I reinforce the opinion that all Paramo waterproofs can be relied upon, although they do tend to be be somewhat heavy and hot in seasons other than Winter. Never been happy with waterproof socks and no so-called waterproof shoes/boots will survive torrential downpours and a boggy moor.

Hi Les.
Wet walking! Horrible! Reccommend "Paramo" 110%, pick jacket/style you like.
Myself i use a ( Velez Smock ). Costly around £160 now i believe.
But oh-so-bloody-Good.
Walked moors in dark & rain on Welsh 100 warm&dry brilliant !!!!!!!! Could'nt use my fingers though to hold my mug when down at checkpoint.
ACTUALLY!! I've, bought a spare.
If you're out regularly, buy one.
Regards Roy.

Hi Les,

Despite the weather it was a good walk, we reached halfway in 12 hrs. and completed in 26.5 hrs. I also wore meindl boots and stuck with the same pair of injinji socks, came out unscathed without any blisters (although the socks were a little ripe at the end.

Hmm! well it was wet!! All my waterproof gear leaked including Gortex shoes, Meindle leather boots, and Sealskinz socks. So went with shorts and 'waterproof' jacket which I managed to dry out before nightfall. I never did get the plastic ponchos out..but did several changes of socks and have no blisters. Did the first 50k in 10 hours then slowed up. Thanks to falling in the mud spent dome time in first aid completed in 25 hours.

"But I work on the principle that my skin is waterproof therefore I can't come to any harm"


Maybe true that your skin is waterproof, but your bones are not damp proof. I spent most of my working life outside, and hardly ever worked in the rain. But if I did I always went home to soak in a hot bath to warm up again.

When walking in the rain I always tried to keep my lower back dry and warm. I've never dropped out of event because of rain, but I been very close to it.

ian.

I see heavy rain is forecast for Saturday, scattered showers for Sunday. I'd say that for 100 km, heavy rain, you need good waterproofs. Apart from the exposure aspect, it is miserable walking wet for hours and hours. Uncovered shorts are fine for showery weather, as the moisture can evaporate between showers. I would recommend trying to keep dry, and doubt that a cheap plastic poncho will do the job. Also ponchos blow around. If you have a good jacket, take that and wrap a sheet of plastic around your waist to extend to below your shorts. I used this system on the Pennine Way and it worked well. Also take 3 - 4 pairs dry socks.

Thanks I was thinking along the lines of that...shorts rather than trousers, trying to reduce abrasion. Got some plastic ponchos at a few pounds each since technical expensive waterproofs always seem to leak after an hour or so.

It might not help you much but I work on the principle that my skin is waterproof therefore I can`t come to any harm , and just get on with it, seems to work for me as I have never DNFd because of rain

This years Trailwalker looks like it might be ...well damp. Now when I walk in the rain I normally walk till I am very wet and uncomfortable and then beat a retreat. In a 100Km walk this might not be an option. Any hints/experience about walking over long periods of time in rain?