Favorite All-Around Rain Gear

bigbassin

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 18, 2022
What’s your favorite all around rain gear? It would be used on jobsites, around town, fishing, hiking, camping, etc.

Comfort and actually waterproof are my main concerns. Realistically I’m grabbing it out of my truck more than any other scenario, so durability/longevity is way more important to me than lightweight.
 
You lost me at “around town”, and I have no idea what your idea of a “job site” is. My pick is Helly Hansen. Not sure what model these days. They change the names so often.
I expect the current equivalent to what I like is their “Gale” model.

Thin coating, synthetic stretch backing, fairly light weight. Not super durable though.
 
If it must be 100% waterproof then it must be rubber. Helly Hansen is what I choose. None of your big name highend hunting brands (Kuiu, Stone Glacier, Sitka, First Lite) make 100% waterproof gear. All of theirs will eventually soak through. I have live the experiment on more than one occasion. That being said, I will not even consider rubber unless I am standing still or sitting. Any activity and I will run the risk with Non-rubber high end alternatives. For me that would be Kuiu Chugach for extreme activity, or their Yukon if not as active.
 
For extreme use, Arcteryx Beta AR. For lighter weight stuff, Sitka Dewpoint is really good. And you can get it for great deals all over.


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Kuiu chugach works well for me.

Full disclaimer: i haven't used it yet in extreme activities or significant altitude gain, just moderate activities
 
If it must be 100% waterproof then it must be rubber. Helly Hansen is what I choose. None of your big name highend hunting brands (Kuiu, Stone Glacier, Sitka, First Lite) make 100% waterproof gear. All of theirs will eventually soak through. I have live the experiment on more than one occasion. That being said, I will not even consider rubber unless I am standing still or sitting. Any activity and I will run the risk with Non-rubber high end alternatives. For me that would be Kuiu Chugach for extreme activity, or their Yukon if not as active.
@Theringworm, aint that the truth. I've sat there in my expensive rain gear feeling all smug cause it was gonna keep me nice and dry unlike the rest of the group I was with. At one point I felt dampish and thought, "gee...this stuff isn't as breathable as they make it seem." When I stood up I realized I was soaked to the skin, and freezing. Granted it was a super heavy steady rain but I sure expected more.

I currently have a generic camo rain suit from Cabela's that works just fine in damp/wet conditions, intermittent light to moderate rain and wet snow.
 
I wish there were more USA Made options, but I did settle on Helly Hanson (both top and bottom). Mostly purchased it for Caribou in Alaska this year, but I did break it out for Walleye fishing on the Missouri this past October. It was frigid and down pouring the entire day. I kept completely dry.

Having tested countless fabrics, I would say the only true waterproof material is rubber like the Helly Hanson's. Everything else will eventually soak through after enough exposure. Short exposures are not a concern for some of the bigger hunting brand clothing, but for day long and multi day exposures I wouldn't trust anything except rubber.
 
Grundens Hercules for extreme durability. I’ve had the same jacket since I was in highschool and I’ve been beating the coastal brush as a forester for 6 year 75+ days a year and it’s good as new. I finally bought new bibs last year after I walked the seams to separation.
Fabric type rain gear I’ve had good luck with Swazi gear from NZ it’s a little more wearable around town without weird looks from people that a gortons fisherman look usually gets but it’s still pretty waterproof.
 
Frogg Toggs - cheap, replace as needed.
You could do an old us navy rain parka/jacket - those things would keep water out for sure.
 
My new Helly Hanson leaks and I`m not happy with them. However, my jacket is a high vis and I think the stitching of reflective material plays into that. Lesson learned
 
Grundens are very nice but they are heavy rubberized material and would not be too good for moving around a lot. I have a set and they are great and you will not get wet no matter what. Most of the commercial fishing guys wear Grundens. I use these mostly for fishing but have worn them while hunting as well.
 
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