waterproof hunting pants / jackets

[huntfishcamp]

Curious what you have had the best luck with, Sitka (type?) worth the price? need a trusty waterproof and durable pair for this Fall - season one CO rifle elk, not looking for thermal but durable and truly waterproof where I can sit in snow for hours on end if needed. Cabelas brands, Gander Mountain? I'll spend what it takes but want good solid opinions first, thanks!

 

[Bambistew]

My advise... Get a pair of rain pants if you're hiking through wet bush put them on, and get a small piece of foam if you plan on sitting for a long time. A good pair of waterproof gaiters go a long ways in keeping your feet and pants dry. Hiking in waterproof pants will make you hot, and sweaty. Don't care how "breathable" the claim is. In rain and high humidity, you'll be sweaty and wet on the inside.

I've been on a lot of elk hunts, can't say that I ever wanted a pair of waterproof pants... wool pants in the snow, yes at times, but not waterproof. I use my rain gear more in a week in AK than I would in a year of elk hunting in MT or CO.

Sitka and the like is mostly hype IMO. If you need clothing to make a hunt a success, you might want to ask your wife for your balls back... Same goes for camo... A good pair of synthetic hiking pants works just as well and doesn't cost you a small fortune, just to look cool.

 

[bloodysnow025]

Try the military Gen III level 5 or 6 ECWCS H20 goretex pants. The are very durable, breathable and 100% waterproof, you can even sit in snow for hrs at a time and not get wet.

Better than Sitka and comparable to like Marmot or Wildthingsgear

 

[blb078]

If all you're wanting is for sitting in the snow I'd bring a tarp or a space blanket. A little loud but since you're rifle hunting it wont be as much of an issue. If you definitely want a pair of pants then get something with a 10k mm rating or higher.

 

[MtnWest]

My advise... Get a pair of rain pants if you're hiking through wet bush put them on, and get a small piece of foam if you plan on sitting for a long time. A good pair of waterproof gaiters go a long ways in keeping your feet and pants dry. Hiking in waterproof pants will make you hot, and sweaty. Don't care how "breathable" the claim is. In rain and high humidity, you'll be sweaty and wet on the inside.

I've been on a lot of elk hunts, can't say that I ever wanted a pair of waterproof pants... wool pants in the snow, yes at times, but not waterproof. I use my rain gear more in a week in AK than I would in a year of elk hunting in MT or CO.

Sitka and the like is mostly hype IMO. If you need clothing to make a hunt a success, you might want to ask your wife for your balls back... Same goes for camo... A good pair of synthetic hiking pants works just as well and doesn't cost you a small fortune, just to look cool.

This should be required reading

 

[RUT JUNKEY]

This should be required reading

Totally agree. . .real close to spewing coke all over my desk on that one. . . But, the truth for sure!!

 

[dustinf]

Helly Hansen Impertech.

They are slightly heavier than a mythical "waterproof/breathable" pair, but they are durable and waterproof.

PS.

They are $70.

 

[huntfishcamp]

My advise... Get a pair of rain pants if you're hiking through wet bush put them on, and get a small piece of foam if you plan on sitting for a long time. A good pair of waterproof gaiters go a long ways in keeping your feet and pants dry. Hiking in waterproof pants will make you hot, and sweaty. Don't care how "breathable" the claim is. In rain and high humidity, you'll be sweaty and wet on the inside.

I've been on a lot of elk hunts, can't say that I ever wanted a pair of waterproof pants... wool pants in the snow, yes at times, but not waterproof. I use my rain gear more in a week in AK than I would in a year of elk hunting in MT or CO.

Sitka and the like is mostly hype IMO. If you need clothing to make a hunt a success, you might want to ask your wife for your balls back... Same goes for camo... A good pair of synthetic hiking pants works just as well and doesn't cost you a small fortune, just to look cool.

priceless -yes pants are overated, maybe some orange boxers are all I need , thanks for the info though!

 

[jryoung]

I've got a lot money tied up KUIU gear but for a waterproof layer I rock a pair of golf pants (gore-tex, $75).

 

[jlmatthew]

I just bought a pair of waterproof pants at Sportsmans for $34 on clearence. I know I'm not a real hunter until I have a Sitka suit, but they will just have to do

 

[DSull]

I bought a pair of gore tex rain trousers from the local surplus store. I cleaned the trousers and applied waterproofing compound to the seams. The total cost was 18.00 and I have used the trousers in Colorado's second rifle season for three years.

 

[huntfishcamp]

Try the military Gen III level 5 or 6 ECWCS H20 goretex pants. The are very durable, breathable and 100% waterproof, you can even sit in snow for hrs at a time and not get wet.

Better than Sitka and comparable to like Marmot or Wildthingsgear

Nice, are they quiet?

 

[havgunwilltravel]

Why bother with water proof pants. I don't ever use them , even when hunting at altitude.

I just wear skin tight leggings, first a pair of merino, then another over the top if it is cold to protect the merino ones against my skin. Gives you the best range of movement with your mobility, hiking and climbing. A pair of gaiters to keep stones, sticks and snow out of the top of your boots and just layer your core properly from the waist up and you will get by no worries. A pad or waterproof jacket to sit on when glassing to keep the but dry is useful and i also normally wear a pair of shorts over the top of my leggings. A good quality down jacket will keep the temperature stable when immobile and glassing.

A lot of NZ hunters spend a lot of time in Alpine conditions in very cold weather and snow, some would probably do 60-100 days out of each year hunting and very very few of them i know of wear or own a single pair of water proof pants. Probably the duck and geese shooters sitting in a blind would be the ones who own waterproof pants.

Start a new trend, go lightweight, minimal and just wear skin tight layers down the bottom half.

 

[dustinf]

Why bother with water proof pants. I don't ever use them , even when hunting at altitude.

To be perfectly honest, I've worn my waterproof pants a total of 4 times that I can remember in 20+ years of traveling the backcountry. Every time I consider leaving them home, I just can't.

Start a new trend, go lightweight, minimal and just wear skin tight layers down the bottom half.

I'm with you 100%, but I'll always wear knee length shorts. Not those short-shorts you men wear down under...

 

[SFC B]

Try the military Gen III level 5 or 6 ECWCS H20 goretex pants. The are very durable, breathable and 100% waterproof, you can even sit in snow for hrs at a time and not get wet.

Better than Sitka and comparable to like Marmot or Wildthingsgear

VERY noisy though :hump:

 

[havgunwilltravel]

To be perfectly honest, I've worn my waterproof pants a total of 4 times that I can remember in 20+ years of traveling the backcountry. Every time I consider leaving them home, I just can't.



I'm with you 100%, but I'll always wear knee length shorts. Not those short-shorts you men wear down under...

You mean these short shorts mate?

I can't understand why you guys have those knee length shorts, we just wear 'footy' shorts over the leggings, lightweight, durable, no restriction when climbing, less material to catch on scrub, branches, no noise at all when in the bush, and boy they look sexy when you get back to the hut and a group of backpacking gals have arrived..

 

[1_pointer]

I've always thought Swazi had a good idea. Tight woven fleece pants with a waterproof seat! That'd where I hate to get wet the most...

http://www.swazi.co.nz/Online-Shop/Pants-and-Shorts/Micro-Dribacks®/

 

[havgunwilltravel]

Huntech also make a pair of shorts, possibly the best pair of hunting shorts going around, and they had an option with the dry seat as well. Made in NZ, the quality was superb and it was just rugged durable gear.

Swazi clothing is good, they have shifted manufacturing locations offshore i believe, like most clothing companies, but it wears well.

 

[HighDesertSage]

Wool.....

 

[Bambistew]

Or in some's cases... you may need to get your balls out of your husbands purse.

Not sure I could hunt with a "Peter Pan"...

BTW, those leggn's don't look to durable. They seem to perform similar to Kuiu?