rain gear for backpacking

[jtwalsh62]

I am looking for some rain gear that will roll up small

[Lost Arra]

I think the Cabelas Space Rain gear is about the smallest package you can find. I don't have it because I'm rough on jackets and it's not known for it's toughness.

[NBK]

I used the Cabelas space rain gear on last years elk hunt and was very impressed.  It is extremely compact, weighs nothing and although I'd heard that it tears easily, mine came through unscathed, even after a five hour horse ride in the dark where I swear my horse was aiming for every tree to bang my legs against.  For what we did, it was perfect.

 

I'm wearing the jacket while smelling elk!

[Biathlonman]

If you have the budget westcomb eVent stuff is supposed to be the best.  My budget hasn't got there yet so i slum marmot precep.

[cacciatore]

I used the Cabela's staff myself few times for many years now,I don't remember the name but I went with the top of the line staff.
It works good and it is though enough for most tasks including a 10 horseback ride through Eagle Pass,Yellowstone border,rivers crossingand so on including a horseback fall during a stampede! But this is another story....

[cacciatore]

I have to add that it is also great to brake the wind over my KOM wool!

[PA stickbow boy]

cabela's Rain Suede Packable Rain Gear with Dry Plus...  durable, reasonable price and great product backing. I got a hole in pants after almost 2 yrs and they gave me a gift card for $5 less than I paid to replace the pants. Haven't got wet in the outfit yet and I've set through some all day rains in it.

[two4hooking]

I use a military rain poncho.

It is camo, tough, and rolls up small.
You can build a lean-to out of it for emergency shelter.
You can walk with your bow and fltching under it to keep them dry.
In a real heavy storm you can crouch under it and ride it out.
We have even used ours to collect rainwater for drinking and in the military we learned to use 2 to make a raft!
And the best part is you can flip it back like Clint Eastwood in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" for the shot :-)

[hockey7]

Be sure to get something that will hold up to shoulder straps if your packing say 40-50 #'s.
The ultra light gore-tex "pac-lite" is light, packable, but won't hold up for any length of time. You need at least 2 layer cloth between the straps and your shoulders. Look at light weight parka's from North Face, Arc-teryx, Mountain Hardware, Kuiu.

[Shane C]

Kuiu. The best rain gear available. But it comes at a price... It's still cheaper than other rain gear that isn't as good because it's sold at wholesale prices

[JJB2]

The packable stuff from cabelas is junk.  Mine tore apart when sitting on rocks, hiking with pack, etc.  Do yourself a favor and buy some that you won't have to replace.

[Outwest]

Cabela's Rain Suede is a high quality rain gear that packs small.
Iv'e worn mine for 4 seasons now and it is holding up well and keeps me dry.
Where I live and hunt is on the Olympic Penninsula in Forks Wa.
It is a rain forest on the northern coast.
140 inches of rain a year and brush so thick you can barely navigate.
The stuff works well.

John

[BlackDog]

Cabelas space rain here.

[Missouri Bowman]

Try the Froggs raingear. It's light and cheap. They have a pinch for about 20 bucks that works good for backpackers.

[John Scifres]

I have used the same $6 Walmart poncho for 3 backpacking elk hunts.

[Ulysseys]

everyone jumps to the hunting marketed rain gear, which is good, but don't be afraid to look at other types of backpacking rain gear from a place like REI.  I use a packable Mountain Harewear rain gear and it's been awesome for me - true its not camo, but it still works.

[Knotter]

Integral designs sil-poncho (camo).

[Rob DiStefano]

i have used the cabela's gore tex camo rain jacket with excellent results in a back woods downpour.  kept the upper half of me quite dry without that clammy feeling both during the rain and afterwards.  got that jacket on sale for about $150 a few years ago.  

that jacket rolls up reasonably compact, but nowhere as small as the cabela's gore tex paclite rainy river i just picked up on sale/closeout for $50.  this jacket/shell rolls up to just about fit in yer hand.  haven't gotten to use it in the rain yet, but looks quite promising.

[granpa]

X2 on the SilPoncho