Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: SteelheadTed on October 08, 2016, 06:01:59 PM

Title: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: SteelheadTed on October 08, 2016, 06:01:59 PM: There are lots of rain jackets available to hunters. What I've found harder to determine is what is best suited to withstanding the abuse of crashing thick brush in Western WA forests. Based on online research I've found a few that look promising but I haven't found very many of these available locally (south sound) for me to try in person. The selection of Sitka and First Lite gear at Cabella's and Bass Pro isn't great. Sportco has a better selection of Sitka gear but little First Lite.

Sitka Downpour (no pit zips is a con) - is there a better Sitka option that this?
Kryptek Koldo (don't know much about this brand)
Kuiu Yukon (not available in the color/size combo I need)
First Lite SEAK Stormtight (no one has it locally and it's spendy!)

I've also thought of going wool (I wear wool bottoms primarily) and not worrying about ripping a $400 jacket. Wet wool is heavy and not as comfortable but it stays warm.

What do you all use for crashing brush in the rain?
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: MtnMuley on October 08, 2016, 06:14:57 PM: The Downpour jacket looks and feels great, but I've been told it's designed for stand hunting and not beating the brush. Might be worth a call to them. It sure looks and feels a lot more rugged than the others.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on October 08, 2016, 06:17:57 PM: I've had really good luck with the under armor stuff and so has my girlfriend. I'm a brush hunter so I put them to the test. And they hold up well against sticker bushes and other thorn like shrubs and trees. This will be the 4th year with my same stuff. But the Sitka stuff is very good as well as the Kuiu stuff. That will be my next buy it think.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: RC3 on October 08, 2016, 06:18:44 PM: I just wear tin pants and a grundens raincoat if it's raining hard I can still walk right in on them.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: whackmaster on October 08, 2016, 06:19:54 PM: https://www.hunterselement.com/
not made in china
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: fowl smacker on October 08, 2016, 06:27:51 PM: If you don't mind sweating a little, Rivers West has been good for brush busting in the rain for me. It doesn't breath well, but is tough.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: brew on October 08, 2016, 06:28:30 PM: are any of the pants actually "breathable" ? i know its probably TMI but i get a real bad case of swamp crotch wearing water proof pants...sorry for the crude description but i don't know a better way of putting it. just got back from a 3 day muzzie hunt in the pe ell south area and it was terrible...i think hurricane Michael hit that area thursday afternoon and not sure if it was worth it wearing water proof pants
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: SteelheadTed on October 08, 2016, 06:37:08 PM: Quote from: brew on October 08, 2016, 06:28:30 PM
are any of the pants actually "breathable" ? i know its probable TMI but i get a real bad case of swamp crotch wearing water proof pants...sorry for the crude description but i don't know a better way of putting it. just got back from a 3 day muzzie hunt in the pe ell south area and it was terrible...i think hurricane Michael hit that area thursday afternoon and not sure if it was worth it wearing water proof pants

I wear wool pants. Even when wet they are warm and I don't mind being a little wet in my legs but I hate that same damp feeling in my upper body, hence the search for the unicorn waterproof/breathable/quiet/durable jacket.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: SteelheadTed on October 08, 2016, 06:38:01 PM: Quote from: whackmaster on October 08, 2016, 06:19:54 PM
https://www.hunterselement.com/
not made in china

Thanks for the link. I have not heard of this company but I'm impressed so far reading their website.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: KFhunter on October 08, 2016, 06:44:59 PM: I've been using Gamehide, not anywhere near your high end stuff but it's been working fine. I like to wear it over thin merino wool.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: jrebel on October 08, 2016, 08:03:25 PM: Absolutely love my sitka downpour and dewpoint gear. Don't worry about noise.....if it is raining the noisy gear doesn't get noticed by animals in the thick rainforest. Snuck up on multiple elk in rainstorms wearing loud goretex gear.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 08, 2016, 08:13:51 PM: The PVC fishing stuff. When you get to pushing through reprod and forcing your way through fallen branches, the pressure against the material seems to be enough to force water through the breathable stuff.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: DishBogget on October 08, 2016, 08:15:30 PM: I really like my kuiu chugach

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: bobcat on October 08, 2016, 08:26:22 PM: You need to wear what the loggers wear, and others who work in the woods every day. Three stores in Chehalis, that are worth checking, are Sunbirds, Madsens, and Service Saw. They all have good quality rain gear that's made for people who work in the woods. The brand I really like is Watershed. Great quality and best of all- it's made in the USA.

https://www.wearewatershed.com/jackets/ruggedwear-200-jacket/
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: HntnFsh on October 08, 2016, 08:37:06 PM: Ive been wearing watershed for over 20 years. Excellent raingear. Sure beats the heck out of the rubberized stuff. And at least as tough!
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Bango skank on October 08, 2016, 08:52:35 PM: You mentioned the fl seak stormtight. Mine arrived today. Im going to take it with me for early rifle deer, im thinking ill get rained on a lot. Ill let you know what i think of it after a bit of use.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: tjthebest on October 08, 2016, 09:09:05 PM: My buddy has the Sitka stormtight from head to toe. He stayed dry during a weekend of rain in the Olympics this year
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: jagermiester on October 08, 2016, 09:16:41 PM: Filson.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Ingwe on October 08, 2016, 09:21:33 PM: I have been wearing wool for many years if it is not hard rain. If raining hard I wear Grundens rain jacket and rain pants. You will sweat some if you walk to fast. I have killed many deer and elk wearing my grundens
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: whackmaster on October 08, 2016, 09:24:18 PM: Sitka and Kuiu are just ok if you like to pay that price for things made in china :bdid:
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: SteelheadTed on October 09, 2016, 12:12:09 AM: Quote from: tjthebest on October 08, 2016, 09:09:05 PM
My buddy has the Sitka stormtight from head to toe. He stayed dry during a weekend of rain in the Olympics this year

Sitka Stormtight? You mean Kuiu?
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: opdinkslayer on October 09, 2016, 07:26:20 AM: What you are looking for does not exist. Hiking in the nw rain and wet brush you either get wet from the outside in or the inside out. I have the FL stormtite pants and the new lw vapor stormtite jacket. They are very comfortable but you will get wet eventually on a real wet day in wet brush. I would like to try the heavier stormtite jacket to see how it does. I have a friend with the heavier kuiu gear and he likes it quite a bit but its not very packable. There are tradeoffs with it all. :twocents:
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Buzz2401 on October 09, 2016, 02:00:43 PM: Quote from: SteelheadTed on October 08, 2016, 06:37:08 PM
Quote from: brew on October 08, 2016, 06:28:30 PM
are any of the pants actually "breathable" ? i know its probable TMI but i get a real bad case of swamp crotch wearing water proof pants...sorry for the crude description but i don't know a better way of putting it. just got back from a 3 day muzzie hunt in the pe ell south area and it was terrible...i think hurricane Michael hit that area thursday afternoon and not sure if it was worth it wearing water proof pants

I wear wool pants. Even when wet they are warm and I don't mind being a little wet in my legs but I hate that same damp feeling in my upper body, hence the search for the unicorn waterproof/breathable/quiet/durable jacket.
I still wear a wool coat but agree it would be awesome to find something that is quiet and waterproof.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Fl0und3rz on October 09, 2016, 02:44:46 PM: Quote from: opdinkslayer on October 09, 2016, 07:26:20 AM
What you are looking for does not exist. Hiking in the nw rain and wet brush you either get wet from the outside in or the inside out. I have the FL stormtite pants and the new lw vapor stormtite jacket. They are very comfortable but you will get wet eventually on a real wet day in wet brush. I would like to try the heavier stormtite jacket to see how it does. I have a friend with the heavier kuiu gear and he likes it quite a bit but its not very packable. There are tradeoffs with it all. :twocents:

:yeah:

I like Grundens for when it is pouring, but if you are moving too fast, you'll be wet with sweat.

I also use a milsurp poncho for the unexpected heavy rain. But otherwise, I just use poly/wool layers and gamehide and try to keep the wet brush from soaking it too thoroughly.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: ffbowhunter on October 09, 2016, 02:50:46 PM: Call camofire they should have core4element rain gear. Hands down the best in my opinion especially if you are beating the bush, super quiet.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Eric M on October 09, 2016, 04:13:50 PM: The military BDU pattern goretex rain jacket and matching pants. You'll pay half what everyone else is paying. They are loud but sounds like that's not an issue for what you are doing. Grundens is pretty much rain proof. I've been wearing them for 20 years but if you are very active they get hot. You will be wet anyway. I can't believe what guys are paying for some of the raingear they use unless they are just buying it for the pattern.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: highside74 on October 09, 2016, 04:26:22 PM: Quote from: SteelheadTed on October 08, 2016, 06:38:01 PM
Quote from: whackmaster on October 08, 2016, 06:19:54 PM
https://www.hunterselement.com/
not made in china

Thanks for the link. I have not heard of this company but I'm impressed so far reading their website.

This company and camo pattern look very impressive
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Russ McDonald on October 09, 2016, 05:00:08 PM: I have Kryptek Vellus. Light to mid weight jacket. Been in the rain kept warmamd dry also wear River West pants. You sweat in those. Kryptek made by veterans here in America is what i read.

Sent from my super duper thingamajig
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: KFhunter on October 09, 2016, 05:02:36 PM: looks like a good review here, most reviews though are of the "stand under a shower for 10 minutes" variety and don't hold true to contact wet with rain soaked brush. I think that water shedding ability and wet contact with brush or sitting on wet surfaces are two different things. Not many test show the latter and this one isn't much better of a test.

http://www.rokslide.com/gear/clothing/269-let-it-rain-light-weight-rain-jacket-shootout

I've been eyeballin' the first lite stuff but due to the boxers wearing out so soon I've held off. I sure loved those boxers until a hole developed.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: RadSav on October 09, 2016, 06:05:48 PM: I don't think any of the extreme mountain hunting raingear is worth the money if you are a W. Washington brush beater. Those lightweight packables just aren't made for briars, devils club and clearcuts. Unless you like buying new $300 rain pants every year or two, which I do not!

I use waterproof bird pants and have enjoyed them. Just now starting to see some wetness around the crotch after ten years. And the ones I have are soft and quiet. No packable rainwear can compete for durability. Their only draw back is they did start to get heavy once the repellant treatments wore off.

Tin and slicker bibs like the old commercial fishing Hell Hansens are hard to beat for toughness. Though they are tough to get used to if you are accustom to premium mountain gear fit and movement. While guiding in Oregon I used my fishing bibs anytime we would drop into the nasties to recover bear. Our water proof boots would fail before those things would! And best of all they were devils club resistant!!

For reasonably lightweight performance rainwear that can withstand W. WA clearcuts and deep hole nasties I have only found one that holds up. That being the coastal Canadian company Arc'teryx. Their top end hardwearing shell bibs are crazy good! But they come with an insane/crazy price too. But if you don't mind paying $600 for the best range of motion in a tough as nails rain bib they would be the ones to have IMO.

But, I'll probably continue to beat the wetside brush during October and November in my Gore-Tex birding pants. Though I do need to find a new supplier as Cabela's replaced my favorites with a cheap copy that doesn't work.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Harbor_hunter on October 09, 2016, 06:15:16 PM: Filson Tin pants. Don't really have a jacket recommendation, but looks like plenty of good ones listed already.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Cultusman on October 09, 2016, 07:18:30 PM: Filson tin pants, Watershed rain coat and a well oiled Filson wide brim hat.
If your sweating in your rain gear hunting Blacktails you need to slow down and hunt.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Eli346 on October 09, 2016, 07:24:33 PM: Cabela's Dry Plus has worked for me for about 10 years now. They broke down once in a squall 5 years ago so I just retreated them with a kit I bought at Cabela's and they're still going strong. I thought they were a little loud but once they get wet they really quiet down.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: floatinghat on October 09, 2016, 09:04:42 PM: Quote from: Eli346 on October 09, 2016, 07:24:33 PM
Cabela's Dry Plus has worked for me for about 10 years now. They broke down once in a squall 5 years ago so I just retreated them with a kit I bought at Cabela's and they're still going strong. I thought they were a little loud but once they get wet they really quiet down.

I am about to return/exchange my dryplus the bibs worked ok. The jacket soaks through anywhere there is aany pressure and the pockets. My problem is finding something that doesn't burn you up on the bike.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: couesbitten on October 10, 2016, 07:18:48 AM: My girlfriend and I use Kryptek Koldo, tough stuff, used to have First Lite Stormtight, really liked it but was a little fearful of tearing it due to the lightweight material.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: kukusya on October 10, 2016, 07:58:10 AM: I cant find nothing better that Helly Hansen Impertech for waterproof, but its too sweaty. So I stop on REI talusphere for light/moderate rain but for heavy I wear Coghlan's rain poncho on top of Talusphere.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: krout81 on October 10, 2016, 09:13:48 AM: I have been using Army issue Gortex for 9 years, and they do the trick for westside bush pushing through just about anything. I have the same pairs I bought originally which I have treated once or twice when needed. They are a little loud, but honestly the rain is much louder so I have never given it much thought. I have walked up on plenty of deer and elk wearing them in the rain so :dunno:
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Fl0und3rz on October 10, 2016, 10:05:03 AM: What do you treat your goretex with, krout81?
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: jagermiester on October 10, 2016, 05:47:56 PM: FILSON
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: westside103147 on October 10, 2016, 05:53:07 PM: +1 for Filson Double tin pants!
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: brew on October 10, 2016, 06:12:50 PM: Quote from: Cultusman on October 09, 2016, 07:18:30 PM

Filson tin pants, Watershed rain coat and a well oiled Filson wide brim hat.
If your sweating in your rain gear hunting Blacktails you need to slow down and hunt.
how bout if you sweat out your pants by putting up your cabela's waterproof tent in a downpour...it don't take much to get me overheated
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Kit Carson on October 13, 2016, 08:49:38 PM: Quote from: krout81 on October 10, 2016, 09:13:48 AM
I have been using Army issue Gortex for 9 years,

:yeah:
I like the "Fleck" German surplus camo bibs & jackets from Sportsmans Guide.

Waterproof
Durable in the thick brush
Surprisingly quiet
And cheap! :llam:
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 13, 2016, 11:25:45 PM: I got a pair of filson field pants on clearance a few years ago. I wear muck boots and have worn my wool pants under them in the cold. Super comfortable and fairly quiet. They are made from breathable wader material.

Best rain pants short of PVC I've ever owned.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: CastleRocker on October 20, 2016, 05:14:52 PM: Quote from: RC3 on October 08, 2016, 06:18:44 PM
I just wear tin pants and a grundens raincoat if it's raining hard I can still walk right in on them.

Hahaa, glad I'm not the only one. I still wear corks, and I don't slip on those wet walk logs in the timber. Old habits...
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Duckslayer89 on October 20, 2016, 05:25:48 PM: Quote from: krout81 on October 10, 2016, 09:13:48 AM
I have been using Army issue Gortex for 9 years, and they do the trick for westside bush pushing through just about anything. I have the same pairs I bought originally which I have treated once or twice when needed. They are a little loud, but honestly the rain is much louder so I have never given it much thought. I have walked up on plenty of deer and elk wearing them in the rain so :dunno:

I was in my today for 4 hours solid down pour and stayed almost completely dry besides a little wet on the front of my neck and the very bottom of my sleeves. Pretty amazing. I think that was from water blowing in though
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 20, 2016, 09:49:18 PM: Buy a pair of leaking breathable waders on Craigslist and cut the booties off. You wont be disappointed. Best rainpants ever for brush beating.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Duckslayer89 on October 20, 2016, 09:51:24 PM: Quote from: Happy Gilmore on October 20, 2016, 09:49:18 PM
Buy a pair of leaking breathable waders on Craigslist and cut the booties off. You wont be disappointed. Best rainpants ever for brush beating.

That's a good idea actually I like that
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 21, 2016, 07:39:52 AM: So, I too am looking for new rain/camo hunting wear. I have heard a lot of hype about Sitka. I have yet to try on the Cloudburst or Downpour. I like the price point of the Cloudburst better. However, spending $500-$1500 on a set seems scary. The last three years I have worn Cabelas dry plus pants, xtratuff boots, and grundens gage rain jacket in black. I always just throw on a long sleeve 1/4 zip shirt in real tree pattern underneath; so if the rain stops; I just take the jacket off and pack it on my back. I would like to invest in some nicer gear. I feel like spending more money on durable attire is appropriate for where we live. Hunting coastal areas here in late October and through November = wet wet wet. It is hard to decide about going with a gortex style jacket that is "loud"; vs a "hush hide" style jacket. When it's down pouring and blowing; I don't think its going to matter how loud the material is.

Any other suggestions for a pair of pants and a jacket would be great. Why did Sitka stop making the forest print? I haven't seen that pattern available online?
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: Henrydog on October 21, 2016, 08:05:10 AM: Wool. Wool socks, pants and shirt. Does it have to be Filson. No. Did I mention Wool.
Title: Re: Best hunting rain gear for CRASHING BRUSH
Post by: buglebrush on October 21, 2016, 08:06:48 AM: I would definitely go first lite SEAK if you aren't worried about packing in for multiple days. :twocents: