rain ware for backpacking

[knobby]

Has anyone used the Cabela's "Space Rain" Ultra Pack rain jacket? I tried it on at the store and it's amazingly light weight and packs away into a small pouch. If it's durable, it has to be great for backpacking hunts. Or is it just over-priced and no better than those $1 ponchos from a discount store?
I'm leaving for Colorado in a couple weeks and am pretty well ready, but the "Space Rain" jacket, if trustworthy, would be a weight/space savings that I couldn't ignore.  
Thanks.

[LB_hntr]

Light weight and durable and quiet are a tough combindation to get in the same package when it comes to rain gear.
I have had the best luch with the gander mountain h2o pight weight packable gear. Its quiet and ultra compact. plus it has held up better than most others that i have tried. It can still rip and my pants have 3 holes in the legs from sticks but duck tape will stick and hole the holes closed. I have been using them with duck tape for a couple years and the ducktape holds up well.
So far these have been the best light weight raingear combo i have tried. and they are not very expensive. I have not tried all the options out there.but i have used saddle cloth, browning gortex light weight stuff, redhead stormtex, and a few others. I like the gander mtn stuff best so far.

Cant help on the space rain gear as i never tried it. I never handled it in person.

[azhunter]

I really like the space rain and they always stay in my pack.  The only problem I have had was when I was hunting where there was a lot of catclaw. Got a few small tear in the lower pant leg. I have had mine for several years and highly recommend them. I think they hold up well for such a lightweight set. They will not be as durable as a heavyweight rain suit though.

[J.T.]

Love my space rain

[Beanbag]

Have been using it for years, a little pricey but works well.Like anything else light weight you can not abuse it.

[ALwoodsman]

I have the pullover and highly recomend it as lightweight raingear for backpacking.  I was just thinking about getting the pants to go with it.  I think for the thickness and weight that it is durable.  I would not want to wear it in heavy brush with briars and thorns.

[knobby]

Thanks, all. I'm looking at the jacket only, as I have a heavier pair of rain pants that shouldn't get shredded by the brush.

[hawkeye n pa]

Agree with others Cabela's space rain gear is great. Its one of the best I've ever wore and I'm on my second set.

Won't hold up in the briars though.  And it "wicks" very little.  Which is the biggest problem with most of the rain wear.

[HighTecRedNeck]

Originally posted by LB_hntr:
Light weight and durable and quiet are a tough combindation to get in the same package when it comes to rain gear.
I have had the best luch with the gander mountain h2o pight weight packable gear. Its quiet and ultra compact. plus it has held up better than most others that i have tried. It can still rip and my pants have 3 holes in the legs from sticks but duck tape will stick and hole the holes closed. I have been using them with duck tape for a couple years and the ducktape holds up well.
So far these have been the best light weight raingear combo i have tried. and they are not very expensive. I have not tried all the options out there.but i have used saddle cloth, browning gortex light weight stuff, redhead stormtex, and a few others. I like the gander mtn stuff best so far.

Cant help on the space rain gear as i never tried it. I never handled it in person.

X2 on the gander mountain h2o

Down here archery season is still the rain season. Mine gets used every trip as it rains almost every day at 6 pm

[dino]

I've used the cabelas pack able rain gear and it is pretty good. I've had it from BC to alaska to Idaho over many years and works well the pants I've been through a couple pairs.  Watch for sticks, dead falls and such. I've poked some holes not being careful.  Not the most durable but they serve the purpose very well if some care is taken. Dino

[ELKDUDE07]

Love mine, used thru several seasons and it has served me well.

[BearCrkBandit]

Your rain gear needs really depend on where you'll be using it. Most of the "packable" stuff is the "breathable" type, and at least here in Alaska is a NO-GO for me. I've used it before, and eventually it gets saturated and is no good. Breathable or the lightweight packable stuff generally is not actually waterproof, and it does fine when you can dry it out frequently, but when it fails will be when you desperately need it. After 9 years of sheep hunting, I only use pvc or rubber type rain gear like HH impertech, it's reasonably light, and although hot, as a general rule, I will get just as wet from sweat when hiking in rain gear as from the rain, so I either hike without it or hole up for awhile

[Hummer3T]

I have had for about 5-6 years, very durable two mountain goat hunts, 4 mountains, worn in heavy brush elk hunting, light weight packable, breathable, great product. consider a size bigger to go over clothes.

Love mine.

[Whip]

I bought a set and just returned from a hunt where I used it for the first time.  Only needed it one afternoon, and it did fine in keeping me dry, although it did seem like it didn't breath very well when I hiked with it on.  That is not unexpected with just about any rain gear.

For western hunts where rain is often a fairly short lived experience, I like it.  Small and light enough to always have in your pack.  For hiking all day in a longer duration rain, I like my Peter Storm better, but that is not backpack gear.  

Good luck on the hunt Gary!

[knobby]

Thanks for the help, guys. I pulled the trigger on purchasing the jacket tonight. It'll be a significant size/weight savings compared to my other rain jacket. ( I was told that line of raingear is being discontinued, so it's on sale right now if anyone needs it.)

Joe, thanks and good luck to you, also. By the way, nice story in the magazine.