Most durable high end rain gear? leaning Kuiu Yukon

[Westside88]

I'm ready to step up from my old Cabelas Gore-tex gear. I've been checking out Sitka, Kuiu and First lite. I know everyone has their preferences, but they all seem to have their strong points. Based on where I live and hunt, I feel like Kuiu Yukon is what I want, but I'm hoping for some feedback. Durability and the ability to withstand all day rain and wet brush without soak through are what I'm looking for. Hopefully while being comfortable enough to leave on throughout those off and on days. I appreciate hearing about other's experiences, thanks.

[Antlershed]

My Yukon set is six years old and still going strong. It’s a little noisy when it’s dry/quiet out, but not nearly as loud as my son’s Sitka rain gear.

[MountainWalk]

I’ve cut timber, tended hook, and set chokers in First Lites SEAK jacket. It held up . And still works.  On top of hunting POW.  That’s as durable as it gets.

[7mmfan]

None of them will withstand that kind of environment for long in my opinion. I hunt blacktail wading through brush all day. Have packed it into the mountains where I'm wading through waist high blueberry bushes all day. I have used the Kuiu Yukon gear for a few years now. Like any of the lightweight stuff, it starts out amazing. I was seriously impressed. Then about a year into it, the knees started seeping. A couple years later they were just a giant pair of pants that trapped moisture against me. I got a new pair and they have been great for a year now. We'll see how they perform this year.

I think there may better non-hunting company gear options. I haven't spent much time looking but Mtn Hardware, OR, etc... all have great raingear options.

Ultimately, rubber is the only thing that won't leak on you in the situation you describe. It's pretty quiet in brush as well.

[KFhunter]

I’ve cut timber, tended hook, and set chokers in First Lites SEAK jacket. It held up . And still works.  On top of hunting POW.  That’s as durable as it gets.

If done the same stuff but in grundens, it did not hold up

That's one helluva an endorsement!

And the pay must be much better now than it was when I was tending hook off yarder, being a landing rat and pulling haywire lol

[KFhunter]

I use firstlite seak, rode motorcycle in torrential sheeting rain and stayed dry, I've busted brush after elk

They're good gear, I won't say they're better than something I haven't tried but they're a huge upgrade from gamehide lol

They do make a little noise, not bad, but I don't move fast in rain gear anyways just to sweat them out

[Duckslayer89]

Buy a pair of Guy cotton X-Trapper bibs. Throw some sweats on under them.

[trophyhunt]

Sounds like first lite quality is better? My first lite gear failed, the pants and jacket.  Then I bought kuiu Yukon pant and jacket a few years ago, love it! Bomb proof!

[Westside88]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience. I appreciate hearing real world examples from people who have used them

[Wolfdog2314]

My Kuiu chugach rain gear has been bomb proof. I can only imagine the Yukon is even more durable. I have the Yukon gaiters and have taken them through a lot and they are still waterproof and no tears.

[hunter_sean08]

All 3 companies offer a good product. I would say unless you’re using rubber slicks, most lightweight rain gear will probably let water in at some point, especially if you’re out in the elements all day or crashing through wet brush. Water is inevitable.

I can’t speak for Kuiu or First Lite’s rain gear but I have plenty of gear from both companies. Kuiu makes a fine product and I know a lot of guys like the Yukon gear. First Lite makes some really comfortable, effective stuff but I’m sure you’ve seen some comments about durability. I love their base layers but man they used to wear out quickly. My newer sets are holding up better but I’m also being way more careful about how they’re cleaned. Hopefully their rain and tech gear holds up well. Personally I went with Sitka’s Cloudburst rain set a few years ago (they have a new line now) because it was Gore-Tex and I knew what I was getting with it. It works great but that said I’ve gotten wet on those sideways Forks rain days. Whatever you end up buying should be treated with waterproofing in the off-seasons (Granger or Nikwax) to retain its effectiveness.

As for noise, you wear rain gear for what now? Oh yes, rain. If it’s raining, the sound your pants and jacket make should be muffled by the elements. If it’s not raining the rain gear goes in my pack and I can go back to my quiet mountain pants and heavyweight hoody.


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[MtnMuley]

I researched all the best rain gear a few years back for high rain hunting purposes and went with the Kryptek Takur. It was hands down the best of all worlds. I believe the set retailed for around $1400 back then, but I've seen it cheaper a while back. I'm 100% happy with the decision to go that route. The next set in line for me would have either been the Yukon's or the Stormfront. First Lite was out of the question for rain gear for me. For the lightweight, possibility of rain, packable rain gear, I've used the Sitka Dew Point for many years and am satisfied.

[GOcougsHunter]

Wool and wool blends for big game hunting in the rain.  Been hunting Washington State for almost 40 years.  Gave up trying to chase being dry.  I have tried just about every combination of gear and find I can hunt all day in the rain without issue by wearing my wool. My expensive Sitka gear is really nice in a drizzle or sitting in a stand.  But inevitably, in a proper rain storm, I still get wet.  Wool is quiet and tough.  Downside is that it gets heavy when wet.

[Magnum_Willys]

The latest chugach is very light.  Great packable gear.  Brush busting I’m not sure the newest version or any breathesble  is going to not eventually wet thru.   

[KFhunter]

I had firsite wool underwear that got a hole and let a nut drop through to stick to my thighs within about 20 miles,  red desert boxers I think (don't buy those fyi)

That about did it for me ever buying FL again, my first piece an utter failure


But I wouldn't hesitate to buy their game bag boxers, bro has em and he absolutely raves about it, my nuts are hanging down around my knees cause I'm wearing amazon underwear that got all baggy and stretched after a bunch of miles and days, all sweated up and sticking to everything and his are right where they should be he tells me as he cups them with his hand, jiggles and grins....

So for durability I think they've come a long ways, they couldn't survive in this market if my experience was everyone else's as well