raingear for the westside?

[kenzmad]

looking to replace my goretex raingear but I cant seem to find a decent camo pattern that has some green in it. anyone know of a quiet,breathable raingear with a green or conifer pattern?

[alecvg]

Best rain gear I have ever had I got this year, its the new Kuiu Chugach stuff.  The camo pattern isn't my favorite, and isn't what your describing, but I don't think the pattern is that much of a deal, camo is camo, as long as it breaks up my outline its fine with me.  I would recommend this stuff though, extremely breathable, and extremely water proof, as well as durable and light. 

[bobcat]

Check Cabelas, they have some good deals right now in their rain gear. Look at the "Dry Plus" stuff. The MT 050 stuff is better but also more expensive. It is also on sale right now too. Just depends how much you want to spend.

[kenzmad]

Check Cabelas, they have some good deals right now in their rain gear. Look at the "Dry Plus" stuff. The MT 050 stuff is better but also more expensive. It is also on sale right now too. Just depends how much you want to spend.

the MT050 is very similar to what I have now but I was hoping for a greener camo pattern. I don't think it matters much for the animals but it does hide you from people.

[TheHunt]

In really heavy rain the MT050 would not be the choice I would be pulling out to wear.  But in light rain MT050 would be my choice.   The really heavy rain gear would be Helly Hansen Impertech II.   It stretches and will keep you totally dry.  The Helly Hansen Impertech is what is used in Alaska. 

Anyway, just my 

[Encore 280]

A wet suit and snorkel with camo gear over it!

[L8NITE]

MT050 Pro-goretex its pretty tuff to beat and extremely durable...a little costly but you get what you pay for. Also I see Cabelas is having a pretty good sale on it right now just my 

[JimmyHoffa]

A wet suit and snorkel with camo gear over it!

Actually a drysuit works well.  You can get a two piece kayaking drysuit.  Anything you wear will hold moisture if you hunt hard, though.

[IBspoiled]

Wool is good, You will get wet but at least you will be warm. Dont ......I repeat Dont get rivers west. I renamed them rivers wet because you might as well jump in a river you will be just as wet. not only that it takes them two days to dry out. Invest in a good base layer !!!!

[pianoman9701]

I got MT50 from Cabelas and it's great raingear. It's available in a few different patterns.  They usually go on sales about this time of year, too. I bought both tops and bottoms for $300 two years ago.

[Alchase]

Wool is good, You will get wet but at least you will be warm. Dont ......I repeat Dont get rivers west. I renamed them rivers wet because you might as well jump in a river you will be just as wet. not only that it takes them two days to dry out. Invest in a good base layer !!!!

 

Fleece until it starts raining hard, then pullout the Grundens Patraeus pullover,

[wraithen]

Trash bags and ghillie suit!

[Wake1]

I have the MT050 also and had no problems with it but it was a fairly dry year during modern. The pants have been awesome but the coat collects water around the cuffs like all other gore tex products. All in all a good product.     

[Goldeneye]

I'm not sure how much your interested in spending.  I got a set of Sitka downpour gear this last year during a sale at a on-line store.  I really dis-like like rain gear that's bulky, noisy, soaks the moisture and gets heavy.  This stuff was put through the ringer during this years elk season with me and proved to breathe well enough, was tear resistant, very quiet, and most of all did not fail even though there were multiple days in a row of steady weather.  I realize they are expensive, but it just comes down to what kind of performance your willing to pay for.

http://www.sitkagear.com/products/forest/jackets-vests/waterproof-jackets/downpour-jacket/

http://www.sitkagear.com/products/forest/pants/waterproof-pants/downpour-pant/

[pianoman9701]

I have the MT050 also and had no problems with it but it was a fairly dry year during modern. The pants have been awesome but the coat collects water around the cuffs like all other gore tex products. All in all a good product.   

This has always bugged me about Goretex rain gear. Why have the elastic sleeves that soak up water? It seems really stupid and I've had it on the last three different sets.

[blackhorn]

Russell GX2 cyclone, about $300 bucks for both the coat and the pants.  Just as good as Sitka but cheaper.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Check out rivers west, I have used it and it is great.  Lots of good reviews and they use it on crab boats in Alaska, so it's gotta be tough.  Also very affordable, cheaper than Sitka and a lot tougher.  Watch the videos on the tests they do on it.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Or go with the "cheep stuff"  http://www.shop.hassayampasurplus.com/product.sc?productId=1455&categoryId=111
Myself, I have wool that I spray with several light coats of "camp Dry", I might get a little damp, but its usually sweat 'cause I am warm.
my boots and socks are usually wetter than anything else, I change them frequently.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Wish I could get a set of this...
http://soldiersystems.net/tag/clothe-the-soldier/

[pianoman9701]

I wonder if they're noisy though. My MT 50s are pretty quiet even when wet.

[fishngamereaper]

Been wearing RiversWest for years now...best stuff ever made in my mind. Out performs my MT050 by far...

[pianoman9701]

Been wearing RiversWest for years now...best stuff ever made in my mind. Out performs my MT050 by far...

Do they have elastic cuffs on the jacket that get soaked?

[CountryslickR]

Id go with Sitka gear in the Forest Optifade...great camo pattern for the westside and their raingear is awesome..

[Hunting7mm]

Rivers West!!!!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I regret buying the cabelas dry plus because the rivers west is more durable and it's the same price.  My buddy let me try his out and it's great, once my dry
Plus wears out I'll buy Rivers west.

[top pin1]

No, they dont have a cuff that is of different material. Its the same as the coat.

I love the stuff in a hard down pour with wet trees to walk through. You'll stay dry. I wore my cabelas dry plus out after three seasons and bought Rivers West 5 years ago. It still keeps me complete dry from the rain to this day.

Like others said though, you'll sweat in it if you work hard. Good base layering is required. Don't plan on climbing up to the top of the cascades with it on. Figure if its raining that hard I'm not going to be moving that much and I'll be completely dry.

Good stuff and a 10 year warranty is hard to beat!

Top

Been wearing RiversWest for years now...best stuff ever made in my mind. Out performs my MT050 by far...

Do they have elastic cuffs on the jacket that get soaked?

[cohoho]

I have the older Rivers West jacket and pants- collects water on the outside like a sponge, do not try and spend a couple days with that gear unless you can dry it each night.    Stuff darn near put my buddy on a goat hunt in AK into serious problem with cold and wet conditions, it will not dry out.....  He is lucky we had an extra Helly Hansen Impertech 3/4 coat.  RW- It works fine as described, stand hunting, on the boat going to a place, etc, but needs a place to dry it each day...

Not sure about the newer light weight stuff, but I saw it's crappy long term perfromance and never would buy that stuff again.

Rain gear needs to be just that rain gear, not an all purpose jacket like anything with a Cabelas label on it or Gortex, as it will leak eventually, at the wrong time...

[Hyde]

...  The really heavy rain gear would be Helly Hansen Impertech II.   It stretches and will keep you totally dry.  The Helly Hansen Impertech is what is used in Alaska. 

Hands down the best rain gear I have ever worn.  I took the advice of others on this board and bought this gear recently.  It fits well, it's flexible, and the hood actually works without being overly big.  Love this stuff. 

[grundy53]

Rivers West!!!!

[mossy8352]

I have had Gore Tex for years and never had a problem with leaks, gave it to a friend and the gear is still in use in Montana. I use the dry plus over here on the wet side and around Lake Roosevelt without any problems but I do take care of it and wash it the way it is supposed to be washed and I think that helps with the moisture retention. Proper wicking clothes under neath and I am always warm and dry. Use the dry plus hiking shoes and they also keep the feet warm and dry with light wool socks. Interesting post and like the different product evaluations.

[SeaRun1]

I am curious about the mixed reviews with the Rivers West products.

I have a few pairs of pants and a few jackets.  Here is my six year experience with their gear...

I love the stuff for its warmth and quietness.  On a day when You know it will be cold and you will not be moving around too much, say in a drift boat, the stuff is awesome.  Cold mornings while hunting it is pretty good too.  If you move around alot and hunt hard you will sweat, alot... 

If you plan on walking around and it is going to be wet then you really should rethink your choice of apparel.  This stuff holds water.  I have used this stuff on more then a few OP trips steelheading where it rained with typical rainforest tenacity.  The stuff holds water and ends up weighing ten pounds.  I am usually wet on the inside when this happens BUT am still warm.  I treat it very well and take care of it.  I have talked to RiversWest over the phone about it and they never say much just ask you to send it in as if it is a defect.  Really?  Every one of my pieces is a defect?  The truth is that the stuff holds water.

Great clothing...  I think it is very well made.  I also realize that every personal review is subjective, but...

Regarding the commercial fishing thing.  I WOULD NOT in a million years where this stuff while working on the back of a seiner in Alaska and that is the nice weather of summer compared to the Bering Sea.  Know way this stuff is used while actually fishing.  No way!  If you watch the shows those guys are wearing Guy Cotten or Grundens.  The RiversWest is only worn walking to the bars in Dutch Harbor.

SR1

[Alchase]

I have two sets of Rivers West gear. Neither was remotely close to waterproof. Every time you bend your arm or squat down it leaks through. Even with the pit zips open, a hefty bag breathes better. You literally have to take off the coat and pants, shake them out really well before you get in your vehicle or you will be flooded by all the water that gets trapped in the outer material. As Cohoho stated the outer surface is a sponge.
Everyone says they have a good warranty, and that they have gotten better, maybe, not worth my money "again" to find out.

[Hunting7mm]

Thats the old stuff.  In my avatar pic I'm wearing rivers west in flex camo. Great stuff.  Warm and dry.  It will cause you to sweat if it's warm out but good stuff.  By the way I hunt in an area that gets between 120 and 160 inches of rain a year.

[Arteman]

Id go with Sitka gear in the Forest Optifade...great camo pattern for the westside and their raingear is awesome..

  x 100, I've worn rivers west tell this year and always gotten soaked.  I have Sitka Downpour system now and I never got wet once all year, and i was out in it.  I wear the 90% pants and jacket, when it rains I put the downpour on over it, if its cold ill throw the stratus jacket on over the 90% then my downpour jacket over the stratus, also have their gortex mountain glove, and the best feature ever their gaters.  I hate cold and wet, I get cold easy and get miserable.  It cost me but this year was by far the most comfortable year ever on my hunts.

[duckman nale]

i just got a jacket from wholesale sports its a russel outdoors jacket it is super comfy to wear and it keeps me very warm also its quiet the jacket has mossy oak breack up infinty pattern i bought it for 59.95 on sale it was orginally 100 dollars

[deerslyr]

Ive been hunting for the best rain gear for years now. I cant pull the trigger on which brand yet. I feel the sitka gear is over rated and over priced. From the reviews ive read the russell outdoors L5 gear is better but just a bit heavier. The gear that really has my attention is kuiu. There a newer company so they dont have a broad product line but their suppose to be top of line, durable, quality gear. Ive talked to a few gear nuts that have owned it all from rivers west to sitka and they say the kuiu is the best.

[Hunting7mm]

Let us know how it works!!!!

[washelkhunter]

browning hydrofleece works very well. its not cheap but its tough, quiet enough and lasts forever, my first set has been passed down to my son good as new. the drawback is you have to dress lightly because you heat up quick if your moving. their packable rain gear is also very good. ive found that if its really raining the critters are taking cover under the trees and if your in the timber you wont get that wet. if im day hunting ill just take a change of clothes for the ride home. if im camped i really dont care if i get wet because i can dry everything out overnight over the stove. i like rivers west as well. the trick to all this is to not overdress. ive adopted the philosophy that when i step out if it feels like im gonna freeze to death, then im dressed just right. ive become a minimalist in my approach to the pursuit. ive gone back to wool shirts and pants and polyester or silk for base layer. no cotton at all except for maybe a base shirt. wool is always drying out and breathing while your just wearing it. your body heat dries it out. and in an emergency if you become soaked from say falling a river, which probably isnt likely you can strip everything off and pretty much shake it dry. this works for polyester, fleece, and wool then put it back on.

[Heavily Armed Hiker]

I use the Under Armour Denison rain gear.  Super light weight, does not retain water or let it through, and is very quiet.  Bought the set for a hunting trip last year and sat outside all day through 3 inches of water and got back to camp bone dry.  Well worth the money and would definitely buy again. 

[Ingwe]

wool if it is not raining hard. If it is a hard rain and not walking fast, grundens rain gear.

[sirmissalot]

My sitka gear is the best rain gear as far as hunting clothing I have ever owned. I have some Browning pac lite stuff thats pretty awesome too and quite a bit less money. Its hard to go wrong with Gortex

I absolutely do not recommend Rivers West. I had some of their gear a few years back and it doesn't breathe at all, if you do any amount of hiking you will sweat and this stuff won't dry out for days both inside and out. I was unhappy with it and called them to talk about it and was basically told "oh well". Pretty sure when I bought the stuff it said 100% lifetime guarantee? I was told they believe the ventilation system in the clothing is sufficient. That stuff is expensive, when you buy a product like that you expect it to work and this stuff did not. I don't care if they made any improvements to their clothing since then, I will never buy a single piece of their clothing again.

[longknife]

Thats the old stuff.  In my avatar pic I'm wearing rivers west in flex camo. Great stuff.  Warm and dry.  It will cause you to sweat if it's warm out but good stuff.  By the way I hunt in an area that gets between 120 and 160 inches of rain a year.

  The Rivers west stretchable is great rain gear! They have a spray to keep the water on top of the fiber( water runs off like water on a rose pedal) I spot and stalk (archery) in the woods, and move alot. I use underarmor(cold gear) that wicks away the sweat internaly.
I use it on nasty days at work here on the wetside building comercial fence, everyone on the crew wants a set! But at the price of gold, look for deals!!!
I have tryed to catch it on barbwire, and cant get it to snag, unless i use 2 hands to puncture it!

It will get wet around the cuffs Pianoman

[MDGrand]

Well, I am obviously biased.. based on my avatar and sig..

But I will tell you the owner stands behind his product!.. so if your stuff is defective, send it to him with a letter.. they will make it right.

For all the sceptics.. go to Rivers West web site and look at the research and comparisons.. they come out ahead!

I will admit however, that it is SUPER warm and it is NOT going to breath like cotton does or the like.. so if you move or prone to sweat like a freight train.. then open the ventlation zips and if you can, take off the coat while moving..