High quality quiet rain gear?

[Timmer]

Hello all,

I have used the same gore-tex rain suit for over 20 years.  Sadly, it appears the pants finally suffered one washing too many and lost all waterproof functionality.  They were super quiet yet very rugged.  The company that made them is no longer in business.  I am looking for a high quality replacement and am willing to spend the money on a good suit.  Aside from being quiet and reliable, I loved that they had pant legs that zipped up on the sides.  I could quickly throw them on over my boots which is obviously very convenient.  Any thoughts on a replacement brand and model?

No offense to people who have had good luck with Cabella's products, but I have suffered several disappointments since they were acquired by Bass Pro and would tend to shy away from their products.

[Lcmacd 58]

I will vouch for Sitka. I was a doubter for several years until I bought my 1st item. I now own lots. I also duck hunt 60+ days a year so it gets used. For a waterproof jacket ..   I wear the delta wading jacket. For pants there are several options.  I also have 2 sets of their turkey hunting apparel.  Just my 2 cents.

[wim-dog]

I live out in windy, rainy western Alaska and have been using a Kuiu Yukon jacket for quite a few years.  It is well built, durable, and keeps me dry.  I did like the fit of a previous Yukon jacket much more than I like the fit of my current one (lots more room for layering).  Kuiu seems to be more a more common sight in this part of Alaska than Sitka Gear. 

If I was looking for down states rain gear I would probably look at other jackets in their lineup looking to shed just a little weight, and possibly find something just a little quieter. 

[nyhunter]

I second the Sitka I've been using a set for the first time this year and it's outstanding . I have the downpour jacket and pants .

[nybowhunter]

+1 on the Sitka

Have the Downpour set and the Dew Point set. I usually go for the Dew Point because it's lightweight and packable, but the Downpour is quieter and warmer.


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[Tclipse01]

Camofire has been putting up the Kryptek Koldo set for 65% percent off once a week or so lately, it's a crazy good price for a great rain set. Normally $600 for the set and it's down around $200 for both together. Similar quality to the Kuiu/Sitka pieces but a comparative steal for the wallet.

[Brinkcalls]

100% Kuiu for rain gear. When we go hunting and fishing in Alaska, it's all us and most of the locals wear. Couple years ago I shot a blacktail in the mountains during a downpour and my saving grace was my kutana rain system. It would have been miserable without it.


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[10th Legionaire]

Following.

[capecodmike]

Long time Sitka fan.

Pricey.....oh yes.  Cry once.

Great customer support.  You got a problem...you ripped something send it back for a repair.  They'll charge you short money but it will be fixed .

Buy it once and be done with it.

Good luck.

[Timmer]

Thanks for all the responses. I've been reading a lot of hunting forums and reviews. Sitka and Kuiu are the usual suspects.  There is lots of positive feedback on Sitka but they get dinged on not all jackets having vents.  Maybe even more positive feedback on Kuiu but some say it's not as quiet as they would like. I have two buddies that do a lot of hunting all over the US and they say First Lite is the way to go.  I've also looked at Forloh and Pnuma.  There isn't quite as much feedback on those but many say they are good.  I'll have to check out the Kryptek Koldo, I haven't heard of that.

In my research I have 2 frustrations in what I'm finding compared to my rain gear that I'm replacing. The first is that I loved the cargo pockets on the jacket.  I could have thick gloves in one pocket and a stocking cap in the other for cold spring mornings up here in MN.  The other is the camo patterns. My old camo was basically tree bark with a moderate amount of brown and green leaves.  It worked well for early spring and sitting against trees in general, as well as being relatively dark for when I was in a blind.  Many of the patterns on the brands above have a lot of light tan, off-white, light gray, etc. and just seem too light colored to me.

[10th Legionaire]

I get you on the First Lite camo patterns. However, I may be changing my mind on that.

I bought an FHF gear box call holder in First Lite Fusion for use as a Thermacell holder this year. I started to move locations one day this season and got a few hundred yards from where I'd been sitting when I realized it wasn't on my belt. I went back to where I'd been set up hoping it slid off while I was sitting. It was sure enough there but it took longer to find than I thought that would. That camo pattern really blended well with the dead leaves on the ground.

[Swampmonkey]

The sitka dew point system has served me well. Has armpit vents.

[Marc]

I will vouch for Sitka. I was a doubter for several years until I bought my 1st item. I now own lots. I also duck hunt 60+ days a year so it gets used. For a waterproof jacket ..  I wear the delta wading jacket. For pants there are several options.  I also have 2 sets of their turkey hunting apparel.  Just my 2 cents.

I also have a Sitka Delta for waterfowling, and it is a wonderful waterfowl jacket...  Best I have owned.  It is not super quiet though, and not a great design for turkey hunting.  The pockets are designed for duck hunting, and the jacket is cut high for wading...  The Sitka is the best coat I have used for rainy duck hunting, and it keeps me bone dry unlike any other I have used.

I still use the jacket for turkey hunting, and the deep shell pockets are fine to put a couple items in...  But were I looking for a good turkey hunting jacket, I might look at Kuiu and First Lite apparel.

Sitka, Kuiu, and First Light are all pretty equal in quality for the price points...  Really good gear that seems too expensive, until you wear it in a heavy rain...  Then worth every penny!

[Yoder409]

Been wearing the same Walls Water Pruf set for over 20 years.  Sadly.... It's been discontinued years ago. 

I found a couple brand new replacement sets over the years.  So, I'm good til sometime after I'm dead and gone, even if I live to be 100.

[Tom007]

Browning packable Rain gear. I believe it's discontinued, but it's gore-Tex and it is 100% waterproof. Bottomland camo. Still keeping me bone dry to this day. It's the best I've ever seen....