Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game windproof waterproof shell

What would a good brand waterproof windproof shell or over coat cost? Bottoms too

$200-$300 for the top shell, $500-$600 for the set.

Could you suggest a brand?

Hunting specific or all around?

Kuiu makes both camo and solids as does Sitka, both made offshore. Camo only, SKRE or First Lite, made offshore. If you want made in America, look at Forloh. Otherwise look at the more hiking/climbing oriented brands like Marmot or Arcteyryx.

On the cheap, Marmot precip, for breathability kryptek takur. The takur uses scholler fabric that is far superior to anything gore offers.

Man, I have lots of rain gear. It's lessons learned from my Army days while on FTX; if it's hot, you can take clothes off. Cold, add more. But once you get wet, it's over and you will be miserable.

I've tried and own lots of different brands; Arc'teryx, Kuiu, The North Face, UnderArmour, Helly Hansen, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Sitka - and that's just off the top of my head.

I'd say what I've worn most is Sitka Cloudburst, which I believe is discontinued. The pants in particular I wear the heck out of.

That said for hunting applications, Sitka would be my choice. There's lot of good Sitka Gear sales going on right now, so I'd decide how much I wanted to spend and shop accordingly.

Here's 2 good places to start your search:

https://www.eurooptic.com/sitka-closeouts.aspx?

https://mountain-archery.com/sitka-gear-sale-and-closeouts.aspx

For just dog walking or running around town I really like Sitka's Gravelly Shell and Nimbus jackets.

A lot depends on when and where you're hunting too. An Alaskan guide's choices will be different than a Midwest fellow who hunts 1 week a year in a box blind in a 3 acre woodlot.

I have a Kryptek Jupiter rain parka that I like, except for one issue - the sleeves should have been cut fuller to allow for heavier layering. I have found other brands to also have this problem.

US army issue goretex parka and pants. Water and wind proof, tough and vented the parka at least. Can find online

I saw some. I think I'm going to go that route.

Not light or packable but a great value and bulletproof. Lightweight, low cost alternative is the Marmot Precip.

State of the art is the Salomon S Lab Goretex Pro but serious $$$ and built for the hardcore user.


mike r

I've worn the following this year and it's been great. I've worn it in heavy downpours then removed it when the rain stopped and strapped it to my pack. In those cases I didn't wear a waterproof lower as I had rubber/neoprene boots on and only a small bit was exposed.

I have used it once with Lacrosse Grange Hip boot in a constant rain and it worked well as a pair....but I wasn't worried about the sweating then and sweating was a given with moving in that setup.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Sitka-Open-Country-Kodiak-Jacket-Optifade-Open-Country-50208-OB.aspx

Arc'teryx: ALPHA SV JACKET MEN'S
Our most durable GORE-TEX PRO alpine shell for severe (SV) conditions.

Out the door you can buy them for $650-$900 depending on if it's this year or last year's color and depending on your size.

I have hunted extreme weather in them and they work.

There are usually black or grey pant bottoms, either AR or SV for under $500 too.

Buy once, cry once. Arc'teryx replaced my jacket for free after 10 years of use.

Have you considered milsurp Gore-Tex?

I have bought new sets of the British desert DPM or German Flecktarn for under $100, but I don't know if they would meet your needs.

Best move is to get two jackets in the $100 range and double up. I wear an Eddie Beuer as a mid layer and a stormr as an outer. Shed the outer as needed.

TruSpec ECWCS H20 parka.

$109 or less.

Arc'teryx Alpha SV

Tag

I second the KUIU stuff wtih built-in stretch, it makes a huge difference if you're hiking or climbing. I wore a KUIU rain shell all season as it was comfortable, quite and lightweight. This is the one I recommend, they have pants too. https://www.kuiu.com/products/yukon-rain-jacket-verde-camouflage-2-0?variant=40340608843934

I very much like a bit of stretch in my waterproof clothing. Though only come in solids, I've been happy with the pieces from Outdoor Research. Jacket stretches a bit, has pitzips (deal breaker for me if it doesn't), and the hood fits great. Much less expensive than some others, but I've not found them wanting yet. Also had really good service for a number of years with a pair of rain pants from Red Ledge. These don't stretch, but they have full hip to ankle zippers which are very nice.

Not saying some of the other recommendations are better, but many of them are outside of what I'm willing to pay.

I use some surplus Goretex West German stuff. Well built and it works fine.

There are a hundred brands out there now to compete against Sitka,etc. I bought a jacket from Duckcamp and like it...

I have been running the German milsurp flecktarn goretex rain gear and I love it. I live in western Oregon and it rains allot. It's well built and keeps me dry, plus I really like the camo pattern.

I think I have found my extreme weather system figured out. The last two days have been brutal hunting. Single digit to low teens with 20+ miles an hour wind. I had five layers on the top. Two layer merino wool long john top, a wind proof shirt, two ragg wool sweaters. The one will zip up like a turtle neck, and for an outer layer carhartt extreme arctic bibs and a Filson double mac cruiser. The filson has a big collar that comes up pretty high. I was as warm as could be. The only problem was the outfit was pretty bulky. However, I wasn't moving around too much, so everything was fine.

I’ve been wearing this exact same WG Goretex since the mid 90’s in nasty hunting weather. It’s held up against devils thorn, ground nettles, sticker brush and everything else bad in between.

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Pretty nice outfit. Did you get it online?

Yes. It’s available from several retailers.

Don’t be fooled by its low cost - thinking junk.... It’s excellent gear.

German Flecktarn Rain Gear is your search.


https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1...vzV2B2nboaBQT44rleU7PsFfpgRoCvd0QAvD_BwE


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Mackey Sagebrush/Beaver10,
Hello.
How does the sizing on the German Flecktarn stuff run?

Beaver10,
I bought the rain pants you recommended, not sure of the name, look like desert storm color, cream/beige litle olive & little bit of brown? Really like them!

Mike, based on my size which is 5’9” 225lbs the XL pants work perfect over Merino leggings and hunting pants. Coat I wear a 2XL, but I base layer the shît on underneath. Merino top, hunting shirt, windproof vest, coat, then waterproof jacket.

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Just adding information on the German Surplus Flecktarn rain gear. The Germans use a different word or maybe manufacturing process for their version of Goretex....They call it Sympatex.

What ever it is, it works great at stopping driving rain through the body of the clothing. Seams on their military gear are taped. Long side leg zippers on the pants for on/off with boots are sweet.

The biggest advantage of their gear, aside from the price, is its durability. It’s tough! I’ve spent over $500 dollars on a lightweight Sitka rain jacket that when I opened the box, it was obvious it would be shredded in a day of hunting. I sent it right back.

I probably wouldn’t put out such a strong, positive review on a piece of gear, fearing it might become so popular, that if I needed to buy more, I’d have a difficult time finding it in stock....I don’t worry about it with this equipment. I’ve bought 3 pairs of the rain pants in over 20 years. I’m on my second pair with a new one still in the closet.

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Thanks Beav. Got a set of the pants ordered.

Thanks, Beaver10,

Went through my hunting stuff today, I've got 4 rain pants, I'll keep these in the old memory bank.

Mackay and Beaver,
I use the German Flecktarn pants all the time, great gear and cheap. I haven't been able to locate the corresponding jacket top that is also rain proof. The one I've found is 80% cotton.
Where did you find the rainproof top?
Dan

Type in German Flecktarn goretex jacket or parka. You can also use sympatex instead of goretex in searching being Sympatex is German equivalent to our Goretex.

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Says they are sold out, I got them to notify me when they are in stock.