Bow hunting rain gear?

[Jtelarkin08]

Ok so I have been fighting this topic in my mind forever. I am getting all my gear together for my September moose hunt and I am stuck on the rain gear. My booking agent mark from bowhunting Safari consultants recommended the rain suede from cabekas BC it is quiet. And it is very quiet but it is also very heavy.

My question is how quiet does rain gear need to be for bowhunting. If it is raining hard enough to use rain gear isn't that loud enough to cover the sound of the rain gear you are wearing?? Help me figure this out.


Keep the rain suede or get a lighter set ???

 

[Piscatory_4]

If this isn't a backpack hunt, why worry about the weight of the rain gear. I have the Rain Suede from Cabelas and it works fine, I won't say it is fantastic but it's fine. I hunted blacktail deer and Roosevelt elk on the WA coast, rifle and archery and it kept me reasonably dry. I don't like the loose liner they have in it since it snags on boot tread when getting it on and the jacket sleeve liner comes out of the wrist opening when putting it on. But once its on it works pretty good.

 

[DWinVA]

I'm really happy with my Sitka Downpour. We had a wet bow season and I was able to kill several deer in the rain while wearing this fall.

God Bless.

 

[RUTTIN]

I have had good luck with my Core4 Torrent rain gear. It's very quiet and I have never gotten wet in it.

 

[sfischer]

I'll second RUTTIN

 

[IdahoElk]

I'm a fan so far also of the Core4 torrent gear.it's light and quiet

 

[charvey9]

If its raining, they aren't going to hear it. Rain gear is one thing I will never skimp on. I think a set that is comfortable, keeps you dry, and you can hunt in all day without getting soaked from the inside out is most important. Lots of guys using KUIU, Sitka, Core4, First Lite, etc do just fine bow hunting. Not saying that rain suede isn't good also, but don't let that one feature hold you back from getting the best rain set you can afford. A few days of non-stop rain and you won't regret it.

 

[kodiakfly]

If its raining, they aren't going to hear it. Rain gear is one thing I will never skimp on. I think a set that is comfortable, keeps you dry, and you can hunt in all day without getting soaked from the inside out is most important. Lots of guys using KUIU, Sitka, Core4, First Lite, etc do just fine bow hunting. Not saying that rain suede isn't good also, but don't let that one feature hold you back from getting the best rain set you can afford. A few days of non-stop rain and you won't regret it.

Agreed. I'm strictly a bowhunter and I think sometimes "quiet" is confused with "silent" and silence is the objective. I think people (not saying you OP, or anyone else in particular) sometimes get into ninja mode and think we should wear 100% fleece body suits. I wear Cordura gaiters, GoreTex rain gear and so on. Sure, quiet is very important in bowhunting, but I make noise busting through alders and high grass and even if I was covered in buckskin, I'd still make noise coming through that stuff. Quiet is what I shoot for...not silent. But there's a balance. If I wanted silent I'd wear sweat pants and a hoodie everywhere and cold and wet be damned. Get something that'll keep you dry and comfortable and able to hunt. If weight isn't an issue, go with whatever quiet fleece or suede you like. If weight is an issue, get something you can pack and then worry about being quiet in that.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

If its raining, they aren't going to hear it. Rain gear is one thing I will never skimp on. I think a set that is comfortable, keeps you dry, and you can hunt in all day without getting soaked from the inside out is most important. Lots of guys using KUIU, Sitka, Core4, First Lite, etc do just fine bow hunting. Not saying that rain suede isn't good also, but don't let that one feature hold you back from getting the best rain set you can afford. A few days of non-stop rain and you won't regret it.

This is kinda the thought I was having. I am thinking I should get a better lighter set. Unless it's raining pretty hard or at least steady I don't think I will be wearing it anyway. And in that case the noise won't be much of an issue. I've got a kuiu gift card but have heard that the kryptek is quieter. So I will go with one of them

 

[doverpack12]

This is kinda the thought I was having. I am thinking I should get a better lighter set. Unless it's raining pretty hard or at least steady I don't think I will be wearing it anyway. And in that case the noise won't be much of an issue. I've got a kuiu gift card but have heard that the kryptek is quieter. So I will go with one of them

Not sure where you are hearing the Kryptek is quieter. I have tried on both Kryptek rain jackets in stores and they were very loud to me. I have a solid color Kuiu Chugach non NX version and its not silent I wouldn't even call it quiet but its not loud like the Kryptek jackets. The Koldo is very stiff as well and the armpits were pretty uncomfortable for me. The Poseidon was quieter than the Koldo I thought. Just what I have found so if there is alot of information out there stating otherwise maybe I am wrong. For what its worth I have the Core 4 Torrent and the only rain jacket I have tried on that I think may be quieter is the Sitka Downpour but its heavier, thicker and will not breath as well without pit zips.

 

[Browtinemt]

I like/use the C4E Torrent because of the pit zips when on the move, it's quiet and has a more athletic fit so it isn't in the way through your draw cycle. One thing I would consider is the brushed fabric that makes these jackets crazy quiet also starts to absorb water during prolonged exposure. Once saturated they are heavy as hell to wear/pack and don't dry out very easily. I've never had that happen while backpacking, but I also wear mine while working when it's moist out and after a 8 hr work day of wet snow falling it was plumb full, still kept me pretty dry though. The Torrent is great rain gear, but I think you're on the right track with a more impermeable shell like kuiu or kryptek if you're moose hunting BC or Alaska and getting rained on for days at a time. Unfortunately I have zero experience with either.

 

[marc]

I also prefer the Core4. I use my rain gear as my outer layer so I wear it when it's not raining. I have no problem with noise and i hunt with a recurve.

 

[JWP58]

Look at marmot precip jacket and pants. I think I got the jacket and pants for about 70-80 bucks in all. If you don't need camo, it works.

 

[MattB]

One thing to consider is that the rain suits with a brushed exterior can get wet and stay wet for hunts where you don't have a means to dry them (i.e. stove), so sometimes a less quiet option may be better depending on the hunt.

I have never played with the C4E, but I have a Kryptek Koldo jacket that is pretty quiet - slightly moreso than the Kuiu rain gear (the quieter/heavier of their options). You might also be cautious when considering feedback related to the quietness levels of new, unwashed versions of various garments, as they will generally soften up and get quieter with wear and washing.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

I put a scale on my cabelas rain suede and it only weighs 30 oz. the kryptek koldo is 26 oz. I don't think the cabelas has put zips and stuff tho.

 

[rickjames80]

I also have the cabelas rain suede. I do like them, but wish they had the pit zips.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

I also have the cabelas rain suede. I do like them, but wish they had the pit zips.

I just can't decide if the quiet rain suede or the light Chugach would be better. The set of kuiu Chugach weighs the same as my jacket of the suede.

I think since this hunt will be horseback I will stick with the suede.

 

[Peter K]

I just ordered some suede today. It's on sale big time online!

 

[Jtelarkin08]

I finally got my hands on some Kuiu Yukon gear at the Dallas Safari Club show and i was very surprised with how quiet it was.. I ordered a set and will just run a 3 layer system with a vest. I think the Yukon is dang near as quiet as the suede.. Not quite but close enough for me

 

[Piscatory_4]

I got to check out the kryptek koldo set as well as the firstlite boundary stormtight and northbranch stuff at the washington sportsmans show yesterday. Koldo set looks about ideal for my use. Also liked the boundary stormtight set, lighter weight and great for packing to use when necessary. Guy at the booth said he has used it on the west side and was surprised how breathable it is. Plus it was in ASAT which is a plus all the way around. Koldo would be great for put on and wear all day. Stormtight seems pretty light and for where i hunt it may get torn too easy.

Northbranch is too heavy for my hunting.