Rain Gear for Early Aug in CO for Archery season

[Luked]

have heard conflicting stories back and forth. yes take it no its not worth carrying around
what are some of you guys opinions.
have a list of clothing picked out for the early season and the rain gear is the biggest thing I'm skeptical on getting.

 

[Farmingdale's Finest]

In for opinions


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[wannakillabigbull]

This one is going to be personal preference. Some guys believe in rain gear and some don't. I'm of the opinion that really good rain gear is worth having and performs very well under the right circumstances, and cheap rain gear is going to typically perform poorly and not be worth carrying. Regardless, if you decide to get rain gear you have to understand the limitations of it or you're just going to end up back here on the forum complaining about it.

 

[Fishforfun]

I carried the kuiu Teton set. Super light but still can hold up to some brush. It’s not like the Yukon gear where you can do serious brush busting but it weighs next to nothing and can be thrown on in a moments notice when the weather turns which it did for me. Almost every night in sept it rained/sleeted/snowed as we were setting up camp. I also used it in the mornings going through dew covered brush that would have soaked me from the waist down. I don’t know how different late aug is vs mid sept so take my opinion knowing it’s based on sept, not aug.

 

[WoolyBugger]

I've gone back and forth whether I'm going to take it again or not. Last time it was nice to have the pants for the morning cause we were walking through waist high grass soaked in dew. But I never needed it for actual rain. I will for sure bring it to the trail head but will prob be a game time decision

 

[Felix40]

The reason you hear conflicting ideas is because the whole state isnt the same. The western slope is more wet than the front range. I dont think I have ever hunted the western slope when it didnt rain at least some.

 

[StopMakingSense]

Just depends on location(s), in your case just CO, and your personal preference, you need to decide what you're comfortable with.

I have friends that will sit in a tent all day when it rains, which to be honest doesn't happen often in CO/UT/WY/MT/ID. Some know there's rain in the forecast and will sit under a tree when it squalls. Again this is personal preference. Other guys know they're in the PNW/BC and understand rain is just part of the day along with pushing through brush.

I'm a pretty aggressive person, hunt in any rain or snow, will bust through anything, and apply all over the west. I like good rain gear and carry the Stormfront system from Sitka because I tend to use it on every hunt and forget about the weather. A lot of folks call this overkill, I just like the insurance knowing I honestly don't have to worry about the terrain or weather on any hunt I do.

If I knew I was hunting in Utah every year, same rough dates, nowhere else, and had my set area, I'd probably be down to some pretty lightweight sub 11oz stuff or maybe nothing because frankly, that's all you need.

A few folks talking about morning dew as well, honestly, First Lite Traverse, Kuiu Scree, or Sitka Ascent gaiters do an awesome job with this and it's what I do. The heavier weight ones I use in snow or if I know there's going to be some really bad deadfall.

 

[Bronc]

Base camp, it’s a daily decision. Pack in camp, I definitely take it.

 

[flatlander69]

Good info. Thanks

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

What I’ve gathered from a few years on Rokslide is guys hunting in the southern portion of the state don’t like bringing rain gear and guys who hunt the northern part of the state typically bring rain gear. Of course there are exceptions, but that is the trend I’ve seen on here. I don’t take rain gear on day trips that the forecast has a 0% chance of precipitation. To each their own.

 

[StopMakingSense]

My post was in regards to a 5-7 day hunt by the way, I do agree if it's an out and back with 0% why would I carry the weight

 

[87TT]

In the mountains, I have an ultra light set of raingear that just stays in my pack all season. And I use it when needed. Weather in the mountains can and does change very dramatically in a short time. It is not always about comfort but sometimes survival. If you got injured and or lost, you may have to hang out in some nasty stuff.

 

[Backyard]

I also use mine as part of my layering system. If its pretty chilly in the morning (or anytime for that matter) I will put it on over then peel as it warms up. it essentially replaces an overcoat and in turn weight also. I also dont carry a real thick puffy. The pants really help with the dew in the morning also.

 

[TravisIN]

I packed a cabelas space rain jacket last year in southern Colorado, no pants. It rained daily. Other than one night all the showered we’re short lasting less than 20 minutes. Jacket was perfectly adequate. I’m taking a Sitka flash pullover this year to try. My main clothing system drys very quick too so That’s a factor too I think.


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[cnelk]

If you hunted the month of September in 2013 in Colorado, you found out what rain gear was needed.
The entire state was wet

 

[mrbillbrown]

Always have my Marmot Precip jacket with me. It’s for a rain shower or part of my layering system over my LPP. Use Kennetrek gaiters in the mornings to handle dew. Haven’t taken (or needed) rain pants yet. Been lucky I guess.


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[hobbes]

I hunted/lived in central Colorado 2006 to 2011. I quit carrying rain pants because I never used them. I did use a rain jacket on multiple occasions. I often just ended up under a thick spruce for light rains and what little moisture hit dried quickly. I think I wore the jacket as more of a windbreaker than a rain jacket. I was typically doing day hunts and weekends, so not many longer hunts. However, I'd add the pants for some insurance if I was packing in for longer periods or in a truck camp. I used some lightweight stuff from Cabela's. It was/is good for keeping dry, but wouldn't trust it busting through brush.

 

[LongWayAround]

I see no reason not to carry a rain jacket. It's a few ounces that prevent a whole lot of suck.

 

[TCUHunter34]

Anybody have any experience with the OR Helium II rain jacket?

 

[Rich M]

After a few experiences in the rain with a parka or rain jacket only, I carry both jacket & pants. It isn't a lot of weight and can save your life. Wet gets cold quick.