Rain gear choices?
- Thread starter Suther
- Start date
I have Kuiu Chugach, impertech, viking, Sitka and some off brand stuff.
For stuffing in the pack I will take the kuiu every time.
For hunting coastal rainforest, Helly Hansen.
The other stuff is for keeping me dry while I’m butchering pigs
For stuffing in the pack I will take the kuiu every time.
For hunting coastal rainforest, Helly Hansen.
The other stuff is for keeping me dry while I’m butchering pigs
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VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I disagree - the idea of goretex is that it wicks water out from the body. That doesn't make any sense if you have a semi permeable membrane. Like grade 11 biology.
At least with wet from the inside I have options. I can control my activity level to help reduce sweating, and I can change my base layers if needed. Once my rain jacket starts leaking I have limited options other than changing my entire outfit if I want to be drier.
VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
See that's it exactly. If you have an impermeable outer layer, you can regulate your inner layers and activity to avoid sweating.
Does anyone have any experience with the Helly Hansen Abbotsford line? I went into Marks today on my lunch break to check out the Impertech jacket, and noticed this beside it.
https://www.marks.com/en/helly-hans...201.html#35201[color]=ORNGE&35201[length]=REG
The good part is its super light. Much lighter than the impertech stuff. However, its a very basic jacket - no zipper (snaps only), no pockets, no adjustment in the cuffs, no rear cape. On top of that, both pieces are the same price ($115). My biggest concern is durability - the Impertech is definitely a more heavy duty item, but at over $100 I'd think the Abbotsford shouldn't be too fragile?
https://www.marks.com/en/helly-hans...201.html#35201[color]=ORNGE&35201[length]=REG
The good part is its super light. Much lighter than the impertech stuff. However, its a very basic jacket - no zipper (snaps only), no pockets, no adjustment in the cuffs, no rear cape. On top of that, both pieces are the same price ($115). My biggest concern is durability - the Impertech is definitely a more heavy duty item, but at over $100 I'd think the Abbotsford shouldn't be too fragile?
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Yes, I have the green jacket and pants and they are awesome! Light, stretchy, easy to move in and seem to be durable. It packs down in your pack without taking up to much room. I would recommend them 100%.
Also made in Canada!!!!!!
Helly Hansen Workwear Men's Impertech Guide Long Fishing and Rain Coat
https://www.amazon.com/Helly-Hansen-Workwear-Impertech-Fishing/dp/B00JEXX93E/
We had two days of rain while canoeing the Yukon river .... that coat kept me dry ...
p.s.: Every GoreTex jacket that I tried so far ... worked for a year ... maybe 2 years ... after that they all leaked .... :-(
https://www.amazon.com/Helly-Hansen-Workwear-Impertech-Fishing/dp/B00JEXX93E/
We had two days of rain while canoeing the Yukon river .... that coat kept me dry ...
p.s.: Every GoreTex jacket that I tried so far ... worked for a year ... maybe 2 years ... after that they all leaked .... :-(
rommelrommel
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have an Arc'teryx Alpha jacket and Alpha LT pants in multicam.
If you want to be able to exert yourself at all you need goretex. If you can stand still or move very little then the solid rubber/plastic stuff makes sense. Goretex also usually packs better.
If you want to be able to exert yourself at all you need goretex. If you can stand still or move very little then the solid rubber/plastic stuff makes sense. Goretex also usually packs better.
And that stuff will keep you dry even in torrential downpours with pack straps pushing water through the material?
Gore-Tex is completely impermeable to water, it’s one of the best wader materials out there if not the best, find any pro fly fishing guide and he’s probably using Simms waders. That said, it’s not always the best choice nor is it built and/or applied the same when it comes to garment construction. If you’re stationary, a rubber setup will probably work better but if you’re moderately active you will appreciate the slight “breathability”. It also can’t be understated how a person needs to dress under their rain garments. Wear synthetics or merino wool, don’t over insulate and if possible open zippers to vent excess heat and sweat vapour. I keep my rain gear for when it’s really raining, failing that I wear soft shell materials or nylon because it’s very wind/water resistant and considerably more breathable for hunting or activity not to mention quieter.
Patrick
Patrick
I've been using Pioneer rain gear for many many years. Yes, it's cheap but this is the beauty of it. I can buy 4 sets for less than most other stuff and for me they last like crazy.
I only put them on for real rain situations (like west coast rain) and otherwise I just rely on the "waterproof" hunting clothes.
I wore my pioneer stuff for a week long trip on haida gwaii 3 or 4 years ago and hunted thru one of thier heavier storms that year..... nice n dry. Choosing appropriate base layers is a must though and I always carry 2 sets of the pants as they certainly get wet inside from condensation in a hurry if you are hiking in them.
I also find them perfect for throwing on over fleece for those days sitting on the ground or in the treestand, ambush hunting.
They are not very loud in the bush either and seem to get quieter when they are wet and the best of all , they roll down into very small packable size to easily fit in the recess of the day pack.
and did i mention they are cheap?
LOL
Helly hansen impertech is awesome stuff too. I have it for fishing the rivers in fall, steelhead in winter and for trips to the west coast fishing nootka. Too noisy for hunting for my liking.
I only put them on for real rain situations (like west coast rain) and otherwise I just rely on the "waterproof" hunting clothes.
I wore my pioneer stuff for a week long trip on haida gwaii 3 or 4 years ago and hunted thru one of thier heavier storms that year..... nice n dry. Choosing appropriate base layers is a must though and I always carry 2 sets of the pants as they certainly get wet inside from condensation in a hurry if you are hiking in them.
I also find them perfect for throwing on over fleece for those days sitting on the ground or in the treestand, ambush hunting.
They are not very loud in the bush either and seem to get quieter when they are wet and the best of all , they roll down into very small packable size to easily fit in the recess of the day pack.
and did i mention they are cheap?
LOL
Helly hansen impertech is awesome stuff too. I have it for fishing the rivers in fall, steelhead in winter and for trips to the west coast fishing nootka. Too noisy for hunting for my liking.
I’ve owned a bunch of kinds of Gortex shells and a couple of eVent items. IMO/E, the eVent is a far superior product, just harder to find and usually more expensive.
That said, I’ve been packing my HH Impertec jacket more and more. Super durable, totally waterproof and only slightly heavier.
That said, I’ve been packing my HH Impertec jacket more and more. Super durable, totally waterproof and only slightly heavier.
The one thing that really stood out to me with the impertech vs the Abbotsford was how durable the impertech felt. That extra weight though... Im a stickler for weight, it's the whole reason my cheap PVC stuff gets left in the car (and it's thin ish Coleman brand not that heavy duty work stuff).
rommelrommel
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I haven't had any issues. Usually the issue is that you don't have enough body heat to push your sweat out thru the gore-tex and it builds up inside. Or with straps the sweat can't be pushed out because the straps are blocking it.
There are dozens of different Gore-Tex fabrics, some are cheaper, some quite expensive.
