Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Some Alaska pics and gear thoughts....

For those having issues with their Gore-Tex garments no longer shedding water, hit it with some Revivex and throw it in the dryer and it will be like new again. It worked great on my Klim sledding gear, it was like having new gear again after using it last season.

C'mon Chip, take one for the team!

Tanner

Tanner,
I would but I don't have a hunt coming where I will probably even need rain gear! It's so dry here the tree's are chasing the dogs...

Tanner, hows the fit on the Westcomb. Was there plenty of room to layer?Did you order a size up or go with your normal size.

I picked up a Rab eVent jacket a couple of years ago and I like the eVent works well but the jacket was cut very slim so I can't layer well under it. It makes for a good summer jacket so I still use it but would like an eVent jacket for hunting.Oh and I'm not a big guy either.

Thanks

trapperJ,

I normally purchase Large jackets, but like you, I anticipated layering quite a bit underneath the Westcomb (mainly when sitting stationary, glassing and such) so I went with the XL instead. I'm 6' and 170lbs, and the XL fits perfectly even with a First Lite puffy and other layers underneath.

Tanner

Thanks for the feedback Tanner. Might have to pick one up and put it to the test before next sheep season. I live in one of the best rain gear testing locations in AK!

What are you all using for rain pants?

Eric

Eric,

I use Kuiu Chugach, but I know Luke is using Marmot Precips this year at least. Pants need to be semi disposable in my opinion, as odd as it sounds. At least out there, they simply don't last very long.

Westcomb does have some pants out there but I can rarely find them, and they lack a full length zipper which is a deal breaker for me.

Tanner

Tanner, been wondering when you would surface..

Toad of a Ram in that first pic, Length?

BTW, you're truly killing me here.

I can relate to the Pinnacle review, other than AK, no thanks.

More pics dude.

I used precips during the epic rains we had here last September, I really liked 'em.

Tanner, do you guys use gaiters up there?

gaiters.

Well, he's wearing them in almost every picture.....

Well, what do you know. Been a couple weeks since I looked at those, didn't want to look at his ugly mug twice......

What brand, Tanner?

Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles. The bottom straps lasted about 10 days and paracord got me through the rest of the season. Still the best option out there.

Tanner

That's the Achilles Heel of gaiters, the bottom straps. No pun intended.

A suggestion to extend the life of gaiter straps.Cut pieces of 1/2" tubular webbing and slide over straps. 2' of tubing will get you through a 30 day expedition even w/ lots of rocky ground.

I agree w/ Tanner that rain pants must have full length zippers. I too buy whatever is on sale and consider them semi-disposable. There used to be a company called Sequel that made a truly bombproof set of bibs but I have seen nothing to compare since they went out of business. US.made.

mike r

Thanks, Tanner! Your gear feedback is great stuff!

Eric

Double layer of duct tape helps gaiter straps as well. Shale chews them up pretty good.

Thanks I missed the LT somehow. I've been looking for an eVent jacket for a 5-6 day Cottonwood trail hike in Kluane next year. Found the LT on a prety good sale so I'll try one out and see how it compares for my current Pack-Lite jacket.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/yt/kluane/activ/1/a.aspx

Still looking for an eVent jacket for the wife.

Wild Things looks like a lot of jacket for the $ compared to Sitka etc. I hunt timber so I'm looking more for quiet in hunting gear. Quiet, waterproof and reasonably priced are a hard combo to find. My Cabela's stuff is working suprisingly well.

http://www.wildthingsgear.com/colle.../products/military-hard-shell-jacket-so1


Here's a good article about breathable fabrics.


http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hardshell-Jacket-Reviews/buying-advice

Midway has Sitka Stormfront (solid color) on sale so I pulled the trigger. Total was $600 for jacket and pants. They'll get put to a good test on the OR coast hunting blacktail.

The breathable membrane technology seems to be constantly changing. Gore-tex, PolarTec, eVent, not to mention all the in-house proprietary stuff that each apparel company uses. Its hard to keep up. The stuff in the Stormfront isn't the same as the last jacket I bought with WL Gore.

Lots of good reviews on the Stormfront in non-stop rain and brush at Rokslide and other sites. Not sure about the pants though... they seem like they'll be loud. Almost went with the Koldo instead.

We'll see how it does.

tkinak,
Thanks for the 'outdoor gear lab' link. I suspect some of the problems written about here are the result of users not fully understanding the 'maintenance' needed for their rain gear. I know I learned a lot from the article and have bookmarked it.