what is the lure of owning a $300 rain jacket

[alaska2go]

Or any of the high dollar hunting clothes out there ?? I personally don't see the advantage ! I hunt in one of the most hostile regions of the world and do just fine with every day run of the mill clothing. The only place I will spend money is on my feet. Some of my hunting buddies buy that stuff and after it rains for 3 days straight their $300 jacket has failed and the $270 pants fail and I'm dry with HH imper tech spending $193 for both pant & jacket that has lasted 9 years now. I buy fleece from the second hand store for $5 a shirt, and Starter wick dry shirts for $15 at wal mart. In my humble opinion it will be a cold day in H@#) before I spend $90 for a next to skin merino wool shirt. I have purchased some of the so called higher dollar hunting clothes and rain gear only to be highly disappointed. But, being the cheap skate that I am, I only bought once it was on sale.

What are some of your thoughts ? I see this stuff on hunting shows all the time now and a lot of guys that come up here to hunt are wearing it also.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Cabela's mid priced stuff works for me. And if it does fail (keep the receipt) they'll take it back and give you a refund. My 10+ year old rain suede parka leaked in a torrential downpour and I lost the receipt and was screwed. I bought another parka & put the receipt in my safe!

 

[Slugz]

I spend the $ on half descent pants and boots. Mid grade stuff. I actually don't archery/muzzle hunt with rain gear any more. The area I hunt has plenty of cover that I usually just duck under a tree and wait it out if its that bad. That being said, we are in America. Free will, free choice. Lot of countries you cant even hunt so we should be thankful of that and educate others so as to preserve for future generations.

 

[dan maule]

Or any of the high dollar hunting clothes out there ?? I personally don't see the advantage ! I hunt in one of the most hostile regions of the world and do just fine with every day run of the mill clothing. The only place I will spend money is on my feet. Some of my hunting buddies buy that stuff and after it rains for 3 days straight their $300 jacket has failed and the $270 pants fail and I'm dry with HH imper tech spending $193 for both pant & jacket that has lasted 9 years now. I buy fleece from the second hand store for $5 a shirt, and Starter wick dry shirts for $15 at wal mart. In my humble opinion it will be a cold day in H@#) before I spend $90 for a next to skin merino wool shirt. I have purchased some of the so called higher dollar hunting clothes and rain gear only to be highly disappointed. But, being the cheap skate that I am, I only bought once it was on sale.

What are some of your thoughts ? I see this stuff on hunting shows all the time now and a lot of guys that come up here to hunt are wearing it also.

Could not agree more, I am a frequent visitor at Cabelas Bargain Cave and have some mid grade stuff that I bought on clearance but I would rather spend my limited funds on actually going hunting.

 

[ivorytip]

Alaska, you and I think a lot alike. all my rain gear has come straight from a thrift store, Jackson hole thrift store is a gold mine of awesome gear at cheapo prices. some people buy the newest hottest thing every year and wont be caught dead is something not top of the line so they turn it in to the thrift store after a couple of uses. their greed is my gain that merino wool stuff is pretty dang hard to beat though for base layers.

 

[Slugz]

Great idea! Thrift stores in the big hunting towns.....love it. Thanks IT!

 

[Gr8bawana]

Some guys seem to think they have to have the latest and supposedly greatest stuff out there. These guys will spend $80 on a friggin t-shirt because it's a big name sponsor of their favorite hunting show so it must be good, right? Seems like a lot of guys just buy into all the hype they see on tv.

 

[go_deep]

I just got a Cablea's mag the other day and my jaw hit the floor when i seen a 3 seasons Under Armor non-rain proof jacket for $500. My first out of state trip just 12 years ago tag, gas, food, and one night in a motel was less than that. I need to start a hunting equipment company, seems to be plenty to be made there.

 

[WapitiBob]

Or maybe they see the difference in dry time and funk time between their $80 t shirt and the $5 walmart brand.

 

[Finsandtines]

I have been researching different rain gear and personally don't see the need to purchase the high dollar rain gear when my $60 frog togg suit kept me completely dry fishing in 4-6 ft seas and a rainstorm last spring! However, I will say I am all about the merino wool!

 

[ScottR]

Or maybe they see the difference in dry time and funk time between their $80 t shirt and the $5 walmart brand.

Buy the best you can afford within your budget, there are great deals to be had on top quality gear at many stores. My budget has been such in the past the past that I had to go the cheap route. Other times I have saved up for a specific piece. All in all the top end stuff performs better, but I never have been able to buy a whole bunch of it at once.


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[badgerbob]

I have been researching different rain gear and personally don't see the need to purchase the high dollar rain gear when my $60 frog togg suit kept me completely dry fishing in 4-6 ft seas and a rainstorm last spring! However, I will say I am all about the merino wool!

I've used Frog Togg for years....even in Western Oregon coast range where it does rain. No problems.

 

[laxwyo]

I still believe a rubber poncho or suite is the only true way to stay dry if you're caught for days and days and you're hunkered down. I think the hunting rain gear is more designed to keep you dry as you're hiking in and it storms or hunting and you get caught. I don't think it's designed to live in through monsoon season

 

[Fink]

I can wear an Icebreaker merino wool shirt for two straight weeks on an elk hunt, never taking it off except to go to sleep, and it will smell like it just came out of the washing machine after all that. I'd bet your $2.99 walmart t-shirt cannot make that claim.

I'd agree that a PVC rainsuit will keep water off better than a breathable, expensive suit, but have fun hiking around in that sauna.

 

[Matthoek21]

I can wear an Icebreaker merino wool shirt for two straight weeks on an elk hunt, never taking it off except to go to sleep, and it will smell like it just came out of the washing machine after all that. I'd bet your $2.99 walmart t-shirt cannot make that claim.

I'd agree that a PVC rainsuit will keep water off better than a breathable, expensive suit, but have fun hiking around in that sauna.

Agreed. I like my merino wool. Nothing has performed better battling stink for extended days.

 

[alaska2go]

I can wear an Icebreaker merino wool shirt for two straight weeks on an elk hunt, never taking it off except to go to sleep, and it will smell like it just came out of the washing machine after all that. I'd bet your $2.99 walmart t-shirt cannot make that claim.

I'd agree that a PVC rainsuit will keep water off better than a breathable, expensive suit, but have fun hiking around in that sauna.

I can wash my shirt in a creek and have it air dry in an hour on a cloudy day without it shirking to fit a 5 year old

 

[ScottR]

I can wash my shirt in a creek and have it air dry in an hour on a cloudy day without it shirking to fit a 5 year old

I haven't had any issues with shrinking merino...


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[go_deep]

I do have to agree I have a large amount of wool, mostly merino (Not necessarily the high dollar stuff) and haven't had an issue with it shrinking either.

 

[ivorytip]

I just go naked, after watching naked and afraid I feel it just brings me back to our natural primal selves ha, hope I don't walk past your trail cam......

 

[CrimsonArrow]

Merino is worth the money, but you don't have to go overboard on high priced stuff. But unless I can get it for dealer cost, you'll never see me wearing Sitka, under armour, kuiu, kryptek, or any other well-marketed, overpriced outerwear.