Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Packable Raingear

I’m looking for a good set of packable raingear for a wilderness hunt this fall. I have a set I bought from Cabela’s that is OK if it’s sprinkling but forget it in a steady rain. Any recommendations?

I really like my HH Extreme WW rain jacket for a real downpour. Doesn’t breathe well, but keeps rain out, and is quite durable.

I've had good luck with Arc'teryx, but boy howdy it is expensive...

Link?

They’ve got tons of different models and I can’t find one identified as “Extreme”.

Thanks.

If it's gonna be wet, just get PVC coated nylon. Gore tex and the like will fail if it's wet enough. Lots of manufacturers.

Helly Imperitech
Gage
Rothsco

Not the lightest, will not breath, but will not let water in either.

Impertech. Similar to this one, except that mine is the first gen, and this is version II:

https://www.amazon.com/Helly-Hansen-Workwear-Impertech-Fishing/dp/B00JEXWH14

I’ll second that. Not sure about the second generation, but other than the lack of breathability (which is natural with this kind of rain ware), the only issue to consider is that it is not as tough as the heavier models.

PS, I was in Calgary last week Jordan and it was cold as HELL! <grin>

Sounds like you came through during one of the nice weeks. A couple of weeks ago it was much colder than hell.

WRT the toughness of the Impertech, I wore mine for a residential siding job a couple of years ago, and as I was walking through a tight walkway, I snagged a sharp piece of metal flashing with my jacket, hard enough that it jerked my whole body backwards. I thought for sure I had torn my Impertech, but despite close examination, I couldn't find a single tear or hole. The bloody stuff is stretchy and durable, way more so than typical backpacking shells, at least.

Thanks for the link Jordan.

I have the FL Vapor Stormlight jacket and Boundary Stormtight pants. In 5 days of rain/sleet/snow elk hunting this year they kept me dry. The jacket packs down to almost nothing, but if you're in heavy brush I'd question it's durability. The pants down don't pack down quite as small but they are light, durable and easy to get on/off with the full-length leg zippers.

I wasn't thinking of PVC/Nylon but if it works, it works. I appreciate the input. Keep it coming. I'd like a lightweight suit but if it's not feasible or 4X cost then maybe the PVC/Nylon is the way to go.

Any consideration for the US MIL issued raingear? Kinda heavy and sturdy as hell, it can be found new.

FWIW, I much prefer the lightweight, stretchy, packable PU coated polyester over the heavy, rigid PVC found in most regular yellow rain coats.

In light moisture, I like a softshell like the Kuiu Guide jacket, but if it bad enough for me to need a waterproof shell, I want it to be really waterproof, not just DWR coated, water-resistant material.

Agreed. I'm going to be wearing Gore-Tex outerwear.

Kind of forgot I have a set of Columbia PVC/Nylon rain gear in my closet that I bought on a fishing trip probably 15 years ago. It seems kind of cheap and heavy but not as heavy as the old school yellow Helly Hansen rain gear. I'd like something better than the Columbia set. What retailers carry the Helly and Grundens Gage gear? It would be nice to look at it rather than order it online to see if I like it.

Around here Mark’s Work Warehouse carries the HH Workwear stuff.

I like HH to truly keep yourself dry in true wet environments.

Good to know. I will have to look into this.

I love lightweight gear, but I have never found a lightweight jacket that keeps you dry regardless of how many days it rains.

I spoke to a customer service guy at HH today. Had a hard time understanding him but it turns out the Impertech line has been discontinued. Still available on amazon and a couple other online retailers. The stores around me only carry the HH clothing.

How about a combination rain gear and improvised blind?

Jordan,

You’re ever so correct about the Impertech toughness and I should have been more articulate. I was really comparing the Impertech to some of the much heavier PVC rainwear, you know, like the Peter Storm stuff or even the heavier HH stuff.