Light(er) weight rain/wind gear w/ GoreTex or equivalent performance and durability

[JMSZ]

Is there any such beast?

I'm carrying the original military Gore Tex jacket and pants (ECWCS) right now.

I have the newer generation military jacket and pants (APECS), they're a bit lighter, but I can't use the ones I currently have for hunting, but I may get another set that I can.

Those are my baselines as far as weight.

The wind and rain performance with the durability is what I want, I just want to know if there are any viable lighter options at a reasonable cost.

 

[JimP]

The wind and rain performance with the durability is what I want, I just want to know if there are any viable lighter options at a reasonable cost.

That statement right there all but finished your look.

I have a set of Cabela's packable rain gear that I have been using for the last 6 years. I lived in it when up in British Colombia on a bear hunt for 10 days and have worn it through the catcus and thorns of Arizona during rain storms in February. Not to mention using the jacket as a wind breaker on real bad days and it keeps on ticking. But it isn't cheap. I think that I spent close to $300 for both the pants and jacket but it was worth it.

 

[JMSZ]

That statement right there all but finished your look.

That's kind of what I expected and wanted to know.

$300 actually isn't bad, I need to try it on, though, to see if the cost is justifiable in my case. I've seen it in the catalog, but I haven't ever tried it... I guess I'll have to try it on when I go to Reno in August .

Is that Cabelas rain gear Gore Tex or some other material? I guess a lot of the newer, lightweight hiking stuff is using lighter fabrics combined with sprayed-on coatings that have to be re-applied semi-regularly...

$300 each for jacket and pants, unless the stuff floats in air, is what I would consider unjustifiable for my situation.

For the benefit of anyone who's new to this stuff, looking for gear and finds this thread, I have to stress that I'm asking this from the standpoint of already having good, functional gear that actually isn't really heavy (it's not the old rubber rainsuit).

If you don't have any good rain gear, $300 is a really good deal for reliable rain gear.

 

[LaHunter]

I've been using Cabela's MT050 gortex rain gear for about 10-15 years. It still works pretty good, but will start leaking a little bit after a long time in a downpour.

The newer products from companies like First Lite, Kuiu, and Sitka to name a few, are lighter and are supposed to be more breathable than Gortex rain gear. The cost of these products are pretty high. You can do a google search and there are lots of reviews on line.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I've used a set from Montbell, around $150 for the set 7-8 years ago, that has worked very well. Use it a bunch hunting and fishing. I doubt they make the same set, but am sure they have options, like the Rain Trekker stuff, just over $200 for the set, about 21 oz. More designed for mountain sports, so no camo and some noise. Were I looking for a set now, I'd look hard at the KUIU Teton series, just over $300 for the set and 6oz or so lighter.

If I understand the performance ratings, of the two, the Montbell has better (higher) waterproof and breathability ratings. As I understand the coatings, they are not something you can re-apply, like a scotch guard spray. I'd not be afraid of the high quality coated products, I think of them as a sprayed on breathable coating bonded to the fabric. I have an old set from Browning I used for 5-6 years, before I got the Montbell set, that worked great and still works when I loan it out, believe it is a sprayed on coating. Does not breath as well as the Montbell.

 

[JimP]

Here is a link to what is similar to what I have from Cabela's. It packs away into a pocket where you can stow it on a 4 wheeler or into your backpack. I'm 6'4" and 230 lbs and purchased the XL Tall and it still gives me some room to move around in.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabela-s-men-s-rain-suede-trade-packable-parka-with-4most-dry-plus-174-ndash-tall/1571336.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&fsch=true&Ntk=AllProducts&Ntt=packable+raingear&x=10&y=6&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=packable+raingear

 

[marcusvdk]

I use the cabelas MT050 pants for the last 3 years and love them.