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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: RRock on April 10, 2008, 07:51:00 PM

Title: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: RRock on April 10, 2008, 07:51:00 PM
Well, it's time to breakdown and buy some new rain gear. What's your favorite brand and why do you like it?
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: SilverTip on April 10, 2008, 08:11:00 PM
the only rain gear that ever really worked for me is a Jack nickulas gortex rain suit for golfing. it runs about 300 bucks now. but the colors are not for hunting, Jack never played in camo much.
 But like I said its the only one that has not leaked for me, and I've tried most of them.

         Billy
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Atanarjuat on April 10, 2008, 08:18:00 PM
SitkaGear Downpour (jacket&pants).
light, packs small, practical, perfect fit, durable, good camo pattern, and zippered options for breathability.

no "shortcuts" IMO in their system.

rob
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: hunt it on April 10, 2008, 08:20:00 PM
Helly Hansen Alaskan Series if you want waterproof. It's not for hiking far in, just keeping dry in heavy rain.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Orion on April 10, 2008, 08:27:00 PM
Rivers West.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Bjorn on April 10, 2008, 08:36:00 PM
Gore Tex is not worth a sore behind! Does not breathe and you are soaking wet in no time.
The Cabelas 'Rain Suede' with 'Dry Plus' works pretty good.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: woodchucker on April 10, 2008, 09:31:00 PM
I just dress in wool pants and a wool sweater or two.   :thumbsup:  

I never really minded being wet.....
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: rtherber on April 10, 2008, 09:35:00 PM
www.peterstorm.com-just (http://www.peterstorm.com-just)  be aware of the European sizing.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Longbow rookie on April 10, 2008, 09:38:00 PM
Helly Hansen...solid product that works at a fair price.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Cal Bergsma on April 10, 2008, 09:57:00 PM
In my opinion there is no better rain gear than the Rivers West. It will be the last time you ever buy rain gear for the rest of your life and it will allow you to hunt when others who aren't wearing Rivers West have to stay inside. It is dead quiet for the bowhunter, untearable and very warm.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Gary Logsdon on April 10, 2008, 10:00:00 PM
Peter Storm!
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on April 11, 2008, 12:10:00 AM
A few years ago I bought a Gander Mountain TecH20 jacket and pants. They're soft, comfortable and quiet, but mostly I bought them because of the wind/rain-proof Gore Tex. Since then I've been caught out in a downpour more than once and always stayed nice and dry under the jacket and pants.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: joe skipp on April 11, 2008, 12:10:00 AM
I've been using Froggs Toggs past 3 yrs, really like the stuff. Wear it under my fleece jacket, never been wet yet.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Brian Krebs on April 11, 2008, 02:58:00 AM
When I was a kid there was a guy named Rudy; who knew everything about keeping dry in the rain.
 Unfortunetly he was a communist; and pretty much everyone hated him for it.
 But as everyone said: Rudolph the Red knows rain gear!!   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: NDTerminator on April 11, 2008, 09:08:00 AM
I have Cabelas Dry Plus, both rain suit and various pieces that are insulated for late season (gets a mite cold up here in ND).

The rain suit is nice in that each piece compresses down into it's own attached pouch. The two little bundles take up minimal room in a pack or duffle bag.

The stuff is costly but it's a one time expense and worth it...
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: snag on April 11, 2008, 09:35:00 AM
I hunted in the Oregon rainforest last year in November clothed in Sitka Gear Downpour and stayed dry and it fits good.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: JimmyC on April 11, 2008, 11:00:00 AM
For my applications involving fishing and hunting here in the midwest, I have been extremely pleased with my Cabela's Space Rain Suit.  The beauty of it is it's packability. Easily fitting into a fanny pack, makes it easy to have it with you ALL the time.  Rain wear does you no good sitting on the seat of your truck!

Not sure it would be my choice for hard core use in Alaska or the like, but for farm country jaunts and Great Lakes fishing trips, I don't think you can find a better system.  

Jim
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: DGW on April 11, 2008, 11:48:00 AM
Peter Storm and cabelas rain suede. Used p. s. in alaska and kept dry when it rained most of the time. it does not pack as well as the rain suede and is louder. Like rain suede for back pack elk hunts, and used it in canada.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Stumpknocker on April 11, 2008, 12:55:00 PM
Cabelas Dry-Plus has been excellent for me.  I have the jacket and the pants and have used both in serious rain for hours (toward the end of season just hoping it would stop raining and the darn deer would move) and stayed completely dry.  It's hot though, and a little on the heavy side.  I really have two rain gear systems, Marmot precip for hot weather or when weight is an issue, and the cabelas stuff for when it's cooler and/or I'm hunting from a stand.  I hate being wet unless I want to be.  

That Rudolph joke was seriously funny!
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Gnat on April 12, 2008, 03:25:00 PM
I've been a backcountry ranger and field ecologist in Alaska for years. I've tried just about everything and pushed it to the limits of endless rainy bush-whacking.

Realistically, you may need two sets of rain gear--one rubberized super-waterproof and camo like the Helly Hansen gear or some others that have been suggested, for times when you are sitting in the rain, on a boat, etc.--and one for hiking around, backpacking, and bush-whacking+.

That being said, the best rain and snow gear I have found in the world is the Arc'Teryx (models Theta AR). They are expensive, although you can find them for almost half-price on auction sites. You need the 3-ply Gote-tex (called Gore-tex XCR or the new stuff is called Gore Tex Pro Shell).that has taped seems and no inner liner (the cheaper stuff is not nearly as good)...a few other companies make them as well, like Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, and Marmot, but Arc'Teryx is as good as there is, and I have battle-tested this...it's lightweight, ultra durable, super breathable, and as waterproof as you can find in a breathable material...almost as good as rubber and will last you years, and then will be replaced or repaired for free when it fails. Unfortunately it doesn't come in camo, but there's a black and a brown, and this is the kind of raingear you love every time you put it on.

    http://arcteryx.com/product.aspx?Theta-AR-Jacket
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: Toklat1 on April 14, 2008, 03:28:00 PM
Helly Hansen Impertech. You can order ir from Mountain View Sports in Anchorage Ak. I don't have the number but information will give it right to you. Its good stuff!
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: JC on April 14, 2008, 03:51:00 PM
Since I don't actually hunt in the driving rain, but just need raingear to get me through downpours etc., I end up carrying rain gear a lot more than using it. Like Jimmy C, another vote of confidence here for the Cabela's Space Rain packable stuff. Works great and mainly it's very light and compact, which means it's in my pack when I need it. Tippit used mine at last years bear hunt and came back with the testimonial of "I'm buying some of that stuff!".

I'll agree with Gnat too, the arc'Teryx stuff is superbly built....if I hunted frequently in torrential downpours or in an area that had more rain than sun, I'd consider a set of these. I know more than a few serious backcountry expeditioners who wouldn't trade theirs for anything.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: 6X5 on April 14, 2008, 04:00:00 PM
Army poncho. Keeps my arrows, bows dry, and in combination with a pair of Cabelas gortex pants keeps me dry and warm also.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: JimmyC on April 14, 2008, 09:31:00 PM
Another thing about the Cabela's "Space Rain Suit" is that it is pretty quiet as far as rain gear goes.  If you were really worried about a little noise with movement, then you can easily wear it under an outer wool or something since it is so thin.  

It also makes a great outer layer for wind or cold conditions.  It's like carrying a very handy extra layer with a lot of versatility.
Title: Re: Opinions on rain gear
Post by: shootssmallbulls on April 14, 2008, 10:45:00 PM
I like light packable rain gear as I do wear wool. And my personnal favorite would be the sitka downpour pants and jacket.