Kryptic or kuiu Rain gear

[stephen b]

I have tried all sorts of rain gear over the years living here in the PNW. My first take on rain gear in general is that I usually HATE it ( because of noise and breathability ). If I can get away with hunting or hiking in a DWR type of outer fabric with out it soaking my next layer- that is my preferred method. I have had great luck with a mid to light weight fleece under such an outer layer. My favorite DWR outer layer has been the "wolfskin" thin layer from Hidden Wolf ( now Greywolf). Usually with this combo of the low nap and fairly wind resistant Wolfskin and the mid layer fleece - I am pretty good all day. Usually the most that happens is the outer part of the fleece mid layer gets a bit wet, and it does not wet out the inner part of the fleece and my base layer and myself stays dry.

That is usual situation. But all that being said, sometimes I just have to wear rain gear to hunt and hike in. And I have a bunch of it that I have and have used over the years. Seems like I have tried a bunch; but it is probably some of the least high tech gear of all my outdoor gear. What I have used tried includes- Cabela's Rain Suede ( pretty good and durable and quiet- but when soaked takes forever to dry); Cabela's Space Rain- which is light, pack able, dries fast and does work pretty well. I have worn Space Rain both as an outer layer top and under a thin synthetic layer when I was concerned about possibly shredding it in thick brush. Also have used Riverswest which I did not care for much at all. Never really got wet from the outside- but sure did from the inside; and it is heavy and bulky. Also have HH Impertech- which has always flat worked for me when I want to stay dry. But that is another that does not breath, so I only usually wear the pants, which I have found to be light, pack able, durable and I do not seem to mind the non breathable part in a pant. Also have some Cabela's Goretex Paclite- which I use mostly as a fishing top, because I find the Goretex Paclite not real breathable for hiking. Have some REI eVent pants which I got last fall and like them pretty well; they are a bit noisy for bowhunting, but seem to be good for every thing else.

I love it when rain gear keeps me dry, but also have a hate relationship with it for it's sometimes- noisyness, slow to dry, sweat out factor, fragile nature, and just over all pain to me. Heck, if rain gear was so great, we would all wear it for everyday comfort wear. But I would think most all of us don't. It is my least favorite outdoor wear to wear. But it is a necessary evil for me sometimes. And it all has pro's and con's depending on circumstance. Seems as if a few items ( like footwear) are needed to cover certain situations; rather that one do all for everything.

So my favorites for hunting when I have to wear it are ( and these are different scenarios) - Cabela's Spacerain pullover top for ease in always having it with me if needed; HH Impertech bottoms, which weigh very little and roll down to nothing and I seem to always have in my pack when expecting rain and just in case. Cabela's Rain Suede bib bottoms which I use in the late season day hunts when I do not have to worry about weight and drying quickly; they have always kept me dry and the bibs are like wearing pajamas around with lightweight polortech long under wear. Interestingly I have had surprising luck with a Gamehide top that I got to try out a few years ago when it was on sale for a screaming deal at Bi-Mart. I found that Gamehide jacket to keep me very dry, it's durable, and it dried out quicker than a similar Cabela's Rain Suede jacket I had.

For non hunting I also like REI eVent; Goretex Paclite at times; a Integral Designs eVent top that works very well.

I still have a lot of rain wear that I have used over the years because I only wear it if I can not avoid it- so it has not worn out. And I keep some around for family and friends to use if they need it. I have not found the holy grail with the stuff as of yet, and I do not like it enough to spend $350 on one garment item just to try and find one.

BTW- does any one know whether any of the hunting geared clothing companies are making rainwear with eVent?

*** sorry for long post

 

[Brodie]

Does anyone happen to know what membrane kryptek uses in the koldo and poseidon gear?

 

[Aron Snyder]

Does anyone happen to know what membrane kryptek uses in the koldo and poseidon gear?

When I get back to my computer, I'll post up the tech data

 

[7mag.]

If there is going to be a head to head comparison of rain gear, I'd like to nominate Luke Moffit and Fillthefreezer. I think both of them would spend the time and give us an honest and unbiased comparison. They both also live and hunt in very wet nasty environments. I think YellowKnife would also be a good choice.

 

[Yellowknife]

If there is going to be a head to head comparison of rain gear, I'd like to nominate Luke Moffit and Fillthefreezer. I think both of them would spend the time and give us an honest and unbiased comparison. They both also live and hunt in very wet nasty environments. I think YellowKnife would also be a good choice.

My brother and I are getting dropped off on a remote beach in the SE Alaska rainforest in three weeks... and I've written hundreds of technical field reports, otherwise I'm probably not qualified.

Luke does great reports, and would be my nomination also, but Aaron did mention he was thinking of using somebody outside the website to avoid appearance of bias. If Aaron does put a test together, I would suggest somebody in NW rainy country. Plenty of those on this site.

Yk

 

[7mag.]

I thought he meant Rokslide staff members and pro staffers. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[luke moffat]

Either way, I think FTF and YK would be perfect candidates for this.....being the "tester" isn't as cool as it sounds sometimes. Testing gear that isn't up to snuff sometimes means in this case you coudl end up cold and wet or having to haul two or 3 sets of gear along....sometimes its nice to just haul what you know works. So YK and FTF are my vote!!!

 

[Yellowknife]

I thought he meant Rokslide staff members and pro staffers. Maybe I'm wrong.

You are right... but Luke is Rokslide Prostaff last I checked. But then again, what are Prostaff for if not testing stuff for the rest of us? Just unpacked a Brooks-Range Foray tent on Luke's recommendation and appreciate him taking the time to do a write up on a tent I could never have checked out locally.

Yk

 

[Jager]

Luke or YK, would you mind answering something for me, from an Alaskan hunters pov.

Over the years I have tried many styles of rain jackets, both here and in NZ and am yet to find one that really keeps you dry, whether it be from the inside or out, I honestly find it easier to just get wet and dry out at night, a difficult task at times, yes, but it is/was easier than fooling around with rain jackets.

All the new technology coming out may negate the need for me being wet all day, but I am sceptical?

Cheers

 

[luke moffat]

HAHA....yep I have found that to be true of a BUNCH of rain jacket I've used in search of the holy grail...some of the best I've found probably is from a non-hunting company called Integral Designs with their thru-hiker jacket with eVent. I still have it but its so light that it didn't hold up as well as I'd like. Westcomb also makes some great eVent jackets as ID got absorbed by RAB. Anyways I really hope one of these hunting companies jump on board with the eVent thing as that would be awesome as I'd much rather spend my money to a company that supports the hunting industry than one that doesn't certainly if they offer similar products, but sometimes that isn't possible either.

I have also been reading some good stuff about the Polar-tec Neoshell as well and would love to try those as well. If it had a tougher shell than the ID Thru-hiker it'd be ideal. But yes, being prepared to be wet from either sweat or rain some by the end of the day and being able to manage that and dry it out in your bag or from a stove during the evening/night that has been my approach often. Westcomb have some killer hardshells with eVent in them in some good neutral colors like grey or brown and what not and I'd like to give those a whirl one day, but right now the current stuff is working pretty well so hard to justify the switch. But yeah when hiking/hunting in rain soaked alders, brush, grass especially while it still raining...well you will get damp at best and soaked at worst regardless of how bad to the bone the rain gear claims to be...atleast thats been my experience.


One thing to consider about non-hunting related hunting companies gear though is its NOT for the hunter in mind. Rarely do they come in camo offerings and that is important to many and they are often louder to, but not all the time obviously as there are a LOT of options out there. But there is no reason or motivation for such companies to make their gear quiet for the most part and many often use LOUD!!! colors which is fine if you aren't hunting, but for me a good neutral color like frost grey from Kuiu or Foliage from Mystery Ranch or Kifaru is my preferred solid color. But I don't think you'll see many of these companies offering up Kryptek Highlander or the like anytime soon either.

 

[Jager]

Cheers Luke, plenty of products to look into, or go wet. Ha ha

 

[crazy_davey]

Westcomb also makes some great eVent jackets

I currently have a Westcomb eVent shell and it has been pretty amazing as far as shedding water goes. Used it through some pretty wild rain storms and it has done its job very well. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[7mag.]

You are right... but Luke is Rokslide Prostaff last I checked. But then again, what are Prostaff for if not testing stuff for the rest of us? Just unpacked a Brooks-Range Foray tent on Luke's recommendation and appreciate him taking the time to do a write up on a tent I could never have checked out locally.

Yk

Good point about Luke being pro staff. I'm still trying to think up an excuse for that brain fart. That leaves Yellowknife and Fillthefreezer for my nomination.

 

[luke moffat]

I currently have a Westcomb eVent shell and it has been pretty amazing as far as shedding water goes. Used it through some pretty wild rain storms and it has done its job very well. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Becca really likes hers as she is much more limited to in her hunting gear than guys are. Until Kryptek came along and offered true size smalls most other hunting companies don't even bother with size small as they are only relating to men (see Kuiu sizing) she didn't really have much for options for QUALITY (for backpacking in Alaska, the bubba treestand stuff for the midwest doesn't count) camo gear. SheSafari and similar have nothing I'd let her go backpack hunting in as that stuff and are not really in the same league when compared to the women's clothing offered by mountaineering clothing companies.

She has Westcomb for rain jacket, Rab for her rain pants, and arcteryx for her hiking pants which all offer women specific lines to their clothing. All great companies for sure and good to have options on the table indeed. Hunting gear has come a long way in the last 10 years and look forward to see what advancements are made in the next 10! As always competition is great for us consumers and they all keep each other on their toes. Its improve and innovate with the times or get left in the dust!

 

[crazy_davey]

Becca really likes hers as she is much more limited to in her hunting gear than guys are. Until Kryptek came along and offered true size smalls most other hunting companies don't even bother with size small as they are only relating to men (see Kuiu sizing).

I don't have that problem(sizing)

Hunting gear has come a long way in the last 10 years and look forward to see what advancements are made in the next 10!

Same here! When I look back almost 25 years ago and look at some of the gear I was using then, mostly hand me downs from my father or his clients(hunters with disposable money) it amazes me how far things have come! Right when I think things have come to a peak or plateau, a new season comes along with new products and my bank account takes yet another hit.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I think sometimes the best plan for staying dry is to bring a second dry base layer, hike to where you're going to start hunting and swap to a dry base layer and whatever else you need then throw your rain gear on top of that. No matter what you're wearing be it rain gear or not, if you are rucking up a hill you WILL sweat unless you're taking your sweet ass time which I don't think very many on here would. I could be in my merino base layer in 10* F and still sweat if I'm hiking like I sometimes do. Just no way around that.

Mike

 

[fillthefreezer]

I think sometimes the best plan for staying dry is to bring a second dry base layer, hike to where you're going to start hunting and swap to a dry base layer and whatever else you need then throw your rain gear on top of that. No matter what you're wearing be it rain gear or not, if you are rucking up a hill you WILL sweat unless you're taking your sweet ass time which I don't think very many on here would. I could be in my merino base layer in 10* F and still sweat if I'm hiking like I sometimes do. Just no way around that.

Mike

i dont know why ive never considered this, especially dayhunting, once i make the ridge and slow down i could put rain gear on over my fresh layer. i dont think it would work well for a wetside backpack trip as by day two id have nothing to wear...

 

[focker34]

My brother and I are getting dropped off on a remote beach in the SE Alaska rainforest in three weeks... and I've written hundreds of technical field reports, otherwise I'm probably not qualified.

Look forward to reading your report!

 

[HellsCanyon]

i dont know why ive never considered this, especially dayhunting, once i make the ridge and slow down i could put rain gear on over my fresh layer. i dont think it would work well for a wetside backpack trip as by day two id have nothing to wear...

Dry it out in camp around the fire or in your tent. Merino don't take a whole lot to dry, but then again I don't hunt on the wetside...

Mike

 

[fillthefreezer]

Dry it out in camp around the fire or in your tent. Merino don't take a whole lot to dry, but then again I don't hunt on the wetside...

Mike

stuff doesnt dry around a fire when its still raining and everything in the tent is wet...