Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Thenewguy on April 16, 2009, 03:12:52 PM


Advertise Here
Title: Rivers West
Post by: Thenewguy on April 16, 2009, 03:12:52 PM
Has anyone used this gear? i just picked some up on the cheap and it seems rather nice
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Curly on April 16, 2009, 03:19:53 PM
I have two coats.  One I bought for myself and the other was given to me as a gift.

I think they are fine if you don't plan on walking much with it on.  It doesn't breath well enough to be of much use while walking anywhere. :twocents:
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: whacker1 on April 16, 2009, 03:32:10 PM
Their gear is very durable, but doesn't breathe well.  I only use mine when the weather is extremely cold or if I am sitting a lot.  hiking will be sure to cause great volumes of sweat.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: washelkhntr on April 16, 2009, 04:04:42 PM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: twisp_river_slayer on April 16, 2009, 04:06:28 PM
i would get some but the camo it comes in doesnt fit in anywhere i hunt. Its really good stuff though
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Antlershed on April 16, 2009, 05:46:02 PM
Mine is too hot for the westside and it leaks. Come to think of it, I haven't been able to find mine for a few weeks....might be the best thing that ever involved my RW gear.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Curly on April 17, 2009, 09:41:32 AM
Mine is too hot for the westside and it leaks. Come to think of it, I haven't been able to find mine for a few weeks....might be the best thing that ever involved my RW gear.  :chuckle:

 :chuckle:  ;)
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: coasthuntersdad on April 17, 2009, 09:46:15 AM
I hate to just repeat what others have said but if you plan to walk in this gear you are going to sweat and it is not going to go anywhere but run down to places you do not what sweaty. If however you are going to sit in a stand or in a boat and it rains this is fantastic equipment, it also works well in blocking the wind.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: skynyr on April 17, 2009, 09:47:38 AM
I got a RW jacket and it blows chunks. It doesn't breathe at all. I'm using wool next season.  I'll wear it around camp but that's about it.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Thenewguy on April 17, 2009, 09:48:41 AM
ugh, what brands do you guys recommend? Has anyone tried the under armour stuff?
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: skynyr on April 17, 2009, 10:01:54 AM
I bought Under Armour last spring. It is very warm. The only thing I don't like is it has a tendency entangle the hair on my body in the fabric and it pulls the hairs and is very annoying. I don't consider myself real a hairy dude either, I would hate to be a yeti in the stuff.  Must have something to do with the spandex because polypropylenes don't yank the hairs like Under Armour does.  :twocents:
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: O_mykiss on April 17, 2009, 10:26:57 AM
I'll wear the RW with heavy base layers (fleece) if it's cold or going to be pissing down rain. It's tough as nails and doesn't seem to leak at all. Just have to remember not to get in too big of a hurry or you'll drown in sweat. Otherwise, a light drizzle will usually warrant wool top and bottoms.

I have discovered that wearing an under armor base layer top and bottom, wool pants, a lightweight polypro t-shirt and RW jacket keeps me going and warm all day 85% of the time. Throw a dry shirt in the backpack to change into at mid-day and I am usually ready for anything.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: 7mag. on April 17, 2009, 10:35:49 AM
I love my Underarmour, I won't even wear my polypro's anymore. River's West is great gear. It has a seven year guarantee not to leak. If it does, send it back. As far as not breathing, well someone please show me any raingear that will keep you dry and not make you sweat. I am convinced that it doesn't exist. The perfect clothing has not yet been invented, so we have to use the best available. RW, I believe is the best raingear, although I have not tried Sitka yet.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Elkrunner on April 17, 2009, 10:48:21 AM
I have been using there stuff for 5 years and love it.  I ended up convincing my hunting partner to buy there stuff and he loves it as well.  Its a bit pricy but you cannot cheap out on your gear.  Keeps me warm and dry in the coldest, wetest, nastiest weather.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: road.kill on April 17, 2009, 11:09:55 AM
I have pants and jacket and like said above if you're going to be moving in it you will sweat. If i was just going to be sitting in it i would wear it but moving around I just sweat too much. But like another guy said above, there isnt much choice in rain gear that will breathe well.

My ol man loves his set but i just get too hot in mine with the way i hunt
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Alchase on April 17, 2009, 01:59:05 PM
My Rivers West gear also has always leaked, and sweats heavily with movement. Great windblocker though. If wearing it in a down pour, make sure you take it off before you get in your vehicle and ring it out. If you do not you will swamp you vehicle seat. The pile on the outside holds a buttload of water like a sponge.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: GigPig on April 23, 2009, 09:13:42 AM
I used RW jacket and pants for three years and switched to Sitka Gear last year.  They are amazing compared to RW, lightweight-no more being soaked from sweat, no more leaky seams, much less bulk.  Imo Sitka Gear is the best out there  :twocents:
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: need2huntmor on April 23, 2009, 09:42:29 PM
I have a set of Rivers West and I think it is very comfortable, quiet, and I have never had any problems with it leaking, and I have been in some big downpours.  Like most of the others, I sweat way too much in it, unless it is really cold, or I am not moving too much.  Has anyone tried their new, lighter gear?  I think the fabric is called ATP.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: twisp_river_slayer on April 24, 2009, 06:19:01 AM
i would look into sitka gear if i was you. I hunt hard in mine and it breaths better than the Rivers West. Its also cheaper!
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: actionshooter on April 24, 2009, 08:48:09 AM
I bought the rivers west gear when it came out, everyone raived about it.  :bdid:
 I use it for fishing or sitting in the rain now..........NO HUNTING with it, I sweat to death!
 
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: MichaelJ on August 02, 2009, 11:15:25 PM
Great gear, but its hard to pack the coat down to throw it in the pack for a highhunt... really takes up quite a bit of room... a new jacket is the last piece of gear I 'really' need... other than a new pack, new boots, new underarmour top, good bid layer, and it has to be rain/wind proof, breath well, not too expensive, pack down small and be lightweight... is this too much to ask??? lol

Honestly mines been great, most of the time I just keep it in the pack until I get to that ridge before first light, slip in on and wear it for the first couple hours of daylight/glassing... though I'm convinced there's better gear out there...

Michael
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: elkaholic_74 on August 07, 2009, 11:16:20 PM
I use Cabelas rain suede its lightweight, quiet, packable and pretty hard to beat for the price.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: mbforest on August 10, 2009, 08:17:35 PM
I just got the RW back country silver edition jacket and love it.  It seems to be cooler and lighter than the original fabric.  It has kept me very comfortable but i haven't had the chance to test it against all the elements yet.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: yajsab on August 11, 2009, 07:01:31 AM
As other saide, I had RW for several years.  Mine didn't leak, but I still get wet from sweat/moisture inside even though I am treestand hunting.  I'm trying Sitka this year.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: h2ofowlr on August 15, 2009, 07:47:50 PM
I like my Riverswest for Waterfowl hunting as I am sitting and it keeps you very warm and the wind doesn't penetrate it.  If it raining really hard my jacket leaks.  Second jacket that leaks.  If I am walking around I cook in it like a weight loss suit.  I wouldn't use it if I was hiking a lot unless I was trying to loose 20lbs.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: backwoods_boy on August 15, 2009, 09:06:14 PM
i have pants and a jacket and never hunt with out them in the truck its the best you can buy...
 :twocents:
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: halflife65 on August 19, 2009, 07:21:45 AM
I don't really care for RW gear.  I tried it but got so sweaty that it might as well have leaked.  I used it elk hunting in the snow and it was really cold but I was still soaked with sweat.

Maybe sitting in a blind somewhere it would be good but not if you're going to be moving around at all.  I went to Sitka gear as well as some King's (a lot cheaper) - just something that isn't cotton and, if waterproof, is breathable. 
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: 308ME on August 20, 2009, 07:09:10 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: 308ME on August 20, 2009, 07:12:46 PM
I have a set of rivers west gear it's the best items i have ever bought for hunting along with a pair of danners. You'll stay dry and warm. I only wear a long sleeve t shirt and a pair of long john bottoms with the pants and medium weight coat and I stay very comfortable down to about 20 degrees sitting on a stump for about 1.5 to 2 hrs then I'll need to get up and move. They are windproof waterproof and snagproof. If you do happen to get a hole in them they are also guaranteed for ten years. Yes ten years no s#$t. just  return to the maker. there in Seattle. they have a quick turnaround I'm told. the set I have I've had for five years and I see no reason I should need to buy anything else for the next five as long as I don't get to fat for the set I have. I've read that some folks are sweating alot remember the jackets have pit zip's and the paints have side zip's to help out with sweating
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: SeaRun1 on September 05, 2009, 07:32:27 PM
Not much to add to this thread as my experiences are the same.  I have been using their wading jackets for the last four years and last year with a RW hunting jacket.  I have bought two RW jackets for hunting.  The first was the backcountry jacket with no vents.  Man did I sweat in that jacket.  I lost it coming home from the hunting trip and it was a blessing in disguise.  I replaced it with another RW jacket with a back vent and pit zips and it made a world of difference.

SeaRun1
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Crunchy on September 05, 2009, 07:39:48 PM
I pulled the trigger on MT050 from Cabelas.  Very nice stuff, if it is as water proof as it is quite, and packable, it wil be hard to beat.  A little spendy so we will see.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: 87Ford on September 08, 2009, 02:35:16 PM
Crunchy, I thought you were sold on the Revolution Fleece from Cabela's??  Do you think the MT050 is going to be better?  I was considering the Revolution Fleece, but leaning towards the MT050.  What did you get, the bibs, pants, parka and or coveralls??  Thanks for any comments.
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: Thenewguy on September 24, 2009, 10:30:53 PM
I saw some sick Sitka stuff at cabelas.... but for an entire outfit it was around $700!
Title: Re: Rivers West
Post by: halflife65 on September 25, 2009, 07:55:00 AM
I pulled the trigger on MT050 from Cabelas.  Very nice stuff, if it is as water proof as it is quite, and packable, it wil be hard to beat.  A little spendy so we will see.

My dad has MT050 pants/coat and I have pants and they've been really good so far.  You should be fine with them...
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal