Rain Wear Question? Alaska trip-best stuff

[KSdan]

Got a friend heading up.  I see a lot of this gortex and gortex look-alike. . . but is that good enough for Alaska.  Stuf works fine here in the midweest where you come in at night- but the wilderness makes me wonder??  What about Frogg Toggs?  Are they durable?  Others suggestions

Thanks
Dan

[Dave2old]

If it ain't goretex, and you hunt hard, soon you're as wet inside from sweat as if from rain. I've done 4 trips to AK and goretex never came up short. Bugs are a far worse problem than rain. On one trip, they were so bad that the only time I could get out of the tent to hunt was when it was pouring rain and put them down. Go late as possible to miss them.

[John Havard]

Peter Storm gear is quite good if you want breathable gear.  

I almost died from hypothermia in 1978 while spring brown bear hunting down on the Alaska Peninsula wearing the first revision of GoreTex.  To say it was worthless is a gross understatement.  I have never trusted it since.  If you want a great ski suit to keep slight moisture off your body while skiing in a very dry climate, GoreTex is your fabric of choice.  If you are going to be wearing a pack, sitting on wet ground, getting your rain gear dirty (and thereby from all those activities ruining the "breathing" properties of GoreTex) then you will be SORELY disappointed in anything made by W.L. Gore.  

Dave2old is correct - if you are working hard inside of raingear you're going to be almost as wet inside as if you weren't wearing any at all.  If you're climbing in raingear and it's raining you're going to be wet, whether or not you're wearing anything made or licensed by W.L.Gore or if you're wearing a plastic trash bag.  Even "breathable" gear can't breath if the moisture level outside of the rain gear can't facilitate the evaporation of moisture from within.

John

[Orion]

Only done two trips to Alaska -- float trips for moose.  Rained 12 out of the 15 days we were on the river the first time.  Didn't rain at all the second time, but that's unheard of.  Had Gore tex both times -- Beans and Browning.  Worked fine.  Taking a hard look at Rivers West stuff now.  Has a good rep.

[BD]

I would highly recommend the Peter Storm raingear as well-good stuff, nice camo pattern.

BD

[Wyben]

I was in Alaska last fall. It rained everyday but one. I used Peter Storm. It kept me dry. It's pretty quiet also.

[wingnut]

John Havard has spent as much time in the wilds of Alaska as anyone I know.  When we went moose hunting a couple years back with him, nature through some pretty good stuff at us.  His knowledge of gear selection kept us comfy and safe.  In other words, listen to what the man says.  He knows from experience and is a diligent researcher.  If there is a better solution to the problem he hasn't seen it yet.

We took the Peter Storm raingear with us and will be using it for many years to come.

Mike

[Butchie]

For you Peter Storm fans.  Which camo would you recommend?  It looks that the brown would be  better all 'round.  Thanks!

Brent

[Mohillbilly]

Used the River's West gear last year on a Kodiak deer hunt.  Worked flawlessly, tough and quiet.  I would highly recommend.

Bret

[Lost Arra]

Is the **** store the only place to get Peter Storm rain gear? Not much selection there.

[sticbow]

Rivers West...

[KSdan]

Thanks all

[TradAlaska]

Another vote for Rivers West.

Cheers from Alaska