Rain Gear

[jmoyer2]

I can't seem to find any quality rain gear that does not start to leak after a couple hours of rain. I have tried several rain jackets, most recently Cabela's MT050 Gore-Tex rain jacket, but after a few hours out in the rain I was soaked so I returned the jacket. A co-worker says he just uses the PVC rain gear and it is the only thing he has found that is 100%. How is the PVC for hunting? I would imagine that it would be noisy and restrictive. What do you guys use?

[bobcat]

If I want to stay dry, I use a REAL rain jacket, not gore tex. Lately I've been using Helly Hansen Impertech. They're quiet, lightweight, and comfortable. The only downside is if you're going through thorny brush like blackberries, they will rip fairly easily. Another really good rain jacket I like is the neoprene one made by "Watershed". They're a little noiser than the Impertech, but the only thing I've found that will put a hole in these is barb wire fences.

[JimmyHoffa]

PVC works fine for keeping water out, but will also keep sweat in.  I like to use PVC pants, and they work great....not restrictive or loud at all.  Typically the noise from raindrops hitting a hat or hood drown out any noise from PVC.  You can also look into getting a partial drysuit.  From what I've gathered, for Gore-tex to work properly, you need to wear it tightly such that when you move around, you can see air bulges move in the jacket, which is what will drive the water vapor out.

[PolarBear]

I wear my commercial grade Grunden's when siting in my treestand in a downpour.  They are fine for stillhunting as long as you go super slow and do not work up a sweat.  I only wear raingear if it is an absolute deluge, otherwise I stay with fleece and deal with being wet.  I tried every version on Cabela's "silent" rain gear and sent every one of them back.  To me most of them made more noise than my pvc and they sounded like I was walking through the woods wearing a potato chip bag.

[Alchase]

I wear my commercial grade Grunden's when siting in my treestand in a downpour.  They are fine for stillhunting as long as you go super slow and do not work up a sweat.  I only wear raingear if it is an absolute deluge, otherwise I stay with fleece and deal with being wet.  I tried every version on Cabela's "silent" rain gear and sent every one of them back.  To me most of them made more noise than my pvc and they sounded like I was walking through the woods wearing a potato chip bag.

Ya that, I have yet to find anything goretex (except boots, for some reason goretax works in boots) that is actually waterproof.
I also use a Grundens Petrus pullover shirt. They pack real small and I have yet to find anything as waterproof.

[washelkhntr]

This is what I have been using. I have the jacket and the pants, although it stung at first, it was some of the best money spent IMO. Two years now and I have yet to have any problems with it leaking. 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clothing/Mens-Hunting-Clothing/Mens-Hunting-Camo-Rainwear/Mens-Hunting-Jackets-Parkas-Rainwear%7C/pc/104797080/c/104748480/sc/104244480/i/104020380/Cabelas-Alaskan-Guide174-GORE-TEX174-Rainwear-Jacket/753799.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fclothing-mens-hunting-clothing-mens-hunting-camo-rainwear-mens-hunting-jackets-parkas-rainwear%2F_%2FN-1100956%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104020380%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104791680%253Bcat104748480%253Bcat104244480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104791680%3Bcat104748480%3Bcat104244480%3Bcat104020380

[Heavily Armed Hiker]

Under Armor rain gear...hands down well worth the money.  Sat in 3 inches of rain for 8 hours up in Canada and was bone dry when I got back to camp.  Not only was I bone dry, but my rain gear was still as lightweight as when I put it on in the morning.  The other guys in camp had Cabelas MT050 and while they will still dry, their gear was holding a lot of the rain and was pretty darn heavy.

[BuckHunter23]

Under Armor rain gear...hands down well worth the money.  Sat in 3 inches of rain for 8 hours up in Canada and was bone dry when I got back to camp.  Not only was I bone dry, but my rain gear was still as lightweight as when I put it on in the morning.  The other guys in camp had Cabelas MT050 and while they will still dry, their gear was holding a lot of the rain and was pretty darn heavy.

I agree 100%, go with Under Armour.  I bought the rian gear last year and have used it a couple times in pouring down rain.  Stayed completely dry.  If you are worried about sweat, use the vent zippers to cool yourself down.  They are expensive, but worth the extra coin   

[jmoyer2]

Thanks Everyone I appreciate it!

[CAMPMEAT]

Wool is the best out of all of this high tech crap that is being sold.

[MDGrand]

If I did not chime in here I would be doing a diservice..

Rivers West.

See the test data:

http://riverswest.com/testing_data.html

The responses from the nay sayers will be in its abiliity to breath... older stuff is not that breathable.. newer stuff is! Get the right line for the temperature, open the vents while walking or take it off if not raining.

Best warranty in the biz.

 

[PacificNWhunter]

Check out the new KUIU Chugach rain gear. New stuff, but good reviews it's on my list.

[alecvg]

Check out the new KUIU Chugach rain gear. New stuff, but good reviews it's on my list.

   I have the pants, awesome stuff so far.

[Armadillo]

PVC has been working for me.. its cheap and it has lasted a lot longer than my camo cabelas crap did

[280ackley]

My next rain gear will be eather Kuiu Chugach or Helly Hansen Impertech II.

[JPhelps]

Rain Gear I have used:
Helly Hansen Impertech:  100% rain proof for hours on end.  I eventually start to get wet up my arms though.  This can be fixed with a strip of duct tape around the wrists.  Kind of heavy and doesn't pack well.
Marmot Precip:  Very good.  I will say that it is 100% waterproof but fragile. packs very small and light.
Cabelas Space Rain: Never got wet in it but it now has holes in it.  This stuff is single layer and very thin.  Packs down extremely small.

As far as I am concerned breathable and waterproof shouldn't go together.  I understand the theory that water vapor is a smaller molecule than H20 and therefore creates a one way valve so to speak.  I will stick with PVC until someone can prove me wrong.  I really want to try the new Kryptek Gear.  It was designed and tested in Alaska, in order to pass the test it should be good.

[Alchase]

As far as I am concerned breathable and waterproof shouldn't go together.  I understand the theory that water vapor is a smaller molecule than H20 and therefore creates a one way valve so to speak.  I will stick with PVC until someone can prove me wrong. 

 
I have spent way to much money on "breathable rain gear" that didn't.
In fact none of them have. Not a single one!!
Like Polar Bear said, I will stick to fleece until a hard rain then pull out the Grundon's hooded pullover out of the pack.
 

[mtman]

u.a. for me to . never been wet in it. The best thing is it doesn't make a sound.

[iflyils]

Sitka Gear best stuff out there!!!!!

[pianoman9701]

I've got the MT 50 and love it. I'm in the rain all the time, picking and hunting.