Best rain jackets?

[junior]

Looking for any input on rain jackets with an upcoming trip in SE Alaska.

It doesn’t look like Sitka has a heavy duty rain jacket option right now, which seems odd.
Don’t think I have much interest in the FL omen. Kryptek is a possibility but haven’t looked into much.

I grabbed an arcteryx beta AR which is 80d gore Tex pro on high wear areas and 40d on the rest where the Sitka dewpoint is only 20d. The arcteryx seems hard to beat at under a pound although it is quite noisy out of the box. Fit seemed a little off as I need a large but the sleeves are obnoxiously long. Color isn’t a huge deal but don’t love the navy blue that the storm hood version comes in and is the only option.

Otherwise I was looking at the Kuiu Yukon. Fairly heavier but it sounds like the fabric is quite a bit quieter and has more features than the Beta AR. I like their solid color selection .With Kuiu running different material than gore companies, how does it compare to an 80d?

Thanks


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[abbrown]

Glaisnock Jacket

Our lightest full length hunting coat, the Glaisnock Jacket is the pinnacle in technical hunting rainwear. Ideal for the expedition hunter who is conscious of their overall pack weight, but who absolutely won’t compromise on quality, performance or protection from the elements. The key to the Glai

www.stoneycreek.co.nz

 

[WeiserBucks]

I've got a AK caribou hunt this fall and I'm taking KUIU Yukon. I had an old set of lightweight KUIU rain gear that served me well for many years so Yukon was an easy choice for me.

 

[Kronos]

It's really really hard to beat Arcteryx.... Although I'm throwing around the idea of trying a Kuiu Kutana. Arteryx fits me great because I have long monkey arms!

 

[IBen]

Looking for any input on rain jackets with an upcoming trip in SE Alaska.

It doesn’t look like Sitka has a heavy duty rain jacket option right now, which seems odd.
Don’t think I have much interest in the FL omen. Kryptek is a possibility but haven’t looked into much.

I grabbed an arcteryx beta AR which is 80d gore Tex pro on high wear areas and 40d on the rest where the Sitka dewpoint is only 20d. The arcteryx seems hard to beat at under a pound although it is quite noisy out of the box. Fit seemed a little off as I need a large but the sleeves are obnoxiously long. Color isn’t a huge deal but don’t love the navy blue that the storm hood version comes in and is the only option.

Otherwise I was looking at the Kuiu Yukon. Fairly heavier but it sounds like the fabric is quite a bit quieter and has more features than the Beta AR. I like their solid color selection .With Kuiu running different material than gore companies, how does it compare to an 80d?

Thanks


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Mondtbell storm cruiser gore tex, i think its made in the same factory as the Arcteryx rain gear. Have been using it in Alaska last 2 years (140 days), weights 11.5 ounces. All my experience in Alaska I wouldn’t recomend rain hear with a heavy face fabric

 

[Ice-kub]

I have a set of the kryptek koldo gear, haven't used it much but Damn it feels bullet proof. Long pit zips, adjustable hood.

 

[hunting1]

The SG M7 is pretty solid! I wore it to Scotland recently and it is a great heavy shell.

 

[jtivat]

If you are wearing this only for rain, then noise does not really factor in as rain is noisy all around.

 

[fishsticks]

I haven’t spent any time in SE, but I have spent the bulk of my life west of the cascades in Oregon and Washington. If it’s raining that hard, you’ll want bombproof and venting over breathable and quiet. There’s nothing worse than being wet, and hypothermia can be a real concern in mild temps if you’re wet. I had the FL SEAK which was overkill for here but would have been appropriate for SE. currently use the Kuiu Chugach, which is likely a little delicate for SE depending. I’d look at their Yukon or something similar. Full 3 layer gore with pit zips and $400 ish per piece unfortunately is the range for something like this.

 

[LoggerDan]

I used to rely on the old firstlite seak gear when I was living in remote logging camps on pow and Afognak. I would hunt and work in the jacket. Loved it. It outdid some other guys yukons for constant se Ak rain over long extended times. Sadly, my gear was stolen. I ordered the firstlite omen, and I believe it is a very meaningful improvement over the seak, which was a pretty damned good jacket.
I cut timber and ran log shovels, ran a landing craft boat in bad weather, hunt hike everyting.

 

[junior]

Thanks for all the input. I have the FL seak pants and love them.


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[Theringworm]

What are you doing on this trip in SE Alaska? That will factor into what is recommended.

 

[K_pem]

If you're looking for a just a rain jacket to wear all day in torrential downpours (like what you'll likely experience in SE Alaska) and willing to sacrifice it being a tad heavy for other hunts, id say you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with the Yukon. If you can stomach getting it in a camo i think they're only like $250 right now, which is a steal.

If you wanted something a little bit more jacket/softshell like, the Stone Glacier M7 is pretty cool with the fleece backer and having more of that soft shell feel to it, albeit heavy, its a great jacket for wet AND cold. It is still louder than I liked but it kept me very dry.

Happy in between, a lightweight ish option that has been pretty tough for me= the Stone Glacier M5.

Steve Speck from EXO also recently has been testing the new CANIS stuff, which looks like it is pretty stout as well, ive never had hands on it though.

Depending on what size you are, I do have an old Sitka Coldfront jacket that would serve you well also, id be willing to talk about selling that, but it is not a light/packable rain gear option.

 

[junior]

What are you doing on this trip in SE Alaska? That will factor into what is recommended.

Packing for Mtn goats and bears


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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Yukon is currently $80-100 off on Valo and Vias.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

We had a duck hunting trip this year where it literally rained for three days almost constantly. This is an island we camp out at for the whole weekend. We lived in our Sitka Delta Wading jackets the whole weekend and kept completely dry both out hunting and in camp. I was pretty impressed. We had breathable waders for the bottoms though.
Edit: I have the Dewpoint also but the Delta is far more rugged and heavier.

 

[slimC]

I think by your description your looking for something more warm/insulated but the Kuiu Northridge is SOLID rain jacket and has held up through some poundings for me.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Ignore all the hunting brands and look at the Swazi Tahr.

 

[LoggerDan]

I've been cutting timber for the past week in the new first lite omen. It is fantastic. I'm logging behind Ketchikan on revill island in some nasty weather and nasty ground. Perfect performance.

 

[UpperLeft86]

Living in the PNW for 20+ years I've had a few rain jackets. My Kuiu Chugach has been the best performing, but the fit is odd. Assume it's meant for layering, but the torso is really short. The fabric is killer, though.

I'm planning to upgrade to the Forloh AllClima soft shell. Waterproof, quiet, made fully in the USA.