Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH

[SteelheadTed]

There are lots of rain jackets available to hunters.  What I've found harder to determine is what is best suited to withstanding the abuse of crashing thick brush in Western WA forests.  Based on online research I've found a few that look promising but I haven't found very many of these available locally (south sound) for me to try in person.  The selection of Sitka and First Lite gear at Cabella's and Bass Pro isn't great.  Sportco has a better selection of Sitka gear but little First Lite.

Sitka Downpour (no pit zips is a con) - is there a better Sitka option that this?
Kryptek Koldo (don't know much about this brand)
Kuiu Yukon (not available in the color/size combo I need)
First Lite SEAK Stormtight (no one has it locally and it's spendy!)

I've also thought of going wool (I wear wool bottoms primarily) and not worrying about ripping a $400 jacket.  Wet wool is heavy and not as comfortable but it stays warm.

What do you all use for crashing brush in the rain?

[MtnMuley]

The Downpour jacket looks and feels great, but I've been told it's designed for stand hunting and not beating the brush. Might be worth a call to them. It sure looks and feels a lot more rugged than the others.

[257wbymagkiller]

I've had really good luck with the under armor stuff and so has my girlfriend. I'm a brush hunter so I put them to the test. And they hold up well against sticker bushes and other thorn like shrubs and trees. This will be the 4th year with my same stuff. But the Sitka stuff is very good as well as the Kuiu stuff. That will be my next buy it think.

[RC3]

I just wear tin pants and a grundens raincoat if it's raining hard I can still walk right in on them.

[whackmaster]

https://www.hunterselement.com/
not made in china

[fowl smacker]

If you don't mind sweating a little, Rivers West has been good for brush busting in the rain for me.  It doesn't breath well, but is tough.

[brew]

are any of the pants actually "breathable" ?  i know its probably TMI but i get a real bad case of swamp crotch wearing water proof pants...sorry for the crude description but i don't know a better way of putting it.  just got back from a 3 day muzzie hunt in the pe ell south area and it was terrible...i think hurricane Michael hit that area thursday afternoon and not sure if it was worth it wearing water proof pants

[SteelheadTed]

are any of the pants actually "breathable" ?  i know its probable TMI but i get a real bad case of swamp crotch wearing water proof pants...sorry for the crude description but i don't know a better way of putting it.  just got back from a 3 day muzzie hunt in the pe ell south area and it was terrible...i think hurricane Michael hit that area thursday afternoon and not sure if it was worth it wearing water proof pants

I wear wool pants.  Even when wet they are warm and I don't mind being a little wet in my legs but I hate that same damp feeling in my upper body, hence the search for the unicorn waterproof/breathable/quiet/durable jacket.

[SteelheadTed]

https://www.hunterselement.com/
not made in china

Thanks for the link.  I have not heard of this company but I'm impressed so far reading their website.

[KFhunter]

I've been using Gamehide, not anywhere near your high end stuff but it's been working fine.  I like to wear it over thin merino wool.

[jrebel]

Absolutely love my sitka downpour and dewpoint gear.  Don't worry about noise.....if it is raining the noisy gear doesn't get noticed by animals in the thick rainforest.  Snuck up on multiple elk in rainstorms wearing loud goretex gear. 

[JimmyHoffa]

The PVC fishing stuff.  When you get to pushing through reprod and forcing your way through fallen branches, the pressure against the material seems to be enough to force water through the breathable stuff. 

[DishBogget]

I really like my kuiu chugach


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[bobcat]

You need to wear what the loggers wear, and others who work in the woods every day. Three stores in Chehalis, that are worth checking, are Sunbirds, Madsens, and Service Saw. They all have good quality rain gear that's made for people who work in the woods. The brand I really like is Watershed. Great quality and best of all- it's made in the USA.

https://www.wearewatershed.com/jackets/ruggedwear-200-jacket/

[HntnFsh]

Ive been wearing watershed for over 20 years. Excellent raingear. Sure beats the heck out of the rubberized stuff. And at least as tough!