Hiking in wet weather can provide a whole host of challenges for the thru-hiker and day-hiker alike. When well prepared, there are few things that bring one’s senses to life like a mountain stroll in a downpour. I’ve tried all sorts of “waterproof” wet weather gear over the years, and have finally found my ideal gear setup. I’ll write about other pieces I use in other posts, but for today, I’d like to focus on my homemade Tyvek rain kilt, and offer some instructions if you’d like to make one for yourself.
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3m of Tyvek
You might be asking yourself, “Why a rain kilt, why not just wear rain pants?”. The answer to this is simple, and follows the same logic I use when addressing the problems with Gore-Tex footwear. With Gore-Tex footwear, the intent is to have a membrane in the shoe that water cannot permeate. This can work well for some conditions, but it’s important to keep in mind that it will also keep water in. Waterproof shoes can take days to dry. They’re also a nightmare to wear in warm weather, as they don’t allow your feet to breathe (despite marketing claims). I found the same issues to be true with rain pants, as I sweat myself to a soaked state in any temperatures higher than 45 F. It’s like wearing a wrestlers weight-loss suit. In cold snowy weather, I think Gore-Tex shoes and waterproof pants can work really well, but for 3 season hiking and backpacking, I much prefer the more breathable options.
So, now that I’ve laid out the case against waterproof rain pants for warmer hikes in the rain, here is a list of my top reasons to opt for a rain kilt:
- Rain kilts are very lightweight, with my Tyvek option coming in at 2.48oz (69g).
- Rain kilts pack up very small, and take up very little space in your pack when not in use.
- Rain kilts are easy to put on and take off, saving you time and keeping you dry when showers come and go.
- Rain kilts are cheap and easy to make.
- Rain kilts are waterproof and durable.
- Rain kilts can double as a waterproof picnic seat or ground sheet when all of your surroundings are wet.
Julia and I used homemade rain kilts on the John Muir Trail this summer and absolutely loved them. We covered 25 miles on our first day out of Yosemite Valley, with about 15 of those miles in the rain. I loved how comfortable and breathable the kilt was, and more importantly, how dry my legs were.
If you’re looking to make your own rain kilt, like the one I made for the John Muir Trail, all you’ll need is some Tyvek, tape (I like Tyvek tape), a pair of scissors, and some Velcro.
You can buy all of these supplies on Amazon and support Trail to Peak at the same time. You’ll have to buy most of this stuff in bulk. Purchasing the minimum quantity available for each item still leaves you with enough for 2-4 kilts. The tape and velcro is enough for 5-10 kilts. If you want to purchase items in smaller quantities, you can try Michaels craft store.
3m of Tyvek
To start, I’d like to explain why I chose Tyvek as a base material. If you’re not familiar with Tyvek, here is a description from Wikipedia: “Tyvek is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, a synthetic material; the name is a registered trademark of DuPont. It is often seen used as housewrap, a synthetic material used to protect buildings during construction. The material is very strong; it is difficult to tear but can easily be cut with scissors or a knife. Water vapor can pass through Tyvek, but liquid water cannot. All of these properties make Tyvek useful in a variety of applications.” You can also use materials like cuben fiber and silnylon, but the cost and effectiveness of Tyvek makes it pretty tough to beat. I bought 3 meters of Tyvek on Amazon for $16.00, which was enough for 2 kilts and a groundsheet for our tent.
Once you get your master sheet of Tyvek, cut it down to match your preferred dimensions. I cut mine down to 53in by 28in. I stand 5’10.5″ and have a 31in waist. Start with a larger cut by about 2 or 3 inches for width and height, and then cut it down more, as needed. When your kilt cutout is sized and ready, you’ll want to add a little tape to the corners. You can skip this step if you’re really looking to cut weight, but I’ve found that the tape really adds life to the kilt and also keeps the edges from flapping in the wind.
After you’ve added tape to the edges of your Tyvek kilt, you’re ready for the final step, adding a Velcro fastener. I like to make my fastener in two sections, to allow for a more “dialed in” fit. You can do this in many ways, just make sure not to go too light on the Velcro, as you don’t want this coming undone while you’re out hiking.
To get the positioning right, try on your kilt a few times, and wrap it around your waist for a comfortable fit. Once you’ve done this, take a pen and mark the kilt just below your navel. This is where you’ll want to put the loop(fuzzy) side of the Velcro. I used a large piece measuring 7 inches. Once you have the loop side of the Velcro attached, try your kilt on again, and mark your kilt for the hook side of the Velcro. As I mentioned above, I do the hook side of the Velcro fastener in two sections to get the best fit.
Once you have the hook and loop side of the Velcro attached, try it on and make sure you have a snug but comfortable fit. That’s all there is to it, you’re ready to take on the storms now! One word of caution when using your rain kilt is to unfasten it with your fingers on the Velcro and not on the Tyvek. I learned this lesson the hard way on my first kilt as I watched the fibers tear apart. Even with this tearing, the kilt still kept me dry through quite a few storms on the JMT, and aside from this issue, the kilt was flat out bomb proof.
Feel free to ask me any questions you may have, and make sure to share your pictures with me if you make your own rain kilt!
Support Trail to Peak by purchasing your supplies at Amazon using the links below.
3m of Tyvek
