Rivers West

[GoldTip]

Rivers west, waterproof yes, breathable, no, not in my opinion.  Used some in AK while fishing Halibut in the drizzle, stayed dry all day long.  2 block walk from dock to hotel after fishing, sweated enough I should just went without water gear.  Good stationary rain gear.  

[DRDANTDC]

Well, I have to agree that the original H2P stuff is quite heavy weight and does not breath.. I dont even think the old stuff comes with vents for ventilation.. Their new stuff, "H2P Law" and "APF" is where its at..same waterproof capabilities, pretty damn warm and much more breathable.  And like I said before, I dont like the Gortex or Dry Plus stuff.. mainly because it feels like a super thin tarp.. I want clothes to feel like clothes not plastic.

I have  Sitka 90% gear and RW H2P gear. The Sitka breaths very well but it is not even water resistant after 1 washing, and not very good quality IMO. My Rivers West is Very waterproof and Very high quality, but it is not very breathable. My RW has alot of vents so it does help, I am learning to just dress lighter underneath when I hike alot.

[Oldguy]

I have an older waterfowl wading jacket but I very seldom use the jacket because of the moisture build up with any activity during waterfowling. I purchased a Columbia Widgeon to replace it. The RW watch cap I appreciate and also a zip up sweater style jacket that isn't offered any more. I wear it all year long.

[donimator]

I have RW Jacket, Pants and Jungle Hat.  I do get VERY Warm when covering lots of ground.  I do find that I need to slow down at that point anyway.  I have found that if you turn it inside out over night it drys much better and can be worn the next day.  I wore the set for 7 days straight during the Wet Side Elk Season last year and I was completly dry unless I would sweat.  I found that a light Polyprop shirt is the best under the jacket. 

If you only buy one piece of RW Gear, I recomment the Jungle hat.  It works Great!

[Magnum_Willys]

I use the lp2 lighter stuff and it works ok.  Water does wick up the sleeves though after a few hours in heavy wet brush.  Just wear a light polypro undershirt and shorts under it. 

[Hunter Dug]

I have the New APF line with the breathers in the legs, and arm pits.  I feel that when you were sizing these garments you had some guy that was 5 foot tall, 300lbs,  and had three foot arms.  You have to understand that for the price you ask for these cloths they have to be perfect. Water proof, breathable, and huntable in all seasons.  I bought the light stuff because I am and archer, hunt September, and then late November, early December.  Thought process light for late summer, layer for winter.  Most guys cant afford to buy two sets for different season.  Well after using them for a season, I wish I could take them back, and just go to Costco and buy a box of plastic bags and cut some holes for arms and legs,  I might as well be sitting in a sauna.  You cant walk half a mile even with the breathers open in the late summer with out swimming ( pouring sweat) in the outfit.  I sweat so bad it wicked into my socks and down into my boots, then I had wet feet.  You need to tell them to scrap the hole kit and kab bootall and start over.  Does no good when you are sweating harder than it is raining.   GARBAGE.  GARBAGE. GARBAGE. 

[Firing Pin]

My experience exactly!  I sold mine to a friend that bow hunts in a blind, for the cost of just the pants.  I made sure I told him my experience so he would remain a friend when he used them.

[EvoOutdoors]

Just like a set of rain gear, you can't let yourself sweat. Rivers West is excellent for keeping the water out and like just about anything waterproof, there is a limit on breathabilty. There is the AWF (Advanced Waterproof Fleece) line out now which is thinner and more appropriate for Western Washington temperatures, and folks like myself who spend most of the time being active. If you find yourself sweating alot, trying a more layered approach.

Dave

[ZB-ARCHERY]

I absolutely love rivers west can get a little toasty at times but it can poor and it keeps me dry I'm buying a new set before September comes and for the price I don't think you can beat it.

[elk247]

When I was fishing on the bearing sea those guys hooked up our crew with jackets to try. We gladly accecpted. I couldn't wear it on deck while fishing. Too warm. But it was a nice wind breaker and tavern jacket. I think they wanted to see if the gear could handle Alaska, it did.