quiet raingear

[rock]

i gonna be hunting the westside next year. does anyone know of quiet waterproof raingear?

[bow4elk]

PVC 

[deerslyr]

I have a pair of guides choice pants that are extremely quiet and keep me dry but from some reason I cannot find another pair of these pants.

[280ackley]

There not really "quiet" but here is a link to some great raingear.

https://www.hellyhansengear.com/s-16-hunting.aspx

[DeKuma]

I love my Rivers West gear, other than it does get warm and opening the leg vents just lets the water in.

[7mag.]

River's West, Game Hide, Under Armour, Browning, to name but a few. They are useless unless you are stand hunting, because they don't breathe, and if you are still hunting or hiking, you'll sweat to death.

[PolarBear]

Grundens.  When it really gets nasty I wear my commercial grade Grundens with fleece over the top.  Unless it is cold out I sweat like James Brown but it is better than staying home.  There is no such thing as quiet, breathable rain gear.  I have friends who use their frog togg gear with fleece over the top and it seems to work for them.

[7mag.]

Grundens.  When it really gets nasty I wear my commercial grade Grundens with fleece over the top.  Unless it is cold out I sweat like James Brown but it is better than staying home.  There is no such thing as quiet, breathable rain gear.  I have friends who use their frog togg gear with fleece over the top and it seems to work for them.

That's a good idea if you have noisy raingear, putting fleece over the top. But seeing how you're going to sweat your but off any way, I'll just wear my River's West when it's real nasty. At least I won't weigh over 400 lbs. with water logged fleece when I'm done.

[GlennGTR]

If your swetting too much in your rain gear, it might be because you have on too much underneath. Wearing heavy jeans or other heavy material pants will cause you to over heat. If I am going to wear rain pants then I would wear some summer weight trousers underneath. The kind you see hikers or flyfishermen wear. This will help a great deal in preventing heat buildup.

[TheHunt]

Here is what I use and what I have learned.

1.  Helly Hansen Impertech bib and pull over jacket will keep you dry in the heavy to monsoon type of down pours.  When it is raining side ways with huge winds this stuff will keep you dry.  This stuff is some what loud but in that type of rain the deer/elk are not going to hear you.  The Impertech also stretchs a little so you have move through the woods with ease.
2.  For days that it is just rain drizzle out side.  Not hard hard raining just drizzle I use my MT050 from Cabela's.  It is very quiet but does not handle the absolute down pour all day and raining sideways I do not pick wear the MT050 rain gear.  This will keep you dry in a breathable fabric so that it reduces the human perspiration.

Just my opinion.

[boneaddict]

wool

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

+1 on the wool
I spray my regular gear with "Camp Dry", it is a silicone base that has no smell when dry, I will get a little wet, but not too bad.
Still nice and warm, w/o overheating, except my head always seems to sweat under my hat.. 

[alecvg]

My brother and I both have some of the Kings rain gear, and it keeps you dry, and it is quiet.  I would advice if your in the thick stuff, or wet, long grass to also have gaiters to keep it from coming up the pant leg.

[rock]

k thanks i kinda figured that. what about breathable raingear? any suggestions?

[PacificNWhunter]

Breathable raingear? Is there such a thing?

I purchased the Sitka Downpour gortex rain gear. It's the paclite Gortex so it's not as loud as some of the other gortex out there. It is pretty quiet i think, I wore it all weekend in the rain hunting elk in the back country. I am a hiking hunter, so I put on some miles in it and yes you do heat up. I wear UA's heat gear underneath and it keeps me pretty cool unless I am hiking back out of the canyone.

oh...we went 1 for 2 on elk.

[Alchase]

I love wool, but in a downpoor wool will keep you warm but will way a ton.

I am done with anything Gortex for keeping me dry! I use fleece until it is raining hard then Grundens Patreous pullover with North Face Hyvent pants. I can even play soccer in the pants without getting swamped by my own sweat.

My Mantra in life will be:

"I have yet to find Goretex waterproof breathable that are!"

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I love wool, but in a downpoor wool will keep you warm but will way a ton.

Thats why I spray it with silicone spray.
P.S. I spray my fletching also (even though they are covered in my side quiver)
ALSO, bring at least 3 pairs of boots/footwear, and extra, extra socks.
Almost nothing will make you feel as good as getting into dry socks and footwear after getting soaked.

[Fl0und3rz]

The terms "waterproof" and "breathable" typically assume that you are not undergoing even slightly moderate levels of exercise.  If you can temper your expectations on this basis, you won't be disappointed.  

Coincidentally, I came upon this system when alpine hiking (non-hunting) and snowshoeing, so it is fairly well tested.

I got a good deal on some Gamehide lightweight uninsulated rain gear that I wear exclusively when I plan on hiking.  That is, if I am expecting to break a sweat, then this is what I wear.  The gear has a minimal external fleece-like layer in the laminate that assists in keeping down the swish swish noises when walking and the loud whacks you would get from PVC rain gear being hit by branches.

From my perspective, essential features for rain pants are:
1) Full length or near full length leg zippers to accommodate adjusting ventilation, with a snap flap cover over the zipper to keep out water even with zippers opened.  Keep in mind walking with your fly open is further ventilation.

2) Ample pockets for gear (gps, radio, compass, map, etc.)

3) No velcro.

4) Mesh-liner that helps lubricate your leg movements while aiding in ventilation and breathing.

Essential features for rain jackets are:
1) Pit zippers, chest zippers, back zipper to accommodate adjusting ventilation, with an adequate flap cover over the zippers to keep out water even with zippers opened.  

2) Ample pockets for gear (gps, radio, compass, map, etc.)

3) No velcro.

4) Mesh-liner that helps lubricate your torso and arm movements while aiding in ventilation and breathing.

The pants are great and have lasted 3 seasons and are reasonably quiet.  I bust much brush and I only just recently put a small whole in the leg from catching it on a snag.  However, I will mend them and continue to use them with the same expectations and satisfaction.  The jacket falls short in the ventilation zippers and pockets department, but it is adequate until I want to replace it.

Wear this type of gear over a good set of polypropylene insulated underwear (not fleece, and not an arctic base-layer, just a breathable underwear - I like Patagonia Capilene 3).  I'll pack a mid-layer of fleece to put on once I have stopped and allowed the sweat to evaporate.  But I would not wear anything else while I am actually hiking.

On an early hiking trip, I wore a fleece pullover while undergoing moderate exercise.  At the end of the hike, the amount sweat I wrung out of that pullover was eye opening.  If you are really hiking, expect to sweat and maximize your ventilation.

If it really going to pour, I slow down, wear an insulated set of rain gear under a military type poncho, with the intention of avoiding sweating.  I'll sit more and move more slowly.  When I sense I am about to break a sweat, I will just stop, glass, study map, lunch, etc.

In either case, I like a Rivers West Boonie Hat over a fleece skull cap for my head and ears.  Depending on my level of activity, temperature, and precipitation, I may or may not wear my gloves, but I always have them with me.  My orange that goes with this system ends up being a cheap one size water resistant nylon, coupled with an orange panel for my pack.

[CAMPMEAT]

wool

Nothing else is like wool.............period. Ya don't need all this fancy over priced gimmick sales pitched crap. Wool has been here longer than polypropylene.

[follow maggie]

I don't worry about noisy raingear.  If it's raining hard enough to break out my Gore-Tex, the rain hitting it sounds like the rain hitting everything else, and it drowns out the sound of the pants on brush.  Just move slower.  I've got the last two critters in the freezer this way.

[ser300wsm]

I bought some quiet rain gear at cabelas, i believe it was called rain swade. Worked pretty well for me.. That was 10 years ago. Now i think they have something better out... Maybe worth it to take a look there...

[longknife]

I think that Rivers West is the best stuff on the market. It is stretchable waterproof fleece. It will get warm if you are walking alot, i like using underarmor to wick the sweat.
I have installed fence over here for over 12 yrs, rain gear (grundens, HH) makes condensation, condensation soaks your clothes. The rain gear really just keeps the wind off the wet clothes.
They actually show them trying to snag the Rivers West on barbwire, it is very hard to cut, or snag!

[Bob33]

I hunt in quality gore-tex gear and have had no problems. I hunt hard.  MT050 from Cabelas is quiet.  I'd much rather be dry and warm than wet and warm (no thanks, wool).

[Tman]

I got a pair of the Cabelas Rain Suide bibs before the season out of the bargain cave for 59 bucks.. Work great.

[Huntbear]

tech3 stuff from bass pro.  made by redhead.  it is completely waterproof.  I used the pants this year for the first time.  will be buying the coat next.

[bobcat]

I have installed fence over here for over 12 yrs, rain gear (grundens, HH) makes condensation, condensation soaks your clothes.

Condensation    You mean sweat. If you're sitting still and not getting too warm, wearing your Grundens, you won't get wet.

[RC3]

I own MT50 from Cabelas and I'd give it a D grade.......not impressed and know 3 other people that have it and it sucks for them too.  Except for my wife has some as well and for some reason it works great (go figure).

From what I've seen Rivers West is probably your best choice.

However, I work outdoors in the rain everyday and if it is going to rain hard all day you will be wet really no way around it if you are moving you are going to sweat and be wet even if the rain gear doesn't leak.

Filson Tin pants are sweet but not terribly quiet but like someone else already said if its raining hard enough and you go slowly you'll sneak up on anything.

[cohoho]

Helly Hansen Impertech, it not stiff like the heavy boat stuff, flexible 3/4 length jackets, somehow quiet.  But hey when it's pouring rain, what do you need super quiet rain gear for???

[Curly]

I will second the Impertech.  While elk hunting last week I walked right up on a nice 4 point buck while wearing my Impertech bibs and coat.  So, I think they are quiet enough.

[MtnMuley]

I wish Sitka would come out with a new line of raingear that is quiet.  It isn't as loud as most, but still too noisy for me.  For now, wool it is for me.

[Cylvertip]

I love my MT050. Non insulated and quiet as can be.  Have a set of Bass Pro Red Head too that seems to be just as quiete - again non insulated shell.

[rock]

is it waterproof

[Fl0und3rz]

Nothing else is like wool.............period. Ya don't need all this fancy over priced gimmick sales pitched crap. Wool has been here longer than polypropylene.

Polyproylene is not like wool, thankfully.  Ever tried it? 

You're right though. Technology really sucks. Ya don't need all this fancy over priced gimmick sales pitched crap like compound bows, carbon arrows, scopes with high-tech coatings and ballistic reticles, rifling, smokeless powder, self-contained brass cartridges, . . . .

Give me a good club, a sharp edged stone, and a buckskin loin cloth and I am good to go.

[MDGrand]

If I dont chime in on this one, I wouldn't be representing properly..

Rivers West is the quietest, most waterproof raingear, period.

For those that did not have a good experience with "breathability:"

1. You probably bought Rivers West gear a long time ago, when they only had a few lines
2. You need to buy the CORRECT line. They have the APF, the LAW and Original H2P.. each for a different temperature
3. Open the vents! Many if not ALL of their gear comes with zipper vents in the arms.. open them while walking!

Personally, I used RW before I became a Pro Team member.. Nothing has been more waterproof or durrable.

Sitka is REALLY cool looking and VERY expensive.. but its gortex.. its loud and not as durrable as RW.

Take my biased response as you see fit

[Alchase]

I do not agree, do a search here, on Monster Muleys, Muly madness, or any other hunting forum on Rivers west gear.

I have two sets, Pants and jackets, both leaked from the start at any bend point. Both could not breath any better then a HH or Grundens rain gear. If I kept the pitzips closed I sweated with the slightest exertion. They did fine on really cold snow days when I could open the pit zips all the way open, and they were quiet. I do like the fit and the pit zips, and the size of the pockets, In the rain...forget it. When I buy a product that does not perform as advertised, I do not buy that product again.

[MDGrand]

I do not agree, do a search here, on Monster Muleys, Muly madness, or any other hunting forum on Rivers west gear.

I have two sets, Pants and jackets, both leaked from the start at any bend point. Both could not breath any better then a HH or Grundens rain gear. If I kept the pitzips closed I sweated with the slightest exertion. They did fine on really cold snow days when I could open the pit zips all the way open, and they were quiet. I do like the fit and the pit zips, and the size of the pockets, In the rain...forget it. When I buy a product that does not perform as advertised, I do not buy that product again.

OK, I will do another search to see what more people say. But I have found for the most part, people really like the gear and are impressed with the material.

I can say one thing though:

The owner takes his product very seriously, and wants to help people such as yourself that have experienced this. Moreso, that is why he puts up such an iron clad guarantee, 10 years waterproof, and "loaner for life" program in the event you have a defect. So, considering all this happend, did you take them up on the guarantee and send your stuff in?

Once in a great while, every product fails but if you dont take them up on their guarantee then you can never truely know, right?

I would be happy to put you in contact with their customer service department and senior management.

[TheHunt]

HH Impartec is the ticket for full blown storm.

MT050 uninsulated is good for drizzle like we have on the wet side.   

[Eli346]

 I've used my Cabela's Dry Plus raingear for 8 years now and they're still in great shape. All I wear is long johns underneath or underarmour and I stay dry throughout the day. They did break down once about 3 years ago in the worst rainstorm that I've ever hunted in but it was flooding then and pouring buckets! I bought some stuff to restore them at Cabela's  and they seem to be fine again.

[calawahsteelie]

I've used my Cabela's Dry Plus raingear for 8 years now and they're still in great shape. All I wear is long johns underneath or underarmour and I stay dry throughout the day. They did break down once about 3 years ago in the worst rainstorm that I've ever hunted in but it was flooding then and pouring buckets! I bought some stuff to restore them at Cabela's  and they seem to be fine again.

 

[wt]

7mag, or anyone else using rivers west rain gear, what style hunting do you use them in, and what version do you use i.e AFP, LAW, or H2P(original).

[280ackley]

http://kuiu.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/the-chugach-jacket/

Here is some new rain gear (and hunting gear in general) that's about to hit the market.  His blog is a interesting read.

[MDGrand]

7mag, or anyone else using rivers west rain gear, what style hunting do you use them in, and what version do you use i.e AFP, LAW, or H2P(original).

Well, I recommend going to the rivers west web site and checking out the product line. I use the reversible jacket and the APF line.. It  is lighter and just as durable as the rest.