Solid Man Skirt
So I do a lot of backpacking in the smokies where it rains roughly 50% of the time all the time and nothing ever ever ever ever dries out. Now the thing about hiking in the rain is that you can either try and stay dry or not, sounds simple enough but people often forget that the key word there is TRY. Now I used to just accept the wet and trudge on because I figured that I'd sweat way too much in rain gear in any temp over 50°f until I got this as a birthday present from my Aunt. long story short I'm converted! It weighs basically nothing and I say that as a super duper ounce counting backpacker and I've found it has lots of different uses. I wear shorts most of the time when I'm hiking and so even at all 6'6 of me this baby is long enough to keep my shorts dry from the outside and breezy enough to help keep them dry from the inside too. Now for this purpose I love it but the way I found myself using it the most was as a sitting skirt so to speak. Like I said in the smokies everything is wet and it never dries so I found myself slipping this bad boy on backwards just to walk around camp and plant my bum on any log I so chose. YMMV but it's never going to Leave my pack until it stops raining forever (which understandably might have far more serious implications but you get the idea)
leaves much to be desired
Lightweight- which is great, but I'd say the benefits stop there. I purchased 2 of these for my wife and I on our trip to Banff where it rained considerably. The skirts are too short for their intended purpose and we both felt we could have gotten the same if not better (and cheaper) results by tying a garbage bag around our waists.
4.5 stars?
I've only used the rain wrap once, but it was an all day rain hike through wet vegetation. I put the wrap on in a hurry and then belted my backpack over the waistband. If I'd been thinking coherently, I would have made sure that the overlap/opening was behind me rather than in front which allowed rain water to sneak in. And of course, I was too lazy to stop and rearrange everything. But for the extreme light weight and ease of use of this product, it now resides in the pocket of my rain jacket for future use. Other reviewers have mentioned the need for a closure of some sort lower on the wrap to keep it from flipping open. That would be a good improvement, but I think wearing it with the opening to the back would be the perfect option.
Rain Wrap
The Rain Wrap kept me dry on two 6-8 hours hike under an intermittent light rain while wearing shorts and short REI's gaiters. Without gaiters the Rain Wrap would be useless, the water running down my legs below the Rain Wrap hem would be going straight in to my boots. It didn't fare as well under a 2 hour heavy thunderstorm because the short gaiters in these conditions couldn't provide a 100% seal also the strong wind opened the Wrap and my shorts got wet but just on one side. The Rain Wrap is a god send in light rain because is much cooler then wearing rain paints. On heavy rainy day I wouldn't recommend it unless one has longer gaiters that go past the Rain Wrap hem.
Nice product
I purchased this item for a 3-day backpacking trip in Wild Basin, CO. The price is fair and the shipping was speedy. The piece is extremely light, packable, and expertly seen. Only time will tell if it keeps me dry during the rainy season in ROMO.
Excellent idea, good execution
This wrap works well as far as it goes and does everything it is advertised to do. However, it's about 12 inches too short of perfect. I assume there were too many complications to have different lengths on offer, but I'd have really preferred something longer.
Very Good Multi-Purpose Wrap
We purchased 2 of these wraps as we live in the Pacific Northwest, where it does rain and we do love the outdoors. We find rain pants to be a pain to put and take off (in addition to being too hot and difficult to carry). Rain wraps are so much easier to use. These are super light and small. It would be nice to have "pocket" on the wrap to stuff the wrap in when not in use.
During a recent vacation in China, I have used it as shoulder wrap for my mom whenever it was windy. She was very impressed with how much it blocked the wind for her and how light it was. Everyone who saw her, wanted to know what she was wearing on her shoulders :-)
The primary reason for 4 stars ... is that I wish it was little longer (2 inches) and wider (for more overlap) when wearing as a rain skirt.
Good product that needs simple improvements to make it great.
This is a good product.
The wrap is very light and comfortable. I almost don't feel it at all.
However, some important improvements would be needed to make it great :
The overlap is not long enough. This always creates a big opening when I walk. Only two more inches of overlap would make a very good difference without adding much weight.
The bottom button is pretty much useless because it is high et situated on the outer edge of the inner flap. So when you button it, you eliminate the overlap all the way down. I think this button should be a few inches inside the inner flap.
Besides the useless bottom button, nothing keeps the flaps from going everywhere when it's windy. I fixed this with a elastic cord that I can quickly tie to the bottom webbing loops to keep the two flaps together. I think such a tying system should come standard with the wrap because it changes everything when it's windy.
Also, the kilt does not come with a stuff sack, so I wonder how we are suppose to carry it. An integrated small pocket to stuff it into would be a really nice improvement.
Beats rain pants all to heck
I've been carrying this around in my pack for MONTHS, and finally needed it for today's hike. Temps in the mid-40s (Fahrenheit), raining off and on, sleeting occasionally for variety. I didn't want to put on my portable sauna/rain pants, so dug deep to the bottom of my pack and pulled the rain wrap up into the light of day.
Easy to put on, comfortable, and kept me dry between waist and gaiters. Worth every penny and then some.
One quibble: the tab to make it easier to unsnap could be a little bit bigger, but that's not enough of an issue to drop this from 5 stars to 4.
Rain wrap
Enlightened Equipment Rain Kilt
Just arrived from those nice people in the U.S.A, in less than a week from the quilt makers who give you the prices in pounds as well as dollars. I have been using a ULA rain kilt for a few years now and find it works well. This is the newest Rain Kilt in the UL community, and a departure from EE's usual of quilts and sleeping equipment.
The EE medium Kilt weighs in at in at 50g, compared to 73g on my digital scales . It is very light yet doesn't feel like it will shred due to the built in weave of 15D SilNylon. It comes in a small 2g plastic bag unlike the medium ULA which folds into a sewn in pouch on the Kilt.
Laid out on top of each other the EE Kilt drop is 8cm shorter and 19cm wider at the waist and bottom. Stitching on the EE looks really nice and the elastic waistband feels of good quality, as does the ULA .
These are the same snap fasteners you find on EE Quilts and they appear to be attached using their same method. They snap real tight and hold like I have come to expect of EE. They are small and the pull tabs are a bit short so getting them undone is a bit trickier than I'd prefer. I wouldn't tug too hard on them given that its 15D Sil. Where as the ULA is all Velcro and silicone impregnated nylon.
The EE shock cord is very small but holds quite well. The Toggle is also extremely small and light - I am concerned about the durability of it's wee spring being that small. The Toggle is actually fastened to the waist area by means of a sewn loop, this means the cord and knot are pulled separately. I really like that attention to detail, neat idea. ULA have gone for a simple elastic waist band and 10cm Velcro strip.
Fit and Shower Test
Both Kilts are Medium and am 5 foot 4 inches tall, 34 inch waist. Both kilts are loose fitting around the waist when un adjusted, but not overly so given the shock cord waistbands.With the EE cord and toggle setup you can really tighten it down if needed where as the ULA is internal shock cord only . The length is quite good and does not impede movement due to location of side snap/slit. The opening on the side (or back depending how you wear yours) has the snap about 1/3 the way down leaving the remainder open for movement and flexibility. I was able to stride around the hills with ease and did not feel hindered with my hiking pants on underneath.
The work well, plain and simple without the fafing about you get with over trousers. You can put them on standing up with both feet planted firmly on the ground.Are a fraction of the weight and price of breathable over trousers. With a rain jacket on over top to overlap the waistline I don't think you would have any real issues with rain. Heavy winds or sideways Scottish rain may get in at the back through the aforementioned slit, but that would be it.
These kilts is light, comfortable, well made. Everything I've come to expect from the American suppliers, craftsmanship with quilts, packs and many other items put into an affordable Rain Kilt.
Three years ago I purchased the ULA Kilt and have found it works well. Light, waterproof and a good three inch cover over my rain gaiter tops.
Not so the EE rain kilt I find it a little short even for my 21" inside leg, just touches the top of my rain gaiters. On the the hill this proved a deal breaker as my trousers got wet.
So will be sticking to my trusty ULA rain kilt for now, the extra length really makes the difference between wet pants and dry even for us shorter guy's.
RAIN WRAP (SKIRT) ROCKS
Great product! Fits and wears well. I keep this in my go to bag just so that I have it if it starts stormin', even just around town. And that's just one use!
Rain Wrap
Such an excellent piece of equipment! I kept mine in one of my pants pockets while hiking the JMT and completely forgot it was there because it was so light! A much better option than having to bust out rain pants every time a storm comes your way. Thank you for continuing to make great products!
Rain Skirt
LOVE! Very light weight and great construction. Easy to use! I recommend this! Thank you EE once again!
love the solution, but one gripe
A simple, very light solution to the warm weather drips. Also use as a pack cover/cape sometimes. Only concern is the snap on the vertical edge closure--mine has very short webbing reinforcements, and I wondered if they were supposed to be long enough to grip a bit to unsnap the snaps (one appears to be). I worry I'm going to tear off the whole snap--it spins, and the fabric is slippery. If these were consistently just a quarter of an inch longer, it would make the snap very easy to undo, without fear of tearing it off.
Super light and works great
The silnylon drapes nicely and the elastic waistband is very comfortable. The innovative loops on the corners are very useful. Add tent stakes, and this wrap becomes a ground sheet for the vestibule of my tent. Easy to put on vs rain pants, no need to take off your shoes when it starts to rain.
Love it
Brought for my wife and she thinks its great. Keeps it in her bag for the downpours on way home from work perfect.
Rain Wrap
I love the Rain Wrap. All I could ask for in rain protection in a tiny convenient form!
Great summer rain pants substitute
Awesome product for when there is warm wet weather. Super light and even smaller. However, being a 33" waist and 6'1", I found that the length is a bit too short for me especially during activities including hiking/backpacking. As a base camp layer, its fine. Also, I had issues with the buttons detatching at the wrong spots and coming apart. Otherwise, this is a fantastic product.
Excellent and Innovative solution for backpackers at a great price
Everybody seems to have the same problem with raingear and backpacking. 85% of the time its doesn't rain, but you're still carrying the weight. And when you do wear raingear, you sweat, which negates the reason for wearing it in the first place. Which brings us to the innovate rain wrap that many thru hikers have adopted on the ATC.
Pros:
-Super light weight
-Does a great job of ventilating and preventing from overheating while backpacking or being active.
-Large spectrum of adjustability (A person with a 30" waist could likely use a large by just tightening the shock cord.
-Snaps work well and won't wear out like Velcro (used on competitors models).
Cons:
-For guys, its a wrap / skirt / kilt, so your buddies may give you some hassling until they see how well it works and then they'll ask you where they can get one.
Suggestion / Recommendation to EE:
-Add another snap to the end of the wrap. This model has two on the waist and then one lower to close the slit. EE should add one more snap 6-8" below to allow the user to further close up the gap if its raining hard and you're not wearing a pack. With a pack on, just put the slit in the back and the pack prevents any rain from coming in.
My Tests:
-I used this for a couple hours in the Southern Florida in 80 degree weather while staying highly active during a rain storm and stayed dry (in conjunction with a Northface Hyper-Air Jacket) and fairly well ventilated. (It was 80 degrees so nothing would be perfect).
-Then, I used this in Pennsylvania on the Appalachian Trial for a couple hours and it also kept me perfectly dry and did a great job ventilating while backpacking. (Temp was 70-76 degrees F).
-Rain pants could never have performed at the same level as the rain wrap given the temps and the activity level.
Awesome
Super light. Simple and effective. What more could you want?
Love the Rain Skirt
Love the rain skirt.. rather than trying to get rain pants over boots and squeeze layered up legs into rain pants I can take out the rain skirt and voila.. legs are covered ! super easy and comfortable with enough leg room walking is a breeze.
