Rain Gear?? Lightweight importance??

[Jtelarkin08]

So how important is packable rain gear?? I have a set of Yukon gear but its heavy as crap. I can't decide if i should just carry the extra weight or spend the money on something lighter.. I could use the yukon jacket as my outer shell but the pants are to loud to stalk anything with a bow

 

[zeroforhire]

How often are you in the rain? How much do you bushwack? Here in western Washington durable rain gear is worth it's weight in gold.


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[justinspicher]

I spent fourteen years in Washington and never used rain gear.

 

[zeroforhire]

I spent fourteen years in Washington and never used rain gear.

Western Washington? If so, you are lucky.


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[COlineman78]

Yeah, this is highly dependent on your situation. It is rare to need rain pants in CO and a rain jacket you can get away with as light as you can get unless you are climbing around in shale or something. Most CO mountain storms last less than 20 minutes so you can just take some cover while it passes. I'm super excited for my First Lite Vapor to show up. Aron Snyder also likes his Swazi Tahr aka "Axe Murderer" jacket that covers your upper legs so that there is very little room between it and his gaiters.

 

[Titan_Bow]

Yeah, this is a question best answered based on where you foresee spending the majority of your time. For me, hunting mainly the Colorado high country, some trips up to Wyoming and to Montana, I am looking for outer shell, not just rain gear. I want something that serves multiple duties. An outer shell to cut the wind when sitting for hours and glassing. An outer layer to put on as a last resort with all my other layers, when the temps drop. An outer layer that is waterproof and serves as rain gear when I am caught in an afternoon storm.
For me, I'm not necessarily looking for pack ability, but rather comfort, quiet, etc. ultra light package rain gear doesn't fit my style or areas I hunt.
You need to analyze the type of area, and type of hunting you'll be doing.

 

[Rucker61]

Yeah, this is a question best answered based on where you foresee spending the majority of your time. For me, hunting mainly the Colorado high country, some trips up to Wyoming and to Montana, I am looking for outer shell, not just rain gear. I want something that serves multiple duties. An outer shell to cut the wind when sitting for hours and glassing. An outer layer to put on as a last resort with all my other layers, when the temps drop. An outer layer that is waterproof and serves as rain gear when I am caught in an afternoon storm.
For me, I'm not necessarily looking for pack ability, but rather comfort, quiet, etc. ultra light package rain gear doesn't fit my style or areas I hunt.
You need to analyze the type of area, and type of hunting you'll be doing.

Camofire has the Sitka Coldfront on sale for $299 right now.

 

[5MilesBack]

I've been hunting Colorado for 35 years, and quite frankly I really don't use my rain gear all that much. Last year hunted 20+ days in September and didn't pull it out even once. So I'd want something super lightweight that I could stuff in my pack.

 

[tttoadman]

I think lightweight raingear is valuable. It allows you keep it on during regular hunting time instead of dropping it on and off all the time because it gets too hot. My rain pants are OR Foray in earth brown. They are the size of pop can or so. 3/4 zip. Seam relatively tough. I have worn them all day with comfort. I need to be smarter about taking shelter instead of just plowing through all day in the rain. I don't think it matters what you are wearing, you will eventually start getting wet under your rain gear unless you are wearing a rubber duster and hip waders. I hunt primarily OR. It rains a little here.

 

[sodaksooner]

I keep a cabela's space rain setup in my outer pocket. Haven't needed it at all the last two years, but 2013 it got a workout. Still it is pretty light, and I am not super weight conscious, so I like having the insurance. I don't use the stuff sacks, at least not for the rain gear. It is cheap as well...relatively speaking.

 

[fngTony]

I've been looking at the sea to summit poncho. Its big enough to make an emergency shelter. Used to put meat on, make shade etc. Caught my eye since it can serve many purposes. Like 5milesback said Its not very often you get poured on in many areas. Also agree with Titan bow, my hunts don't justify something like the yukon series. I would keep it and add something lighter when the hunt calls for it. http://www.seatosummit.com/product/?item=Ultra-Sil+®+Nano+Poncho&o1=0&o2=0&o3=180-41

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[Retterath]

Im in the same boat, gonna sell my kryptek koldo rain gear and get some lighter rain gear cause I always want it with me for rain or to cut the wind. Right now im planning on getting the new vapor stormlight jacket from first lite and see how it works.

 

[Steve B.]

I just bought and used a Wiggy's Cagoule. I bow hunt and didn't really want something to wear so I can hunt all day in the rain, but more something to carry in case I either get caught in something life-threatening or something to help me wait out a short storm so I can stay out there and then carry on after the storm. I was somewhat skeptical but went ahead anyway and ordered it and I am really happy with it. Much nicer than I thought. Its basically a poncho with sleeves and covers me below the knees and my day pack. Its more soft and comfortable than I thought it would be and doubles as a wind block when I'm glassing or sitting. It folds up small and weighs just over a pound for a large. Its is much quieter than any cordura or synthetic and now I realize I could actually move through the woods with it. The one camo pattern that they offer is what I have and is great as it turns out.
It has draw strings around the very bottom, the waist, and two around the hood and neck so it can be cinched up depending on what your situation is.
I didn't encounter rain during my latest hunt but when home I used it when clearing and burning brush in the rain and it was great. When hunting I made a bucket out of it and filled it with river water and it sit for a half hour. No leaks at any time.
It folds up like a small newspaper and goes between my pack bag and frame so I don't even notice it. Highly recommended.

s

 

[gelton]

Hey JT, saw your recent article in Eastmans bowhunting! Congrats again on that moose and great article! I have never been on a trip when I did not use my raingear. Some years, like last year, more than others. I would not discount the need for light high quality packable rain gear if you plan on being comfortable. Sure some people drop rain pants but 30 degree temps and wetness is not something I prefer, especially if I can help it. I run Kryptek Poseidan pants and Stormtight jacket...if I had it to do over again I would take a close look at the First Lite "new and improved" stormtight set or the Kuiu Chagach (as much as I hate to admit it). Either would be leagues above the Cabelas "dry plus" set I sold you

 

[Retterath]

i just went on blackovis to order the vapor stormlight jacket cause i get a discount on top of the pre order discount and was too late, they are out of xl in the fusion. dang it

 

[xziang]

I went with cabelas space rain gear. I wanted something lightweight more so than durability.

I hunt CO where rain is generally sporadic and short lived and I will generally wait it out.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

This is what i am thinking about running. The only thing over kill is my rain jacket. We will be hunting southern colorado early September and possibly late September as well. I just cant decide if i want to spend the money on another rain jacket because my next hunt will be tahr in NZ so i will be running my Yukon Gear there. I am gonna go no rain pants and leave them in the truck. If it looks like its gonna rain for 3 days i can always go back and get them or take them with me.

Red desert boxer
Kryptek Pants
Marino long johns
UA- Short Sleeve
Marino Long Sleeve
First lite Puffy
Yukon Rain
Marino Socks
Extra pair socks
Marino Gloves
Hat
Neck Gaiter

 

[MAT]

Rain gear is worthless if it's not durable enough for the situation. I've use space rain gear for a few years but I'm looking at more durable bottoms. You cannot go very far in the woods with space rain, or even kneel down. And what happens if you get snow, or have a heavy dew that will get you soaked if you try to move? You can't wait that out.

You can get away with a less durable jacket. I'm looking at Chugach NX bottoms to go with my Teton rain jacket. Anyone use the Chugach NX bottoms?

 

[IdahoElk]

Rain gear is worthless if it's not durable enough for the situation. I've use space rain gear for a few years but I'm looking at more durable bottoms. You cannot go very far in the woods with space rain, or even kneel down. And what happens if you get snow, or have a heavy dew that will get you soaked if you try to move? You can't wait that out.

You can get away with a less durable jacket. I'm looking at Chugach NX bottoms to go with my Teton rain jacket. Anyone use the Chugach NX bottoms?

I have the bottoms and really like them,the only issue I have is that sometimes they will catch on limbs due to the nature of the stretchy Chugach fabric.