Which Pants - Kodiak?

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Have my mountain goat hunt on Kodiak in early October.

Which pants would you recommend: Kuiu Pro or Talus? I have both.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Kuiu Chugach. It's all I pretty much wear anymore unless the weather is nice, then I wear their zip off marino bottoms and a pair of their shorts over the top.

 

[Bighorse]

I'm wearing SG DeHav pants lately. I prefer the thicker fabric and fit
Having hunted a few goats this is my generic strategy.....
Climb with minimal clothing, base layer stuff in rain. Get soaking wet!
Once on top or to the point continuous effort is discontinued, get your dry layer on for exposed stop and start
Oct is cold....so I understand more might be necessary climbing. Concept is......your gonna saturate anything worn gaining 3k in rainy conditions, have something available on top.

 

[Dilligafbp]

Kuiu Chugach. It's all I pretty much wear anymore unless the weather is nice, then I wear their zip off marino bottoms and a pair of their shorts over the top.

How do they hold up to rain in Kodiak? Are you wearing these all day or just while it rains?


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[AK Troutbum]

How do they hold up to rain in Kodiak? Are you wearing these all day or just while it rains?


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For the last couple years, all day every day on all my mountain hunts. The only exception being on really nice days I wear the zip off merino bottoms and shorts, or just the shorts (but I’ve never been able to wear just shorts on Kodiak). I figure I’m going to be carrying the rain pants anyway, I may as well be wearing them, and eliminate taking multiple pairs of pants. I’ve been using the same set of Chugach rain gear since 2014, goat hunting on the island at least once a year, and so far I have had any problems with them. They will eventually wear out or get damaged enough to retire them, and when that happens I’ll just buy another pair.


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[Dilligafbp]

Thanks AK Troutbum....your experience is invaluable. My outfitter stated, in no uncertain terms, "do not bring Goretex raingear...it will not work on Kodiak."

Are the Chugach goretex? I haven't done research on them. He recommended HH Impertech but I know they can be oppressively hot/not breathable.

 

[Nick Muche]

Like Troutbum, I spend a lot of time in just my rain pants and merino bottoms while sheep and goat hunting. I just like it, not having to go back and forth when weather turns, being able to unzip the sides to regulate heat, etc. It just works.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Thanks AK Troutbum....your experience is invaluable. My outfitter stated, in no uncertain terms, "do not bring Goretex raingear...it will not work on Kodiak."

Are the Chugach goretex? I haven't done research on them. He recommended HH Impertech but I know they can be oppressively hot/not breathable.

A lot of folks swear by the Impertech’s, and for keeping you absolutely dry in even the wettest weather nothing beats rubber gear. That’s all good when you’re hanging out and not involved in any physical activity, but with any exertion you’re going to have to deal with the consequences of rubber as well.
Kuiu doesn’t use Goretex, they use another breathable membrane instead, and if you spend enough time in it, in really wet conditions, it will eventually wet out. I’ve only had that happen to me once but it was during a storm that lasted almost 6 days straight, and at one point during that storm Kodiak received the most rain that it had ever recorded in a 24 hour period.


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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

My outfitter explicitly stated to bring Chugach. So that’s what I’m bringing for rain gear.

 

[mcseal2]

I haven't hunted goats, or yet been to Kodiak, so take this for what it's worth.

I have started carrying a poncho/tarp with me on hunts. They don't make it anymore, but I have a Pathfinder Poncho tarp that I really like. It is replacing my Seek DST tarp in my pack a lot now. It's a 7.5'x7.5' tarp with a velcro covering over a giant deep hood. It is heavy at about 18oz. It is also multi-purpose, a glassing tarp plus a rain layer I can hunker in to protect my breathable stuff riding out a big squall without time or conditions to set up a tarp. Being a square tarp it sets up really quick in a plow point shelter if I have time and ground that will hold a stake.

The one I have is no longer made. I am going to start a post in gear, probably tonight, asking what people would want in one. I know a place that will make them, but only if they have an order for 20. I'd buy a couple more.

MyTrailCo makes a much lighter and smaller version. It's not nearly as durable but can serve a similar purpose. I sometimes carry it instead of rain gear in drier climates just in case. Makes a good wind barrier when glassing.

Like the other guys I wear my rain pants to hunt. I have the Chugach and Yukons. I mainly wear the Yukons, but the Chugach are more comfortable, lighter, and have a lot more stretch. I just bought them a size big to go over my Superdown Pro pants as just rain pants, the Yukons are sized to be my only pant.