clothes for the high country

[jackelope]

I really am liking the Cabela's space rain stuff. Seems pretty quiet and packs down to about the size of a softball each for the pants and jacket. I just picked up a Primaloft(synthetic down) jacket from Eddie Bauer's stuff and it rocks although not sure I will wear it hunting, who knows though.

[RadSav]

RadSav, you seem to be a gear junky so I have a question, have you tried the apxg2 l5 rain gear from russel outdoors? If so how does it compare to sitka and kuiu?

I've held 'em in my hands and thats about it.  Looks like good stuff on the rack.  I really liked the color they used on the Mossy Tree Stand.  Only reason I did not get them was the Kuiu had just arrived.  If I remember correctly it was built more like the Stormfront than the Stormfront Lite and a little heavier.  But I look at so much of the stuff trying to find something better I can never remember what was what.  Getting "Old man" memory issues I think.  If you get it I'd like to know what you think.

[RadSav]

I'm off to the ATA show at 4:30 this morning.  I'll let you know if I find the "Holy Grail" of light weight rain wear  

If Russel is there I'll take another more detailed look at the APX stuff.  Might even try to swindle them out of a pair or two. 

Planning on spending some extra time with the Eberle guys this trip.  My hope is I can get them to make me an improved waist belt for the Blue Widow similar to Kuiu's.  Got the camera just incase I can find something new worth sharing.  Talk to you guys next weekend.

Damn I hate the airports and flyings these days

[boneaddict]

Have fun.  Looking forward to your "scouting trip" report.

[fillthefreezer]

i too have been curious about the russel raingear as theyre way more in my price range for a packable raingear set vs the sitka or kuiu.
the spacerain from cabelas ahs ALOT of reviews complaining abou it tearing very easy

[RadSav]

Note to self...do not hit the big red "X" in top right hand corner just before posting report on findings at the ATA   Second draft coming soon...I hope.

[deerslyr]

  I hope you wright another report!

[RadSav]

Guess sitting in planes or at the Atlanta and Columbus airports for almost 20 hours has effected my ability to concentrate.  Now that I have that big fart out of my brain perhaps I can get this thing posted.

[RadSav]

Business was pretty darned good for us at the 2012 ATA show.  Due in part, I believe, to the fact that there was almost nothing new and interesting keeping dealers attention other places than getting down to business.  Even the big Bowtech reveal was a bust.  One dealer next to me said out loud, "Isn't that the same damn thing you revealed last year?"  Sort of set the tone for the whole show.  Lots of "Spin" and very little "Substance".  Possibly the worst show for new innovation since the late 80's.

That being said, Sitka had some great additions and changes that fit perfectly into our post here.  I was extremely happy to see them offer a Kelvin Lite vest this year.  Same fantastic design I have grown to really appreciate in my Kelvin series clothing with about 30-50% less Primaloft.  Should be a great addition to my pack for those late summer/early fall nights on the mountain.  It made me so happy I purchased one for all the guys heading to Canada elk camp with us this September.

In 2012 Sitka will no longer be offering the Stormfront Lite series of rainwear.  It will be replaced with the new Dewpoint series.  An ultra lite model should pack smaller, has a quieter shell and much, much better color.  The softer texture to this new Dewpoint series must absorb more color from the dye used.  No more bright beige almost white background in the Open Country pattern.  It's even a good bit darker than my Jetstream vest though not so dark as to effect the features of the OptiFade pattern.  I wish it was available in the Forest pattern.  However, I was impressed enough to purchase one set in standard weight and a set in the ultra lite weight to give them a good testing.  I think those of you who procrastinated in getting your Stormfront Lite's will be glad you did.  It's more than a small improvement, in my opinion.

There are a handful of guys I look forward to seeing each year at this show.  These guys are world class bowhunters who spend a good amount of their fall chasing critters above timberline.  I have the utmost respect for them and appreciate their willingness to share knowledge.  This year I asked each one of them what rainwear they were carrying  during the past season.  Each and every one of them said the same thing, "Under Armour!"  Each one was carrying the UA Stealth in their packs and a couple were also wearing the Ridge Reaper pants and jacket when hunting a little closer to the truck.  The Reaper series has a liner, which makes it heavier and less packable, but it does not have that typical rainwear clamminess they say.  It is also a much more durable product which might make it a reasonable tradeoff when I'm chasing goats in the jagged rocks of Kimberly or bear in the north Cascades berry fields.  As luck would have it UA did not have any rainwear at the show for display or pictures. But with that kind of recommendation I ordered a pair of each anyway.

Each year ends with me disappointed with my rain wear.  Hopefully between the new Sitka and Under Armour 2012 will break my endless cycle of frustration.  They will be worth every penny if I don't feel I need to try something else for the next seven or eight years.  Or listen to the squaw complain about how much of my crap just takes up space she could be using for her stuff (insert George Carlin quote here).

The most exciting new item of the show this year, or at least to myself, was PureWash.  After breaking the bank on rainwear it was a pleasure finding myself horse trading one of my miniature display bows for one of these cool gadgets.  Similar to the systems used by hospitals it attaches to your washing machine and turns your cold water from H2O to H3O.  Gone will be the days of buying high priced Scent Free laundry detergent to avoid smelly detergent with blue white brighteners.  All my cloths will now be washed in cold water saving energy and protecting colors.  Not using soap should also be much more friendly to all the Gore-Tex garments as well.  If it works as advertised it should be one of the best deals I've made in years.

[RadSav]

The final clothing related gadget that grabbed my attention was the Burr Paw.  I would have walked right past it had I not thought the little sign said "Bear Paw".  Guess Dale really has gotten that burned into my subconscious.  The Burr Paw is a mitten that grabs burrs on most fabrics yet cleans quickly by rubbing against itself.  Once again, IF it works as advertised it should be $20.00 well spent.  My pictures did not turn out well enough to show, but the youtube video is quite good. I would sure like to have a dog like those ones who doesn't get them matted up in the long hair.  I certainly do not believe it would ever work on any of my hunting dogs.  But if it removes those Toppenish area small burrs and seeds from my bird vest and rain pants 

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[boneaddict]

Great update Radsav.   THANK YOU.    Not sure if the billfold will ever hold a place for Sitka, but glad to hear about a quality product.

[huntnnw]

Iam  buying the KUIU stuff this year...Ill buy that over Sitka...Sitka is way over priced. The KUIU chugach coat is $299 and if you keep eyes open in there closeout or overstock u can get it considerably cheaper

[huntnnw]

when GORETEX can make a product that doesnt FAIL...I may buy it again..I have owned more manufactures of GORETEX clothing in the last 15 years than I can count...all of it have in common  = WET!!!  Goretex is not made to be creased or bent in repetion..it then tears and pulls apart in those areas. Biggest reason I am going to try KUIU..no GORE..and nothing but excellent reviews in the AK coast in harsh weather environments. Gore in itself is brittle product

[alecvg]

Iam  buying the KUIU stuff this year...Ill buy that over Sitka...Sitka is way over priced. The KUIU chugach coat is $299 and if you keep eyes open in there closeout or overstock u can get it considerably cheaper

The Kuiu stuff is awesome! Altho9ugh I like the optifade camo WAY better, I am not gonna pay the price sitka charges.

[MtnMuley]

Thanks for the great info, RadSav.   I might finally retire the ole Frog Toggs.