear question??

[trophyhunt]

I went out yesterday in the mountains, it was a day when it rained 2".  I was in both the rain and snow.  I have the first lite stormfront jacket and paints, the pants were perfect, I am very pleased with how they performed.  I was even pushing snow that was almost to my waist, my pants underneath were dry when I was done.  My back was soaked, I do sweat a lot so I'm hoping it was mostly sweat.  My question is this, do you guys think my back pack rubbing on my back, with my sweat and the rain, caused more of the leakage than the coat not performing?  All good rain gear is breathable unless your wearing rubber, I'm wondering cause my pack is consistently against my jacket and back if that's the problem?  And what the heck a guy can do about it?  I'm not leaving my pack at camp, would a pack that keeps an air gap between your back and pack be that much of an improvement?  Thanks guys, this stuff is just too expensive to have a wet back!

[Jacque]

With your pack on, the membrane in the jacket could not pass the moisture through causing your sweat to accumulate.  I agree, find a pack with more breathability and you should see better performance in your rain gear.  My 2 cents.

[KNOPHISH]

I'd say yes it's sweat, wicking base layers will dry faster. I did the same with some new rain gear last year. It just poured all day & I'm like sorta wet thinking it sucked.

[JimmyHoffa]

I think so.  The breathable-waterproof type fabrics assume there is an opening small enough that water as a liquid (rain drops) can't come in, but water vapor can go out.  That is for normal pressure.  Once you have something like a vest or backpack on, it changes things--a strap is now putting pressure the opposite way and forces the liquid water in and blocks the vapor escape.  Same kind of issue when sitting on something like a wet rock/log or climbing over stuff where your weight really presses on the fabric.  could either waterproof the are the pack makes contact with or find ways to increase the pressure inside the coat--drawstrings/belt tight and zipped up.  Also may need to retreat the leak area more often.

[zwickeyman]

You can get more breathable rain gear ( like KUIU ) but even that wont help in areas where sweat cant escape like where your pack is. Like Jacque said, a pack with less contact on your back and shoulders is the only solution

[trophyhunt]

It seems we are on the same page with needing a pack that has more air flow on your back.  Any recommendations for Day packs with that configuration? The only one I've seen was a Sitka, but it seemed just a bit small.  Thanks for the input. 

[92xj]

Most likely not in the most high end pack crowd but the badlands diablo has a decent system for keeping the day pack off your back, nice and cool with good air flow. I've enjoyed mine for a number of years now with no complaints.

[jackelope]

The Osprey packs have a great suspension allowing air flow between the pack and your back. Not so much a hunting pack and won't haul heavy loads well, but for a hiking type day pack, they're great.

[Jacque]

I agree Osprey had a couple of models that had a suspension system that allowed for full ventilation on the back.  I've seen a few out there but unfortunately I haven't a need for that.  I did have a large Arc'Teryx Bora 95 that vented real well and handled heavy loads.  You are just going to have to hit the biggest REI that's close to you and check out all the new models and see what they are offering.

[trophyhunt]

Thanks for the info, the osprey has a ton of models.  Which model would you say is best for a day pack w the best ventilation?  I don't need it to pack meat, just a day pack. Thanks!