Rain gear needed?

[LongWayAround]

Labor day weekend of 2020, the highs went from approaching 90 to snow and winds high enough to snap trees.

Several times I have woken up from what was supposed to be rain to find wet snow and soaking vegetation.

Don't trust the forecast.

You should have rain gear and a puffy.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

Thanks all for the insight, I’ll be bringing both rain gear & a puffy

 

[croben]

Rain gear and a puffy are pretty much always in my pack from September on, especially in the high country. We get snow in September up high, so these items are a necessity.

 

[ckeehn]

I vote for the Chugach set. I have had mine for a few years and I beat on it enough where I'm concerned but I cant find anything where I was expecting a new hole. There always seems to be a sale on it too, just keep your eyes open.

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[ElDiablito]

+1 on Chugach and super down. I always carry both on scouting trips and hunts June-Sept in the mountains.

 

[Marble]

I carry a rain jacket all season for rain and wind. When weather looks like rain is coming, I'll bring the pants too.

Rain gear is essential in my mind and has more uses than just protecting you from getting wet.

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[rcook10]

Always pack for weather. There is nothing scarier or more dangerous than getting caught in big squall in the high country without the kit you need.

 

[air rn]

+4 Chugach. Packs down pretty tight. Small and light enough rather have and not need than the other way.

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[KyleM4130]

I always have a rain jacket in my pack. Whether it’s to just keep high winds off of me or from rain, it’s always there. It’s just a lighter weight Eddie Bauer but does a great job of keeping you dry. I too skip pants and just take gaiters and have a tarp that I can pitch quickly to get out of it.

 

[ForlohFamily]

Our Tri-Layer System

3-Layer systems are nothing new in the outdoor clothing. Some companies started out making base layers, others started by making down jackets - but FORLOH started from the skin out and designed an integrated system of a highly breathable and warm baselayer, then developed a uniquely breathable...

forloh.com

 

[mcseal2]

Like many others I always have rain gear at the truck if not in the pack. For light stuff I like a Kuiu Chugach jacket paired with Kutana pants. I like the extra toughness of the Kutana on the pants, the extra stretch and breathability of the Chugach on the jacket.

I always take something for rain. If I expect to need to move and hunt in the rain I'll take a jacket and pants. If I just need to be able to hunker down and wait out a shower I might take a poncho. When I'm day hunting I often take a rain suit plus a light tarp. I've had good results so far with the Onewind poncho/tarp in a few lighter storms but haven't used mine a ton yet. It's under $35 and multi-purpose which I like. I have a Sea to Summit version I've used for a lot longer, but it's more expensive. If I ever need to use the Onewind poncho as a shelter it measures 3'10" deep, 2'10" tall, and 4'6" long set up in the cave configuration. Not big enough for a comfortable overnight, but enough to curl up in for a while.

I'm waiting on a Wilderness Innovations PSSXL poncho I ordered. It's supposedly about 9oz and 5'x9', almost as big as my Kifaru Sheep Tarp. The Sheep Tarp works pretty well in the cave configuration to stretch out in. I hope this poncho will be just right to go on a lot of trips as a multi-purpose glassing tarp, poncho, etc.

Ultralight Rain Poncho Tarp Shelter | Onewind Outdoors

Shop Onewind free shipping multi-functional Silnylon Waterproof Rain Poncho or shelter, sizes fit men and women, stay dry while outdoors, perfect for the traveler, bike cycler, backpackers, or for any outdoor enthusiast, giving emergency protection. Protects the camper from the heavy downpour of...

www.onewindoutdoors.com

 

[Dented]

I'd absolutely bring a shell with. Weight and durability based upon the predicted weather conditions immediately preceeding the hunt.

 

[HoneyDew]

I'm waiting on a Wilderness Innovations PSSXL poncho I ordered. It's supposedly about 9oz and 5'x9', almost as big as my Kifaru Sheep Tarp.

How long did it take for your wilderness innovations poncho to arrive once ordered? I messaged Perry before placing the order and he said current lead time was 2-3 weeks. We just passed 6 weeks…

 

[bowhunthard88]

I personally carry the FL set, pretty much all the time, if I'm backpack hunting...

Vapor Stormlight Ultralight Rain Jacket | First Lite

The Vapor Stormlight Ultralight Rain Jacket's lightweight construction and ability to fend off heavy squalls make it the perfect raincoat for hunters who are concerned about weight and space but require performance when the weather rolls in.

www.firstlite.com

Boundary Stormtight Pant | First Lite

The Boundary Stormtight Pant is the weatherproof, lightweight shell component of the First Lite Layering Kit made for foul weather, but packable enough to discreetly stash in your pack.

www.firstlite.com

I'm also currently looking at the Forloh poncho.

https://forloh.com/collections/mens-allclima-jackets/products/technical-packable-poncho?_gl=1*27i03g*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw-JG5BhBZEiwAt7JR60Ohv5PIEVNbzYVmtnNNm2YHbdc3Omi9Xk7-RpD7xm4suxcQ_42AkBoCfy8QAvD_BwE

For days that I'm hunting "local" that I start out wearing rain gear, or that I absolutely know that I will need it, I love my Badlands Exo set! It's very quiet and durable, although it is less packable than the FL set (definitely more durable and quiet).

EXO RAIN JACKET

The Exo Jacket is a quiet, durable, breathable rain jacket that rolls into its own pocket and rides stealthily in your pack until you need it most.

www.badlandsgear.com

EXO RAIN PANT

The Exo Pants are ultra-light, 100% waterproof, and pack into their own self-contained pocket.

www.badlandsgear.com

 

[Poser]

I always carry some type of rain when out and about in the mountains. In Sept, you can absolutely get rain/sleet/hail/grappel/freezing rain/snow. And, more often than not, if you get snow, it will be extremely wet. I was out on a backcountry archery hunt in Sept this year and we didn't take full rain gear off for 2.5 days straight. You may also hit a window of high pressure and there isn't even a dew point.

Yes, you need rain gear.

 

[mcseal2]

I don’t remember for sure, but it was significantly longer than the estimate. I saw on FB Craig Caudil of Nature Reliance is no longer recommending Wilderness Innovations due to unreasonable shipping delays and poor communication.