Rivers West

[Alchase]

My Rivers West gear also has always leaked, and sweats heavily with movement. Great windblocker though. If wearing it in a down pour, make sure you take it off before you get in your vehicle and ring it out. If you do not you will swamp you vehicle seat. The pile on the outside holds a buttload of water like a sponge.

[GigPig]

I used RW jacket and pants for three years and switched to Sitka Gear last year.  They are amazing compared to RW, lightweight-no more being soaked from sweat, no more leaky seams, much less bulk.  Imo Sitka Gear is the best out there 

[need2huntmor]

I have a set of Rivers West and I think it is very comfortable, quiet, and I have never had any problems with it leaking, and I have been in some big downpours.  Like most of the others, I sweat way too much in it, unless it is really cold, or I am not moving too much.  Has anyone tried their new, lighter gear?  I think the fabric is called ATP.

[twisp_river_slayer]

i would look into sitka gear if i was you. I hunt hard in mine and it breaths better than the Rivers West. Its also cheaper!

[actionshooter]

I bought the rivers west gear when it came out, everyone raived about it. 
 I use it for fishing or sitting in the rain now..........NO HUNTING with it, I sweat to death!
 

[MichaelJ]

Great gear, but its hard to pack the coat down to throw it in the pack for a highhunt... really takes up quite a bit of room... a new jacket is the last piece of gear I 'really' need... other than a new pack, new boots, new underarmour top, good bid layer, and it has to be rain/wind proof, breath well, not too expensive, pack down small and be lightweight... is this too much to ask??? lol

Honestly mines been great, most of the time I just keep it in the pack until I get to that ridge before first light, slip in on and wear it for the first couple hours of daylight/glassing... though I'm convinced there's better gear out there...

Michael

[elkaholic_74]

I use Cabelas rain suede its lightweight, quiet, packable and pretty hard to beat for the price.

[mbforest]

I just got the RW back country silver edition jacket and love it.  It seems to be cooler and lighter than the original fabric.  It has kept me very comfortable but i haven't had the chance to test it against all the elements yet.

[yajsab]

As other saide, I had RW for several years.  Mine didn't leak, but I still get wet from sweat/moisture inside even though I am treestand hunting.  I'm trying Sitka this year.

[h2ofowlr]

I like my Riverswest for Waterfowl hunting as I am sitting and it keeps you very warm and the wind doesn't penetrate it.  If it raining really hard my jacket leaks.  Second jacket that leaks.  If I am walking around I cook in it like a weight loss suit.  I wouldn't use it if I was hiking a lot unless I was trying to loose 20lbs.

[backwoods_boy]

i have pants and a jacket and never hunt with out them in the truck its the best you can buy...
 

[halflife65]

I don't really care for RW gear.  I tried it but got so sweaty that it might as well have leaked.  I used it elk hunting in the snow and it was really cold but I was still soaked with sweat.

Maybe sitting in a blind somewhere it would be good but not if you're going to be moving around at all.  I went to Sitka gear as well as some King's (a lot cheaper) - just something that isn't cotton and, if waterproof, is breathable. 

[308ME]

 

[308ME]

I have a set of rivers west gear it's the best items i have ever bought for hunting along with a pair of danners. You'll stay dry and warm. I only wear a long sleeve t shirt and a pair of long john bottoms with the pants and medium weight coat and I stay very comfortable down to about 20 degrees sitting on a stump for about 1.5 to 2 hrs then I'll need to get up and move. They are windproof waterproof and snagproof. If you do happen to get a hole in them they are also guaranteed for ten years. Yes ten years no s#$t. just  return to the maker. there in Seattle. they have a quick turnaround I'm told. the set I have I've had for five years and I see no reason I should need to buy anything else for the next five as long as I don't get to fat for the set I have. I've read that some folks are sweating alot remember the jackets have pit zip's and the paints have side zip's to help out with sweating

[SeaRun1]

Not much to add to this thread as my experiences are the same.  I have been using their wading jackets for the last four years and last year with a RW hunting jacket.  I have bought two RW jackets for hunting.  The first was the backcountry jacket with no vents.  Man did I sweat in that jacket.  I lost it coming home from the hunting trip and it was a blessing in disguise.  I replaced it with another RW jacket with a back vent and pit zips and it made a world of difference.

SeaRun1