rain gear

[Head in the Clouds]

I know, there's a million reviews on this out there and I've read them all... twice.

My dilemma is that I need a new rain jacket. I want waterproof and breathable and packable. Right now I have an old "rubber" set in wetlands camo that worked fine for laying in a muddy cornfield but it's a pain to hike in. I also have a water-resistant gamehide jacket, it's comfortable and completely silent but not actually waterproof.

I want something worth its weight but I also don't really want to spend $200+. In addition to rain, I want the jacket to function as a shell when it's cold too.

I had been pretty sold on the Core4 torrent but some negative reviews about it's ability to dry and moisture wicking inside with the brushed exterior have turned me off, although it's still a contender.

So what do you guys think about "quiet" rain gear with the brushed exterior? Is it worth holding the wetness for extra quiet? I ran into that some with my gamehide jacket last fall but not to the extent it was a problem. If it was raining hard, I had my POS rubber stuff on. Also, how "loud" is too loud for the other stuff (in an archery context)?

Does anyone have any experience with the King's XKG windstorm?

Cabelas various lines?

Any other suggestions?

I'm only concerned about a jacket. I rarely put rain pants on and I recently picked up a pair of military surplus for the occassions.

 

[Dark Mavis]

I've used the cabelas pack able space rain stuff with good success. Very lightweight and wind resistant, but no insulation. I just wear my regular fleece layers until the wet stuff falls. It's surprisingly quiet and quite durable to be such a thin fabric. There's lots of better quality rainwear out there, but that stuff is hard to beat for the price (you can find it in the bargain cave all the time). It's been stuffed in my pack for several years, every time I take it out to use it I expect it to begin leaking, but so far, so good.

 

[In God We Trust]

If you look at the classifieds on this forum and Rokslide you can find a slightly used or new Kuiu or Sitka jacket at a good price. You just have to be patient. I lookded for a couple of weeks and found a new Kuiu Chugach jacket for 175.00

 

[meat hunter]

Bass Pro has some, not sure what you are looking for exactly

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I've used the cabelas pack able space rain stuff with good success. Very lightweight and wind resistant, but no insulation. I just wear my regular fleece layers until the wet stuff falls. It's surprisingly quiet and quite durable to be such a thin fabric. There's lots of better quality rainwear out there, but that stuff is hard to beat for the price (you can find it in the bargain cave all the time). It's been stuffed in my pack for several years, every time I take it out to use it I expect it to begin leaking, but so far, so good.

I have been using the same Cabelas rain jacket & pants for 3 years. Works great. Like you I bought mine on sale and saved a bunch...a great value for the $$$.

 

[Bonecollector]

Ditto here!

I have been using the same Cabelas rain jacket & pants for 3 years. Works great. Like you I bought mine on sale and saved a bunch...a great value for the $$$.

 

[YakCountry]

I was in the same boat, did my research and ended up getting C4E Torrent Jacket. It is a great balance of price and quality. I really like how quiet the jacket is and I've put it in several rain storms. I would recommend the purchase. The only thing I don't like is the zipper is difficult to start, but I can live with that.

 

[Head in the Clouds]

Thanks for the input guys.

I ended up buying the jacket from Kings the other day because I found it on sale. Just in time to see that the kryptek Poseidon is on Sierra Trading Post for $130...

 

[MWScott72]

I have yet to find a quiet rain jacket that is completely waterproof. Cabela's Rain Suede...nope; went with the Kryptek Cadog (I think...can't remember the actual rain gear model name. Definitely not the Poseidon)...nope. It's nice, but during an all day rain last fall during my elk hunt, water came though the Kryptek too. I did have a Herter's wading jacket that did well for years...it was a lot cheaper too.

So now I'm at the point where my next set may just be Sitka. I hate how overpriced their stuff is, and I've heard it's a little louder, but I have yet to hear a negative comment on its waterproofing. I'm wondering how the new Kuiu stuff holds up as well under steady precip? Anyone with first hand experience care to share?

 

[7shot]

You might have it in the new whitetail line by Sitka -they are making a quite line and they have goretex - just saw it in a catalog, but I have no experience with the whitetail line.

 

[Firefighter44]

I would spend a little extra money and get the kuiu or Sitka. IMO its worth the extra money to stay dry. Good luck!

 

[LucilleBruce]

In any case we can survive with the help of clothing like Carhartt jackets. It keeps us safe from different things.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I have been using the same Cabelas rain jacket & pants for 3 years. Works great. Like you I bought mine on sale and saved a bunch...a great value for the $$$.

Me too Cowboy, I had the Cabelas rain suede with "Dry-Plus" for over 10 years. It finally quit in a torrential downpour while elk hunting. I was soaked to the skin in minutes. Called Cabelas and did some "Whining"...they said they WOULD have replaced it, IF I had kept the receipt. Although after 10 years of keeping me dry, I figure I got my moneys worth. I just bought another one like it, and this time I filed the receipt.

 

[Bonecollector]

Different line of clothing, but both have given me great results.

Me too Cowboy, I had the Cabelas rain suede with "Dry-Plus" for over 10 years. It finally quit in a torrential downpour while elk hunting. I was soaked to the skin in minutes. Called Cabelas and did some "Whining"...they said they WOULD have replaced it, IF I had kept the receipt. Although after 10 years of keeping me dry, I figure I got my moneys worth. I just bought another one like it, and this time I filed the receipt.

 

[cntryep3614]

I have been wearing a higher end set of Frog Toggs. Not great for down pours but what suit is. I'm happy with them and I'm pretty sure the whole suit was right around $100.00

 

[Mark]

KUIU has a new "more affordable" one out called TETON and it includes rain gear. Might be worth a look. They make great gear and I can't imagine it being cheap RE: quality in any way.

 

[tperry5]

Another vote for the Cabela's Dry Plus rain gear, I've been really impressed with it, haven't ever gotten wet while wearing it, has to count for something and I also got them on sale, way more in my price range too when they are on sale.

 

[PhilW55]

I used cabelas rain suede last year but sold it in a garage sale. Waterproof for awhile but would start to get wet after a couple hours. Still made me sweat if exerting much. Did NOT like the mesh liner, kept getting caught on other clothes while putting on and off. It was nice a couple of times. Got kryptek koldo for this year, at half price no less, anxious to try it. No liner in this stuff. I'm Larry of spending $500+ on a super lightweight set that feels like the first thorn will rip it. Used rivers west fleece for several years with decent results.

 

[Bonecollector]

I think the suede line is more of a water resistant product, than water proof. Try the Cabelas Space Rain Suit.

 

[jimss]

When I'm not wearing my Sitka raingear I wear Marmot Precip. Unfortunately the Marmots aren't camo but they are just as good as Sitka for a lot cheaper price. I spend a lot of time in Alaska where it obviously rains a lot...and is quite humid. My Marmots have always worked well. I would NEVER buy a rain jacket without pitzips or you will likely end up wet from the inside out! Both Sitka and Precips have the pitzips...and Marmot even has a zipper available on one pant model on the sides (for vents and getting boots off easier). Take a look at the reviews on Marmot and you'll see exactly why I like them so much!

The nice thing about Precip is they are around $50 at Sierra Trading Post! Since they aren't camo I generally buy colors that are green or brown. If they are out of a particular color you can generally wait for it to come back in stock. I can guarantee you won't find a better breathable top/bottom for that price! Another tip about Sierra Trading is you can get an additional 20 to 30% off by using a coupon code.