High quality quiet rain gear?

[Brian Fahs]

Kuiu.

I have 2 sets. Best I've owned by far

[Timmer]

Thanks all for the advice. I ultimately looked at First Lite, Forloh, Killik, Kings Camo, Kryptek, Kuiu, Pnuma, and Sitka as all were known for quality and durability. I admit I am a bit of a research junkie. I looked at numerous outdoor, fishing, and hunting forums, product review sites, product videos, etc to try to gather the pros and cons of each. I also reviewed camo patterns at Camo Matrix's site ( https://camomatrix.com/ ) and their youttube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/@CamoMatrix ) to see the camo in different environments, compare different brand camo patterns side by side, and see how it looks with "deer vision" which may be a gimmick, but offers another perspective. Here's what I found:

• First Lite - Very strong reviews across the board. The Stormshelter was one of the highest on my list of final contenders. They have ample pockets and vents on the Stormshelter (features not available on all other First Lite lines). Ultimately I felt their Fusion camo pattern was just a bit too brown for me so I passed.
• Kilik - I couldn't get enough review data to trust it, although what I did find was very positive. Their Summit camo pattern was a good mix of browns, blacks, grays, and greens. Their pants didn't have pockets at all, which was disappointing.
• Kings Camo - This was one of the cheapest. I felt their XK7 and KC Ultra camo patterns were too gray. They did offer a Realtree Edge pattern which certainly has a history of success in the field. There wasn't a ton of review data on this one either, although again what I did find was positive. They had ample pockets and full length side zippers. However, they had no vents, and given I couldn't find a ton of reviews, I passed on this brand.
• Kryptek - This brand had numerous positive reviews, but when people posted negatives, it was usually about the noisy material. They had ample pockets, full length side zippers, and under arm vents. I liked their Obskura camo pattern. Unfortunately, the feedback on noisy material made it a no for me.
• Kuiu - One of the most widely used and tons of positive reviews. They were most often compared to Sitka. There were a few posts from people that noted they weren't as quiet as Sitka. They were the most expensive, so given the price, I wanted them to be perfect. I felt the Valo camo had a base vanilla color was just a bit too light. Given a few comments on being noisier and my opinion on their camo color, I didn't want to spend the money.
• Sitka - This is probably the cream of the crop given reviews. To my eye just looking at their site, it looked a bit heavy on the lighter brown and cream colors, but when looking at it in the field and on camo comparison sites, it actually blended in the best of all of camo patterns across varying backgrounds. They were the 2nd most expensive after Kuiu. Just like Kuiu, for the price, I wanted them to be perfect. Unfortunately, they had no vents and only one pocket on the pants which was disappointing, so I passed.
• Forloh - This brand became one of my final contenders. There wasn't quite as much review data as Kuiu and Sitka, but there was a fair amount and everything was very positive. They have ample pockets, full length side zippers, and vents on the Allcliema 3L model (not on all lines). However, I was really disappointed in their Caza camo pattern when looking at it in pictures and videos of it in the field, as well as on the camo comparison sites. The lighter yellow-green base color was too light and predominant and it stuck out like a sore thumb. If they had a better camo pattern, this would have been my top pick.
• Pnuma - This one I kept going back to after comparing them all. There were very positive reviews across the board, although not as many reviews as Sitka and Kuiu. They have ample pockets, vents on both the coat and the pants, full length zippers, etc. I felt the camo pattern was one of the better.  All around, they checked every box for me so this is what I purchased.

If anything strikes me when the Pnuma arrives, I will follow up on this post.

[WV Ridge Reaper]

I look forward to your continued feed back after you get it and next year or maybe this deer season when you can use it..Im mossy oak at heart but if you want something that will last now days kuiu and first lite is top notch gear imo


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[Brian Fahs]

I opted for kuiu due to its ability to keep me dry and not get shredded. I bought my 2 sets in a solid color called ash. It's a greenish brown earthy color. For deer hunting it's works great in a tree. For turkey I wear a northm mountain gear leafy set over the kuiu rainwear.

I do not know of any mossy oak or realtree offering in rainwear that is as good as the kuiu for its intended purpose. And I have owned every top end rainwear made.

[langy]

Hello there, I am particularly interested in the durability and noise level of these rain gear options. Sitka and Kuiu seem to be favorites, and I will definitely look into the Kryptek Koldo set. Has anyone used the First Lite stuff in really heavy rain?

[Tclipse01]

Hello there, I am particularly interested in the durability and noise level of these rain gear options. Sitka and Kuiu seem to be favorites, and I will definitely look into the Kryptek Koldo set. Has anyone used the First Lite stuff in really heavy rain?

Can't speak to their new gear, but FL's older rain gear lines were notorious for wetting out more quickly than Sitka/Kuiu/Kryptek. Same with Pnuma- I don't know about their new 3L rain gear line, but found some reviews on the Selkirk hybrid gear that it was not working as well as advertised in the rain. So, interested to hear Timmer's thoughts on the new rain stuff.

IMO, Kuiu Yukon and Kryptek Takur are generally reviewed as the top 2 sets for western hunting, and might even be over-engineered for turkey hunting.. they are really for slogging through Alaskan marshland where you are wet for days straight. I am not a fan of the Takur pattern for non-alpine hunting, though- they need to release that in their other camos. Sitka is great too, but they are terrible about adding zips/vents/pockets to their gear compared to the other companies, which is crazy to me given the price.

Both the Kuiu Chugach and Kryptek Koldo are also highly rated, and probably more reasonable for turkey hunting. Koldo comes cheaper when you find it on Camofire or DVOR.

Timmer's notes are generally accurate. Any rain gear is going to have some swish when you are hiking, as brushed/soft (read: quiet) fabrics tend to wet more quickly... but you're not going to have issues sitting against a tree and aiming a gun quietly with these pieces. 

[Notsoyoungturk]

If you want Sitka, I have 3 40% off codes for my friends and family.  It is good for 40% off any Sitka products (waders excluded).  These codes are only good for today and tomorrow.  If and only if you are definitely going to order, I will give these last 3 codes to the first 3 PMs.  I get these several time a year so if you don't get one, there may be other chances.