Rain gear- what works best ?

[mark4]

I need some good rain gear for hunting in wet weather. I plan on hiking around and getting soaked. Does anyone have any recommendations for what brand I should go for ?? I will be moving around and hiking while in the rain- so I need the clothing to breath and/or wick away moisture on the inside as well. I can't stand the rain gear that traps moisture on the inside. Any tips would be very appreciated.

[bigwhiteys]

I've got four different sets of raingear... If you're hiking you want breathability and lightweight... Helly Hansen makes some great gear for this...

Rock Water Designs is a lesser known brand that I have been incredibly happy with... I have a pair of their pants. Very durable, very compactable and VERY DRY. I think I found mine at Marks Work Wear World.

I have a Helly Hansen compactable jacket that I use with the pants...

Another brand that is gaining traction in our market and doing quite well is "Keela" a scottish company. Their higher end stuff is comparable to Helly and is again not cheap.

Carl

[boxhitch]

Its easier to practice 'warm when wet' than it is to be 'dry when sweating'.
Breathable fabrics have a limit to how fast they move vapour to the outside, usually alot slower than the body produces it.
Buy fleece or merino wool, use a shell to shingle the direct rain fall, and be 'comfortable and wet' may be the best......or not.

[BCrams]

I have gone through many types of rain gear in the mountains. I have seen everything from the basic stand by pioneer gear, through Helly Hansen Impertech to the lightweight packable rain gear.

For sheep hunting I finally bit the bullet and now use the Arc Teryx brand rain jacket. Its bomb proof and better than anything I have seen. But it comes with a steep price tag.

[MIL720]

Its easier to practice 'warm when wet' than it is to be 'dry when sweating'.
Breathable fabrics have a limit to how fast they move vapour to the outside, usually alot slower than the body produces it.
Buy fleece or merino wool, use a shell to shingle the direct rain fall, and be 'comfortable and wet' may be the best......or not.
I agree with you boxhitch...I use fleece and it works great...

[BlacktailStalker]

Sitka Gear down pour series. With a proper underlayer.

[MB_Boy]

For sheep hunting I finally bit the bullet and now use the Arc Teryx brand rain jacket. Its bomb proof and better than anything I have seen. But it comes with a steep price tag.

I have to agree with ArcTeryx and Helly gear from my personal experiences if you are moving around a lot in wet weather.

For anyone who may be looking it is not really well known but Arcteryx does have an outlet store in Vancouver right near 12th and Boundary.

[pupper]

Sitka Gear down pour series. With a proper underlayer.

have you used this? I am thinking of getting some.

what conditions and what results did you get from sitka gear?

was is breathable?

[Wildman]

Here you go..... http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17220&highlight=Rain+Gear (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17220&highlight=Rain+Gear) or see this http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=16962&highlight=Rain+Gear (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=16962&highlight=Rain+Gear). We talked about this last year. I personally like the Helly Hansen rubberized light weight stuff. A set is about $120. It may only last 6 months, or more if you are not going to use it everyday. But...here on the coast it beats everything as long as you wear correct clothing below. I like a layer of poly pro, or light weight wool, then fleece, then wool, then the H/H rain gear. Kicks Gortex's !@# (IMO on the coast). I used to work outside every day, rain, snow, wind, sleet. When humping up and down mountians, across side hills and over and under windfall nothing beats it.

If I lived in the interior, I would agree.....Gortex - actually who am I kidding, no I wouldn't. I believe that you will get wet in any rain gear. The most important thing about dressing for the weather is choosing proper layers so that if you do get wet at least you will stay warm.

It seems as though a few of us continually preach the same thing.... I'm not saying that everyone elses opinion isn't right. It just depends where abouts you live and I'm not sure where "above the sea and under the moon" is..... maybe you should tell us where you plan on using it besides in wet weather. Hope that helps.

[Lil Buck]

I have had great luck sheep hunting with the Browning light weight gear .It doesnt sweat ,its light ,havent gotten wet yet .But it is pricey..

But what do I know

lb:frown:

[srupp]

hmmm have a look @ Cabelas Whitetail series quiet, well designed..waterproof..doesnt pill or gather burrs...I have a set and the parks..I like..

Steven

[bruin]

MB Boy, I get a couple of results and I just want to make sure I have the right one.
Arc'teryx‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49259680,-123032050,6309977779520885432&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=1) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49259680,-123032050,6309977779520885432&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=1)
2770 Bentall Street, Vancouver, BC V5M 4H4
(604) 439-9643‎
Arcteryx Factory Store‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49305344,-123015133,2145266474293613815&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=3) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49305344,-123015133,2145266474293613815&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=3)
2155 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver District, BC V7H 3B2
(604) 960-3119‎
Arc'teryx Equipment Inc‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49257219,-123010185,15921656562921357213&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=5) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49257219,-123010185,15921656562921357213&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=5)
4250 Manor Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 1B2
(604) 454-9900‎

Thanks

[mark4]

Wildman I live in the east Kootenay's, The elk valley to be exact. The rainfall isn't as heavy as the coast of bc, but it is enough to want good rain gear. I am sick of trying different rain gear only to end up wet from either rain, walking through water soaked bushes and undergrowth AFTER a rain,( I'm sure you guy's can relate) or from sweat. I haven't found anything that really does the job. Maybe some of you guy's are right - wet and warm might be as good as it gets. The arc teryx sounds like it might be good, or mabye the proper layer system with a wool/fleece/wool/shell combo. I just want something that actually works for wet hiking.

[Frango]

Take a xxl grey Stanfield wooly shirt wash it and throw it in the dryer on the hotest setting.It will shrink and become the best rain gear out there.Old logger trick

[Wildman]

Wildman I live in the east Kootenay's, The elk valley to be exact. The rainfall isn't as heavy as the coast of bc, but it is enough to want good rain gear. I am sick of trying different rain gear only to end up wet from either rain, walking through water soaked bushes and undergrowth AFTER a rain,( I'm sure you guy's can relate) or from sweat. I haven't found anything that really does the job. Maybe some of you guy's are right - wet and warm might be as good as it gets. The arc teryx sounds like it might be good, or mabye the proper layer system with a wool/fleece/wool/shell combo. I just want something that actually works for wet hiking.

Well like I said, I am used to hiking in the west coast bush, year round. The H/H stuff is about the best I can find. Light weight and doesnt bind my legs up (can easily lift them over a windfall). It keeps me dry for 60% of the day before the water starts wicking up my arms. That's why it's important to have proper layers below your outer shell. From my experiances, why buy gortex or something similar for big $$ when it doesn't work any better and tears just as easily or easier.

[Wildman]

Take a xxl grey Stanfield wooly shirt wash it and throw it in the dryer on the hotest setting.It will shrink and become the best rain gear out there.Old logger trick

My wife does it to me all the time. My stanny's are skin tight.

[shoot'm agn]

Tried Filson, Goretex, HH. I just get wet no matter what. Wet is okay as long as I'm warm (I go for wool)...if I'm going to sit I carry a change of clothes and cheap, lightweight rubberized raingear and change in the bush (hence the bigfoot legends live on!)...

[whitetailsheds]

This has been an enlightening/ educating thread. I always thought it was me and cheap gear with maintaining some sort of dryness UNDERNEATH rain gear. Products by Helly Hansen, Viking, Cabela's, Patagonia and just plain old fashioned, yellow rubber rain gear from days gone by all seem to have the same effectiveness when backpacking in the rain. Any of these have left me soaking wet after a good hike. Kept the rain out, but also kept alot of sweat in. After reading others comments on other brands, don't need to go buy some other brand now, ie Arcteryx (sp?). Just ensure proper underlayer to keep some heat in, and change up into dry when the work stops. Breathabilty sounds like a farce when it comes to rain and hiking. Never understood the principle of keeping water from getting in, but then the clothing is supposed to let sweat out?

[MB_Boy]

MB Boy, I get a couple of results and I just want to make sure I have the right one.
Arc'teryx‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49259680,-123032050,6309977779520885432&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=1) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49259680,-123032050,6309977779520885432&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=1)
2770 Bentall Street, Vancouver, BC V5M 4H4
(604) 439-9643‎
Arcteryx Factory Store‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49305344,-123015133,2145266474293613815&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=3) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49305344,-123015133,2145266474293613815&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=3)
2155 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver District, BC V7H 3B2
(604) 960-3119‎
Arc'teryx Equipment Inc‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49257219,-123010185,15921656562921357213&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=5) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49257219,-123010185,15921656562921357213&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=5)
4250 Manor Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 1B2
(604) 454-9900‎

Thanks

Bruin....it is right close to my office. It is not on my usual drive but I will head by on my way home to ensure it is still there.

[brian]

Breathabilty sounds like a farce when it comes to rain and hiking

I'm convinced it is a farce for what you pay for it. This year I got some 'breathable' rain gear. I found that it barely works better than non breathable. The wool I wear wicks sweat away from my body great, but then there's all that sweat sitting there under my rain gear.

[bwhnter]

I took a look at the Sitka gear when I was in Vegas a couple of weeks ago and it looks really good. All of the info that I have read on other sites and a couple of guys that were at Bass Pro loved it and they said that they wore it on a goat hunt in Alaska. I have also used the Cabelas Revolution Dri-fleeca and like it and on my last Dall sheep hunt in the Yukon I used the Cabelas Mt050 rain pants and during the few rain showers that we had they felt good and kept me dry.

Good luck
Royd

[ryanb]

Arc'Teryx gear uses a heavy 3 ply goretex, which is the EXACT same material as any other manufacturer that uses heavy 3-ply goretex. Arc'Teryx gear is very well made and designed, but I find other brands that use the same material do almost the same job for less money....If you're lookin for goretex, Taiga gear is pretty solid.

Nothing can touch goretex for breathability and water-proofness...That said, Goretex has it's limits and won't stand up to a constant heavy downpour for much longer than an hour. For light, moderate, or short lived heavy rain showers, goretex is pretty great. The key to staying dry with any waterproof-breathable is to minimize sweat, so ventilate!

[mwj]

i'm with wildman on the light weight h/h "stretchy" rain gear. comes in a olive green colour, blends into any background well. it seems to be very durable, you may get 5 or more years wear if you just use it for hunting. the pants are the bib-type, keeps you dry walking through the underbrush and the jacket has a hood. like everyone else is saying, if your sweating you will get wet! layer up.

[MB_Boy]

MB Boy, I get a couple of results and I just want to make sure I have the right one.
Arc'teryx‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49259680,-123032050,6309977779520885432&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=1) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49259680,-123032050,6309977779520885432&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=1)
2770 Bentall Street, Vancouver, BC V5M 4H4
(604) 439-9643‎
Arcteryx Factory Store‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49305344,-123015133,2145266474293613815&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=3) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49305344,-123015133,2145266474293613815&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=3)
2155 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver District, BC V7H 3B2
(604) 960-3119‎
Arc'teryx Equipment Inc‎ (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49257219,-123010185,15921656562921357213&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=5) - more info » (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=arcteryx&near=Vancouver,+BC&fb=1&latlng=49257219,-123010185,15921656562921357213&ei=KHPER6qvKYHOjgHw-cUg&cd=5)
4250 Manor Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 1B2
(604) 454-9900‎

Thanks

Bruin.....

The one on Bentall Street is/was the factory outlet. It is set in from Grandview highway but I drove by and that was the cross street.

I would call them all to check as they may all be factory outlets......I have a lot of friends who do "back country" adventures of all sorts and they all but Arcteryx at "authorized retailers".

I bought my day-pack at a retailer but if you want I can check out any of them as I drive by all of them at different points through the month as my job has me calling on hospitals all through the Lower Mainland.

[hunter1947]

I use the Helly Hansen rain gear ,it is very light and very flexible to wear.

[Wildman]

i'm with wildman on the light weight h/h "stretchy" rain gear. comes in a olive green colour, blends into any background well. it seems to be very durable, you may get 5 or more years wear if you just use it for hunting. the pants are the bib-type, keeps you dry walking through the underbrush and the jacket has a hood. like everyone else is saying, if your sweating you will get wet! layer up.

.....Amen.

[ibehuntin]

I wear Browning hydro fleece pants and a Swanndri bushman shirt (wool). Swanndri clothing is amazing. I spent 6 days last August moose hunting in region 7, it poured the whole time. I wore my regular clothes under a xxl swany and never got more than a little wet around the collar. And nothing breathes better than wool.:p

[whitetailsheds]

This Swany shirt shed the water?

[ibehuntin]

This Swany shirt shed the water?
Yep! They are made in NewZeland of 100% pure wool and are 100% weather proof. Ckeck them out at www.swanndri.co.nz (http://www.swanndri.co.nz) . They are concidered by some to be the ultimate survival jacket. I love mine.:grin:

[Brambles]

I used Helly Hanson on my 10 day flyin trip, held up very well, I thought it was going to shred for sure in the shintangle but it came out unscathed.

[Wolfman]

Yep! They are made in NewZeland of 100% pure wool and are 100% weather proof. Ckeck them out at www.swanndri.co.nz (http://www.swanndri.co.nz) . They are concidered by some to be the ultimate survival jacket. I love mine.:grin:



I just checked out Swanndri's site: Pretty cool looking stuff they have there.



Wolfman

[boxhitch]

Some more gear from downunder
http://www.swazi.co.nz/
This stuff is getting rave reviews, but the fabrics are a variation of local gear. 'Special 'cuz it is imported ??

[spongebob]

MB Boy! That Chuck Norris thing is hilarious!

Made me forget what I was reading about in the first place!!!

Two thumbs up!

[RiverOtter]

I've tried quite a few different types of rain gear(cheap and expensive), both for logging and hunting. Layering poly and/or wool, under a fairly tough rain coat is where I've gotten to. Waterproof and durable is my main requirement of rain gear. Breatheable is great, but when the humidity is 100%(rain) and the air is completely saturated with moisture already, where is all that extra body moisture supposed to evaporate to???? When the rain stops I take take off my rain gear, you can't get more breatheable than poly/wool unless you go buck.

RO

[Marlin375]

I've tried quite a few different types of rain gear(cheap and expensive), both for logging and hunting. Layering poly and/or wool, under a fairly tough rain coat is where I've gotten to. Waterproof and durable is my main requirement of rain gear. Breatheable is great, but when the humidity is 100%(rain) and the air is completely saturated with moisture already, where is all that extra body moisture supposed to evaporate to???? When the rain stops I take take off my rain gear, you can't get more breatheable than poly/wool unless you go buck.

RO


Yup......Been working outdoors everywhere in BC, Ive tried every thing, and if I was heading out in the rain for nine hours of mixed activity I would go with Quality poly-pro long johns against your skin then wool or fleece and helly hanson or black diamond rubber on the outside. Take the rubber off when you are not in contact with bush or the rain stops. When you take the rubber off you will dry out within an hour. If it rains all day you will go home wet, warm, but wet.

[Bowzone_Mikey]

Shadowear ...CDn company as well .....

Walked across the Waterton river wearing it ...never got wet ... fully breathable wicks stuff away your body as well

the website is down at the moment as they are rebuilding it ... here is a review on it tho

http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/gear/bowhunting03.shtml

[bc sportsman]

I've worn wool, goretex, rubber rain gear, waterproofed fleece and cotton gear.

Problem with goretex and the rubber gear is that you sweat so much that you might as well not use it. Good for still or stand hunting though.

I like heavier weight pure wool. Keeps you warm in a long downpour, water runs down the fibers to the bottom of your jacket and pants and then drips off. The wool never gets wet enough to soak you but you might get damp. Good layer underneath solves that problem though.

I've waded thru hip deep cold rivers without waders and was relatively dry and warm after walking some 15 mins.

Other upside is that wool inhibits bacterial growth and therefore smelly clothes. Synthetics and cotton begin to stink quickly.

Downside is that wool is heavy once it gets wet and takes a longer time to dry.