If I'm off on a trip and it's already raining, or is forecast to rain, then naturally I'll take the necessary rain gear with me. However, 9 times out of 10 I lug the gear with me, it never sees the light of day, and then I lug it back home again. I'm very reluctant to go on a trip with no rain protection at all, and as a result I'm considering the compromise of just taking a lightweight pertex shell with me. This would be in combination with a microfleece top and merino base layer, which I usually use anyway, so no change there.
Does anyone else out there rely on just pertex and fleece as rainwear on short trips? What kind of level of protection would be realistic to expect? I've no doubt that showers would not be a problem, but if the heavens opened for a couple of hours, (or even less severe rain for a prolonged period), would I end up a little damp, but comfortable. Or would I be a bit wet, but not in any danger, or would I really be courting disaster in terms of hypothermia?
I know there are other variables involved, but I'd like to hear of other people's experiences, just to try to get a handle on what level of protection I could expect - I hear of many people simply relying on wool layers in all but the worst rain.
Does anyone else out there rely on just pertex and fleece as rainwear on short trips? What kind of level of protection would be realistic to expect? I've no doubt that showers would not be a problem, but if the heavens opened for a couple of hours, (or even less severe rain for a prolonged period), would I end up a little damp, but comfortable. Or would I be a bit wet, but not in any danger, or would I really be courting disaster in terms of hypothermia?
I know there are other variables involved, but I'd like to hear of other people's experiences, just to try to get a handle on what level of protection I could expect - I hear of many people simply relying on wool layers in all but the worst rain.