Post by: trophyhunt on December 03, 2013, 06:47:40 PM
Post by: KFhunter on December 03, 2013, 07:00:44 PM
I wear wool but in the pouring rain I put the game hide over top - or my wool will be 300 lbs soaking wet :chuckle:
Post by: ICEMAN on December 03, 2013, 07:04:54 PM
It is a trade off as you know, shed rain effectively with truly waterproof material, and live with the bulky noisy nature of the material. Or, wear lightweight and quiet proprietary fabrics that are ineffective during heavy downpours.
Post by: billythekidrock on December 03, 2013, 07:06:55 PM
Sorry, but IMHO...for truly waterproof hunting gear, you need to get heavy rubber raingear, think commercial fisherman/crabbers gear.:yeah:
It is a trade off as you know, shed rain effectively with truly waterproof material, and live with the bulky noisy nature of the material. Or, wear lightweight and quiet proprietary fabrics that are ineffective during heavy downpours.
Post by: Smossy on December 03, 2013, 07:11:19 PM
Post by: Ingwe on December 03, 2013, 07:12:38 PM
Post by: fair-chase on December 03, 2013, 07:15:36 PM
It is noisy though. Works well during a good rain because noise is a non issue then, but I would not recommend it if you plan on using it to bust through the wet brush on the west side. Way too noisy for that application.
A decent review of the newest rain gear offerings can be found here (http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/clothing/269-let-it-rain-light-weight-rain-jacket-shootout)
Post by: Bob33 on December 03, 2013, 07:22:23 PM
Post by: superdown on December 03, 2013, 07:22:34 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on December 03, 2013, 07:35:21 PM
I have the older, Canadian made Kuiu Chugach, and am fairly satisfied with it. Doesn't leak a drop unless the operator leaves the pit zips or leg zips open. :bash: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:Thanks, that's a good article. I wonder which Sitka jacket I have, should have kept the tags! I'm sure it's not the one they tested. Rain gear, like the stuff you wear fishing is just too hot and sweaty. I end up just as wet when I do wear real rain gear from sweat.
It is noisy though. Works well during a good rain because noise is a non issue then, but I would not recommend it if you plan on using it to bust through the wet brush on the west side. Way too noisy for that application.
A decent review of the newest rain gear offerings can be found here (http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/clothing/269-let-it-rain-light-weight-rain-jacket-shootout)
Post by: Easy-E on December 03, 2013, 11:21:32 PM
It does dry out pretty quickly though. I've started wearing moisture wicking base layers like Under Armor so that it at least keeps me from feeling clammy.
Post by: trophyhunt on December 04, 2013, 06:25:49 AM
I've worn Marmot goretex for decades and it has never failed to keep me dry. Many goretex items don't have waterproof zippers.That stuff looks really nice, pretty expensive but I'm willing to pay to keep dry. Too bad they don't have camo, I'll have to look into them more. Thanks
Post by: lewy on December 04, 2013, 06:35:23 AM
Post by: Bob33 on December 04, 2013, 06:39:57 AM
I have the sitka gore tex rain gear as well as a few buddies and none of us have had good luck, we even called a rep and he said buy the even more expensive stuff it has better features....... :rolleyes: Pretty disapointing for what you pay....Goretex is goretex, but design of the product makes a difference in how it performs.
Post by: scout/sniper on December 04, 2013, 06:43:27 AM
Don't bother with anything columbia they suck the last three set's for my Father and i did not hold up two more than an hour or so of usage in rain and i don't usually don't hunt this side of the mountains and only use them over here on bicycle rides or fishing small local lakes.The second and third set were provided by warranty with a fourth very soon.Did Columbia go to crap?
I have been duck hunting for 10 years with a Columbia "Delta Waterfowl" jacket.
It has never soaked through, even sitting in a boat all day in the rain. :dunno:
Post by: trophyhunt on December 04, 2013, 06:47:11 AM
I have the sitka gore tex rain gear as well as a few buddies and none of us have had good luck, we even called a rep and he said buy the even more expensive stuff it has better features....... :rolleyes: Pretty disapointing for what you pay....You are correct, pretty disapointing. It's not like the medium stuff is cheap, I expected more from sitka.
Post by: C-Money on December 04, 2013, 06:57:44 AM
Post by: pips4bucks on December 04, 2013, 07:23:35 AM
The down side is that some users affectionately call it 'Rivers Sweat', but you're gonna get that in any rain gear if you're doing any heavy physical activity.
:twocents:
Post by: Thefisherman83 on December 04, 2013, 07:25:30 AM
Post by: James on December 04, 2013, 08:00:55 AM
The most waterproof is the real rubber rain gear, while heavy, bulky, and noisy it does work. Easy proof is try to cross a river wearing 16” rubber boots, rain pants, and surgical tubing. That is my requirement for my rubber rain gear.
When I am in the rainforest for a week or so straight fishing/hunting/etc. living in the back of my truck I have various rain gear with me and take different stuff depending on what I am doing that day, where I am going, how much I am hiking, what the weather has been like, and what it is forecasted to be. I have everything from ultra lightweight jacket and pants (1 pound for both) to heavy commercial fishing rubber rain gear and stuff in-between.
The key to using rubber rain gear is de layer and SLOW DOWN when you put it on, that will keep you from getting sweaty and clammy.
Oh, and alway put your cell phone and wallet in a ziplock bag.
Post by: swanny on December 04, 2013, 09:11:02 AM
Post by: 6x6in6 on December 04, 2013, 09:17:57 AM
Call Sitka and tell them of your experience. They will make it right!!! 877-748-5247
Post by: Broken Arrow on December 04, 2013, 09:19:29 AM
http://www.evo.com/waterproof-ratings-and-breathability-guide.aspx (http://www.evo.com/waterproof-ratings-and-breathability-guide.aspx)
Post by: Slimdog350 on December 04, 2013, 09:25:48 AM
Post by: The scout on December 04, 2013, 09:28:59 AM
Post by: Curly on December 04, 2013, 09:34:40 AM
Not breathable like Goretex is supposed to be, but it is waterproof and not bulky like the heavier raingear. It is fairly quiet to walk in too, since it is kind of soft.
When it is really, really raining...........I don't trust Gortex or DryPlus or any of the high tech stuff to stay waterproof. :twocents:
Post by: jackelope on December 04, 2013, 10:05:38 AM
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 04, 2013, 10:09:57 AM
Post by: sirmissalot on December 04, 2013, 10:14:06 AM
Sorry, but IMHO...for truly waterproof hunting gear, you need to get heavy rubber raingear, think commercial fisherman/crabbers gear.
It is a trade off as you know, shed rain effectively with truly waterproof material, and live with the bulky noisy nature of the material. Or, wear lightweight and quiet proprietary fabrics that are ineffective during heavy downpours.
:yeah:
There's a trade off with gortex in that its breathable, but its not 100% waterproof
Post by: MADMAX on December 04, 2013, 10:15:50 AM
:twocents:
Post by: The scout on December 04, 2013, 10:17:46 AM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on December 04, 2013, 11:06:58 AM
Sorry, but IMHO...for truly waterproof hunting gear, you need to get heavy rubber raingear, think commercial fisherman/crabbers gear.:yeah:
It is a trade off as you know, shed rain effectively with truly waterproof material, and live with the bulky noisy nature of the material. Or, wear lightweight and quiet proprietary fabrics that are ineffective during heavy downpours.
X2. If it's really wet or pouring, I wear the Grunden's olive colored bib and coat, over a wool or synthetic mid layer. Paired with a Rivers West waterproof boonie hat, the only thing that will result in wetness is moving too fast and sweating.
When it is not so wet, I will pack a milsurp woodland poncho as a decent lightweight and field-expedient rain gear. It works well to cover your pack, rifle, and a good portion of your legs as well as torso to keep the moisture soaked plants off you in the thick stuff.
Post by: Wyobuffalo on December 04, 2013, 01:42:25 PM
Post by: FLIZZ on December 04, 2013, 01:46:34 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on December 04, 2013, 01:52:27 PM
Actually I have found that Riverswest gear has kept me the most dry. I have had some long days in the stand or blind in rain and snow and they always seem to do the trick. Only issue is they can be a bit warm and don't breath all that well on longer hikes in and out.
Post by: jeepster on December 04, 2013, 05:34:52 PM
Best bet for the money is Grundens Weather Watch. No camo patterns yet but they have black and I just spray paint them. Best waterproof gear that isn't PVC and rugged as all get out.
As a fisherman, i second the grundens..... Kept me dry on the Bering sea.... Should keep you dry hunting..... If it don't, I wanna know what kind of hunting you are doing!
I like my military surplus goretex jacket and pants.... Can't beat it for the price
Post by: RadSav on December 04, 2013, 05:59:39 PM
If you really want the best raingear out there for being both active and dry you will probably need to forget about camo and go to mountaineering gear. I've seen a few mention Marmot, but I have seen nothing yet to even come close to Arc'Teryx. But for top & bottom price of $1,200 it better be good! Then again you would probably go through three sets of Sitka or Kuiu before you'd wear out a single pair of the heavier mountaineering rainwear. Trade off in everything I suppose.
Three of us on my last far north trip. One in Sitka (me), one in Kuiu and one in Arc'Teryx. After five days of solid rain only one dry guy and that was the guy in Arc'Teryx. Both the Kuiu and the Sitka did much better once we added some loft between the shell and skin. Not sure why that made such a difference, but it did.
Post by: ICEMAN on December 04, 2013, 06:11:17 PM
...... Only hunter to get wet was wearing the Rivers West.
Huh, maybe a labelling defect, should have read "Rivers Wet"? Or "Shivers Wet" ? :dunno:
Post by: billythekidrock on December 04, 2013, 06:15:38 PM
Best bet for the money is Grundens Weather Watch. No camo patterns yet but they have black and I just spray paint them. Best waterproof gear that isn't PVC and rugged as all get out.
As a fisherman, i second the grundens..... Kept me dry on the Bering sea.... Should keep you dry hunting..... If it don't, I wanna know what kind of hunting you are doing!
I like my military surplus goretex jacket and pants.... Can't beat it for the price
Grundens are great for fishing or sitting, but not for still hunting in wet/humid conditions. Soaked from the inside out.
Post by: trophyhunt on December 05, 2013, 06:33:55 AM
Wow! Sounds like the OP got a bad set of gear. We were in the same stuff. Four hunters, three with Sitka and one with Rivers West. Only hunter to get wet was wearing the Rivers West. If you are fit and trim the Kuiu is a great product. If fat and dumpy like me it doesn't fit as nice as the Sitka.Sounds like a true test of rain gear right there!! I will check out the Arc'teryx but man, for 600.00 bucks each piece???? I agree with you billy, great fishing gear but waaaay too much sweat inside the rubber gear. And as far as rivers west, I have a set of those also, pant and jacket. Rivers west is not for walking very far in, unless you move very slow in my opinon. It doesn't not breath at all even with the under arm zippers open, great for a nasty day in the tree stand though!!
If you really want the best raingear out there for being both active and dry you will probably need to forget about camo and go to mountaineering gear. I've seen a few mention Marmot, but I have seen nothing yet to even come close to Arc'Teryx. But for top & bottom price of $1,200 it better be good! Then again you would probably go through three sets of Sitka or Kuiu before you'd wear out a single pair of the heavier mountaineering rainwear. Trade off in everything I suppose.
Three of us on my last far north trip. One in Sitka (me), one in Kuiu and one in Arc'Teryx. After five days of solid rain only one dry guy and that was the guy in Arc'Teryx. Both the Kuiu and the Sitka did much better once we added some loft between the shell and skin. Not sure why that made such a difference, but it did.
Post by: ICEMAN on December 05, 2013, 06:46:31 AM
Post by: jackmaster on December 05, 2013, 07:03:10 AM
i use the cabelas dry plus ultra lite,not sure what it's acually called but it's the one that fits in the little stuff sacks for hiking.works awsome.whenyou take it off just give it a shake and the water just fly's off.no "quiet"fleece layer to soak up water.you just need to wear your warm clothes under them.sweats if you wanted or pj's.rivers west is junk and i have a coat that someone can have if they want itdude if your giving away a rivers west jacket i will gladly take it off your hands. i live in graham but i will be happy to drive to belfair to get it. call me if your serious. brandon 253 677 0791 thanks
Post by: jackmaster on December 05, 2013, 07:16:45 AM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 05, 2013, 09:41:41 AM
Post by: steeliedrew on December 05, 2013, 10:23:40 AM
Post by: snowpack on December 05, 2013, 10:36:55 AM
Post by: RIVERRAT on December 06, 2013, 05:33:46 PM
Post by: huntingfool7 on December 07, 2013, 04:15:16 AM
Here is a really interesting article about Gortex ratings. I thought all Gortex was the same....not so!
http://www.evo.com/waterproof-ratings-and-breathability-guide.aspx (http://www.evo.com/waterproof-ratings-and-breathability-guide.aspx)
Broken Arrow, that's a good article on waterproof fabric.
Drake brand coats and shirts are the most waterproof clothing I've ever owned. My heavy Drake waterfowling coat is also the warmest coat I've ever worn. https://www.drakewaterfowl.com/drake/products (https://www.drakewaterfowl.com/drake/products) All waterproof gortex clothes start leaking over time. My Drake gear has held up well over several seasons.
Post by: JoeE on December 07, 2013, 04:34:44 AM
Post by: ollie on December 07, 2013, 12:36:35 PM
if your disappointment in sitka is enough to sell i might be interested in it?
Post by: splitshot on December 07, 2013, 08:07:20 PM
Post by: jeepster on December 09, 2013, 01:43:11 PM
I know they have waxed jackets
Post by: hirshey on December 09, 2013, 02:06:02 PM
Post by: James on December 09, 2013, 02:42:34 PM
I gave up on waterproof fabric as an active hunter.. Back in army surplus wool pants. At least they keep you warm even when wet.. :) not nearly as stylish but warm even when hunting elk for a week on the west side.
No doubt the being wet and warm in wool works, but I have kind of gone away from it because in the rain forest I tend to hunt/fish/camp from my truck. That means nothing ever dries out 100% and I have struggled with wool starting to smell really bad after being damp for a few days straight. Not sure if it bugs the animals, but it bugs me! If I had a big wall tent with a stove or a camper, I might go back to it.
Post by: DP on December 09, 2013, 02:43:35 PM
What about filson? :dunno:
I know they have waxed jackets
Tin products from Filson aren't quiet enough for deer hunting the Wet Side. I love their wool products though. Like other wool products, won't keep you dry forever though. And they are $pendy.
Post by: fair-chase on December 09, 2013, 03:04:28 PM
What about filson? :dunno:
Filson makes some excellent products. I love all of my Filson garments. The problem is that they are HEAVY. So they aren't very applicable to hunting big game in the mountains. If you were going to be hunting farms, small fields, or in a stand they will work. But I would not recommend trying to do any hiking or climbing in them.
Post by: WoodlandShooter on December 13, 2013, 09:14:46 AM
if you eliminate the need to stay dry in a Southwest Washington Monsoon (where only raingear will work), how does it work in more mild conditions??
Lets say I get a single layer "quiet" TechnoFleese, wear varying layers under it (cheap brand stuff from Wallyworld, or some of my old Navy Issue wool stuff) How well does it work keeping the wind off???
Also, how well does it breathe???
Also, lets assume I am in the boonies (upper washougal and kalama river areas) packing in with a 45 pound pack, or just hunting (15 pound rifle, and possibly a drag) will it allow enough air flow so I dont have to strip down to mu skivvies to keep cool on a mild 60F day??
Truth be known, I am not looking at the US version of optifade, but the European version as it is a ground cammo pattern...the US stuff is for a Tree Stand, or an open field on the dry side of the state....
Thanks!!