Gortex 100% rain proof??????

[MountianMan]

I would like to hear from fellow western washington Elk hunters, what they wear for rain or plain wet conditions for keeping dry. I have the Cabela's GORE-TEX® MT050® Whitetail Extreme gear, but I'm telling you I still get wet and they say Gortex is 100 %. I don't believe it. I have Gortex everything and it just doesn't hold up. My hunting partners are the same way. I'm thinking about going back to Wool period.
Thanks.

[WDFW-SUX]

helly hansen

[TheHunt]

Cabelas MTO50.  It is packable and comes in scentlock, insulated, non insulated, and different camo patterns.

[rasbo]

  goretex needs to be ironed once in a while,it will leak usually knees elbows.helly hansens and grundens will make ya sweat.if your wearing cotton under anything you will get wet from sweat.of all that I used dry plus seems to work best for me,I use polor tech wicking tops and bottoms under my pants and pullover dry plus,breathes well.If ya have a shirt sleeve or collar exposed it will wick water in side.you will get many ops on this subject.I work in this weather and play in it 20 yrs on the wet side this is what works for me,I hate to be wet and I stay dry

[Ray]

The only thing that seems waterproof are submarines. 

[rasbo]

The only thing that seems waterproof are submarines. 

I figure this topic will get things going,now that ya got the pot stirring

[Huntbear]

I have a Browning 3 in 1 parka that is 100% Gortex.  Either I sweat way more than that jacket can breathe for or something, but I was soaking ass wet ever day hiking.  However, it did keep the rain out.  Not wind proof though, I started packing an extra shirt to change into once I got to my hunting area.

[300rum]

I have had Gortex everything and rain goes down my neck, up my pants let and up the cuffs of my jacket.  I am now a wool only person.  You can't beat wool with a stick.  You can't get any quieter than wool either.  

The things I dislike about wool is that it takes forever to dry and it is heavy when wet.

[Huntbear]

I have had Gortex everything and rain goes down my neck, up my pants let and up the cuffs of my jacket.  I am now a wool only person.  You can't beat wool with a stick.  You can't get any quieter than wool either.  

The things I dislike about wool is that it takes forever to dry and it is heavy when wet.

I love wool also, but once after getting caught in a downpour, in a clearcut.  I literally pullled off my wool pants, and wrung out about a gallon of water then put them back on.  When I turned around, there was 2 hunters watching me through binos..    At least I had my long johns on, lmao.

[rasbo]

I have had Gortex everything and rain goes down my neck, up my pants let and up the cuffs of my jacket.  I am now a wool only person.  You can't beat wool with a stick.  You can't get any quieter than wool either.  

The things I dislike about wool is that it takes forever to dry and it is heavy when wet.

I love wool also, but once after getting caught in a downpour, in a clearcut.  I literally pullled off my wool pants, and wrung out about a gallon of water then put them back on.  When I turned around, there was 2 hunters watching me through binos..    At least I had my long johns on, lmao.

yeah wool is cool,it makes me rash drives me nuts,but its good,I heard there is some that wont itch

[MountianMan]

I've been hunting too for 35 years here on the West side. I've used everything. I layer properly and no cotton. The only thing I can figure is that I'm sweating way too much. Usually it's my lower arms, Legs, knees and butt. That are soaking. Granted I could be sweating, but I'm really careful on not getting over heated up. Plus I have the vents open under the arms also. My back stays dry, but I'm also wearing the orange vest and day pack to soak up the water. But what I really can't figure is that I have a pair of Danner Canadian's that are Gortex and I treat them with NikWax plus my feet don't sweat and the bottoms of the feet and toes still get wet. I just don't understand this 100% gortex water proof they claim. I'm thinking of trying the NikWax wash for Gortex to see if it helps, but then the 100% claim goes out the window. I've tried Dry Plus with worse results. I don't want to go to pure Rain gear, you just surely sweat in that. What about the Wool with Dryplus?

[Dadbear]

I've been using a set of Browning Hydrofleece over the top of regular fleece for quite a few years and it's worked fine. 

[300rum]

The wool with dry plus is way too noisy.  It has a liner in it and the liner sounds like you are walking in parachute pants.  If you are concerned about noise I wouldn't go that route, but, I am the type that cuts my metal zipper tabs off and replace with leather.  I think it is better just to go with wool and long underwear.  It depends on the wool too.  Some wool will repel water, to a point, if you are in a down poor or are sitting in it, you will get soaked eventually, but will stay warm.  If you are in a cold snow or a light rain you won't get wet for some time.

[saudog]

Layering is the only way to feel dry.  There is really no way to stay totally dry if you are also moving around while elk hunting.  I use the mid/heavy weight military poly/fleese underwear when its cold with a wool or fleece top, and lighter poly underwear when its warmer, and a variety of outer shells depending on temperature, amount of rain, etc.  I have gore-tex, dry-plus, rivers west, and regular non-breathable rain gear.  It all depends on the day.

[Huntbear]

As for the itching part of wool.  Especiallly the pants, I always wear something underneath, long johns, polypro, something to keep the wool from direct contact with my skin.