Sitka Cloudburst or Kuiu Yukon Rain Pants

[Skyvalhunter]

No matter what you are going to be wet in any rain gear if you wear cotton under it and are moving around. If you are just sitting there still hunting wearing cotton under rain gear is fine.

[ljsommer]

I really put my gear to the test with some of the wet nasty brush I hunt on the wet side.  I was really disappointed with the Yukon, I actually Returned two separate pairs because they wetted through as soon as they came into contact with wet brush.  Actually ended a hunt early once.  I have had a lot better success with the Kuiu chugach though.

I had the same experience. Base layers: multiple layers of merino wool - not one stitch of cotton on my body. I emailed Kuiu about it but haven't heard back. I plan on re-testing this week to see if I can replicate the effect. I was pretty darn wet at the end of the day.
Edit: I should clarify - I had the same experience in that I was also going through thick wet brush during a storm and I assume that's why I was so soaked through.

[chiwawadan]

I really put my gear to the test with some of the wet nasty brush I hunt on the wet side.  I was really disappointed with the Yukon, I actually Returned two separate pairs because they wetted through as soon as they came into contact with wet brush.  Actually ended a hunt early once.  I have had a lot better success with the Kuiu chugach though.

I had the same experience. Base layers: multiple layers of merino wool - not one stitch of cotton on my body. I emailed Kuiu about it but haven't heard back. I plan on re-testing this week to see if I can replicate the effect. I was pretty darn wet at the end of the day.
Edit: I should clarify - I had the same experience in that I was also going through thick wet brush during a storm and I assume that's why I was so soaked through.

This is surprising to me. With the Yukon pants and jacket on during elk season, I did maybe 2.5 miles off-trail in thick western WA forest during rain, crossed three creeks, was touching wet brush most of the hike, and didn't have a drop of wet from the outside. Only moisture was on my lower back from sweating underneath my over-filled backpack.

[ljsommer]

I really put my gear to the test with some of the wet nasty brush I hunt on the wet side.  I was really disappointed with the Yukon, I actually Returned two separate pairs because they wetted through as soon as they came into contact with wet brush.  Actually ended a hunt early once.  I have had a lot better success with the Kuiu chugach though.

I had the same experience. Base layers: multiple layers of merino wool - not one stitch of cotton on my body. I emailed Kuiu about it but haven't heard back. I plan on re-testing this week to see if I can replicate the effect. I was pretty darn wet at the end of the day.
Edit: I should clarify - I had the same experience in that I was also going through thick wet brush during a storm and I assume that's why I was so soaked through.

This is surprising to me. With the Yukon pants and jacket on during elk season, I did maybe 2.5 miles off-trail in thick western WA forest during rain, crossed three creeks, was touching wet brush most of the hike, and didn't have a drop of wet from the outside. Only moisture was on my lower back from sweating underneath my over-filled backpack.

I do intend to re-test, as it is possible that I was actually sweating without knowing it. I don't think so as I was pretty chilly all day, but it's worth verifying since everyone else has such good success with this combination.

[7mmfan]

That is interesting to me as well. I have Yukon pants and Chugach jacket. I hunted a few days this year, one in particular, where I literally waded through waist high blueberry bushes in a 24 hour downpour, and I stayed effectively dry. When I got to the truck that afternoon, I had one wet spot on one knee, but that was it.

I noticed the DWR on the pants wasn't repelling anymore, so I contacted KUIU and got their recommendation for washing/retreating. They referred me to some stuff they sell and after washing, I feel that the gear is basically back to new performance.

[Magnum_Willys]

4 hours crabbing yday in chugach with spray over the windshield all day. Surprised I was totally dry at the end.  Don’t usually use goretex for raingear on the boat - no need to as sweat not an issue.  But in a pinch it worked.

[deerhunter_98520]

Here's another testiment to the Yukon....I wore my danner boots with the tall Yukon gaiters and the Teton stretch woven pants clam digging to test them out....my legs stayed dry until I didn't pay attention to a wave that came crashing on me when I was pulling a clam out  and I was in almost knee high water most of the time

[skagitsteel]

That is interesting to me as well. I have Yukon pants and Chugach jacket. I hunted a few days this year, one in particular, where I literally waded through waist high blueberry bushes in a 24 hour downpour, and I stayed effectively dry. When I got to the truck that afternoon, I had one wet spot on one knee, but that was it.

I noticed the DWR on the pants wasn't repelling anymore, so I contacted KUIU and got their recommendation for washing/retreating. They referred me to some stuff they sell and after washing, I feel that the gear is basically back to new performance.

That is true! washing and treating your gear will improve performance. 

The science of 'breathable and waterproof' my understanding is that it can be penetrated if water is 'forced' into the membrane with heavy contact from brush or if dirt clogs the pores of the material.  Ever tried kneeling on wet, dirty ground butchering an animal for an hour or two? Every pair of breathable I've owned soak through in that scenario.  My 2nd experience with the Yukon I actually waited to test the brand new pair until I had the worst possible conditions to make sure it wasn't dirt in the DWR or something else, it definitely failed miserably. The shoulders, arms, thighs, shins, and crotch all had enough water through them to soak the layer underneath.  Basically, my entire front side that had been in contact with the brush. 

 I run the Chugach gear now and I like it but I can get it to wet through mildly in the thighs, lower leg and shoulders given the right conditions and brush, although I feel it holds the water off longer than the Yukon.  The other difference is the Chugach can dry out from wearing it, so if it stops raining, wear it for an hour and your good to go.  The Chugach is not perfect by any means but the best I've tried.    I get two seasons out of my Chugach gear before its scrap fabric, but its comfortable, light and until I find something better I'll buy a new set every couple of years.   Maybe I'll cut the feet out of a pair of breathable waders and try that next   

[Jessec]

I have the Cloudburst pants and could not recommend them. I'll be sending mine back for repair and then selling at a discount. They are not durable, and do not stand up well to backcountry hiking through any kind of brush.

I spot stalk blacktail here on the westside - kitsap, olympics. I bought them halfway through the season, used them maybe 8 times. I don't waste my time going through black berries, trust me, learned my lesson the hard way on that.

But, these pants didn't hold up to the other bramble - lots of small tearing and punctures, with threads coming loose out of the tears. Obviously - that'll affect their waterproofing.

Going to have to find something different. That's a bummer - because the fit and pattern are great. I still can't get into the KUIU patterns - they look like they were designed for some alien planet I've never seen... certainly don't seem like a good match over here on the westside. For me blending in is key - I don't think the animals care as much, but I don't like being seen by other people - as I hunt some urban areas as well.