Your best, most durable rain gear... bibs and coat/jacket

[SilverDollars]

Howdy,

Upon reflection of this past hunting season(s), what rain gear(bibs and coat/jacket) served you best(kept you dry), was most durable(did not tear, rip, etc.), and withstood your abuse during this past season? Could you wear the bibs every day if the weather required it? Was it worth what you paid for it?

Thanks !!!

[elkmtngear]

SLIP System. Rain gear becomes less important. Nothing will keep you drier.

Highly effective Decoy or blind when you need it as well. And a very good trekking pole.

[Indian Summer]

When it comes to rain gear it can't hurt to pay attention to what the people use in areas where it rains a lot, and their stuff gets abused. In Alaska & the Pacific Northwest the go to is Helly Hansen Impertech. HH makes no claims about breathability. It is a PVC raingear which is 100% waterproof. Fishermen use Helly Hansen as well but in a much heavier version. They also use Grundens which is also very heavy stuff. Impertech is light AND it stretches so mobility is pretty darn good. Very durable too. Any perspiration on the inside dries really fast in camp. If you are all about 100% dry and tough that's my pick.

I have Rivers West. I like it. Don't love it. You cannot wear it in all day downpours or every day. It is not breathable and you WILL sweat in it. Like with all of the softshell quiet type raingear materials moisture will eventually wick up the inside of the sleeves and leg cuffs. It takes really long to dry too once that happens. Since it is a fleece type shell it is the quietest I know of but once soaked gets fairly heavy.

Last year I worked in Wyoming for a little. There was a guy there who wore his Sitka raingear all day every day. It held up very well for him and kept him dry as well. I'm sure it was comfortable as they make stuff specifically for mobile mountain hunters. But we all know that even though it fit really well, the price tag probably didn't fit our budgets quite as comfortably.

When it comes time for a replacement... I'm sticking with the Helly Hansen Impertech. Pants, longer length parka, not the waist length jacket. As far as price... very reasonable. Cheaper than ALL of that high tech stuff with claims of keeping water out and letting perspiration out by breathing. Hogwash!

[ctdad]

I have rivers west but the stuff I have is very heavy dry and an anchor when wet. I'd sell it, cheap.

This year I used core4element torrent rain pants. We had rain, snow and a lot of morning dew and my legs and feet stayed perfectly dry (hanwag boots). I was very happy with these pants. I did tear a small 1/2 inch hole on some brush up near my hip. Considering the brush busting I did, that was pretty minimal. I bought them for about $90 on camofire. I bought the matching jacket a couple weeks ago to go with it. They are very lightweight so I carry them in my daypack just in case. I really don't know how durable they will be long term. I've worn them about 9 days so far. But, if they continue to keep me perfectly dry in the mountains, I'll replace them every few years.