Rain Gear

[CTELK83]

Hey all, I am in the market for new rain gear. The stuff I have been using is out of service. What do you all recommend? Looking for something quiet and durable. For elk, deer and moose hunting.

 

[elkhnter]

Got a Sitka Thunderhead jacket and have zero complaints.

 

[DirtyDan]

I've been impressed with my First Lite Stormtight jacket. I've had it for a little over a year now wearing it mostly during training hikes and watching my daughters sports and have been dry. I liked it so much I bought the pants right before September elk season but never had to use them. I'd suggest going with a solid color though.

 

[grizzly_]

Gonna be tough to beat the KUIU Outlet prices.

 

[CTELK83]

Why a solid color? Also was looking at kuiu chugach line?

 

[huntin' lunatic]

If you are budget minded, Cabela's runs some good deals on some pretty good stuff during and after the Holidays.

 

[grizzly_]

Why a solid color? Also was looking at kuiu chugach line?

I have the Chugach and they're some of my favorite gear I own. I just bought the Ultra NX on sale last week for backpacking where rain isn't expected, but a possiblity, but haven't tried it out yet.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I think it really depends on your style of hunting and where you are hunting. I like to cover lots of ground and hunt primarily in the Rockies so I really value light weight gear and I primarily go with mountaineering brands for rain gear, insulation, etc. I really like my Arcteryx rain gear. If I wasn't planning on doing lots of elevation gain and/or weight wasn't as big an issue I would go with Kuiu. If you are hunting in perpetual rain like the Pacific NW I would get something rubberized.

 

[npaden]

Kuiu has their Ultra NX and Teton rain gear on sale today at 50% off.

 

[utahminer]

Kuiu has their Ultra NX and Teton rain gear on sale today at 50% off.

Although I don't think it is what he is looking for, I picked up a pair of the Teton rain pants a couple of weeks ago and was impressed when they arrived. They are a BIG upgrade from the "packable" rain pants I have been using from Sportsman's Warehouse. It might cause me to end up in the dog house but I am seriously contemplating picking up one of the jackets that are currently on sale.

 

[CTELK83]

Wish I had a store close that had options i could touch.
Seems like kuiu is most popular.

 

[onpoint]

Hunting rain gear is, to me, an interesting topic.
I always wonder how many actually really hunt in real rain - not a drizzle or slight shower - but soaking rain.
I spend enough time working in wet to the bone conditions - I do not hunt in real rain. Hate it. Wet weapon, wet pack, condensation and sweat inside rain gear. Most places I hunt, if it rains, things turn to mud. Boots get big and heavy, it's slippery. Wah, Wah, Wah.
When it actually RAINS, I head for camp or the truck. I like to enjoy hunting - I don't enjoy being soaked.....
Thus, my rain gear is what will get me back to a dry spot if I need it to, or to keep me dry enough in a light short shower type event. So I want really light weight, small pack space, and don't care about the coolest new hyped Gucci camo which is so quiet that if you slipped it on a sleeping bull he wouldn't hear you do it.
An example of this gear would be my Outdoor Research helium jacket. Tiny when packed down, ultralight, and sheds H2O just fine. Not too costly, either.
I know folks in some places have to really contend with rain - coastal AK. But where I hunt, it's seems to be a rarity, in reality.
I wonder how many people buy cool hunting specific rain gear and then, when it really starts to rain like a cow pissing on a flat rock, head to the truck or the tent as fast as they can anyway. Maybe just snowflakes like me.......

 

[DirtyDan]

Concerning camo vs solid.
As expensive as good quality gear costs, why limit yourself to only use it during hunting season. I didn't do this and wish I had.

 

[sneakypete]

I have the KUIU chugach in light brown, my reason for choosing it instead of vias is that if it's in my pack I know exactly what I'm taking out. Light brown also works well for waterfowl hunting!

 

[rideold]

Exactly! I like to wait out rain. I have some camo rain gear. It was a little pricey but not Sitka pricey. It is supposed to be breathable but it isn't. It is supposed to be light weight but it isn't. The last hunt I was on I was thinking about one of those ultralight poncho tarps. The kind you can string up as as shelter or wear as a poncho. Only thing about that is I like rain pants when walking through wet brush. Maybe I'll go with pants and a poncho/tarp.

Thus, my rain gear is what will get me back to a dry spot if I need it to, or to keep me dry enough in a light short shower type event. So I want really light weight, small pack space

 

[Josh Kuntz]

First Lite SEAK rain jacket and Boundary Stormtight pants have worked great for me in rain and wet snow. The pants actually stretch and are way more comfortable than any other rain gear I have owned. I also own an ultralight rain jacket from Mountain Hardware that I take on backpacking trips where only light and sporadic rain is forecast.