I'm looking for some packable rain gear. I know that Kuiu and Sitka make good stuff, but what is everyone else using?

Cabelas - MT50, Rain Suede, Space Rain, RedHead, etc.??

I need it for the lower 48. After the reviews online, it seems you need Helly Hanson or Sitka to hunt in Alaska for the toughness.

I use a military poncho...rolls up small enough to put in a magazine pocket on my vest.

I still have a couple of ponchos that I have on loan from the Marine Corps, but now I hunt in box blinds on rainy days (and sunny days and windy days, etc.) Yes, I'm into comfort, swivel chairs, windows, roof, heaters, and such. Hunting doesn't need to be an endurance contest for me anymore. I got that t shirt many years ago and now I just enjoy (in comfort, with coffee).

How durable do you need? And breathable.

Cabelas packable stuff is great for the price and packability but tears easy.


As far as truely breathable there is much better stuff on the market then goretex....such as evant, toray, omni dry.

Kuiu's is probably the best as far as all around, second would be Columbia omnidry and then budget cabelas packlite, and frogtoggs

we used the cabellas guide gear in alaska this year. It rained pretty much all day every day, and it kept us dry. Look on cabellas at the reviews.

BoBo,
I have the Sitka Jetstream Jacket and Mountain pants. i would like to find a packable rain gear to put over them, if needed, when i'm in Colorado with TnT or in the New Mexico type of environment. i'm thinking the Cabelas Space or Rain Suede would pack down to go into my backpack. Does Omni Dry or the others you listed make a packable suit?

If I was to go to Alaska, I'm guessing the Kuiu, Helly Hanson or MT50 Guide Series would work. I read the MT50 gets heavy after a day of rain.

Mustafa,
did your MT50 get heavy from water weight?

Kuiu has a $100 off special until Monday I don't know if that's solid colors or camo

Packable is a relative term. Kuiu, omni dry and Sitka are very similar packable wise. They are called a three layer waterproof breathable. They are a very durable shell.

So they packwell but aren't ultra packable like the Cabelas packlite stuff that fits in a little bag. Trade off is durability.

For CO/TNT I just use the Kuiu attack pants(they have a great dwr, water resistant finish) and Gaitors if its real wet and Columbia omni dry camo jacket

You can beef up the dwr on your mountain pants with reviex soft shell dwr

Rivers west.. not cheap.. good stuff..

make sure to take gaitors!!!

make sure to take gaitors!!!

Concur with that.... Not only for the wet stuff, but also helps protect your shins from scrub oak

Very good stuff

my top was helly hanson the guidegear didnt fit my massive guns. worked great

Nice...

Thanks for the great input..

All cabelas rainwear is good and durable. I've owned several sets over the years and all have performed well....I'm just rough on gear!!

603 country I couldn't agree more! Semper Fi.

My brother has the Cabela's Rain Suede uninsulated parka. It will pack down into it's pocket. With a light base and mid-weight top he stayed warm and dry in temps around 17-20f with a 20-30 mph wind. I had a game-winner hooded coat on and after a couple of hours I was soaked and the coat weighed a ton, which is to be expected.

I just pulled the trigger on the same parka, only insulated and with built in hand-warmers. It is not as compressible, but it still fits in the bottom half of an H2 pack and leaves room for non insulated Rain Suede bibs or pants+. (probably could get the insulated ones to fit)



It will tear like any other fabric, except frog togs which tear like shop towels. So don't expect it to handle like a carhart canvas. Brother's has seen 6 seasons and is not ripped or torn. Seams are still tight.

I yanked the bolt and pulled the trigger again on an Eberlestock H2--- after fit testing my pack clothes at the Fort Worth store... and the fit of the pack while wearing the parka.

One thing I hate about spot and stalking Muleys or moving from set-up to set-up for coyotes, is carrying a sub zero rifle or fighting a sling. Now I can roll hands free, ditch the heavy over gloves, and concentrate on glassing/calling.

My wife is the next one that's going to pull a trigger if I don't let my barrel cool down.

Rivers west is pretty nice.

I can't stand the stuff for anything other than stand hunting!! It's very warm and works well in the wind but it just doesn't breathe worth a crap, doesn't dry easily and it gets stinky pretty quick. That's my experience with it anyway.....

I have a set of the Cabela's micro rain gear (the ones that pack down into a little itty bitty pouch) and it works pretty well for emergency rain gear. Doesn't look very durable but I haven't worn it much so not sure about longevity.

Go KUIU!!!!