Which rain "kilt"?

[DuneElliot]

Trying to decide whether to buy the ULA or ZPacks rain kilt. I like CF for my tent and tarp but know it can be delicate. I prefer it for my tent and tarp for the waterproof qualities and lack of stretch.

I like the idea of the stiffer CF skirt with a zipper from ZPacks for hiking but also heard that my pack's hip belt might cause abrasion quickly

Silnylon from ULA has less structure but seems as though it would be more durable.

Any thoughts or experiences with either of these?

I wear a poncho usually but find that it isn't good enough cover for my legs....great for everything else though, including my pack.

[swisscross]

Another option is MLD. I like mine.

[JC13]

Another is to make one out of tyvek. Weighs ~3 oz with a velcro closure. Can weigh less depending on how much tyvek, tyvek tape and what velcro you use. Mine doubles as a groundcloth in shelters.

[PatmanTN]

This is probably not environmentally friendly but we happened to have a bunch of left over painters plastic (don't remember the exact thickness) and wife has cut simple wraps that seem to work well on trail (not so much off):

This one was only to cover pants which are tucked into high gaiters:

[DuneElliot]

I don't have much interest in making one but I appreciate the ideas. I'm more interested in knowing the pros and cons of these two brands, and MLD if they also make one.

[Puddlefish]

You don't need structure in a rain kilt, or at least I don't. I made my own out of silnylon, it's just about keeping your shorts dry, but with a whole lot more ventilation than rain paints. Keep the rain out, doesn't keep the sweat in. Go with whatever is cheaper and lighter, if you have concerns with abrasion from the hip belt, don't buy that brand.

[lonehiker]

I've had good luck with my ULA kilt. Can't compare it to anything else as it is the only one I own and use but am satisfied with the product.

[Flounder940]

Also look at lightheartgear.com for their rain skirt. I have one and like it.

[fastfoxengineering]

From my own research I've found that most experienced rain skirt users prefer a silnylon one over cuben.


I also think a zipper on the Zpacks is just a gear fail waiting to happen.

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[DuneElliot]

From my own research I've found that most experienced rain skirt users prefer a silnylon one over cuben.
I also think a zipper on the Zpacks is just a gear fail waiting to happen.

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That's the kind of input I was looking for. Thank you.

[rocketsocks]

The rap around type offer a expansion with regard to the Knees not being hobbled by the Betty Boop gurdle tupe do not.

[Miner]

The original owner of ULA (before he sold it to the current owners) use to outsource their kilt making to Etowah Gear. If you buy from them, also consider getting one of their bright orange silnylon pack covers as they work great in hunting season or if you have to do paved road walks (more of a CDT than an AT problem). Theirs attaches together with 3 short strips of velcro. On the rare occasion when I had to stretch my legs too far for the circumference, the velcro easily pulled appart without causing me to break my stride. A zipper design just seems like a failure waiting to happen and it won't give when you need it to. Used it for several years in the Sierra Nevada and on a PCT thru-hike.

The current ULA rain skirts are a very similar design. Until recently, ULA didn't allow you too choose colors. I see they now allow you to buy Orange packcovers. I asked last year and was told no.

I also use to have the 1st generation zpacks cuben fiber rain skirt which use to be a wrap around design. I had a short knee length one that I bought for summer use over a pair of shorts. It worked great and I liked the wrap around design for when I had to scramble up boulders found along the AT. It allowed for much more give without getting pushed up your leg. And given how sometimes your clothes won't dry out overnight on the AT, I preferred wearing a very breathable short rain skirt over shorts than getting them soaked.

That said, I do like MLD as a company and have been considering one of their cuben fiber ones as I lost my original Zpacks one last year on the JMT somewhere and I don't want a zippered one.

[Dogwood]

Prefer ZPacks design over ULA's. Even though the zipper is a potential pt of failure I stay drier. Even if it does fail I tend to use a rain skirt/wrap during warm weather so the failure if it did occur is less critical. If heavy wind is anticipated I may opt back to the most breathable rain pants I have. It depends on how cold it's going to be and how I'm layering. If cooler and still opting for the kilt I usually like to throw in gaiters to keep water from dripping into shoes. This is one of things I don't like about rain wraps, the channeling of water right into my shoes. This is why I may throw in rain chaps that come over shoes.

[TexasBob]

Also look at lightheartgear.com for their rain skirt. I have one and like it.

Agree. Well made and great customer service.

[jgillam]

I have the largest size, Zpacks kilt myself. I found that it was either too long for me or didn't have enough room for walking. When climbing up hills, my legs simply didn't have enough room to hit full stride. I had to hike it it a foot above my waist so I could walk freely.

I'm not sure what I'll do about it. I love the material and ability to open it up at camp. I'll either keep hiking it up or, buy a different one.

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[Dogwood]

I have the largest size, Zpacks kilt myself. I found that it was either too long for me or didn't have enough room for walking. When climbing up hills, my legs simply didn't have enough room to hit full stride. I had to hike it it a foot above my waist so I could walk freely.

I have a large size and often wide gait. I unzip from the bottom to accommodate when I'm going steeply up hill or stretching out my step.

You pointed out one of the issues of a rain wrap I've had too, getting the length right with my body and walking mechanics.

[Dogwood]

If too narrow a girth just about knee height good way to pop the zipper.

[Dogwood]

Correction. I have the reg size ZP rain wrap. It might make a difference in what you JG experience as you have the large which has a different geometry.

[saltysack]

Was happy with the ULA rain wrap but rarely used it or felt I needed it. Have since replaced with water resistant rip stop pants....ultra light and ultra cheap!! they work and breath well. I’m sure they would wet out fairly quickly in heavy rain but like them as go between hot rain pants and a skirt....had lil freezing rain recently on a short section over Roan and stayed warm in dry over my shorts...im the old man on the left with the pup


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[Astro]

ULA kilt has worked fine for me the past few years.