Best Waterproof Jacket

[baker5150]

I need a new WATERPROOF jacket.  Ive been looking at the Sitka Downpour and Cloudburst.  As well as the First Lite Stormtight, and some Badlands stuff.
Looked at Kuiu too, but I'd like to be able to try it on if I can.

Any opinions, reviews by you guys.  How well does DWR, or other waterproof coatings last?

Ive been a Gore Tex guy for years on the mountain and love the stuff,  but I can really only find it in the Sitka gear, and don't really like the fit.

[WoodlandShooter]

IMHO, none of that stuff really works...

I have had the best luck iwth regular Carhart Rain gear..

[baker5150]

IMHO, none of that stuff really works...

I have had the best luck iwth regular Carhart Rain gear..

I've had great luck with Gore tex while snowboarding over the years, even in a downpour it held up and kept me dry.  I'm not sure on how rugged this stuff is and how quiet it is.  Will it hold up to the thick stuff. 
I use Carhartt Rain gear at workas well, good stuff at a great price, but not quiet enough for me, or even close for  that matter.

[vandeman17]

Are you looking for strictly rain gear or a waterproof hunting jacket?

[baker5150]

Are you looking for strictly rain gear or a waterproof hunting jacket?

I'm looking for a camo waterproof shell, not just rain gear, Something like the Sitka Cloudburst, or First Lite stomtight.

[steeliedrew]

Check out the Kuiu Yukon jacket and pants.  That's the direction I'm headed for next late season. 

[kukusya]

River West Renton WA best hunting clothing for your dime.

[vandeman17]

River West Renton WA best hunting clothing for your dime.

I also really like RiversWest. They make good gear.

[JimmyHoffa]

How often do you treat your GoreTex? You can get the spray cans or the washing machine additive to restore protection.  Might work for some items.  I find that climbing over stuff and bumping into trees and such wears it off quickly, so need a reapply before each season.

[huntnphool]

 My Arc'teryx stuff is very nice, although I have no idea if they have camo.

[Bob33]

I've had good success with Gore-tex products from Marmot, Arcteryx, and Cabela's MT050. The problem with the non-hunting products it that they're usually quite noisy.

Gore-tex is a membrane that is not exposed and is covered by another exterior material such as nylon. It prevents large water molecules (ie raindrops) from penetrating, while allowing small water molecules (perspiration) to escape.  What often causes Gore-tex to "fail" is that the exterior surface loses its ability to cause water to bead up, which essentially creates a barrier so that perspiration cannot escape, which in turn causes the  internal fabric to feel wet. In this cases, a water-beading treatment needs to be reapplied to the exterior fabric. Gore-Tex did not fail in that instance. Another true cause of failure is when a puncture occurs. Even a small pinhole sized puncture in the fabric can result in moisture passing from the outside to the inside. I've had several Gore-tex boots fail from cactus punctures.

[HardCorpsHuntr]

My Arc'teryx stuff is very nice, although I have no idea if they have camo.

  Here's the camo version. 
http://leaf.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&gender=mens&category=hardshell&model=Alpha-Jacket-Gen-2---MultiCam

[baker5150]

How often do you treat your GoreTex? You can get the spray cans or the washing machine additive to restore protection.  Might work for some items.  I find that climbing over stuff and bumping into trees and such wears it off quickly, so need a reapply before each season.

I treated it before every season with Nikwax or some similar product, usually the wash in stuff, then a few times during season.
Worked great, even thru hard spills and tree runs it would last quite a few trips to the hill.

[BeWitty]

So far, I really like the First Lite Stormtight Jacket. It runs a size big. I also have Cabelas MTO50 which is much quieter but doesn't breathe very well which is why I made the switch.

[baker5150]

So far, I really like the First Lite Stormtight Jacket. It runs a size big. I also have Cabelas MTO50 which is much quieter but doesn't breathe very well which is why I made the switch.

I'm leaning towards the first lite storm tight.   Everything about it seams to be well done.  And at a better price than Sitka.