>>238724Isn't it sad that this place has become so toxic that you're afraid to ask a simple question? I don't know why the newer /out/friends are so against traditional/alternative methods of clothing but it's really depressing.
Clearly people aren't mountaineering with wool cloaks, there's nothing wrong with wearing one on a walk if it's brisk out. It'd be kind of pathetic to see someone dressed in full arcteryx on a simple dayhike in the autumn or winter.
But to answer your question, unless there's a torrential downpour, an overcoat will do fine, even if it's cotton or wool or some other synthetic non-waterproof material. /out/ believes that the moment a drop of rain falls from the sky, you, your gear, and your clothing will become soaked in some kind of weird irreversible hydrophilic process. A simple rainfall will not be enough to kill you or soak your coat to the point of saturation, and I seriously doubt you'll run into a life threatening situation on an average trip. Not to mention, you can air your coat out overnight by hanging it on a branch. Just make sure you have a good softshell and thermals underneath. We aren't talking arctic weather, or what you'd encounter at 10,000 feet on the side of a mountain.
I'll probably get crucified for this, but I'm telling you--you WILL be fine. Don't get caught in the hype of buying a bunch of expensive specialty gear just to go on a trip, even if it's a long one. Listen to experience, rather than a bunch of people who probably have enough in gear to own a small portion of some of these companies, yet have never been dirtied.
pic related, my girlfriend and I decided to crash one night and make a small pentagon shelter with a hole in the roof for smoke ventilation. Used a tarp as the front door. This was towards the end of our hike, and we had a spare day so we spent it chilling by the fire.
