raingear for the westside?

[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.