10/15   Anyone ever shop at http://Landsend.com?  Any good?  Where should I go to buy
        a good but inexpensive  waterproof jacket to take into the mountains?
          \- landsend is supposed to have good return policies but i would
             pretty much never buy a jacket over the net. i'm picky about
             pocket size, location, zipper and ventilation location etc.
        \- if you are in east bay, try North Face Outlet circa Gilman and 6th.
           If you only want anti-rain and not warmth, Marmot Precip Jacket is
           not bad. There are some cheaper clones of the Precip. Also light
           light and compressible, if space an issue. --psb, expedition proven
        \_ Might want to look at http://www.overstock.com  They often have
           some good deals for waterproof jackets.
        \_ when i went trekking through peru, all the westerners wearing
        goretex rain jackets shed them in favor of $2 plastic hoods that the
        indigenous guides wore. unless you're going where it's really windy
        i recommend against the goretex.
        \- plastic and rubber dont breathe. the airflow you are getting is
           from the fact that you are wearing it like a poncho. you are
           going to want something that breathes for the layer that keeps
           you warm but not sweating. i have hiked in a garbage bag before
           and believe me, it's not pleasant ... that's a reasonable appraoch
           if it is really hot and rainy [not usual calif conditions] or you
           are improvising. --psb
           \- in re: gortex ... i wouldnt get gortex boots. stick with good
              leather. for typical california conditions ... some rain, some
              wind, maybe down to 40deg ... possibility of going to freezing,
              i would go with: patagonia light thermals, large tshirt,
              windstopper jacket [get a cheap one], medium price gortex
              medium wt jacket, and large thin shell like the Precip.
              you can mix and match those for 90deg - 30deg. --psb
                \_ get goretex boots, they are worth it if yer sloshing
                   through lots of water/mud. Vasque makes nice leather
                   boots with goretex liners, and they're comfy, too.
                   REI stopped carrying the ones I really liked, though.
                   they were a godsend in montana, along with the goretex
                   jacket (just wish I bought the pants, too).