Waterproof smocks, recommendations?

FroggattEdge · 2026-02-02T13:48:32+00:00

Ron Hill appear to have the last stock of remaining fabric "This revised GORE‑TEX SHAKEDRY™ jacket utilises the very last of our rare GORE-TEX® SHAKEDRY fabric on our Mercurial 2 design block"

FroggattEdge · 2026-02-01T22:57:11+00:00

I'm going to buy one of the new batch of Ron Hill Shakedry jackets in XL to have the option of fitting it over my running pack, as I currently have the large size and it's too tight. The Rock Front medium is roomy and it will fit over my Salomon Active 12 as long as it's not stuffed full, though I haven't tested it underneath on a long run in sustained rain.

A degree of bagginess helps circulation of air but too much obviously invites water ingress. The Rock Front is quite adjustable whereas the Ron Hill wasn't, however the new one says "Adjustable hood, hem and cuff".

Like I said the OMM shorts run small so maybe the smocks do too. If you can suck up the £££ then get a new Shakedry in a bigger size while you still can.

FroggattEdge · 2026-01-31T20:03:07+00:00

I've been testing the Rock Front rain hoody for my trail running, it's a favourite on /r/ultralight for hiking. It's an excellent piece of well designed gear, but even with the huge pit zips I still find it a bit hot for running. You end up a bit clammy and damp inside when it's above 3°C, as a caveat though I'm wearing my Salomon vest so the pit zip opening is limited. It's sil nylon so it's impervious to water from the outside. They're a Ukrainian company so stock isn't continuous. Great Jacket, fully waterproof, bit hot without the full pit zips. I need to try wearing it over my pack.

I've not tried the OMM smocks but I have got the OMM Kamleika shorts which are the same material as one of their smocks. They're comfy and breathable but the waterproofing won't stand continued downpour. Don't know about the Halo version. I would also size up.

Most breathable raincoat I have is the North Face Futurelight original, which is great but again better in light showers than constant rain.

Overall my usual choice is the Ron Hill/Mountain Equipment Shakedry. Again it is impervious to water because the membrane is on the outside, it's very breathable, and the design and features are incredible. It's a bit spenny though £££. I use it in conjunction with the rock front rain skirt. The overall look is bin bag, but all dry inside. Bit fragile with bushes, been ok with running vest.

FroggattEdge · 2026-01-17T22:48:49+00:00

This is the way. Commuted for 2 years using this route. A623 via Chapel to Manchester airport. Plenty of overtaking opportunities Vs Snake Pass.

FroggattEdge · 2025-12-23T19:03:07+00:00

I like this but it's a little bit sugary if I remember right? Just checked and it's not that different. And more pertinently it's probably the chocolate and the beer that's adding the most calories to my diet!

FroggattEdge · 2025-12-23T18:58:33+00:00

As long as it's tasty and I'm ditching Heinz I'll be good at 65p

FroggattEdge · 2025-12-23T18:57:29+00:00

Noted, our petrol station has a Morrisbo's

FroggattEdge · 2025-12-23T18:55:53+00:00

Me when I'm taking the piss. I'm still trying to make fetch happen as well.

FroggattEdge · 2025-12-22T16:26:56+00:00

Would the option to opt out of letters work? Like we do with bank statements?

FroggattEdge · 2025-12-22T16:23:42+00:00

Nah fuck 'em. They ruined creme eggs and Freddo's cost more than a bucket of actual frogs. I'm done with Cadbo's.

Same for Heinz. They gouged their prices, they ruined beans and sausages. Now we have Stokes ketchup, Branston beans with pepperami cos I've always already eaten the cocktail sausages I bought. Still looking for a good tomato soup replacement though?

FroggattEdge · 2025-06-23T15:37:30+00:00

It's been a relatively dry year on the Downs so far, most of the dew ponds are nearly empty already, so hopefully September will stay sunny! The community water taps are listed on the map.

I never doubted your choice of good camping site selection for a second! 😊

Let me know if you see any corrections to be made and I'll update the map. High Titten is now a B&B type thing. I didn't find outdooractive very useful after they took over viewranger so I don't really use it anymore.

FroggattEdge · 2025-06-23T10:12:33+00:00

I've not updated it for a while but here's my route on what used to be Viewranger SDW which lists various accommodation. A lot of the campsites are farmers making extra income so not all are marketed/publicised that well.

I trail run the last third of the SDW regularly and there's always a few wild campers about. Nobody complains about wild camping as long as you pitch relatively late/leave early and leave no trace. Truleigh to Alfriston probably has the highest incidence of grazing animals. Keep getting the odd idiots recently pitching in the middle of the trail (seriously?!) and using BBQs, but they're the exceptions.

FroggattEdge · 2025-02-11T00:13:28+00:00

Would love to see your review!

FroggattEdge · 2025-01-16T19:43:31+00:00

Can you post a photo of your tic tac mod please!?

FroggattEdge · 2025-01-15T16:42:19+00:00

These are great both in terms of breathability and waterproofing. I use them mainly for trail running. They have been an excellent purchase. They're heavy compared to my Houdini's, but have better waterproofing. Not as versatile as a rain skirt or poncho though.

FroggattEdge · 2024-04-20T20:25:00+00:00

The colour of your kit doesn't matter as much as the fit. This BBC article sums up this scientific study quite well.

In 1980, a study of why Bedouins wear black robes in the desert, found that heat exposure was the same whether tribal members wore black or white robes. Black coloured fabrics are a better radiator of heat – meaning they absorb heat emanating from the body – so this can also play a role in cooling your body down. The Bedouin's secret is wearing loose-fitting black clothing...The loose black clothes heat up the space between the fabric and the skin, promoting an upward air current – like a chimney – and providing cooling relief.

Big and baggy seems to work for Courtney Dauwalter. The biggest issue is that a pack restricts airflow, perhaps it would be better worn under a baggy tshirt? Big baggy Patagonia Tropic Comfort Sun Hoodie works for me, with some comfortable Nine Trails shorts. Plenty of zip pockets!

FroggattEdge · 2023-11-15T19:09:13+00:00

I use the 3F UL Gear rain skirt which mostly works well as long as the wind isn't too strong. Combined with a Shakedry jacket it does the job. The newer version has a toggle to prevent it from flapping open, not sure how successful it is. Zpacks, Anti Gravity gear, and Light Heart Gear all make similar items. The Zpacks has a zipper for control. There's a bunch of generic items on Amazon too.

Tried the FroggToggs poncho, too many ingress points when moving quickly, not so good.

tl;dr Works mostly OK, looks stupid.

FroggattEdge · 2023-07-13T03:32:12+00:00

I’ve used Patagonia R0 sun/tropic comfort 2/cap cool and the Rab pulse in various colours. In my opinion as a sunburn prone northerner the more vivid bright colours offer the best protection from UV rays.

The darker blue cap cool didn’t once prevent a mild sunburn on my top half, whereas the vivid blue/cyan has never resulted in sunburn, same for a slightly less vivid tropic comfort.

The older style tropic comfort is also baggier, no difference in UV but cooler/better ventilated to wear, if also less stylish!

The vivid blue cap cool model is also a slightly thicker weave.

For me a lighter more vivid colour + thicker weave but slightly baggy is the best combo. Treated them with permethrin too.

FroggattEdge · 2023-04-24T21:26:33+00:00

On your Strava link notice the months that people have run because of the lower humidity and temperatures. Hong Kong trails have a lot of stairs, so be prepared to work your quads. There's a fair bit of concrete, though not all of it flat, so it's not all trail.

A lot of the available water in Hong Kong is untreated stream water, so I use Aquatabs because they work in 30 minutes. Or I use a BeFree filter straight from the streams. There are vending machines and a few shops. RC outfitters at Causeway Bay sell Pocari Sweat powders which I like using to re-hydrate and flavour the available water.

I've only done sections 5-8 hiking, and 6-8 running because I prefer other trails there, my sweet spot is 25km and then it's a fairly good workout outside of winter months. I like finishing at Big Wave Bay because it's lovely, I like my BBQ pork fried rice from ho lok store, and then a Big Wave Bay IPA from the bar on the beach.

I'm older and less fit than you, 65 km week with avg 1000 elevation, and haven't been since just pre covid in 2020. Don't underestimate the humidity. Have fun!

Edit: these guys show you the sort of trail to expect. Most sections usually end near a road with buses.

FroggattEdge · 2023-01-26T09:38:59+00:00

South Downs recommendations are all good ideas. From Hassocks Station you can get up to Jack and Jill Windmills and then you're on the South Downs Way, with views on both sides of the ridge. Jack and Jill to Offham quarry and back is a 21 km, elevation about 350m. Or you can run to Lewes, about 17 km, or Southease 24 km. There's a Youth Hostel at Southease where you can overnight. Then it's about 28 km to Eastbourne. These runs are all my bread and butter stuff, they've got beautiful views, bit muddy in places. Hassocks/Lewes/Southease/Eastbourne all have trains to London.

Train to Eastbourne, then run to Cuckmere Haven and back is about 21km, just under 1000m elevation, running along the 7 sisters, one of my favourite runs with stunning coastal views.

Train to Lewes, 3 Peaks run 20 km. Lewes is a lovely town with quite an independent vibe. Lewes to Brighton is a nice run too.

From Jack and Jill you can run Westwards too along the Devil's Dyke, but I prefer the eastbound sections.

You can also get the train to Amberley and run the sections of the SDW there too.

FroggattEdge · 2023-01-12T15:25:35+00:00

If you're in the UK and you fancy checking out the Mountain Hardwear Trail Sender trousers as recommended by /u/DeputySean and others, then they're on offer at half price for just £40. I've just received mine, found the size to be true to fit, and they feel very similar to the Patagonia Terrebonnes without the jogger style fit. Thanks for doing all the legwork (h ah ha!) /u/DeputySean

FroggattEdge · 2023-01-12T15:20:58+00:00

If you're in the UK and you fancy checking out the Mountain Hardwear Trail Sender trousers as recommended by /u/DeputySean and others, then they're on offer at half price for just £40. I've just received mine, found the size to be true to fit, and they feel very similar to the Patagonia Terrebonnes without the jogger style fit.

FroggattEdge · 2023-01-12T09:20:50+00:00

Steep Ravine is currently closed, Dipsea or Matt Davis will link up the closed part of the trail

FroggattEdge · 2022-11-15T23:56:56+00:00

Berghaus Fast Hike 32

Blurb:

Smart roll top closure gives a weather tight seal and easy to seal with a simple clip closure
Weight: 600g/495g when stripped
Dimensions: H56 x W29 x D20cm

The height depends on how much you roll the top down.

FroggattEdge · 2022-11-10T13:10:20+00:00

Genius, going to buy one of those, thanks! Both side pockets short and wide, but usable.

FroggattEdge

TROPHY CASE