Lifetime warrantees on rain gear?

[yakimanoob]

Hey folks,

I've been a hiker much longer than I've been a hunter, and my gear shows it.  I'm hoping to acquire a good hunting rain jacket this year, and I'm so far not impressed with the warranties described on the websites of Sitka, Kuiu, First Lite, etc...   

I've used Marmot gear for a long time, and highly respect their warrantee (recently sent in a 10-yr-old gtx jacket for repair, and since they couldn't repair it they gave me 50% off.  Considering I bought it 10 years prior on a crazy sale, they more than covered the value of the jacket).  I've had good friends use Outdoor Research's warranty to similar effect. 

So my question is: how well do these brands stand behind their product??  If I drop a few hundred bucks on a rain jacket, can I count on it lasting for decades and, if it doesn't, will the manufacturers replace it or repair it for free?  I'm talking about stuff like seams coming untaped/frayed, waterproofness wearing out, etc.  Obviously if I run full out into a thorn bush and tear the jacket, that's on me.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.   

[yakimanoob]

Oh, meant to ask about Cabela's warranty as well.  I'm skeptical of a retailer offering a lifetime warranty, but that does seem to be what they're advertising on some gear.  Anyone know if they'll actually follow through on this?

[buglebrush]

Kuiu will certainly not take care of you IME.  Don't know about the others.  Outdoor Research is absolutely the best warranty I've ever experienced with clothing.

[SemperFidelis97]

I have only had one repair with Sitka, and it was an older piece that I had tortured through many seasons.  They were fantastic they offered an upgrade for free because they didn't think a repair on the old piece would hold up.  They also offered to fix the old piece, and if it failed again they would offer the same deal.  I have nothing, but good things to say about Sitka's quality, and standing behind their product.

[Bofire]

I think "lifetime" means until it starts to leak.
Carl

[JakeLand]

Pnuma is guaranteed for life and some of the best hunting systems
They don't ask questions they either fix it or you get a brand new one

[Mtnwalker]

Sitka is great, probably better than what they put in writing. Kuiu will pretty much tell you you're SOL.

[cougforester]

Sitka is great, probably better than what they put in writing. Kuiu will pretty much tell you you're SOL.

Stay far, far way from First Lite. Worst, most condescending customer service rep I've ever had to deal with from any company before (including Comcast/ Xfinity). Sitka gear in general has been awesome for me. I just picked up the Stormfront jacket and that thing is a beast. I'm hoping I don't ever have to test out the warranty but I'm confident they stand behind their gear if needed.

[trophyhunt]

I must have got lucky when I had returns for firstlite, I've had 3 different items that failed. One set of rain gear and the puffy, all three separate times I had zero issues with them taking the items back and sending me new one's.  Kuiu has been good but I've never had to send anything back, rubbed a hole in my guide pants and they told me where to send them, perfect repair. 

[Bob33]

Oh, meant to ask about Cabela's warranty as well.  I'm skeptical of a retailer offering a lifetime warranty, but that does seem to be what they're advertising on some gear.  Anyone know if they'll actually follow through on this?

Cabelas' lifetime warranties are for the life of their products, as they define them. Better to go with Marmot, Arcteryx, Mountain Hard Gear and other top end gear.

[hogslayer]

I am not sure what you are talking about with First Lite.  I called this week and sent back a rain jacket that started to leak on the shoulders after 4 years.  I even tried to silicone the seams and messed it up.  The guy (Nate) didn't care at all and said " You paid a lot of money for that jacket and it shouldn't leak so we will get you a new one.  He emailed me right away and gave me the RGA # and the rest is history.  Can't think of it going any easier than that. 

[cougforester]

I am not sure what you are talking about with First Lite.  I called this week and sent back a rain jacket that started to leak on the shoulders after 4 years.  I even tried to silicone the seams and messed it up.  The guy (Nate) didn't care at all and said " You paid a lot of money for that jacket and it shouldn't leak so we will get you a new one.  He emailed me right away and gave me the RGA # and the rest is history.  Can't think of it going any easier than that.

You had a good experience, I had a bad one. I will never buy from them again and tell all my hunting buddies to go with other gear. I'm glad you didn't get hosed like I did. Good for the OP to hear both sides of the spectrum.

[Jpmiller]

Not in the same category as the other brands but I've always gone with filson and never had any troubles with any of it. I don't think they have a lightweight option though

[Alchase]

I had horrible experiences with Rivers West. Both sets of rain gear pants and jackets failed miserably. They leaked and you sweated like you were in a plastic bag, so if the leaks did not get you wet sweating would.
When I called their customer service they were arrogant and no help at all. Could not imagine their product could have failed so badly.

That was 10 years ago, have not and will not ever touch another Rivers West product again.

[yakimanoob]

Thanks for the input folks.  My current rain jacket is a bright blue marmot that, while I love it dearly, is obviously not the best choice for hunting. 

After these comments, I'm leaning towards an Outdoor Research Foray in coyote or pine, or something similar.  I'm not really concerned with camo on a rain jacket.