Should I take rain gear?

[jm1607]

Will be hunting Elk in SW CO last week of September in the mountains...

What do you guys think?

*I will have my FL puffy and Corrugate pants, both pretty water resistant.. Could just setup my tarp if it gets nasty.. Not sure what to do, trying to cut some weight out of my pack and 2#s is significant..

 

[G Posik]

I have hunted SW CO the same time frame. Take a rain coat. I also use it as part of my layering system. I always take a rain coat. May not always take the bottoms, but jacket for sure.

Glenn

 

[COlineman78]

If I were looking to cut weight I would be considering it as well. You may leave it to a last minute decision based on the weather forecast. DWR is good enough for most afternoon showers IMO. There have been 2 years where I would've wanted rain gear, but most of the time you'd be plenty fine without. Grab a $1 poncho from Walmart as a backup if you're worried. Rain gear is too loud to be a standard part of my layering system.

 

[MuleyFever]

I dont think you will want to wear the puffy if it starts raining and is 70-80 degrees. Not that it will be that warm but you never know. I would just get a light weight jacket, even space rain, which is what I am taking to CO.

 

[Mmcan]

Planning to stay under a tarp if it rains means you cannot be on the move. I've been in all kinds of weather in the mountains of CO. The last thing you want is to be wet and cold. It happens. Bring rain gear. And the puffy. It can get damn cold up high.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I would just take a rain jacket. Your legs can get pretty wet but will dry quickly.

 

[jm1607]

I dont think you will want to wear the puffy if it starts raining and is 70-80 degrees. Not that it will be that warm but you never know. I would just get a light weight jacket, even space rain, which is what I am taking to CO.

I like that idea! Maybe I'll just get a space rain jacket instead of my FL set since it's more for "emergencies" anyway.. Should save a good pound or so

I would just take a rain jacket. Your legs can get pretty wet but will dry quickly.

I have hunted SW CO the same time frame. Take a rain coat. I also use it as part of my layering system. I always take a rain coat. May not always take the bottoms, but jacket for sure.

Ok guys, I'll take your word for it and just bring a jacket.. The DWR on my Corrugates should hold up ok

 

[Ryan Avery]

Used space rain for years but it just sucks for durability. Been using this jacket, it's much more durable than space rain. But I still wouldn't bust brush with it
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens/mens-helium-ii-jacket.html

 

[SHTF]

It's been a wet year in Colorado I'd bring a jacket for sure

 

[MuleyFever]

You can pick up a Marmont Precip for under $100. More durable than Space Rain and only about 11oz.

 

[LostArra]

I once had an "afternoon" shower in SW Colorado last 26 hours.

 

[JWP58]

Take rain gear. You don't have to spend a lot of money either. Marmot precip will do just fine for cheap.

 

[castandblast]

We spend a lot of time hunting what is often referred to as "high desert", and there is always a lightweight breathable shell with pit zips in my pack because at least half the time unexpected rain, snow, wind, or a combination shows up. The weight penalty is minimal for the insurance it provides.

 

[Poser]

I hunted in SW CO last week of Sept last year and definitely needed rain gear. We had some really heavy rains that rolled through as well as some heavy fog with high humidity that lingered around and between the storms. One of our crew did not have sufficient rain gear and he spent a lot of time huddled next to a fire trying to dry out. It can certainly be hot and dry, but it can be cold and wet, too.

 

[hflier]

No way I would go without it. I had it rain for several days on a Sept Archery hunt in CO.

 

[michaelc10]

Ive Bow hunted colorado for 35 years i would always at the very least take a good poncho, you can also use it as a shelter to ride a storm out.

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

I'd use your FL puffy. Mine doubles as my rain jacket

 

[charvey9]

I always take rain gear. Nothing ruins a hunt like being soaked.

 

[dotman]

If your a nonresident it is a must as added insurance, just take it and if you don't need it great but it can make or break a hunt if you get multiple days of rain. 2 years ago it rained 10 days straight, the weather has been kind of funky the last few years.

 

[Kotaman]

This is the exact situation that I own "Space Rain" for. Not durable, but lightweight and easily packs to nothing.