rain pants recommendations

[mtwarden]

I have two pairs of rain pants (sil chaps and a very UL pair pants), neither well suited for hunting

I run a Sitka Dewpoint jacket (and like it) so it was natural I would look to those- the fit wasn’t that good for me, mediums a little too tight, large a little too loose- but my main complaint was that the pants rode too low in the waist

anyways looking for rain pants with full or near full zips, don’t ride too low, need to be on the lightish side

any recommendations would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[zeroforhire]

Arc'teryx alpha lt pant. Pricey but worth it.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[matthewmt]

I run gen 3 ecws mil level 5 softshells. Mine are multicam and have suspenders as well as setup like a bdu. Hip zips to access base clothing, belt loops, these unzip up to below the knee. Patagonia also makes a lvl 5 in a alpha green color and I believe may be setup slightly different.

They aren't super quiet but they are less noisey than a standard gore Tex hard shell.
eBay is a good source for the Patagonia

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[slowelk]

I also have arcteryx alpha, but mine are the AR, not LT. They keep you dry, and with side-zips you can dump heat.

 

[Ross]

Check out the Sitka thunderheads they have full zips I have a few days in them shed hunting and seem pretty good kept me dry and allowed me to dump heat when needed

 

[Battleguy]

If your just trying to stay dry, somewhat, I would choose the garbage bag or as I use a ULA Rain Wrap. If your worried about getting cold, then I would use rain pants. As far as rain gloves go, I recently sold my Zpacks I believe first gen white gloves and they fit really nice but didn't breath as good as I would have liked. The new ones breath less and I have read a couple negative comments as far a durability or wear spots easier. Just what I have read elsewhere. I did purchase a pair of MLD rain mitts a couple months ago that I have yet to need, and I find the thumb a little off, but the reports I have read say these a more breathable than any of the breathable cuben Zpacks has used to date. I plan on using them more in late fall or cold winter use.

 

[mtwarden]

thanks for all the input

I do have a pair of the Patagonia Level 5 pants- probably worn more than any other pant during hunting season; while they’re water resistant, I haven’t found them to be a substitute for rain pants

but it did get me thinking- I scored a pair of their Level 6 Gortex pants- full zip, nice pockets and come with suspenders too; for $70 it’s worth a shot

 

[tracker12]

I bought a pair from REI there brand a few years ago and they have been perfect.

 

[matthewmt]

thanks for all the input

I do have a pair of the Patagonia Level 5 pants- probably worn more than any other pant during hunting season; while they’re water resistant, I haven’t found them to be a substitute for rain pants

but it did get me thinking- I scored a pair of their Level 6 Gortex pants- full zip, nice pockets and come with suspenders too; for $70 it’s worth a shot

Didn't realize this was your thread or I would have already know you had the lvl 5!
Mine have done pretty well for wet conditions. I'll give the lvl 6 a look.
Suspenders are handy with a layer like that, my older 3 color desert standard issue gtx pants don't have belt loops or suspenders.

What are you running for a rain top?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[mtwarden]

Didn't realize this was your thread or I would have already know you had the lvl 5!
Mine have done pretty well for wet conditions. I'll give the lvl 6 a look.
Suspenders are handy with a layer like that, my older 3 color desert standard issue gtx pants don't have belt loops or suspenders.

What are you running for a rain top?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Mine do pretty well in light precip, but beyond that not so well- good be different fabric possibly???

Sitka Dewpoint for the jacket- so far, so good

 

[matthewmt]

Mine do pretty well in light precip, but beyond that not so well- good be different fabric possibly???

Sitka Dewpoint for the jacket- so far, so good

I imagine the Patagonia would be better than mil surp. But could be breaking down with time and use. I've thought about treating mine with Nik wax or whatever.
If it's pouring just hunker down or it's just wet brush I'm passing thru.

I have the set, top is decent as well. Pit zips, stowable hood. Downside is the Velcro panels on the sleeves and IR tabs.
Set new from a surplus dealer was only 100$ shipped.

Have you tried the marmot precip by chance?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[mtwarden]

I’ve used the Marmot Precip, OR Helium too- perfect for typical backpacking, both nice and light, but feel that they don’t have the durability needed for hunting- I feel the Dewpoint is a pretty nice compromise between durability and weight

 

[matthewmt]

Thanks, I'll give the Sitka a look but I'm pretty curious to hear how you like the level 6 when you get them and if they are purley a shell or have any cool features. Looks like rain all week in the flathead, just hope it doesn't end up like a couple seasons ago where it rained everyday except for 3 days out of October.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[mtwarden]

will do; the bright side is we can put fire season behind us

 

[mtwarden]

received the Level 6 pants yesterday, for $70 shipped I think it was a steal

same pleasant foliage color as the Level 4&5 stuff, Goretex Pac Lite, built in suspenders- same ones as the Level 5 pants, fit is perfect- they have a nice elastic waist and are oversized slightly to get over your pants- glad I ordered medium

they are not perfect though- not quite full zip, closer to 7/8- which is fine because you can get them over any boot, but it’s only a one zipper so you can’t come from the top to vent heat out
also no pockets, which isn’t a giant deal, but clearly a nice feature

it’s manufactured by Patagonia, so the materials and fit/finish are flawless

not sure there is a way, but would be really slick to add double zippers

 

[zeroforhire]

Where did you get them?

received the Level 6 pants yesterday, for $70 shipped I think it was a steal

same pleasant foliage color as the Level 4&5 stuff, Goretex Pac Lite, built in suspenders- same ones as the Level 5 pants, fit is perfect- they have a nice elastic waist and are oversized slightly to get over your pants- glad I ordered medium

they are not perfect though- not quite full zip, closer to 7/8- which is fine because you can get them over any boot, but it’s only a one zipper so you can’t come from the top to vent heat out
also no pockets, which isn’t a giant deal, but clearly a nice feature

it’s manufactured by Patagonia, so the materials and fit/finish are flawless

not sure there is a way, but would be really slick to add double zippers

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[mtwarden]

the only place I’ve found any of the Patagonia military stuff is eBay; evidently some Army Navy stores will sometimes have them

on eBay the prices seem to vary wildly, so definitely shop around a bit before hitting the buy button

 

[matthewmt]

What size waist are you? Glad to hear they worked out.


Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[mtwarden]

32-33, almost ordered Large, glad I didn’t- these are definitely a little oversized on purpose

 

[matthewmt]

32-33, almost ordered Large, glad I didn’t- these are definitely a little oversized on purpose

How much extra you think? I typically wear 36,

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk