OK, Gang....Looks like my hunting trip next week will have at least some rain in the forecast. With that in mind, I thought it might be nice to get your input on preferred rainwear, or bowhunting in the rain in general.
Typically, I love a hunt before or after a rain, but I don't usually hunt actually during the rain.
Thoughts?
Kingsnake
When I was on the Oregon coast a few years back, it never stopped raining. I went to a store and asked what the locals wore, and they sold me some Mad Dog raingear. I wore it in Alaska on a trip where the rain never seemed to end, and I have worn it hunting in rainy weather, and it has performed flawlessly. Unlike other raingear, I don't sweat inside of this stuff, and it is quiet. I don't like hunting in the rain, but when it happens, I wear the Mad Dog, and it makes it somewhat more bearable.
Really depends on where you're at and what you're doing. I don't mind being wet if I'm walking around. Up in a tree I'd rather use my tree umbrella if it's pouring. That being said I do have Nat Gear rain pants and coat. Works good if I use it.
I have a set from Cabela's, but I seldom use it. I just don't hunt in the rain anymore. As a young guy, I hunted rain or shine, but as I started getting older, wet was just plain misery.
There is some good advice here already, but let me add to the mix some...
Most of my bowhunting is local. I hunt from a tree no more than a half hour from the house or car. I would bet most others here fit that same profile.
I don't bowhunt in driving rain, so the only rain I encounter is either getting caught in the rain, or knowing that a shower will be mild or brief and I want to be out there when it ends.
So long setup to say, don't buy rain gear. Save the money and instead invest in high-performance hunting clothes like Kuiu, Sitka, Predator, and such.
Why? The stuff is great for many hunting purposes AND you will be surprised how much water most of it will shed. It will definitely keep you dry-enough to safely return. It is what I use even knowing the rain is coming.
Don't get me wrong, if I hunted in Oregon, Alaska, etc. I would definitely have top notch rain gear with me. But that is not normal for most of us.
Just a thought...but don't underestimate how much water this high-performance stuff sheds.
I don't think anybody likes hunting in rain but sometimes you just get caught. I have a set of goretex, a set of frog togs and a poncho. The goretex is heavy and noisy, I relegated those to fishing in the rain, and carried my poncho on my last elk hunt. I was happy with that for the most part. But I fid not get caught in heavy rain so can't really say if it is the answer for sure. I also had gaiters to keep my pants legs dry from wet grass.
Wool :thumbsup:
I guess it would depend on the temperature: a few years ago I upgraded mine to Sitka Downpour stuff - I really like it but would not consider it packable for a day hunt. You can wear it all day but too bulky to put away.
Great info, gang. Yes....I knew there would be at least one person commenting on the wonders of wool (Thanks, Woodchucker!) ;)
I have also looked at Sitka gear, but DANG...they are kinda' proud of that stuff. I was sure if that multi-digit number was the price or a zip code!
I worked as a light commercial diver for many years, so I have had enough of being cold and wet....or even warm and wet (considering how I "warmed" the wet suit on occasion). Anyhow, my desire for decent raingear is to deal with unexpected rain on my one week a year in the mountains. It will not be a regular thing, but when it happens I want to feel prepared.
Thanks!
Kingsnake
Rivers West
I've used Cabelas MTO50 packable rain gear and it works well. It comes in scent lok if you want to spend more...I didn't.
Rain bibs work a lot better than rain pants. Get them at Cabela's. I have a Sitka gear rain jacket that is light, relatively quiet, and works really well. Very pricey but better than being cold and wet wearing a cheap rain jacket.
How about wool...
and an old military poncho, for downpours???
Light, durable, easy to pack, and handy!!! Just put it on, hunker down & wait it out..... :thumbsup:
I know how making a decision for one week a year can be tough. Then you really do not know how many times or how much rain you will get. I have had the same experience. I may have not made the best or most expensive decision but it worked. I bought uninsulated Gore-tex jacket and pants. Yes, I wanted to be dry but I also want to shed that stuff when rain stops.
If I new I was going to be wet most of the time I would look at the more expensive, lined rainwear mentioned already.
Light weight packable rainwear. I put an XL lightweight camo shirt (fleece) over the top.