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After 600 miles

Review

Finding a cheap and effective rain suit isn’t easy. Rain gear is usually expensive, high tech and made of performance materials. The Frogg Toggs rain suit offers a  more affordable solution that works while also being ultralight and very packable.

Why Frogg Toggs?

My first performance waterproof shell was my Patagonia Torrentshell rain jacket which I purchased before heading off travelling around SE Asia. It was well over £100 for just the jacket and while it was durable and very well made, it wasn’t as waterproof as the price tag suggested. Upon my return, I went in search of a much lighter solution which didn’t cost an arm and a leg. After watching various YouTube reviews and watching UL hikers out in the USA wearing them, I went straight for a set of Frogg Toggs UL rain gear.

How did they do?

I’ve hiked over 400 miles on trails like the Welsh 3,000s and the Rota Vicentina and countless hikes in Snowdonia National Park, Scotland and the Lake District in some pretty dramatic weather. While not being made of the most durable materials, for their price and weight they’re incredibly waterproof and cut the wind and rain very well. They’re really baggy which helps water drain right off and keeps them ventilated, but they can get snagged on thorns and sharp rocks very easily so you’ve got to take care of them. After lots of hikes in the woods getting caught on twigs and branches they’ve seen better days and it’s probably time to get a new set, which is why I picked up my OR Helium 2 before starting the PCT.

What about the trousers?

The trousers are just as effective at keeping the rain off and cutting the wind, but they’re very baggy and ended up getting torn to shreds very quickly. Many hikers have completely torn the Frogg Toggs trousers clean in half down the crotch when they’ve sat down without picking up the bagginess in preparation for parking their tushes, so I’ve actually hardly worn the trousers. It’s definitely worth investing in more durable rain pants which last ages.

Value for money

My Frogg Toggs actually lasted more miles than the OR Helium 2 when put side by side for the price and value for money. Yes, the Helium 2 is much more durable, but the Frogg Toggs were waterproof for much longer. This rain suit is so cheap and if you take care of it could last an entire thru-hike of the PCT. For those reasons, it’s worth every last penny.

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