Showing strain, weary participants gather gear recommended for hikers (8)

I believe the answer is:

rainwear

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'gather gear recommended for hikers' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'showing strain weary participants' is the wordplay.
'participants' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some letters 'participating' in the clue).
'RAINWEAR' is hidden in the letters of 'showing strain weary'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rainwear that I've seen before include "Coats" , "Waterproof clothing" , "Gear for wet weather" , "This should keep him dry" , "Waterproof clothes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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