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.