Doing a DIY backpacking elk hunt this fall. I originally planned to bring my nice set of camo rain gear, but I started rolling it up to see how it packs and found it is rather heavy. I'm in the process of cutting things I thought I needed, but probably don't. I'm thinking of just getting a generic rain poncho. Anyone with any experience with poncho versus full rain gear?
check out the Browning rain gear line. my buddy has a nice packable set. his jacket rolls up in a bag not muck bigger then a beer can.
I would say a poncho would be fine. The one time I went to CO for elk, it rained, snowed, or sleeted everyday (usually multiple times a day), but only once did it rain for more than an hour or so at one time. We basically hunkered down and let it past, took off the rain gear, and resumed the hunt so I don't see why a poncho wouldn't work.
The packable rain gear that Browning and Cabelas sells should be good also. But no frog toggs for me!
You might consider Cabela's space rain gear. The zippered jacket is about $114 and packs to the size of a coffee cup. The pants are like $84 and pack down to the same size. They ARE light weight, but seem to be plenty strong enough for the occasional shower.
I've done a few DIY Pack in hunts and haven't used rain gear (blessed I guess)... haven't needed it. Those times I packed frog togg pants and jacket... packable, but not nearly as strong when it comes to actual wear in the underbrush.
I'll have the space rain gear this year.
Good luck!
I've used a Golite Poncho that is lightweight and packs down very small. It works fine for sitting out a brief shower but if the rain is for an extended time and you have to do much walking it can be kind of flappy. Also shooting can be a problem if the bull sneaks up on you right after the rain.
Another plus for the poncho is it will cover your backpack so you don't need a separate pack cover.
If you aren't expecting a lot of rain, the poncho is not a bad option but it's easier to "hunt" in a jacket.
I do a backpack hunt in Colorado every year and as awbowman said I've dealt with all of the nasty weather conditions. I have a cabelas space rain jacket- I assumed by reading the reviews it would tear- but it hasn't. On top of that I always carry a poncho, not the 99cent deal but a $10 one- it's heavier and bulkier but I've been in situations where it has proved invaluable. You probably -could- get away with just that poncho, but if its gonna rain for awhile and i want to do anything besides hunkering down- the poncho gets old.
Get yourself a good pair of pants that dry quick and skip the rain bottoms, or get a set of lightweight gaiters. Have fun and remember hunt as hard on the last day as you did on the first.
On my backpack sheep hunt I took Peter Storm rain gear because it was lighter than my mt50. It rained two days straight and was glad I had it or would of been very wet and cold. I also used it when windy to stay warm.
I run cheap mil-surplus, I think Swedish, overalls and a marmot precip jacket. Have occasionally used the jacket but the pants have only been used on one horribly rainy trip. I prefer to wait out rainstorms in the tent. ;)
Kuiu has most likely the best rain gear, but you will pay for it. I used the cabelas space rain gear on a Colorado elk hunt and was very impressed with it. Lightweight, packs small and never ripped, even on a five hour ride out in the dark where I swear my horse was aiming for every tree on the west side of the Zirkel.
I have a set of the Cabelas stuff and it works very well. I also have a set of the Sitka Downpour stuff which breathes considerably better; but does not pack as well and costs a lot more. If I was moving around a lot in the rain and wanted something packable I'd go with the poncho.
It may not pack down to a very small size, but I still like the Cabelas MT50 rain gear...small enough for my pack and wears like iron.
Cabelas space rain gear is what I have used for many years now,it is always on my backpack. It works wery well and it is tough.
For years I hunted in a gortex rain jactet (MTO50)and for the most part it worked out. However a few years ago I bought some Sitka Gear for my early season Elk hunts. It is great stuff and I won't wear anything else. For those time I need something completely waterproff I purchased a set of REI Kimtah pants and jacket. It is expremely light weight and pacable. Is has alos been very durable. It's not camo if that bothers you. For me I have found that the backpackers and mountineering folks produce a much better product that what is sold to hunters. Most are way to bulky and heavy. I usualky by olive drab or even grey works well. It's a little lound but if I am in rain I do not find it much of a disadvantage. Now this is for areas that get an occasional rain and somehting I keep in the pack until needed. Not what I would use on an Alaska hunt. I hunt CO/WY/UT most years and have faced very little all out rain in SEP.
I use the Cabelas also. I used it on my last elk hunt and it packs down small and light enough that I keep it in my deer hunting pack most of the time also.
I just bought a set of the Cabela's Packable Light weight Rain Gear. Packs very small. last year I used my MT50 Cabela's Stuff but for early season it is a little heavy and does not pack as well. I plan to take the New packable Cabela's Space Rain Gear on this years Nevada & Colorado Early Mule Deer Hunts and New Mexico Elk. I will change back to the MT 50 for my Kansas and later Whitetail hunts.
Good luck to all, Randy Chamberlin
I have only hunted CO for elk three times, but often we would get an afternoon rain shower. I think the ponch would work to hunker down under. But I think I would want rain pants for walking thru wet tall grass and brush after the rain.
I suppose different terrain would dictate what to use.
Thanks for all the info guys!
I think you are on the right road...I have sets of Sitka Coldfront, the new Downpour series, and the original Downpour series. Last year I did a 10 day elk scouting trip to the Utah backcountry and tried out a poncho. Worked perfect. It is not typically like Alaska (where you have to live in your raingear for weeks at a time) when you are in the elk mountains.
Another vote for the cabelas light weight gear.
For backpack hunts I go with the Cabelas Space Rain also. I went with the 1/4 zip pull over jacket to save weight. Like anything else, when you go light weight you give up some durability. I've been using it for about 5 years and have only ripped one set of pants and it was near the ankle so they were still functional. Like Steve said, typically they are used to ride out a storm not to hunt in for days at a time.
I live and hunt here in NY state and have been using the Cabela's Dry Plus packable pants and jacket for 5 or 6 years now. Weight is about 2 to 3 lbs. and packs into pouches the size of Foster's Lager cans. What I like most about it is that it works very well containing your scent with it's rubberized interior lining.( windproof )Quite durable and love the 3d camo for were I hunt. Great for stand hunting! Also keeps me dryer than any rain gear I'v used.A lot of Cabela's stuff I don't like, but don't feel that way about this rain gear.
Used a poncho exclusively last year on a backcountry hunt and it worked great. As others have said it also covers your pack and if you throw in a pair of light weight gators you've got your legs covered as well. It also can be used to lay down on for a mid day siesta, to lay deboned or quartered meat on, a overnite shelter in a pinch, the list goes on! I carry one in my pack at all times now even chasin whitetails close to home.
Steve
Regardless of what you choose, there is a pretty good chance of your hunting clothes getting wet at some point. I've never really been to bothered by that in warm weather. I've generally scoffed at the price that Sitka stuff costs, but a buddy of mine had a set of lightweight Sitka clothing on a hog hunt last weekend and that stuff dries in about 15 minutes! I see a set in my future.
I like a light weight poncho for times when it may just be a passing thunderstorm. Can keep the pack under it also. But for days when its gonna rain I also like the Cabela's space rain also. It fits tight enough that a I can still shoot a bow, the sleeves and chest are not super sized. It has very low wicking up the sleeves and pant bottoms. Really easy to pack and works well. Greenbriars will get the best of it though.
Xxxxxxx for cabelas space rain gear. Great rain gear packs light plenty tough
I'm going to give Kryptek Poseidon a whirl, jacket weighs about 13oz.
Take a look at frog toggs. They're cheap, light, breathable, and pack down fairly small. They're what I've been using the last couple years saving up for a kuiu set. Heard good things about cabelas dry plus as well. Lots of options out there...depending on your budget
Under Armour has some good rain gear. My close friend uses them and goes on 2 WK backpack hunt for elk with no issues. They are on the 3rd year. I plan on getting UA when I save some coin.
Brandon
love my cabelas space rain
For pack-in elk hunting I'm using the Cabelas Space Rain this year, too. The DryPlus is great but heavy in comparison. Our last two outings to CO has had very little rain. We're due for a rainy week.
Problem I've had with my rain gear is the pack wants to slide down when I'm wearing my rain jacket and or rain bibs and that puts all the pack weight directly on my shoulders which is very fatiguing. I think a pancho would help greatly with this problem, but if the weather gets really bad like extended rain or snow, a proper rain suit can be a life saver!
Herters makes great stuff for the $...if you haven't looked into that, you might want to