[owen]

what is everyone using for rain gear? what do you like/dislike about it? I'm not actually using it for hunting but I figure there will be some strongly held opinions in here.

Right now I'm looking at the marmot and mountain hardwear stuff.

[Polishrifleman]

I've got some Wall's quiet hide (or something like that) for pants a Filson oil cloth jacket, and a browning gore tex bucket hat.

The biggest thing I don't like about rain gear is that it doesn't breath at all and you get just as wet with sweat as you do from Rain if you are an active hunter. I don't sit still too much so personally don't like raingear but it is a must in the Pacific NW.

In the mist I prefer a good pair of gaiters, a wool jackshirt, and that browning hat.

If you find something that breathes I am interested.

[owen]

i'll actually be using it as a shell/windbreaker as well as for rain, while backpacking.

[countertop]

I've got tightly woven German Army wool pants and a bright red Marmot rain jacket

[stevelyn]

Helly-Hansen.

[sm]

Depends on temps as to how I layer.

Outer coat is waxed cotton, with a wool liner that I can remove and just wear the wax cotton shell.
If I should tear this, easy to re-sew, and re-wax.
One reason I have stayed with waxed cotton, while everyone else went to Gortex or other new offerings.

I still prefer silk in cool temps to wick moisture off my skin into other fabrics, like cotton.
Silk socks then cotton or wool keeps feet dry, and dry feet are less prone to get blisters, be it hot, cold dry or wet.

Wool...wool again is naturally able to resist water and keep one warm if wet.
Downside is wool gets heavy when wet.
Even a felt hat (wool) is great for keeping water off face, ears and neck.
I prefer the "cowboy" or "Aussie" style.
The waxed cotton hats are great! Barbour's hat, rolls up nice in a pack .

Summer I have a tight weave "shell" from Woolrich, with a hood that fits into the collar. This nylon (?) or whatever it is, repels water like crazy!
It comes with a small stuff pouch.

Wax cotton pants work well, then again it depends on temps, conditions and all.
I snagged some wool pants with suspenders from a Army Surplus years ago, and they repel water, keep me warm , and really warm if used with hip boots or chest waders.

I wear these over regular pants, silk lowers, reg pants then these.
I can slip these off, wet, mud , dirty, and my reg pants are dry and not dirty for the return home.

Hiking and emergency use, the emergency blankets repel water real well.
Cit a hole and use like a poncho...

Army Surplus Ponchos are handy for trail work, keeps both you and the pack dry.

Location and temps dictate...as always.

[koja48]

Filson chaps when pheasant/coyote hunting, light quiet cloth upper if it's drizzling. Any rain jacket can get a bit warm, but I have nothing bad to say about the Filson chaps, or other Filson products, other than I wish I could afford more of them.

[owen]

sm,

That's interesting that you actually like cotton. The general consensus among the outdoor yankees is that "Cotton Kills" because it gets wet, stays wet, and makes the wearer very very cold. In the Boy Scouts it was common to send kids home from cool/cold weather camping trips if they were wearing jeans or sweatshirts. I suppose if its waxed it shouldn't actually get wet, but still, interesting.

[Art Eatman]

Waxed cotton is a different animal from plain old cotton. It's as close to waterproof as you can get, absent the 20th century's discovery of plastic and suchlike.

Think of western movies, with guys wearing "dusters", which basically were cotton overcoats that had been impregnated with wax. Same deal for those old covered wagons which crossed the Great Plains.

Art

[22-rimfire]

If it is a light rain, I often tough it out with no protection except my head. A hard rain is just plain miserable to be out in. My rain gear is geared toward wearing it only a short time and not hunting in it long (or walking). So, I have a heavy parka that is oversized and will fit over my coat. On really windy days (and cold), I have been known to put on my rain gear to break the wind. Not fun to be cold and miserable; wet cold, and miserable is even worse.

Some rain gear is noisy. But honestly, in a rain storm, there is lots of noise already and I don't worry about it. I have a new digital camo suit that I intend to try out that is supposed to breath better. I'll slip my orange vest over top of it, just depends on how long the rain lasts, but I always have a blaze orange hat on during gun season. The disposable plastic bag ponchos work too and they only cost about a buck. I keep one of those in my day pack or vest for the just in case times.

Frankly, if it is going to rain all day, I don't go out unless it is opening day or the first few days after. Getting sick for any deer is not worth it to me. In years past, I would suffer any kind of weather; not any more. For archery season when I hunted, it's usually warm, so I don't worry about it and the rain often makes hunting better.

[Devonai]

In the past seven years I have spent many a day in the hard rain while wearing a Gen 1 ECWCS Parka. If it's really coming down I'll add the matching pants, which have large zippered legs for donning over boots.

I can't recommend this parka/pants combo enough. It breathes great and keeps you dry. The only thing to watch out for is your gloves, if you need them. If your gloves get soaked, the water will wick up your arms and soak your shirt sleeves.

The clothing isn't as quiet as non-waterproof fabric, so it may not fit your needs. If you can get to an Army/Navy store I would definitely check it out and see if it's too noisy for your liking. Bear in mind that there are cheap "Tru-Spec" knock-offs in the $30-$40 range that are far inferior. A genuine Gen 1 ECWCS Parka should cost $60-$90. A Gen II Parka is up around $250, but other than a stowable hood I don't see much of an advantage to them.

[salthouse]

Cabelas Dry Plus gear has served me well. Wet snow, rain, and cold temps of northern Maine have not been a problem. Priced a little lower than the Gore-tex gear it seems to be every bit as good imo.

[Skoghund]

Just bought a Gore-Tex hunting jacket. The trousers are on order. They cost a fortune but i hope i'm warm and dry this winter. Standing out in the pouring rain or snow while hunting the dog for hours is no fun without the proper gear.

[sm]

Thank you.

owen,
As Art shared, this tight weave and waxed goes way back in history.
Egyptian cotton was considered the best due to properties of the cotton and how tight the weave.

Sailors also used for sails, and the clothing they worked in the elements in, hats, jackets, pants, or bibs made from wax cotton. Wool "watch caps" will fit under a waxed cotton hat.
Gets a big chilly in the North Seas.

Barbour [tm] goes way back in the history of the UK, still worn over in Europe.

Now some of my wax cotton is gone (fire) still besides just getting bigger, and outgrowing it, one coat is still in use by a lady, and that jacket I wore back in the 70's.
It has a few places re-sewn, like where a barbed wire fence and I had a disagreement, still it sewed back, and re-waxed just fine.

Current coat, with button in wool liner, I bought in early 90's.

I know of one waxed cotton coat that has been duck hunting since before the Depression.
Granddaughter now wears it. I was with her grandma when she wore this coat at age 82, and using a old Model 12, duck hunting. We had to ask her to NOT shoot, she was felling the ducks and the clients were not getting any shots.
"Well, when they do shoot they miss with them fancy smancy guns" :)

Gortex and other modern rain gear makes a unique sound in the woods, like synthetic stocks on guns do.
Wax cotton, has a different, more "natural sound" .

I was raised to keep in mind if out and about, I had to have equipment that worked, and could be kept up.

Now I have never seen or heard of a Zipper going bad on a Barbour jacket, pants set.
I have on other more expensive newer fabrics.

Button are my preference, lessens chance of a stuck , then getting busted Zipper.
Buttons are easier to re-sew on, and a spare or two will not take up much room, them again a stick can be fashioned to make a "button".
Easier to "work" when hands are cold.

Ragg Wool gloves are another thing I believe in, I like the fingerless ones, as they allow one to used a knife, shoot, use a compass and all, while being worn.
Keeps hands warm , even while wet.

Nothing wrong with new stuff, I understand weight considerations.
Just IMO, the old adage applies to a lot of "equipment:

Ninety percent of fishing lures are made to catch fisher-person's wallets - not fish

Natural fibers such as silk, wool, and waxed cotton are proven, and have been for a long long time.
Equipment the same way.
Compasses do not require batteries.
Number 2 pencils are easy to sharpen with a knife, and there is no ink to freeze.

Hypothermia can set in at 40* F.

Some folks got turned around, when the GPS went down.
They traveled light, had new gear, and could not get a fire to start.
Rain gear torn, ...in a pickle they were.

Old scratchy wool blankets - even in the rain. One fashioned into a "tent" and my Zippo started a fire in the wind. Yeah the blankets were heavy, scratchy, but they really appreciated being warm in the wet.
They did not even mind eating Vienna Sausage.
"Tea lights to start a fire?"
"Yep, in a hurry, but I could have used B-Day candles just the same".

My take - Mother Nature can be cruel.
Common sense, proven equipment will keep one alive.
Graves are full of heroes , and folks that let newfangled and egos get the best of them.

[koja48]

Thanks, SM . . . took me back 50+ years or so. I was learning to tie trout flies, & they weren't turning-out quite like the pictures. As I sat at Dad's bench in disgust, Pop came in picked one up & asked what was wrong. "They're ugly," I said. Dad's response: "There's 2 kinds of flies, Son . . . those that catch fish, and those that catch fisherman. Long as you can tie the first kind, I reckon you don't have to worry about tying the second kind." Smartest man I ever knew . . . and I still wear Dad's red-checked Woolrich jacket, even if I can't button it up and it does fit me a mite too quick . . .

[owen]

Steve,

I believe in tried and true as well, but i'm going to be carrying this stuff, on my back, for 2200 miles.

A duster weighs more than my tent and sleeping bag together.

Sound? Sound is good. Don't wanna sneak up on any bears by accident, buty I have a jingle bell for that...

[sm]

Time of year and expected temps?

I've traveled who knows how many miles in 21 days , in July up in Canada via Canoe and Portaging.
My rain gear was a old old Woolrich "nylon" of tight weave with no lining.

In the fall, I did this Canada bit for 5 days, School break, and bit nippy, and used a Waxed cotton coat with wool liner and waxed cotton pants with flannel lining.

Bears? We had an understanding, if they would not mess with us, we would not kick their butts.

Heck we could not even fish with live bait according to rules, you can forget having a firearm.
Not only do bears run fast, they move in water pretty fast too.

Made sense to us to paddle over and watch the bears swim, Heck I was armed with a Zebco 33 or a fly rod - don't mess with me and my pard in a canoe. :p

[eliphalet]

Working several seasons in the Western Cascades of Washington State with guys that work outside year round, the general consensus seemed to be Helly-Hanson.
I use a long to below the knee coat with a hood and will try to get by with just that here in Idaho along with good boots. No more than it rains here we will avoid it if possible, can't do that on the western side of the Cascades.

[owen]

march to whenever. 5 to 7 months Suppose I shhould add that I'm starting in Georgia, and working my way northeast.

[salthouse]

I am all for old school, but lets not forget that a lot of people on the Oregon trail died of exposure wearing wool/waxed cotton, etc... Modern materials are a real advance that can make your experience more pleasant when the weather turns to &%$#.

[Mantis]

march to whenever. 5 to 7 months Suppose I shhould add that I'm starting in Georgia, and working my way northeast.

Appalachian Trail?

[owen]

yes, the AT.

[pfrnkln]

I have my old mil poncho - it may be bulky and noisey but it keeps me and my gun dry - also - in the event I may get ... "confused" it makes a handy tent. I recently got a "packable" rain gear set on closeout at Gander Mt.
I may give that a try but I thinks the old poncho will be with me forever.
Thats just my 2cents

[redneck2]

I have an uninsulated Gore-tex archers jacket that I got at Gander Mountain. Hood flips up and has storm cuff and storm hood with drawstrings. Pretty much totally waterproof, and light.

[12GA00buck]

I have done extensive long distance backpacking, mostly on the PCT. I'm kinda tired and do not feel up to writing a multi volume post, so here's a couple books that will answer all your question's in great detail. Hunting and Thru-Hiking are VERY different activities with different gear requirements.

Basically you want a water resistant wind shell for general use and light rain, this will breathe better than the best W/B gear and keep you from getting soaked in sweat.

Also you will want a set of quality W/B rain-gear for the serious storms. W/B rain gear can be coated (cheap), a laminate (better more $) or multi layered membrane (e.g. gortex)

In really wet weather an umbrella will be a godsend. It's very common among trekkers in other country's, but less so in America. Golite and Montbell make umbrella's designed for backpacking.

-The Backpacker's handbook, Christ Townsend, 3rd edition
-Beyond Backpacking, Ray Jardine
-The complete Walker, Colin Fletcher, Chris Rowlins, 4th edition

A couple websites too.

www.backpacking.net
http://www.aktrekking.com/

This is the gear I pack for long backpacking trips

-Golite Hex, basically a Tepee made with silnylon 2lbs, 4oz/ ground sheet
Sierra Designs 20 degree mummy bag, synthetic insulation
Golite Gust, Alpine pack 4800 cu.
Closed cell foam sleeping pad ¾ in
Wool socks, sealskin socks
Running shoes, or winter boots/ snowshoes, depends on season/terrain
Trangia alcohol stove, Titanium cookware, or MSR white gas stove for melting snow in winter
Windshell, W/B rain gear
Merino wool top and long johns,
Synthetic base layer
Fleece jacket/vest or synthetic fill mountaineering coat (golite buzz)
PUR/Katadyn water filter
Platypus water bladders
Week supply of food
Outdoor research dry bags for all the gear
Drop Point hunting knife
Ice Axe as needed for terrain .(e.g. Glaciers, mountains etc.)
Umbrella
Walking stick, black walnut
GPS, compass, topo maps
Fires starting kit, sewing kit, general odds and ends.
Supply of Cigars, coffee, tea, good book
Fishing pole or gun, depends on the particular trip.
I try to keep my total weight for a weeklong trip between 25-45 pounds, depending on the season and duration.

[eliphalet]

I have had a large plastic trash bag, folded in my back pocket, do wonders for me more than once caught in a thunderstorm.

[enkindler]

Being in The Pacific North West (lots of rain), and living in Ballard (Home of a lot of the boats from the deadliest catch) I use Guy Cotten rain gear, it may not breath and it make not be cammo but the deer don't seem to care and I stay dry and more importantly when I'm carrying the critter back I don't fret about the gore getting on some fancy gortex jacket. Most fishermen on this coast use Grundens but either brand is great and built to take abuse. And it costs a fraction of the price that most the hunting stores want for their gear.

[MeekandMild]

Hmm. I never have found any rain gear to work well under all circumstances. :rolleyes: (Advice is welcome here.)

So I sometimes carry an umbrella. :evil:

Now that is really weird if you think about it. Imagine an old fart out in the woods, sitting and waiting for the deer in the rain under a wussy red and white golf umbrella.:neener:

[JohnMcD348]

If it's raiuny outside, I wear a hat. If it's cold and rainy, I'll carry a poncho and possibly a wool type sweater to wear under it or I have had some of those military type poly underwear clothes that I've worn. That'll keep you pretty warm(I live in Florida) on a rainy night in the woods, even in the fairly cold days of winter here. I've never been one to really bundle up alot in the cold. One of these days the hypothermia will probably get me.

[quiettype]

I have a Helly-Henson coat that I only use for extreme rain.Last Fall it allowed me to continue hunting when everyone else had quit.Amazing gear.

[skers69]

I have found that this works best. Costs a arm and a leg but well worth it.

I have a lite gortex jacket with hood. Use layers of other insulation when cold.
Two pair gortex paints. One lite...one insulated.
Gortex ball cap.
Gortex insulated gloves.
Two gortex boots. One lite. One heavy insulated 1200 thinsulate.

I have found that gortex works much better than dry plus and hydro plus.

Save the money and get gortex. You will not be sorry.

[redneck2]

Save the money and get gortex. You will not be sorry.
Don't know why so many are resistant to the Gore-Tex idea. With my light weight jacket, I can layer up and be comfortable whether it's 50 degrees or zero. Breathes so you don't get sweaty. I've got Gore-Tex bibs so I stay totally warm and dry, even in driving sleet and rain. The drawstring hood and cuffs are really important if the wind is blowing.

[GCW5]

I like Gortex too. I have a MT50 suit from Cabelas that has worked well for the last 5 years. It's light enough for spring showers while fishing, and with 300 weight fleece keeps me warm while hunting in the snow. It's light enough to pack while elk hunting. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!!!!!

[Vern Humphrey]

Same here. In fact, if you do it right, you use Goretex mostly while sitting still (that's when you get cold.) When you move, roll it up and tuck it under your pack flap -- unless its raining, and then who cares about any noise the jacket makes against the brush, the rain covers it.

I like to have a waffle weave or poly undershirt, a spare flannel shirt, a down vest and my Goretex parka. I have yet to be uncomfortable, even in a snowstorm at 11,000 feet.