Wet weather gear.

[BCBowtech]

Living on the west coast of British Columbia we see a LOT of rain.. I tried the Kryptek Koldo Blockade rain gear and just wasnt happy with it... Noisy, and not the most comfortable..

Just wondering what you guys have for gear.. Suggestions welcome!

Sitka, Kuiu, First Lite, etc?

 

[Will_m]

This may not be in the realm of gear you were considering, given your choices listed, but my vote goes to Helly Hansen or similar. All that lightweight technical stuff is great and has it's place but for being in a constantly wet environment you will want something that isn't breathable, but impermeable. I lucked up and found a Helly Hansen guide coat, which is basically a big rubber duster, and yeah it looks goofy but you stay dry other than a little perspiration.

Any of the stuff you listed is breathable, and will inevitably saturate through or began leaking. Its all a trade off.

 

[DishBogget]

I'm in western Washington so similar weather and have had good luck with Kuiu Chugach. I killed my blacktail this year on October 31 and if I recall we had 3-4 inches of rain that day, when I peeled off the rain gear I was completely dry.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I'm in western Washington so similar weather and have had good luck with Kuiu Chugach. I killed my blacktail this year on October 31 and if I recall we had 3-4 inches of rain that day, when I peeled off the rain gear I was completely dry.

I've had really good luck with my Chugach gear also, here in Alaska. Only two seasons with it so far but I haven't had it wet out on me. I also haven't experienced 2 to 3 inches of rain in a day with it either. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself.

 

[bcimport]

Back to HH for me. High end breathable isn't all that breathable and still wets out eventually. Try to stay out of the rain gear as much as possible but when it goes on I want to be dry, just have to moderate activity and layers appropriately.

 

[moxford]

Check out Kuiu.

The Toray DerzimaxNX membrane in both the Chugach and Yukon lines is what's knows as as monolithic membrane instead of a microporus membrane.

What does that mean? It means "no holes." It means that it absorbs perspiration and then transmits that through the fabric instead of through holes in the fabric. It keeps water out while still allowing water vapor to escape.

European companies, such as Bergan's, have been using it for a few years at least.

I went Yukon for the durability. Wish I had money for both. =)

I haven't had the chance to try the FirstLite but it's had good reviews as well.

-mox

 

[cuerro viejo]

Columbia outdry extreme

 

[justinspicher]

I've never really bought into the need for rain gear. I lived in Washington state on the west side for many years any really used it. I've always felt that a normal jacket that I had coated with camp dry would work and it usually has.

 

[elkyinzer]

Breathable is a marketing term. For constant wet stick with the truly waterproof vinyl type stuff and stay away from treated fabrics. I spend a lot of time in cold boat spray and stubbornly learned this lesson over the years.

 

[IdahoElk]

Kuiu Yukon

 

[charvey9]

Sitka Downpour was the first "good" rain gear I had. Used it for several seaons and could hunt all day in the PNW monsoons and stay fairly dry. However, this set is meant more for sitting, a tad heavy, and did not have pit zips.

About 3 years ago I bought a set of KUIU Chugach and Yukon rain gear. I am really happy with both. The Yukon was great for spring hunts when it was cold, wet, and wintery mix of slushy rain we get. The Chugach is the perfect packable rain gear and much ligher. Ultimately I ended up selling the Yukon because the Chugach was much lighter without sacrafcing performance. I'd rather pack extra insulating layers than the heavier rain gear.

 

[Takeem406]

I got the Under Armour Gore-Tex in Mossy Oak last fall. I wore the pants a lot. I noticed that the pants aren't as compact to put in the pack as my old Sitka, but they are heavier duty and quieter. I really love it. I won't ever wear their base layers hunting, but this rain gear is awesome.