Core 4 elenmt rain gear for sheep hunt?

[JohnRP]

I was in a store selling Core 4 elemnt rain gear .Look nice and lite an packable, Do you think it would hold up to a alaska sheep hunt? Thanks

 

[sk1]

Never been on a sheep hunt but I have used mine for two seasons elk hunting now. This year especially I beat it up bad in the scrub oak. I finally ripped a tiny hole but I really beat it up bad stuck in some thick stuff. I was so stuck i just kept pushing forward getting caught on everything for 200 yards, it was horrible. I did not expect to make it out of that hell hole without any tears, and it only had a small puncture where im sure a branch really jabbed me good. Should have taken it off.

I don't know how that compares to an alaska sheep hunt.....the one downside i will say is with the brushed finish on the exterior, it takes awhile to dry. however, you stay completely dry inside.

 

[Trr15]

I have a few pieces of core4element and its quality stuff. I don't have the rain gear, but what I do have I'm very pleased with. I wouldn't have any concerns using their gear in AK.

 

[TEmbry]

I have their rain gear and as pointed out above, my main beef is how long it takes to dry the outer material. I love it for bowhunting because it is quiet and I can deal with it staying wet (i.e. heavy). If I was gun hunting I'd get a harder shell like Kuiu, Kryptek, Sitka, etc since noise doesn't matter and it essentially stays dry even in a downpour as it doesn't soak up any water at all.

My C4E gear worked wonders for a 10 day Alaskan moose hunt this fall. It did SLIGHTLY leak at the front near the top where the draw strings for the hood enter the jacket, it was minimal and not noticed until I took the jacket off and it was an absolute monsoon of rain.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

I do not have the C4E rain gear but have several other items (Element and Switchback pants, Pivot shirt and a few other things I think). I like all of their clothes and would like to try the C4E rain gear based on my experience thus far.

 

[tttoadman]

I have been happy with all of the C4E gear I have including the rain jacket. The only complaint I have is the range of motion is slightly small. I like to have the zipper up in front of my chin with the hood on. It fits fine until I want to look even slightly up. Try it on in the store, and really play around with it.

Update:
Still happy with this jacket for the price, but I really put it to the test in western OR this year. Here are my tidbits.
1. I had to Nikwax the jacket to get it to actually be waterproof.

2. The jacket doubles in weight when wet and as someone else noted, it won't dry out overnight in tent.

3. Number 1 complaint that has me looking for a replacement. The wet heavy fabric transfers cold through to you immediately. I actually thought it was leaking through. I had to wear my primaloft vest under this jacket in mid 40deg rain to keep warm.

I think this would be better suited for archery and/or early season hunting where the quiet fabric is valuable and the jacket will dry out between showers. I think C4E could do well if they made a true shell version and bumped up the hood size and head mobility a little.

 

[JohnRP]

Thanks for the replies. I was surprised that this store had it. Looks like I'll get it now.

 

[deadwolf]

For what it's worth I would advise against it, the outer layer will make the gear heavier when it gets wet, and it WILL get wet. There are lots of good options out there, I have KUIU Chugach, but I've really been impressed with First Lite's new rain gear. If you're looking for quality but affordable, Marmot makes nice, light rain gear that is affordable. A buddy of mine has guided 28 seasons in the Wrangell Mts. and only this year switched to KUIU. Best of luck

 

[Blackcod]

I have the Yukon jacket by kuiu. That being said I wear it all year on or near the saltwater and it corroded my zippers on it and I had to send it in for warranty replacement. When I did so they were backordered and I needed a backup for a south east alaska elk hunt. This is where I made the mistake of buying the torrent rain jacket by core4element.

Pros:

1. It's camo.
2. It's quiet.

Cons:
1. Hood is toddler size on an adult size jacket.
2. Even when fully zipped up to top, the jacket fabric wicks water from outside to inner neck/face area.
3. Zippered pockets fill with seeped water.
4. Fabric is hard to dry with a wood stove let alone humid wind.
5. Clearly designed for lower 48 weather.

 

[JohnRP]

I might have to think about it now

 

[MattB]

The "hard to dry" aspect would make it suspect for a sheep hunt.

 

[Stid2677]

I have hunted sheep in Alaska for over 10 years. I use only single layer rain gear, I have found that triple layer type is very tiring to climb in and takes longer to dry. There are many manufacturers, I have used Kuiu Chugach since 2010 and have no reason to change or even replace the original set I bought. Single layer, with pit zips to help vent when climbing.

If cost is a factor, Helly Hansen Impertec is a good choice. Has some stretch to help when climbing.

Moisture management is difficult when sheep hunting, the temps tend to be cold, so you dress to be warm and then get sweaty while climbing. This gets even worst when wearing rain gear. Layers are critical and layers that hold body heat when damp are a necessity IMHO. Add hiking in the rain and through wet brush and staying dry is even harder to do. That is why I like rain gear that does not hold water, once I stop I put on dry baselayers, my puffy and shake out my Chugach Jacket and put it back on.

This last year I hiked wearing only a Patagonia wind shirt 4OZs, it does not get wet and breaks the wind. I hike in it and shake it out to remove sweat, lay it over my pack to dry and layer up for sitting and glassing and change back to move. This system has worked well for me allowing me to stay drier and warmer.

 

[Broomd]

I sheep hunted for many years with marmot precip rainwear. It packs down to nothing and it does a good job of keep one dry.
It has held up to abuse in the pucker brush on Kodiak for goats too.

Sheep country is typical above treeline and usually doesn't present too much in the way of rip or tear fodder, but there are exceptions.
That said, I just picked up a c4e rain set for a hundred bucks shipped at another forum, for the price I'm giving it a shot here in north Idaho. The Precip can be noisy and deer and elk means quiet gear... Sheep, not so much a concern.

 

[Ray]

If you are looking to keep costs down and needing an effective rain coat for hiking/climbing the Marmot Precip is not bad at all. Get it in gray for sheep hunting. In serious down pours the outer cloth will hold water, but out side of unit 14C sheep hunts you are not likely to encounter rain like that.