Rain gear.

Dogleg

Dogleg

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Where dem buffalo roam.
What rain gear do you have luck with. Normally if it rains in a big game season I'm fine with going home, but I do understand that things are different in BC where its either raining or about to rain.

I've got some Cabelas Dry Plus stuff that I've picked up over the last few years and never used. Is it any good? Its pouring fairly good right now I put it all on and stood under a corner of the house where the eves trough runs over; nicely simulating standing under an eves trough. Carefully calculating how long it would take the cops to get there I left and walked around in the rain for awhile trying to get sweated up. That gets boring pretty fast too, so there's got to be a better way.

If any of you wet coast guys have any favorites that stand out from the rest? Ideally something that doesn't cost 1000 bucks. Alternately, if someone wants to stand under my eves trough all day and tell me how it turns out that works too.;)
 
I have Dry Plus waterfowling and other hunting gear here in BC. It leaks.

I use dark green heavy Helley Hansen gear to really stay dry in a duck blind.

Lightweight light green Helley Hansen pants and top for big game hunting.
 
I have had better luck with gore tex than with dry plus. My old 10x goretex has done very well for several years, in some pretty heavy down pours in the mountains, but I was less than impressed with a dry plus jacket that was almost brand new.
 
I've got Helly Hanson stuff from working the rigs. Eventually what I find is that I get just as wet from the inside as I got from the rain when I'm active. Sitting still would likely be better.

MD said:
I have Dry Plus waterfowling and other hunting gear here in BC. It leaks.

I use dark green heavy Helley Hansen gear to really stay dry in a duck blind.

Lightweight light green Helley Hansen pants and top for big game hunting.
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geologist said:
It depends on the terrain, activity level, intensity of rainfall. I have different raingear for different settings.
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It would be between Kitimat and the coast in September. Activity would vary from riding around in a boat in the rain, standing in the rain, walking in the rain and if my prior luck holds, wishing it would quit raining.
 
Dogleg said:
It would be between Kitimat and the coast in September. Activity would vary from riding around in a boat in the rain, standing in the rain, walking in the rain and if my prior luck holds, wishing it would quit raining.
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Since your activity level will be low and the rain will probably be heavy i'd go for a set of waterproofs that would still be flexible at the temperatures you're expecting (0-10C?).

I've had good luck with good quality PVC coated nylon gear from Helly Hansen or Viking as they are waterproof and durable and are still flexible at low temperatures. Size them so that you can fit some middleweight fleece under them. These are fairly cheap as raingear goes so I like to keep a full set rolled up in my gear if weight is not a consideration.

If your activity levels are actually more moderate (walking, hiking, stalking) then I'd go with a breathable water resistant system. if you need to be quiet then a 2 ply hunting system with camo exterior layer. If noise is not a problem them a good quality well taped (seams) 3 ply Gore-tex or other breathable membrane system.
 
I just have a light Browning green color rain jacket. If I'm out hunting, I do what the OP does! If I'm on the boat, only my pants get wet! If I'm loading grain, I speed up the auger and git-r-dun and close the trap! The only other rain suit around is a very heavy duty looking 2 pc rain suit and I don't even what size it is or if it even fits me! Oh yeah, it's yellow, not my color!
 
I use the Helly Hansen stretchy green stuff, nothing else is as durable and no breathable fabric says waterproof after a full day downpour. My main tip is to avoid any elastic waist pants, use bibs that fit a little loosely. Bibs allow air slow up the legs and out the top, essential if you don't want to get wet from the inside from sweat.
 
A friend who happens to be one of those pro-staffing fellers has offered to set me up with Sitka gear, so I guess the problem is solved.

I'm still interested in what people like though, and perhaps more importantly what they hate. When people spend their money some feel like they need to defend their choice. When they spend their money and they are admitting their mistake its almost more telling. Or to put it another way, if 3/4s of the buyers like something it means little since 1/4 hate it.
 
I am not from the wet coast, but having spent many a day chasing waterfowl as New Brunswick gets hammered by the remnants of a hurricane or tropical storm, I have adopted the Helly Hansens for my extremely foul weather gear. Every breathable material rain wear I have used has leaked when exposed to an all day down pour. Good base and mid layers go a long way towards making them more comfortable and keeping me from being soaked in my own sweat if I have to be active.
 
Dogleg said:
A friend who happens to be one of those pro-staffing fellers has offered to set me up with Sitka gear, so I guess the problem is solved.
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For Sitka, get at least one size bigger than you normally get, as I suspect this will be ordered from the US, so you won't get to try it on first. Sitka is pretty good quality wise, but it's not overly warm and designed for active hunting, hence the athletic fit.

I've had pretty good luck with the Cabela's Alaskan Guidewear bibs and jacket (Gore-Tex), so long as I wash it somewhat regularly and treat it with Revivex or Nikwax. It's a pretty tough material. I think they come in camo now too.
 
Dogleg said:
A friend who happens to be one of those pro-staffing fellers has offered to set me up with Sitka gear, so I guess the problem is solved.

I'm still interested in what people like though, and perhaps more importantly what they hate. When people spend their money some feel like they need to defend their choice. When they spend their money and they are admitting their mistake its almost more telling. Or to put it another way, if 3/4s of the buyers like something it means little since 1/4 hate it.
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Lucky on the Sitka gear. I have no experience with their waterproof/breathable hunting wear, its priced out of my range, but I do like their camo patterns.

I've come to accept that if I go out in the rain I am going to get wet. The gear I wear manages to slow down the process. I've got 4 sets of waterproof/breathable camo hunting wear. All of it is unlined because layering is the trick to keeping an even temperature.
-The oldest is a Gortex set by Browning. Keeps me mostly dry, the zipper is a weak spot, but it is a noisy cordura type of material. Very sturdy and withstands the brambles easily, but not great for still hunting.
-Another set of Browning gear, their HMX waterproof/breathable material. It is very soft and quiet and seems resistant to getting snagged and pulled. Good waterproofing and lots of pockets in all the right places.
-a set of GSX Gortex. Very waterproof, probably the best I have. Soft and quiet material, very durable. Lots of pockets in all the right places.
-a set of Mad Dog Carnivore. Soft quiet material that is very light but gets easily snagged and pulled by brambles. Good in a light mist, not much more. But it was very inexpensive.
 
Not sure how familiar you are with the Skeena Valley. There are almost constant winds in some of the places you will be going along the river. Prepare for that and also when the wind quits and sun is out it can heat up in a hurry. The no-see-ums can be wicked, bring the good stuff. With any luck you will arrive during a dry spell and you will see that part of BC at its prettiest. Good luck.
 
Go buy yourself the Sitka cloud burst rainwear. The BC mtns will shred most raingear. The only stuff Ive had last was the Sitka stuff. Its gortex lined so its breaths great and its actually 100% waterproof. My first goat hunt, my cabelas brand rain gear lasted a total of about 45 minutes before it was shredded. Ive never damaged my Sitka gear yet and Ive had it for a few years and about 10 multi day sheep hunts. Stay away from helly hanson for mtn hunting, you will likely be wetter underneath it than if you had just not wore it.
 
If you keep an eye out on ebay for surplus APECS (All Purpose Environmental Clothing System) you can get quality clothing at reasonable prices. Gortex, lots of pockets, pit zips, and a few other good features. The biggest drawback is noise. It isn't something you would want to do a lot of stalking in. I think I paid 80 bucks for the jacket and 45 bucks for the pants (both "as new") back when the dollar was at par. Most of it goes for $130-200/piece but deals can be found.
 
If it gets real bad it's nice to have something to get under and wait it out, either trees or a pancho etc.... otherwise good wool outerwear is what I look for.
Not easy to find and try for size locally.

Some times chilling in camp is a smarter move..... even the worst weather tends to break at some point.... :)
 
Tried A LOT of name-brand Gore Tex over the years, but didn't have much success until Arc'teryx. Pricey, but cannot be beat.

Like others have said, go with bibs instead of the pants.
 
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