Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Cost Effective Rain Gear???

I need some recommendations, please. I'm going buy new rain gear for an elk and mule deer hunt I'm going on in September. I need it to be un-insulated and not too hot, plus it's got to be pretty quiet. When I say quiet, I mean that I don't want it to be crinkling and crackling (like Frog-Togs) when I move and I don't want it making a bunch of noise when it rubs against some brush or I walk through sage or high grass. And I don't want to spend over about 300 bucks total for a parka or jacket, plus pants or bibs. What do y'all recommend?

I don't really like rain gear with Gore-Tex because I've always sweated like a whore in church wearing anything with Gore-Tex and in less than an hour I'm just as wet as if I didn't have on ANY rain gear.

I'm headed to northwest Wyoming the last week of September for a combo elk and mule deer hunt. We'll be packing in on horses and hunting in Areas 84 and 86 on a general tag. I'm not very familiar with this area, but have been told to bring some decent rain gear.

Thanks in advance.

Tim

Try kuiu.com. Very high quality.

I've been using Mad Dog rain gear for several years and it has proven to be waterproof and quiet. I found mine at one of the big outdoors stores on a clearance rack and paid around $40-$45 for both the pants and jacket. It has been money well spent.

Gore-Tex is used in some of the best gear. There are many price points. Don't cheap out.

And what you wear for underwear and under layers is just as important as the outer shell. Once you have sweat-soaked cotton jeans you're finished.

One of my favorites is a Patagonia wading shell.

Not recommended for long wear but I carry a heavy-duty trash bag in my pack. With judicial use of a blade it serves as emergency wet weather gear, shelter, ground cover when taking an animal apart and other purposes.

While the original poster was probably not thinking about a trash bag for emergency use, this is a really good idea. Cheap, light, multi-purpose..... I shall carry one henceforth.

Peter Kummerfeldt has pro creditials for recommending survival gear. His choice for quick shelter from the rain is a heavy-duty trash bag.

Look for a 4 mil or thicker, 38"x65" bag. Make it blue or orange color (both colors are easy to find by searchers).

IMPORTANT TIP: DON'T cut a hole in the top of the bag for your head - that will leave your head unprotected and leak water down your back. Make your hole in the side near the top, so when you put it on it's like a hoodie, with only your face exposed. Arms are inside the bag, and if you need your legs covered, just sit down. They are also generally large enough to cover your backpack, also.

Good tip on placement of the hole. Have never actually used it for rain gear..Also excellent tip on color - I've just grabbed whatever we had on hand, will make sure to get some of the orange ones.

Cabelas has these on sale for under $40 (depending on color): COLUMBIA RAIN JACKET Does anyone know if they're worth anything?

We have several Columbia rain jackets of different vintages, and all of them would make too much noise to hunt in. If that one is really made with a breathable fabric, it may be a different breed of cat.

I'd agree on the Columbia, way more noise than you want. Columbia is generally tourist gear, lightweight, and better suited in the park than woods.

Pretty sure I have that same jacket in the pocket behind the seat in the truck, it would not make a good hunting jacket, unless it was a dire emergency.

They've done some good progress on their outdoor hunting line, but it's still pretty basic and the fabrics seem to come from the commercial side. JMHO.

I've had good results with the Kings Outdoor XKG line, their rain set is reasonably quiet, I stayed mostly dry, and didn't seen too bad for the price.

How much could it possibly rain in September in NE Wyo? Lightweight wool or cheap Wally World fleece would work fine.

I prefer wool. Layer.

Two feet? (But they don't call it rain.)

A little warmer would be maybe 2 inches.

+1 wool

Seriously, what will he save by wearing a trash bag? Those must make a racket in the rain. Come on you guys!

If you can't afford new, buy used. If you can't afford used, buy stained used. Most of my gear I purchase pre-owned/like new.

Trash bags are well known as survival gear but not for hunting or general wear. 2 of them can save your life. Use one over the head as noted and pull the other over your legs. Staying dry is a major part of survival.

I'd look at Helly Hansen impertech.

Not sure I'd recommend Impertech if one of the main requirements is "not too hot".

Cabelas's Rain Suede wouldn't get an A rating from me but it's a reasonably affordable option to staying reasonably dry.

Top of the line " Frog Toggs". Several price points but the top line will give you 4-5 years use for about 45-50$ ea per top & bottom.

Camp Dry or 3M silicone spray

It flat turns anything into a rain proof garment

I spray my chore clothing 2X a year and my Cotton Carharts will shed water like a duck