3F UL Rain Kilt Review

boogiepanda

Summit Camper

Background: I wanted to switch to a rain skirt from waterproof trousers mainly due to how easy it is to put on and take off (and the weight savings) but didn’t want to spend a lot of money on one, so I went on AliExpress and found this little one by 3F UL Gear. I considered MYOG but the cost of silnylon alone in the UK would’ve costed more or less the same as the finished product, so I decided to just order the rain skirt off AliExpress.


Product: Non-affiliate link - If you want to support me affiliate link is in my video description, where I receive a little bit of kickback at no additional cost to you, which goes towards helping me making more videos

Costs just £9 delivered when I ordered it including P&P. The product shipped from China to my house in the UK in just 10 days. Once it was in the UK it switched the Royal Mail 48 hours tracked service, which was a pleasant surprise as RM48 isn't cheap. Overall very good experience. Weighs 68g which is within the margin of error as it’s listed at 65g. Comes with a 3g stuff sack for storage and carrying, taking the total to a very respectable 71g.


Size: One size fits all (most). 70cm length x 120cm circumference. Velcro attachment at the top that’s half the length of the circumference each, ensuring maximum user compatibility. I am a 29” waist, and when secured around my waist tightly there is plenty of Velcro left, meaning users with smaller waist sizes can still wear the skirt without modification. Maximum waist size I’d estimate to be around 46”, possibly stretching to 48” but this may not be as secure. At 5’11 (180cm) in height wearing 32” inseam trousers, the skirt drops to below my knee to mid-shins when worn at my hipbones. Definitely long enough for most users also shorter users may need to modify the skirt, roll the top or wear it high up.


Waterproof: As seen in the video with the splash tests, the 15D silnylon simply repels any and all water, it slides right off. The rain skirt is also factory seam sealed to ensure it’s waterproof throughout. Nothing to complain or doubt about its waterproofing.


Value: Great when compared to the $60 ZPacks rain kilt or the $30 silnylon rain kilt from ULA, especially to those of in the UK/Europe as shopping and customs would increase the prices further. However, compared to the value you get from 3F Lanshan Tent, it’s not as great. Due to its simple nature, you can DIY/MYOG and make yourself a rain kilt for a similar or lower price, depending on material selection. Afterall it is a piece of waterproof fabric wrapped around you.


Advantage vs waterproof trousers: I’m sure this has been said before, but for me it’s ease of taking it on/off and breathability. I find myself to avoid using waterproof trousers when facing showers because of the hassle associated with overtrousers and having to put on the legs over boots or shoes. With the rain skirt it’s simple and easy to just take on and off. In addition, I avoid wearing waterproof overtrousers all day due to overheating and swearing as they lack breathability. The rain skirt obviously avoids the problem altogether through the large mechanical vent at the bottom opening.


Potential downsides: Lower shins through ankles are not covered. Not a problem for me and I expect most people as the core of upper thighs are covered. The Velcro opening also means that the opening is to one side. Can be annoying when the wind blows from a particular direction and can cause the skirt to blow around and open slightly, but for me there’s enough excess material to cover my legs still. You can also rotate the item quite easily to sidestep the problem.


Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them
 
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JKM

Thru Hiker
Great review, thanks for that. Apart from my jealousy of your 29" waist I enjoyed watching!
:thumbsup:

You need to sharpen that swiss army knife though.

Have placed an order this evening so I will leave some feedback on how it fits those with a slightly less svelte figure .... :redface:
 

boogiepanda

Summit Camper
Great review, thanks for that. Apart from my jealousy of your 29" waist I enjoyed watching!
:thumbsup:

You need to sharpen that swiss army knife though.

Have placed an order this evening so I will leave some feedback on how it fits those with a slightly less svelte figure .... :redface:

I need to replace the SAK haha. I bought the Draper Redline off Amazon for £3 just to see if it would be useful before I buy a more expensive one. Believe me I've tried to sharpen the knife but it's just a piece of crap. I guess it's something that my family can get me for Christmas :D
 
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JimH

Section Hiker
Looks really tempting, are there any other good budget rain-kilt options other than myog & binbags?

I think I could get away with something shorter, so I could go a bit more (stupid?) light.
 

Dave V

Moderator
Staff member
I've seen one person using a skirt before and it looked a bit strange but very effective. Thanks for the overview.
 

boogiepanda

Summit Camper
Looks really tempting, are there any other good budget rain-kilt options other than myog & binbags?

I think I could get away with something shorter, so I could go a bit more (stupid?) light.

As far as I can see on AliExpress (haven't looked on Taobao (domestic version of AE and doesn't do international shipping, although there are re-shippers) 3F UL does the only rain kilt and it's the only rain kilt on the market for a tenner. The only options that are remotely close to the price of 3F UL is buying silnylon yourself or other waterproof fabric and MYOG

I definitely think you can go shorter, I'd be happy for the skirt to just cover down to my knees, can probably save a dozen grams if you chopped the excess.
 

tom

Thru Hiker
Rain skirts are just a great solution for all the issues you mention - I ditched rain trousers for windproof pants quite a while ago (kept me dryer than waterproof). I used the MLD skirt for all my hikes this year and became a rain skirt convert. I like the look of the 3F design - also seems better for multi-purpose use...
 
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dovidola

Thru Hiker
Bugger. Gone and ordered one too. Hate waterproof over trousers, so don't carry them, and this looks like it'll do for that Giggle Gap between the bottom of my jacket and the tops of my gaiters. Should work as a bit of a groundsheet as well. Never thought I'd live to see the day I got a frock. Just don't tell anyone.
 
If enough of us wear them the chances of being mocked ceaselessly, are probably still not reduced.

^ ^ Where? Or should I say ; in which century? Are you hiking to be the subject of such " Look everyone ! That man is wearing One tube instead of two !" Ribaldry??

"Carrying it for a mate"
"Doctor's orders"
"Forgot to tuck my shirt in"
"Drying out my tent"
"It's Tuesday"
"Lost my trousers"
"Scottish" (might work unless you're in Scotland)
"It's for charity/a bet"

Funnily enough, I too, have used all of those excuses ; only for other porpoises :angelic:

Really sorry if you've been the subject of vile lampooning along gender lines ; I can't imagine anything worse than being mistaken ; even momentarily ; for a woman ... :eek:?

n.b. It's pretty much the quickest job in the sewing room to run up a rainskirt, and they are everso practical and comfy in certain conditions. :happy:
 

tom

Thru Hiker
"Carrying it for a mate"
"Doctor's orders"
"Forgot to tuck my shirt in"
"Drying out my tent"
"It's Tuesday"
"Lost my trousers"
"Scottish" (might work unless you're in Scotland)
"It's for charity/a bet"

Am I doing something wrong? Not managed to get any comments yet ...:unsure: Would love to retort with some ridicule :cool: :whistling:
Did two decades in South India, were a "lunghi" - a kind of sarong for men - was respectable menswear, leave a sense of "normality" about it? Certainly more comfortable than pants I can attest :rolleyes:
 

JKM

Thru Hiker
I intend to skip jauntily from rock to rock while wearing mine. Pausing occasionally to wave at passing grockles and shout "less than 100g you know, and only £10" before smiling cheerily and continuing merrily on my way safe in the knowledge they will never overtake me in their heavyweight overkill goretex trousies.
 
Being mistaken for a woman wouldn't be an issue - it might even be an educative experience!
Being taken for a bloke who wears a frock is another matter entirely.

Educative - perhaps ... But failing that ; you could find a real live genuine one, and ask her "What's it like being a woman?" and listen to the answer ...

The answer might be quite illuminating ... But then you'd have to find another one, and ask her, then another, and another etc, etc and so forth..

Because here's the secret dovidola (you mustn't tell though) we - are - all - different - and - have - had - varying* - experiences yes i know! Crazy stuff huh?? *but we're similar in some ways too, a bit like all the other humans :).

So question for you , in a general spirit of enquiry and understanding (and i would broaden this out to anyone else reading) just what is so troubling for the average western male, about a guy in a frock?

As our fiend Tom confirms, it can be far more comfortable, and convenient, than trews on occasion...

I have several man - friends who regularly wear skirts, and kilts, out and about, for work and play, and none of them has the excuse of Scottish ancestry.

But I couldn't see any of of them putting up with too much sh*t about it though :angelic:
,

Am I doing something wrong? Not managed to get any comments yet ...:unsure: Would love to retort with some ridicule :cool: :whistling:
Did two decades in South India, were a "lunghi" - a kind of sarong for men - was respectable menswear, leave a sense of "normality" about it? Certainly more comfortable than pants I can attest :rolleyes:
 
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cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Traditional Scottish Kilt isn't a bright idea for being out on the hills tho'.
My dad tried it for while in his 'youf'. He told me the hem got wet, and the stiff wet wool fabric edge cut his skin to bits. :(.

Other "skirts", in other conditions, on whom so ever ?? ……… go for it :thumbsup:
 
I intend to skip jauntily from rock to rock while wearing mine. Pausing occasionally to wave at passing grockles and shout "less than 100g you know, and only £10" before smiling cheerily and continuing merrily on my way safe in the knowledge they will never overtake me in their heavyweight overkill goretex trousies.

A word of caution, re the 'rock hopping' JKM

Said kilt, can slightly obfuscate line of sight, in quickstep situations...

Especially going downhill, if one is trying to outrun a thunderstorm... :frown:

But otherwise, yes, any excuse for a cheery greeting, and wave, is to be welcomed :rolleyeses:
 

JKM

Thru Hiker
I must admit that I am more concerned about the white/grey colour scheme clashing with the rest of my mountain ninja outfit than I am of somebody seeing me in a skirt.

Thank goodness it is not green, that would be really embarrassing.
 
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I must admit that I am more concerned about the white/grey colour scheme clashing with the rest of my mountain ninja outfit than I am of somebody seeing me in her skirt.

Thank goodness it is not green, that would be really embarrassing.

Oh lor ! ... Typical :eek: - I've got a green one :grumpy:
- rainskirt

Pray tell me - What hill - fashion faux - pas am I committing now? :arghh:
 
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