I'm sure this has been hashed out before but I couldn't find it through the search function. Anyway, I'm considering picking up a rain jacket seeing as how I HATE being wet. I need something quiet and of course waterproof, but I can't afford Sitka gear or anything else in that price range. I want to be dry in a pretty good down pour, and I'm not worried about warmth as this would be an outer layer. Did I mention it needs to be quiet?
SO...what are your suggestions?
here's one-cheap, too. I take the shower cap from the motel and use them to put over my binos or fletching in sudden storms. They easily fit in the pocket of a pack.
if they get destroyed, next trip to a motel...but if you ask, most will just give you one
Peter Storm
Anyone who hunts from a treestand should have a treestand umbrella.
Priceless!
HH Impertech
The Space Rain set from Cabelas is great for lightweight and packable. I use that on all my backpack hunts.
If you wants silent and waterproof without paying much I think you want a unicorn, however the space rain set is pretty dang near perfect for what I do.
For light rain my usual hunting duds can take that. When it gets real wet, or rains a long time I thrown on the space rain set and sit there and wait for it to pass, hopefully in a spot I can glass from.
HH impertec works up here in AK.
I have found nothing better and more versitile than a good military poncho. The one I am using now I think is Swedish Military, very well made but the camo pattern has some red hues in it. The handy thing about a poncho is you can get you bow and fletcing under it for extra protection.
Natural Gear jacket and pants. :thumbsup:
I agree with Cabelas Space Rain suit for backpack trips and hunts I also like my Go Lite poncho.
I will 3rd the (HH) Helly Hansen Impertech! Used it in AK and I use it here. You will stay dry!
I have a set of the cabelas stuffable rain gear. I think the top and bottom total around $140. It stuffs into a pouch the size of a soda can. Weighs next to nothing, pretty quiet.
Thing about rain gear and quiet is, the woods are rarely quiet when its raining. I have never had a deer spook from rain gear making a little rustling sound. With billions of raindrops crashing into leaves, theres plenty of background noise. Go with what keeps you dry.
I understand that guys who are on a out of state trip...Alaska, out west...etc...will want quality gear to stay dry for the entire hunt. But if we are talking about hunting deer locally, I don't use rain gear at all. I may have a poncho somewhere in the bottom of my bag or in the truck, but thats just to keep me dry on my way out of the woods. If it's raining hard enough for rain gear, blood trails will be non existant. I don't want any part of that.
Poncho +1
If you are still wearing it when you need to shoot, just flip it over your shoulder al la Clint Eastwood and let 'em fly.
Yeah I know the terms cheap, waterproof, and quiet are almost mutually exclusive. Thanks for the help...the more ideas the better!
I like the impertech stuff...did you all go with the camo or the regular green (which happens to be on sale).
Rivers West. It's not cheap, but I've yet to find anything that is as quiet and waterproof on the market.
That said - don't run a marathon in it - you'll cook yourself to death (eg, the material doesn't breath)
I like knee leanth rain liners from WWII knee leanth coats have used these for 30 years.Roll up twice as big as most but nice in a down pour.Not to big for a pack.Only down fall is no hood need a good hat.
I've got the space rain stuff from Cabelas and it is pretty quiet and easy to pack. I have to say the Natural Gear uninsulated parka has a slight edge on it for noise though. Have used it for years waterfowl hunting and never let me down, great jacket.
I hunt on the ground and always on the move. None of the 'rain gear' I have used works very well for active hunting-it just does not breathe well enough.
Wool works pretty good for me even in the rain, and it breathes.
khardrunner,
I went with the green stuff on sale. I only go the parka based off the reviews I've seen on the net. I havent seen it as of yet, cause Im still in Iraq, but will have my hands on it soon. My wife says its nice.
One last question on the Impertech...
How's the arm length? I've got these monkey arms, so I often struggle to find something that will be long enough. I'm 6' about 145 lbs, so I need a medium usually. Medium Talls usually fit the best, but good luck finding those.
Went with the green also, I bought my wife some and she lovers it. We use it for other things besides hunting too. Buy the jacket and pants. I even use it at work!
Simns Raincloud jacket. gore tex. quiet. expensive.