As far as rain gear goes- I live and hunt in the temperate rain forests of Western Oregon- so I know a bit about rain. And I HATE rain gear; if I can get away without it by wearing DWR synthetic outerwear- then I will. I much prefer a soft shell, or a Graywolf Wolfskin outer jacket that may get wet, but does not get the next mid-layer wet. I have been out all day in the rain and not gotten my mid layer wet, by wearing the right outer DWR type layer. I will avoid wearing clammy rain wear at all costs sometimes. I almost never bring much in the way of rain gear on a back pack hunt- unless it is a Space Rain pullover, or a light eVent shell top.
But.... sometimes you need rain gear. Even though, for me if it is raining so hard that I need rain gear- it MAY be too hard for me to bow hunt in ( even though I am usually out in it all day long on a hunt- I just usually do not let it bother me). For cheap light weight packable rain gear- I usually always have a Cabela's Space Rain pullover in my pack- but I hardly ever pull it out. I usually do not use rain pants, other than some heavier Cabela's Rain Suede bibs for the late season November Blacktail hunts where I am mostly day hunting close to camp or vehicle and wt. is not a factor. usually I just use gators for my "rain" pants.
For durability issues with the Space rain ( I do not have the pants), I have put the Cabela's Space Rain pullover top between my mid layer and my outer thin layer and that helps when traversing through our jungle rain forests here. And then it holds up well and keeps you dry. If I was hunting in Alaska all the time, or I was a Guide that was using it 200 plus days a year- then my choice may be different. Then I would look hard at either the KUIU stuff, or wear some other outdoor manufacturer's eVent product for a top or a total set.
just my 2c. +
