Clothing Question

I prefer wool on top of either a wool or synthetic base, packing additional layers and purpose-built rain gear. This the East, though, where the hikes are shorter and the mountains are more like hills. I suspect I would probably die using my gear on a sheep hunt.
 
Goretex is not supposed to literally breathe, just to allow water vapour to pass through from the inside to the outside. It's not perfect doing that, but it sure as heck beats any other waterproof material I've ever tried. Well, except for the clones of the same membrane, all of which seem to work about as well. A lot depends on how the garment itself is constructed around the gore material, single, double, and triple layers are all possible- in decreasing order of 'breathability.' Then there are the pit zippers and so on that I mentioned previously; you have to pay attention and work them. Patagonia, to name one company, has always been very good at making membrane garments for different conditions and levels of activity and, just as importantly, identifying what that level is. What I'm saying is that if you don't find that goretex type materials work, you may not be using them right. Overdressing underneath is a big no-no. And bottom line, I've been up in the hills in cold, soaking rains and sleets when I couldn't help but getting soaked from sweat on the inside, but the knowledge that the rain itself would be far worse kept me happy. That, and the knowledge that I had at least one dry base layer to put on after the exertion was over.
 
I have been using Gortex clothing and similar coating's since the early 80's. It is definitely not all what it's cracked up to be. From experience I have learned, you must keep it clean, and the water resistant coating must be kept up and active by reapplying to help prevent the fabric from wetting out in the rain which will prevent the goretex from letting water vapor (sweat) from passing through it.

Also you can push water through goretex at or above 70 Ib. per sq in. So if your kneeling or sitting on wet surface's and your undies are getting wet this is why. Gore themselves admitted this to me when I complained to them. I have taken brand new Cabelas pants out the pkge put them on and walked through tall wet grass and got wet knees. The same with footwear, I refuse to depend on Goretex footwear to keep my feet dry, because very simply, it doesn't, every pair I have ever owned has leaked.

Gore simply supplies the membrane for various fabrics to which it is applied to. Different fabrics also have different breathability rates when the goretex is laminated to it. So layering underneath with moisture wicking high tech (expensive) underwear plus the appropriate fleece weight for the outdoor temp and activity is also a must. Controlling your body temp by opening pit zips etc. etc. is also a must. Like previously mentioned to have to keep on the verge of cold to keep dry on the inside.

I swear there is different grades of Goretex and the grades they supply for hunting clothes is the poorest grade and quality. This what I base this opinion on. I was an avid skier and ski instructor for many, many years and skied in every imaginable winter weather condition. I had a suit of "Lowe" gortex expedition grade mountain ski wear that performed flawlessly. I used it for skiing and never got wet in it from the inside or out. I have had several other suits of very expensive expedition grade ski wear that also has performed very well. Have also had some cheap goretex ski wear that was terrible and comparable to hunting clothing
I have never had any of my goretex hunting outfits perform anywhere near as well as my ski clothing. So I swear the goretex type clothes they manufacture for hunters is just camouflaged garbage that you pay top dollar for. They get away with it because guys are used to getting wet while hunting, don't know the clothing is failing them miserably, and don't complain enough.

Goretx clothing is still a lot better than wearing cotton blue jeans. And one of my hunting coats is gortex, the other is made by "Rivers West" which is water proof but not breathable. But there is something to be said, and a lot of practical merit to good old fashioned wool and a good pair of rubber boots.
 
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I'd buy "Worsterlon" before merino (or any other wool for that matter) ...its tough, dries much quicker than wool and is warm when wet. Cabela's will occasionally sell shirts of this fabric - they get bought up quick by folks that have used them.
 
AP, I agree I have two of Cabelas "Worsterlon" blaze shirts. They are warm, wear like steel, they don't wrinkle, and you can get them soaked in blood not wash it for a week or two and when you do it comes out looking like new.
 
AP, I agree I have two of Cabelas "Worsterlon" blaze shirts. They are warm, wear like steel, they don't wrinkle, and you can get them soaked in blood not wash it for a week or two and when you do it comes out looking like new.
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Absolutely!!

I've got silk dress shirts tailor made on Saville Row and cotton "T" shirts from KMart ... but for my money the best value I ever found are the worsterlon. The first Worsterlon shirts I purchased came from Remington Arms... I honestly believe it would take about a 100lb pull (probably more) to yank a button off those shirts. I think I have about 6/8 Cabella's Worsterlon shirts and 4 of the older Remington ... in different colours and patterns. Its just hard to convince folks how good they are .. until they try them themselves. For hunting I like the heavyweight versions.
 
I splurged and bought a pair of expensive Underarmour boots (most expensive footwear I ever bought). They are all gortex and made pretty well. The gortex was pretty amazing. Totally water proof, warm in the winter, and fairly cool in the summer. Definitely breathable even with heavy socks. So I'd say Gortex based on my limited experience. Also someone mentioned zippered arm pits and vents. This is a must with motorcycle summer gear, I'd bet it would work well for hiking in the rain too.

On a side note I put those boots through 2 years of construction hell and they finally gave up the waterproof part. Surprisingly still comfortable though. Under Armour replaced them for free (lifetime warranty) and they were really cool about it so Props to them if you need good footwear.
 
If your Gore-Tex is leaking send it back. I've used it exclusively for 23yrs only one instance did I get wet, I phoned Gore I sent it back to them they gave me the replacement jacket of my choice.

It won't stop you from sweating and for godsake layer properly.

My favorite jacket is a three ply Gore with pit zips. Got to have the pit zips for hiking in and out.
 
Magellann said:
Ive had no luck with Gortex, I have a pair of rain pants that I use on my bike, if I'm in heavy rain it still soaks through after a few minutes. Two fellas at the camp had Gortex boots and their feet still got wet.
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All my gear is GORE-TEX it's expensive but well worth the money no more rain gear to carry. Jacket and pants are KLIM, boots are Sidi adventure gore tex. The thing is with gore tex products is they are garinteed not to leak.
 
Limey57 said:
All my gear is GORE-TEX it's expensive but well worth the money no more rain gear to carry. Jacket and pants are KLIM, boots are Sidi adventure gore tex. The thing is with gore tex products is they are garinteed not to leak.
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Maybe different brands with different ideas of quality..
 
Years ago when I started buying Goretex hunting clothes, I bought a lot of it from Cabelas. I sent a lot of back as it leaked, pants, coats, gloves. They where always very good and sent out replacements with no questions asked. Trouble was the replacement stuff leaked just as bad as the original.
I definitely think in the early years there was a manufactures learning curve on how to properly manufacture a goretex garment. But I as I stated in my previous post in my experience there is definitely different levels of goretex quality. And hunting clothing in my experience seems to sorely lack good quality. As hunters it is simple we want to keep dry. We want to walk through water, stand in water and keep dry feet. Sit on wet logs and kneel on wet ground and not get a wet butt and knees. Walk through wet bush and hunt for hours in the rain and not get soaked. The goretex hunting clothes I have had over the years at times would start out fine but within a short time leaked.
Maybe the stuff the manufacturing these days for hunters is really good quality stuff but I am not spending anymore money on the stuff to find out. I have been disappointed to many times.
 
I've worn pretty well everything under the sun over the years. Yes, you need proper base layers and there's lots of info on the net. I've worn synthetics for quite some time and am looking at updating with merino wool. But, I have never found anything that works better as an outer shell to keep you dry and provide some level of breathability than Goretex. There is definitely different grades out there. I bought a hight quality camo Goretex jacket and pants from Cabelas 10 years ago and it's still going strong. I've sat at watches for hours in the rain and never got wet. Was it expensive? It probably was, but I can't remember now. It works and that's the whole point. Scrimp on it and you will regret it every time and wish you spent the extra $100.

As far as boots go, I've had 3 pairs of goretex boots of the years and all of them have been great. I don't what you guys are buying out here that seem to leak so quickly, but mine have been bullet proof when it comes to keeping the water out and keeping my feet from sweating. I have feet that sweat with little effort, but I've worn my Rocky's all day on hot summer days and my feet stay dry and comfortable. I also have a pair of Irish Setters with some thinsulate and they are my go to hunting boots. Dry as a bone and feet are comfortable all day.
 
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