Best rain pants…. SW Alaska first half September

[Panhandler80]

I know this has been addressed about a million times but I have serious research fatigue. Going on a moose hunt this Sept in SW Alaska. Bringing waders for really wet days, but would also like to have some “waterproof” pants for light rain and/or dry days. Will have wool thermals underneath. Have some waterproof insulated pants already as well, but I’m worried that they may be a bit too warm if temps warm up.

Suggestions?

 

[Novahunter]

I invested in 2 pairs of Kuiu Yukon for my upcoming Newfoundland moose hunt 1st week of October. I would think they would hold up in Alaska as well.

 

[ammonnhonduras]

I have some Sitka bibs/jacket that I wear waterfowl hunting in layout blinds and wet muddy fields. I will be taking them to Alaska for my moose hunt.

 

[MaraviaDave]

I’d recommend starting with the lightest weight synthetic thermals you can find (silkweight). These should be the only thing you wear under waders or rain pants. NO synthetic pants.

Merino wool is great for your upper body and absolutely sucks for your lower buddy, when worn under waders/rain pants.

Waders: use a light weight wading boot. For example; Simms Flyweights, along with the Simms Right Angle Inserts. I would only wear these if you’ll actually be walking through boggy areas, crossing rivers, etc. If you’re just dealing with rain. I think rain pants are more versatile.

Rain Pants: use high quality Gore-Tex pants. Preferably avoid hunting brands (Kuiu, FIrst Lite, etc). Arcteryx and Rab are good choices. I would wear these if you’re dealing with sustained rain and walking on firm ground.

Synthetic Pants: if you’re just dealing with intermittent rain, I’d forego waders/rain pants. Don’t be afraid to get a little wet. These pants dry relatively quickly, while walking. A good example is the Kuiu Attack pant. NO need for thermals under these pants.

If you’re on a moose hunt where you’ll be mostly glassing for moose, consider bringing a tarp that you can pitch with trekking poles, that’ll allow you to glass from underneath, during light and intermittent rain that still allows enough visibility for effective glassing.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I know this has been addressed about a million times but I have serious research fatigue. Going on a moose hunt this Sept in SW Alaska. Bringing waders for really wet days, but would also like to have some “waterproof” pants for light rain and/or dry days. Will have wool thermals underneath. Have some waterproof insulated pants already as well, but I’m worried that they may be a bit too warm if temps warm up.

Suggestions?

Helly Hansen Impertech bibs. Just sayin' ....

 

[Panhandler80]

I’d recommend starting with the lightest weight synthetic thermals you can find (silkweight). These should be the only thing you wear under waders or rain pants. NO synthetic pants.

Merino wool is great for your upper body and absolutely sucks for your lower buddy, when worn under waders/rain pants.

Waders: use a light weight wading boot. For example; Simms Flyweights, along with the Simms Right Angle Inserts. I would only wear these if you’ll actually be walking through boggy areas, crossing rivers, etc. If you’re just dealing with rain. I think rain pants are more versatile.

Rain Pants: use high quality Gore-Tex pants. Preferably avoid hunting brands (Kuiu, FIrst Lite, etc). Arcteryx and Rab are good choices. I would wear these if you’re dealing with sustained rain and walking on firm ground.

Synthetic Pants: if you’re just dealing with intermittent rain, I’d forego waders/rain pants. Don’t be afraid to get a little wet. These pants dry relatively quickly, while walking. A good example is the Kuiu Attack pant. NO need for thermals under these pants.

If you’re on a moose hunt where you’ll be mostly glassing for moose, consider bringing a tarp that you can pitch with trekking poles, that’ll allow you to glass from underneath, during light and intermittent rain that still allows enough visibility for effective glassing.

Merino great for upper and poor for lower body. News to me. I’ll look into this.

I have sims waders and the flyweight wading boots. Mixed feelings on the flyweights. Not sure what the right angle inserts are but will look into this. Have been trying to walk about 3.5 miles each day varying amouubt of Weight. Half the time in go in flyweights with a liner sock and sealskinz and the have done okay. Did some walking in waders here in Florida and that was pretty miserable. Figured the flyweight and knee high waterproof sock be a good option for warmer than normal weather and small streams, bogs, etc. also have some chota tundra hippies for even more versatility, but they incredibly uncomfortable in those boots. May leave them here. The XL’s take up too much room and are extremely tight. The larges were too constricting

I’ll look into the Raab amd Arctrrtyx

Have a lightweight tarp and trekking poles for glassing plus hello zero chair.

 

[gonhunting247]

I used my kuiu chugach rain pants on my last pack in hunt. I thought they worked pretty well. I was able to wear them over my thermals and pants or just the thermals depending on the temps. Great for taking on and off or using zippers to regulate heat.

 

[Ammo29]

Helly Hansen gear is durable enough to be the gold standard for commercial fisherman. I love my Helly Hansen jacket and pants for times when I'm working outside and have to just sit and take a downpour.

 

[Panhandler80]

Helly Hansen gear is durable enough to be the gold standard for commercial fisherman. I love my Helly Hansen jacket and pants for times when I'm working outside and have to just sit and take a downpour.

I am bringing a HH jacket

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I am bringing a HH jacket

Get the bibs to go with the waist-length jacket. Just saying .....

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

HH or Grundens. Something for the lighter rain/less swampy days would be good as moving around much in either of those and you’ll be hating life. Unless it’s very very cold.

 

[Superdoo]

What grundens set is the most breathable???

 

[Panhandler80]

Get the bibs to go with the waist-length jacket. Just saying .....

G3 waders going regardless. I figured if the HH jacket needed to go on, I would just wear the waders.

On the rain pants… the Rab Downpour 2.0 for example, I assume these are meant to be worn over a non waterproof pant?

 

[Bearwhisky]

I’d recommend starting with the lightest weight synthetic thermals you can find (silkweight). These should be the only thing you wear under waders or rain pants. NO synthetic pants.

Merino wool is great for your upper body and absolutely sucks for your lower buddy, when worn under waders/rain pants.

Waders: use a light weight wading boot. For example; Simms Flyweights, along with the Simms Right Angle Inserts. I would only wear these if you’ll actually be walking through boggy areas, crossing rivers, etc. If you’re just dealing with rain. I think rain pants are more versatile.

Rain Pants: use high quality Gore-Tex pants. Preferably avoid hunting brands (Kuiu, FIrst Lite, etc). Arcteryx and Rab are good choices. I would wear these if you’re dealing with sustained rain and walking on firm ground.

Synthetic Pants: if you’re just dealing with intermittent rain, I’d forego waders/rain pants. Don’t be afraid to get a little wet. These pants dry relatively quickly, while walking. A good example is the Kuiu Attack pant. NO need for thermals under these pants.

If you’re on a moose hunt where you’ll be mostly glassing for moose, consider bringing a tarp that you can pitch with trekking poles, that’ll allow you to glass from underneath, during light and intermittent rain that still allows enough visibility for effective glassing.

Just curious why “preferably avoid hunting brands”?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MaraviaDave]

Just curious why “preferably avoid hunting brands”?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

From my perspective their cost versus quality/durability is lower than products from companies like Arcteryx or Rab, when we’re discussing rain gear. I recognize that products from these companies cost more. But, I believe you get what you pay for.

I do think some of the hunting brands have great products. For example, I really like Kuiu Attack pants and First Lite merino wool base layers.

In general, I’d say the advantage of hunting brands is being able to find products in solid earth tones. The advantage of non-hunting brands is higher performance fabrics and construction.

Arcteryx’s LEAF collection has a good selection of solid color earth tones. But, the products are quite a bit more expensive.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

G3 waders going regardless. I figured if the HH jacket needed to go on, I would just wear the waders.

On the rain pants… the Rab Downpour 2.0 for example, I assume these are meant to be worn over a non waterproof pant?

If you're wearing chest waders all day, which I wouldn't, then the jacket will suffice. If you're wearing hip waders, which that would be the best thing to do, then you need the thigh-length Helly Hansen Impertech parka instead of the skimpy jacket.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

What grundens set is the most breathable???

As soon as you start bringing up the word “breathable” when talking truly water proof you negate it's job. Anything "breathable" WILL wet out. Regardless of what guys will try to tell you on here... If you are in rain and swamp for 10-14 days and it rains every single day your "breathable" hunting brand "rain gear" is going to make you pack it in early. I've seen it and lived it. Never again.

That's why I'd bring dedicated do not wet out gear, along with some separate more active rain gear.

 

[Panhandler80]

If you're wearing chest waders all day, which I wouldn't, then the jacket will suffice. If you're wearing hip waders, which that would be the best thing to do, then you need the thigh-length Helly Hansen Impertech parka instead of the skimpy jacket.

Yeah. It’s the parka. That’s what I meant. Have the Chota tundra hip waders but they incredibly uncomfortable in SIMMs flyweight boots. I understand that chest waders all day with even light hiking to glassing spot be less than ideal. Hence my reason to try and identify something not so waterproof for light rain and wet brush…. Especially if it gets warm weather.

The Arctrtyx and Rab are marketed as “breathable.” I guess you saying use them for moderate wet conditions, something like Attack for light conditions and then waders / HH, etc for super wet.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Yeah. It’s the parka. That’s what I meant. Have the Chota tundra hip waders but they incredibly uncomfortable in SIMMs flyweight boots. I understand that chest waders all day with even light hiking to glassing spot be less than ideal. Hence my reason to try and identify something not so waterproof for light rain and wet brush…. Especially if it gets warm weather.

The Arctrtyx and Rab are marketed as “breathable.” I guess you saying use them for moderate wet conditions, something like Attack for light conditions and then waders / HH, etc for super wet.

I just got a pair of Sonic Pro HD waders for my upcoming sw ak moosehunt and they are bomb, I was shocked how comfortable they are. I don’t think I will have a problem being in them all day, which will be likely since we are hunting out of a boat.

 

[Panhandler80]

I just got a pair of Sonic Pro HD waders for my upcoming sw ak moosehunt and they are bomb, I was shocked how comfortable they are. I don’t think I will have a problem being in them all day, which will be likely since we are hunting out of a boat.

10-4. My G3s are comfortable enough as well. Just not sure how they’ll be if I need to move in them a lot in terms of heat.