Rain gear Southeast Alaska

[WyoArk]

Guys/Gals,

Needing some advice on rain gear for Southeast Alaska in September. I am between the Kuiu Yukon and the Stone glacier M5, possibly M7.

I expect heavy rain more days than not, and I will be doing some serious hiking in steep, rough terrain.

Planning a 10 day and I need something that will be durable.

I have looked all over the web and have only found limited reviews.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[LoggerDan]

I can absolutely recommend the first lite seak..but it’s discontinued and a new and better version has replaced it. I lived in remote logging camps On POW and afognak.I’ve used it hunting, fishing and working. It never let me down. Guys wearing the kuiu Yukon would talk mine down, but after all day, they’re wet, especially the sleeves. The first lite has a better wrist closure and seems more abrasion resistant. I used this jacket hard; hunt the muskeg, hiking up past the timberline, falling timber, chasing under a shovel, running wide open on a landing craft, you name it. The hood is great, the fit is just right, is as durable as it gets. Two of the guys with the Yukons eventually converted. The seak was 3.5 layer, the new omen is 4.5.

 

[greenBastrd]

Saw a fair amount of SG when I was there last summer. I'd opt for the M7 because you're correct on daily heavy rain. Brush will be wet almost all the time. Bring a few repair patches if you're bushwacking

 

[WyoArk]

There will be lots of bushwhacking going on!



I haven’t looked at the Omen much yet.
It looks to be a touch heavier than the Yukon.

Anyone know how durable the M5 is vs the M7?

 

[gbflyer]

I live in SE. i like the Kuiu Yukon, I’ve not tried the First Lite, I suspect the outcome is the same.

I would focus on what I am layering underneath more than the shell really. Been my experience that you will get wet from the inside if you don’t from the outside. Use layers that insulate and breathe. Take advantage of breaks in the weather to shed the rain gear and dry out. Get comfortable with the idea of being wet for 10 days.

Hope you have a great trip. It’s the most beautiful place in Alaska.

 

[BuckSmasher]

I have KUIU Chugach TR and love it. It has stood up to two Idaho Panhandle hunting seasons so far. N. Idaho has a fair amount of brush to be busted.

My buddy has the Yukon. If you are afraid of durability thats the route I would go.

 

[WeiserBucks]

M7 might be to warm as it has a fleece lining. I've never been to SE AK in September but it's something to consider. I wore my M7 last fall in below zero temperatures and there were times it was to warm with a base layer and hiking hard.

 

[BJP]

I hunted out of cordova end of Sept the kuiu yukon worked great , rained every day for 7 days straight.

 

[ndbuck09]

Fair bit of pokey stuff in the alaskan brush..devils club and more. It's tough on rain gear. I did a moose hunt in se ak. We cut our own path up through alders a mile and a half to get on a hill to glass. Took about 7 hours to cut with 1.5 inch hand trimmers. I wore Yukon pants that were brand new for the trip because in my opinion all rain gear is best when new and begins to diminish over time. The Yukons stood up to all the brush pounding well. I had the new chugach jacket and it did well too. End of the day you're wet when you're hiking no matter what because you'll sweat going uphill even with just base layers on, even in the 30s. But you're not getting that cold rain coming through onto your skin so you stay a nice and cozy soggy warm. Makes your tent and sleeping bag at night so inviting. Make sure you get a sleeping bag that has the treated down.

 

[Indian Summer]

Helly Hansen Impertech

 

[abbrown]

Stoney Creek Glaisnock jacket (made for NZ rainforest elk hunts in Fiordland)...have used in both NZ and in SE AK and it's very dependable, long at waist, somewhat heavy but will protect you like you need.

Glaisnock Jacket

Our lightest full length hunting coat, the Glaisnock Jacket is the pinnacle in technical hunting rainwear. Ideal for the expedition hunter who is conscious of their overall pack weight, but who absolutely won’t compromise on quality, performance or protection from the elements. The key to the Glai

www.stoneycreek.co.nz

 

[abbrown]

In other news - did you draw Etolin Island Elk? bow or rifle? Keep us posted on how that one goes, if so!

 

[Grisha]

My experience with breathable gear in SE Alaska hasn't been positive. Last guide wore Helly Hansen. Sweat is a problem but he was much drier and able to stay drier over the course of several rainy days than I was. And once wet, you stay wet.

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Helly Hansen Impertech

My pick as well doing field work there for a few years. Nice and cheap. I wanted impermeable, not breathable. Carry a change of shirts for when you're done with the hard hiking. The bushwacking is hard on gear and I never saw a technical fabric that didn't eventually wet out (didn't try them all though). Don't expect to stay dry, but you can stay warm. I recommend a cheap pair of freezer gloves too, nice to have a rubber palm when you're hauling yourself up a hillside by the devils club.

 

[DAOutfitters208]

My pick as well doing field work there for a few years. Nice and cheap. I wanted impermeable, not breathable. Carry a change of shirts for when you're done with the hard hiking. The bushwacking is hard on gear and I never saw a technical fabric that didn't eventually wet out (didn't try them all though). Don't expect to stay dry, but you can stay warm. I recommend a cheap pair of freezer gloves too, nice to have a rubber palm when you're hauling yourself up a hillside by the devils club.

Have you tried the pants as well?

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Have you tried the pants as well?

Yeah, I had the bibs and jacket. I preferred bibs to avoid the back-gap, but they're not necessary. You can buy the full set for half the price of one nice jacket. (All of this just IME).

 

[BuckSmasher]

I am weighing in on this thread again because high end rain gear has been one of my favorite hunting clothes purchases. So much so I have kinda became a proselyte for it.

I used to have 'impermeable' rain gear. Sure it would stop the rain, but you would get soaked from ANY body moisture at all. Perhaps if you wore several breathable layers below it and stayed completely still or darn close to it, it would be ok. I hate the stuff. If it is warm enough to rain and not snow you will wet it out from the inside asap. If it is snowing about any DWR will keep you dry.

I live and hunt in North Idaho and its pretty wet here during hunting season. I have been on two Alaska hunting trips and three fishing trips. There is ZERO doubt in my mind that I would choose KUIU/First Lite/Sitka premium rain gear for my trip. PVC and impermeable raingear is awful. Cheap breathable raingear is just as bad.

YMMV and let us know how happy you were with what you chose.

 

[LoggerDan]

I despise classic rain gear myself, so much that I’ve never wore a piece of rain gear in my entire logging career. Ever. Not on the Olympic peninsula or in SE Alaska. Just good base layers, acrylic and wool blends, wool one piece underwear and tin pants. I hate classi rain gear like the devil hates virtue.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

UA Goretex Pro - absolute bomb!!

 

[WyoArk]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. We did indeed draw the forbidden Alaskan elk tag. September will be interesting for sure.

This is what I have been training for year around!