Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: shanevg on September 02, 2008, 11:17:35 AM

Title: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: shanevg on September 02, 2008, 11:17:35 AM: I've been looking at getting a good set of camo clothes from Cabelas for hunting the westside. I've been caught in a few rain storms this year while bear hunting and been soaked to the bone and absolutely miserable. So whatdo you guys use for your clothing? I want clothes that's comfortable in a variety of conditions from the heat of bear hunting to the relative cool of deer hunting (which rarely gets much below freezing over here.) But most importantly it stands up in the rain without getting soaked through. Any advice would be appreciated.
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: New England Native on September 02, 2008, 11:34:08 AM: From my pasts experience I would stay away from Gore-tex. But make sure the material is breathable. I recommend Cabelas Dry Plus line. I've also used their space rain suits which kept you really dry but didn't breath well and ripped extremely easily. After the first day of elk hunting they were shredded. What I did is go on their website and read reviews which was better than playing a guessing game. my :twocents:
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: tlbradford on September 02, 2008, 11:49:14 AM: I like to layer. That way you get the most bang for your buck and will be comfortable in almost every situation. The past two years I have a parka that has been awesome.

http://www.kingsoutdoorworld.com/outdoor-gear/tx-4-in-1-quad-parka/ (http://www.kingsoutdoorworld.com/outdoor-gear/tx-4-in-1-quad-parka/)

I love the mountain shadow camo pattern, but more for eastside hunting. With it's contrast you would be fine on the westside as well. I have sat on coyote calling stands with the wind whipping at 30mph and the temperature at 0, and have stayed dry and warm, with an underarmour base layer, long sleeve t-shirt, and the parka. I use the outer shell for a raincoat when doing spring turkey in 80 degree weather. The inner fleece liner is also camo and can be worn seperate. The cuffs are tight and keep snow out, and the seams and zippers stay dry and are durable. It is the nicest parka I have owned. I have always used cabelas gear, but I had outgrown my 15 year old parka, and this was on the Sportsmans Clearance Rack. It was my first Kings Product and I will for sure be a repeat customer. I have also heard great things about their rain gear, but have not purchased any yet.
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: addicted on September 02, 2008, 11:59:17 AM: wayne carltons vanish signiture series.

once i saw my unckle use this in the field i went up and bought some for myself. stuff looks great. special designed for the deep dark stuff of the wet western coast. it comes in a variety of clothing options as well. thick cotton sweats to ultralight water wicking fibers.

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0057926932716a.shtml
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: shanevg on September 02, 2008, 01:07:30 PM: Thanks for the help. Anyone got any good advice for pants
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: DeKuma on September 02, 2008, 01:14:14 PM: After seeing a lot of footage of ASAT Camo, it seems to me anything in that would be great! Their new leafy suit is made to go over top anything you want to wear. I would love to pick this up!
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: shanevg on September 02, 2008, 01:22:36 PM: Thanks for the advice on what looks good, but I am more looking for advice on what works best as far as keeping you comfortable, dry, and warm. Do you layer, if so what do you use for your layers? Thanks again!
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: DeKuma on September 02, 2008, 01:31:24 PM: I layer like crazy. I have River's West gear, but it does not breather very well. It is comfortable but just too warm somewhere.
That is why I am thinking about the ASAT suit as I can wear anything under it I choose, without worrying about visibility, and cover with the suit.

I usually have my under armor, a t-shirt of long sleeve jersey type and my jacket. It it is going to be dry, I will wear my fleece jacket instead of my Rivers West. For panys, same routing. Under Armor and either jeans, camo wranglers, or Rivers West depending on what I am expecting. Always keep an extra layer in my pack for just in cases.

I love my Rivers West, but once you sweat too much, it gets wet from the inside out, which is worse that the other way around in my book.
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: bow4elk on September 02, 2008, 01:45:02 PM: I live in MicroTex since 2001. MicroTex is extrememly durable, dries quickly, and holds it's color depth for years. Seems to be the perfect materail for me and my hunting style. I just added a set of MicroTex Lite for the (normally) hot bow season. I also like ScentBlocker SLT. It's great for early season but like most scent-containment clothing, it can get warm quickly if you're hiking. I mainly use it for ground blind or treestand hunting. I pack it with me at all times for an extra edge if I get into a bull in the heat of action though. In the late season layer with polypro underwear and use more fleece. I use my Cabela's MT050 rain gear for rainy days but I have to walk ultra slow so I don't sweat.
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: cohoho on September 02, 2008, 01:50:53 PM: I am the opposite, hate my Rivers West stuff.... For me it just doesn't get cold enough to warrant much on the west side. If it is raining, which it probably will be I use Helly Hansen Impertech, it is the only thing I have found that does what it is supposed too-Keep you dry, this isn't the same stuff as the crab boats use, it is really thin, tough, very flexible and quiet.... As for layers, I use Sitka shirt and pants, if cold add the Sitka Vest/or wool shirt and seems good for whatever the west side can possibly produce.... Helly Hansen "Impertech" is true rain gear, but alot of movement you'll sweat. But it will keep you dry...
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: DeKuma on September 02, 2008, 02:01:36 PM: I suppose that is true for the Westside. I bought them when I started hunting the NE corner, since it can be unbearbly cold at times, though I am sure nothing compared to the Alaska winters huh?
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: bow4elk on September 02, 2008, 02:02:59 PM: By the way, as a general rule - the dryer you try to stay in the northwest, the less effective you are at actually hunting and filling tags.

Just plan to get wet, get it done, and go home to a hot shower!!
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: X-Force on September 02, 2008, 02:15:57 PM: I have been doing some research on this subject as well. I own some ASAT Sitka camo and i was really impressed with how the Nimbus (waterproof) pants and jacket worked out. The jacket has a lot of zippers for ventilation and is pretty quiet in the woods. The only thing i can say about this product is that the 90% pants get a little torn up in the West side clear-cut’s.
http://stores.goextremeoutdoors.com/-strse-Sitka-Camo/Categories.bok (http://stores.goextremeoutdoors.com/-strse-Sitka-Camo/Categories.bok)
ASAT no longer works with Sitka. They have come out with their own line that has really caught my eye. I havent used any of the Elite Series yet but i plan to in the future. Also some of the new line will be coming out momentarily.
http://astacamo.stores.yahoo.net/asat-elite-series-coming-soon.html (http://astacamo.stores.yahoo.net/asat-elite-series-coming-soon.html)
Other camos i have been looking at:
http://www.predatorcamo.com/products.html (http://www.predatorcamo.com/products.html)
and H2O by Tru Spec...I think. I think H20 is at sportsman’s.
Just dont use any Cotton clothing for layers or socks or anything.
and H2O by Tru Spec...i think. I think H20 is at sportsmans.
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: New England Native on September 02, 2008, 04:36:42 PM: Quote from: bow4elk on September 02, 2008, 02:02:59 PM
By the way, as a general rule - the dryer you try to stay in the northwest, the less effective you are at actually hunting and filling tags.

Just plan to get wet, get it done, and go home to a hot shower!!

This is true :chuckle:
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: ICEMAN on September 02, 2008, 11:26:09 PM: Quote from: bow4elk on September 02, 2008, 02:02:59 PM
By the way, as a general rule - the dryer you try to stay in the northwest, the less effective you are at actually hunting and filling tags.

Just plan to get wet, get it done, and go home to a hot shower!!

No kidding, I have thought I may as well just roll in a puddle and get it over with, then I can concentrate on the hunt....
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: Opportunist on September 02, 2008, 11:52:22 PM: Columbia wear gallatin range wool. I have two sets. It doesn't itch because it's recycled wool not virgin. I've given up on rainwear for biggame hunting here on the wetside so I just hunt wet and warm with wool. I'll change out my clothes if it's real bad sometime during the day. The columbia gear has been holding up real well for me. My hunting partners have bought sets themselves.

The biggest problem with any of the waterproof goretex gear is it breaks down in the movement areas, pits/groin after a few seasons and they all cost an arm and a leg to begin with plus you end up getting soaked from sweat while hunting. :twocents:
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: elkaholic_74 on September 18, 2008, 07:10:33 PM: I use cabelas "Rain Suede" and I swear by it. It is totally waterproof, light weight and quiet. It breathes well and is very well priced.
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on September 20, 2008, 08:51:39 AM: Rivers West or the Sitka Gear
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: 12Gauge on September 20, 2008, 10:23:34 AM: I use Gore-Tex and the reason of that is I got for free. I hunt inside a ground blind so noise is not a issue.
Title: Re: What's the best camo clothes for hunting westside?
Post by: D-man on September 20, 2008, 12:14:47 PM: I have been doing research on some climbing clothes and a group of research designers from Arc Teryx branched off and developed a fabric called event. They make great hiking and technical climbing clothes. I am not sure about hunting though, haven't seen any camo designs: i doubt they would, not many hikers/climber want camo. Their climbing stuff is great, and i know the next coat i buy will be from these guys. So maybe a coat from them would be like getting two birds with one stone. You use the coat to have fun in the mountains, and then you bring it hunting for any stormy weather. The material is waterproof like Gore Tex, but much more breathable. Gore-Tex is breathable because it passes water from your body to the outside of the shell through condensation. Event is supposed to do the same but through vapor, much more efficient, about twice as efficient. Anyways food for thought, and good post Shane.