As a person with a very meager income, I was gun shy of big ticket rain gear. I wasted a pile of money on cheap crap that got replaced far too often. Finally, a buddy suggested something that has kept me dry ever since:

Every time you get soaked and miserable on a trip, put $20 in a jar. You will very quickly have the $$ you need to by a serious jacket that is worth every penny!

NOTHING will spoil your mood and sour the best of trips faster than being wet and cold.
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[Bleeeeep!], the cup of ignorance in this thread overfloweth . . . Salmo g
Truth be told, I've always been a fan of the Beavs. -Dan S.