Rain Gear

I will be going hiking in the Fiordlands, New Zealand where I am expecting constant, heavy rains, maybe harsh winds and lots of mud with temperatures ranging from 10-20 degrees Celsius. Does anyone have any reccomendations for an outer-layer? What are the benifits of having a technical outside layer verse just a rain jacket? How is Mountain Hardwear?

Lucky you-expect all of the above, but the place is beautiful. Years ago, I took a Gore-Tex rainsuit which worked so-so, but it was early Gore-Tex so I presume the newer ones work a lot better. Whatever you take, get a jacket with a hood and pants-preferably with full side zips. I have an REI Elements rainjacket-seems okay but I've never used it in really heavy rain-they make matching pants as well. Each sells for about $100. Also be sure to get a size that will fit over any fleece or whatever you take for warmth. I'd also take Patagonia or Smartwool socks or something like them for when your feet get wet-and they will. You will most likely find yourself wading streams fairly regularly. At first I wore wool I bought down there, but my Patagonia socks are even better. MacPac is a good local brand if you forget something. There are a few good outdoor stores in Christchurch and Dunedin if you get there before heading off to Fiordland.

I'm not able to advertise you.
Are you from New Zealand Katherine?
I come from the beautiful Italy, but New Zealand still remains my dreamed country.
I think it offers everything, doesn't it?

I have both REI Elements and Marmot Precip... I prefer the Precip jacket and the Elements pants:)

Good luck
Send Pictures
Ken

I haven't been to the Fjordlands, but just north of them (Milford Sound, Mt Cook area, kayaking along the coast). Depending on when you are going, you can be fairly lucky as far as weather is concerned, but in general it will rain at some point every day. Some of the rain will be heavy and wind driven.

If you are staying on one of the Trecks, or marked hiking trails, you usually have the option of staying at a hut every couple of days, or maybe even every day, which gives you some chance to dry out.

A lot of Kiwi guides spin the "GoreTex won't work, you need a heavy 1950s rain slicker." Except for some older guys who wore rain slickers because they had for decades, I haven't met anyone who was happy with that stuff. Too heavy and sweaty. I have heard no credible story of GoreTex or similar high quality fabrics failing in NZ rain. But some do wet out on the outside cutting breathability. So the things I would look for are:

-quality rainwear that's proven to work on hour long rain
-good to excellent DWR (durable water repellant). If you can, wear the garment in the shower for ten minutes and if the water stops breading off, return it. (Put the tags in the pockets or Ziplock bags.)
-tight zippers
-good venting options and good breathability (Gore XCR, Packlite, eVent,....) if it rains in NZ, you can bet on 100% humidity.

I don't know if I would take some of the $99 rainwear like the Precip or REI Elements. I hear rumors that they don't do too well after a few hours and they are simply not very comfortable to wear for long stretches of time.

Oh, and if you are not climbing, don't get something overbuilt.

Mountain Hardwear is a good brand, but I'd stay away from their Conduit Silk shells. They are light and cheap, but IMO not that suitable for anything more than moderate rain. Other options include Marmot (leave the most basic Precip), Patagonia (H2NO is a bit less breatable than the other stuff, but their quality and DWR is great), LLBean (GoreTex only) on the lower end, and Arcteryx on the high end.

A lot of places currently have Arcteryx Theta SL jackets on sale for about $250. If you want to spend that much, and find one that fits you, I think it might be almost perfect for your trip (and the next 5 years).

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=theta+sl&btnG=Search+Froogle

Hi,
Whatever you take down into Fiordland won't keep out all the wet if it decides to rain. It can rain for days on end there and you have some streams to get across. It all depends on when and where you go, most of the tracks like Milford, Routebourne,Kepler etc are not that bad and you have good huts at the days end.Any of the better quality rainwear will work up to a point. I often carry a cheap $2 plastic poncho to put over the top when it really buckets down. Had one of these on on the Thorsebourne Track on Hinchinbrook Island,Queensland when it poured ( 9 inches) in four hours.Three days in a row. The poncho kept most of the rain off my Goretex gear and I was dry. Best advice, take your Goretex but look out the window before you set off and pack a cheap poncho.Beautiful place no matter what the weather.