Rivers West rain gear

[bosbo6939]

I just wondered if anyone else has any experiences with them. I own a pair of pants and two of there jackets. They all leak. From my experience the material that they are made out of will not leak but everywhere there is a seams leaks as soon as it gets wet. I recently had Rivers West send me a replacement jacket and pants. They upgraded my pants to the Outlaw pant, a $200 pair of pants, and sent me the same jacket i already have. It took me calling and emailing them for two weeks before they finally followed through and sent me the garments. Once i received them the pants were exactly what they said but they sent me the wrong size jacket. When i called they to let them know the lady said she would send me the right size jacket and a prepaid package to return the other jacket.
Two weeks later i finally got the prepaid postage but no jacket. In the mean time i have been hunting and the second time i wore the $200 pair of pants they leaked really bad. Today i called to let them know i was very disappointed in there product and said if they can't make a product that is waterproof than i would just assume work something out and get some of my money back so i could purchase another product. She did not like me saying that and hung up on me. When i called back she said she would send me loaner pants so i have something to wear during elk season but i had to return the pants so they could repair them, not replace them but repair. I asked what should i do if i get them back and they still leak? She hung up on me agian by violently slamming the phone down and has since ignored my calls and emails.
I just think if your going to put a 10 year waterproof warranty on something you need to stand behind it a little better. I kept getting the run around that the warranty is on the fabric only. If the seams leak its not there problem. Anyone else have a bad experience with them?

Brandon Osborn

[jlg]

Gonna need a full name on this post.

[bosbo6939]

why is that?

[jlg]

By the way, my waterfowl jacket in Rivers West. It's been great for me. Just took a little getting used to the rubber sleeve ends.

[jlg]

Originally Posted by bosbo6939

why is that?

Take a look at the rules. Complaints require the full name of the person posting the complaint.

[tiihunter]

I recently bought one of there jackets, the Sauvie Island pullover, and I love it. Only had it out on two hunts. It rained a bit on both days but not for more than about an hour and it held up great! My only complaint is the hood snaps on with three very weak snaps, this last weekend I lost it while walking through the brush .

Scott

[jlg]

Here it is from the AUP:

www.ifish.net Complaint procedure:
If you are going to post a complaint to the board, whether it be a brand, person, product, agency, public service or company, you must post your entire real name along with the post. This rule is designed to cut down on people hiding behind false monikers to post false claims against personal enemies, and creates an atmosphere of accountabiliity, should someone from the organization like to argue their side. (Deliberately and repeatedly bashing the same brand, product or company is a bannable offense. If you have a complaint or comment to make then make it once and make sure you have facts to support it.)

Would be pretty easy to edit the post to include the name.

[bosbo6939]

The original pair of pants i purchased from then worked great for the first year. Just wait, if you get caught in a downpour, you will get wet. If not i some how have gotten 4 garments from them that all leaked, chances are pretty slim. The first time i sent my pants back all they did was laminate a strip of material on the inside of the seam, took 5 minutes longer to leak when i got them back.

[Bluefinn]

My Rivers West stuff works great.I use it hard.This is Oregon nothing that will breathe will keep you totaly dry.

[Angus]

I love mine in the cold (under 40 degrees), snow or light rain, I do get wet if it rains for more then an hour or so.
I've got a jacket and hoping Santa brings me the pants.

[young_gun]

I have the Eider waterfowl jacket...i pack it into the blind and then put it on...but stuff out there for keeping ya dry in my experince but i refer it it as "sweat rivers west"

[EagleEye]

I wore mine on Thursday during some heavy rain and after an hour or so I started to get wet and after 6 hours in the rain my pants and jacket were heavily water loged. I had to put them in the dryer after a day to dry them out. I guess if it is not all plastic it just is not water proof. Very spendy for what you end up getting.

[BirdBoy]

i have pants and coat and i really like it for when it is cold out. I have had water get through mine but i was in alot of really wet snow. I like mine for when it is cold and snowing because it is lighter than a big heavy coat and yet i stay dry and warm.

[stlhdr1]

I have a duck coat and it leaked after the second year of use. I don't prefer Rivers West..

Keith Archer

[Hotshot's 4 me!!!]

They ruined my brothers alaska trip both the top and the bottm leaked real bad. He said they should change the name to rivers worst.


Josh Nordwell

[willie brian]

Originally Posted by young_gun

I have the Eider waterfowl jacket...i pack it into the blind and then put it on...but stuff out there for keeping ya dry in my experince but i refer it it as "sweat rivers west"

the sweat part is my problem also

[coyote.204]

I have the sauvie island coat and a pair of there bibs. After about the second year they both started leaking pretty bad on all the seems. I called them and they had me send them in to fix. They repaired them and sent them back and have been good so far. I didn't have any problems dealing with them. I do agree the snaps on the hood are garbage! I have a few friends that have diferent coats in witch they are full zipper. They all have had problems with there zippers breaking. Hope you get your problem worked out.



Matt Schindler

[ling killer]

Originally Posted by Bluefinn

My Rivers West stuff works great.I use it hard.This is Oregon nothing that will breathe will keep you totaly dry.

exactly, been wearing all sorts of raingear loggin and u either get wet from small leaks, i.e. leaving ur hoody hanging out, or just leaking down ur neck. or ur gonna get wet from sweating, unless ur standing around and dont have to worry about breaking a sweat i'd go with some grundens, i wear alot of the cheaper U.S. brand stuff it's pretty lightweight and after geting rained on nonstop for 9 hours i can still have a few dry spots left on my pants n shirt

if its rainin ur gonna get wet! quality raingear just prolongs the soaking in oregon

[Bow Kill]

Originally Posted by bosbo6939

I just wondered if anyone else has any experiences with them. I own a pair of pants and two of there jackets. They all leak. From my experience the material that they are made out of will not leak but everywhere there is a seams leaks as soon as it gets wet. I recently had Rivers West send me a replacement jacket and pants. They upgraded my pants to the Outlaw pant, a $200 pair of pants, and sent me the same jacket i already have. It took me calling and emailing them for two weeks before they finally followed through and sent me the garments. Once i received them the pants were exactly what they said but they sent me the wrong size jacket. When i called they to let them know the lady said she would send me the right size jacket and a prepaid package to return the other jacket.
Two weeks later i finally got the prepaid postage but no jacket. In the mean time i have been hunting and the second time i wore the $200 pair of pants they leaked really bad. Today i called to let them know i was very disappointed in there product and said if they can't make a product that is waterproof than i would just assume work something out and get some of my money back so i could purchase another product. She did not like me saying that and hung up on me. When i called back she said she would send me loaner pants so i have something to wear during elk season but i had to return the pants so they could repair them, not replace them but repair. I asked what should i do if i get them back and they still leak? She hung up on me agian by violently slamming the phone down and has since ignored my calls and emails.
I just think if your going to put a 10 year waterproof warranty on something you need to stand behind it a little better. I kept getting the run around that the warranty is on the fabric only. If the seams leak its not there problem. Anyone else have a bad experience with them?

Give it to good will, buy some Sitka Gear and never look back. And they have outstanding customer service should you need it.

[mosetown5pt]

Originally Posted by ling killer

exactly, been wearing all sorts of raingear loggin and u either get wet from small leaks, i.e. leaving ur hoody hanging out, or just leaking down ur neck. or ur gonna get wet from sweating, unless ur standing around and dont have to worry about breaking a sweat i'd go with some grundens, i wear alot of the cheaper U.S. brand stuff it's pretty lightweight and after geting rained on nonstop for 9 hours i can still have a few dry spots left on my pants n shirt

if its rainin ur gonna get wet! quality raingear just prolongs the soaking in oregon

Ya what he said. If you guys actually believe you can go out in the Pacific rainforest in anything less than a profolactic on to stay dry your crazy. Its nice to go and spend the hundreds of dollars on rain gear for nothing more than a piece of mind.

[Amahnee]

My jacket has kept me dry for three years. My pants have kept me dry all season so far in total downpours. Must be a fluke?

I'm a satisfied Rivers West guy.

[ducks_overhead]

Originally Posted by Bluefinn

My Rivers West stuff works great.I use it hard.This is Oregon nothing that will breathe will keep you totaly dry.

are you sure your rivers west is leaking and its not just condensation? or sweat?

[forestman]

Originally Posted by bosbo6939

I just wondered if anyone else has any experiences with them. I own a pair of pants and two of there jackets. They all leak. From my experience the material that they are made out of will not leak but everywhere there is a seams leaks as soon as it gets wet. I recently had Rivers West send me a replacement jacket and pants. They upgraded my pants to the Outlaw pant, a $200 pair of pants, and sent me the same jacket i already have. It took me calling and emailing them for two weeks before they finally followed through and sent me the garments. Once i received them the pants were exactly what they said but they sent me the wrong size jacket. When i called they to let them know the lady said she would send me the right size jacket and a prepaid package to return the other jacket.
Two weeks later i finally got the prepaid postage but no jacket. In the mean time i have been hunting and the second time i wore the $200 pair of pants they leaked really bad. Today i called to let them know i was very disappointed in there product and said if they can't make a product that is waterproof than i would just assume work something out and get some of my money back so i could purchase another product. She did not like me saying that and hung up on me. When i called back she said she would send me loaner pants so i have something to wear during elk season but i had to return the pants so they could repair them, not replace them but repair. I asked what should i do if i get them back and they still leak? She hung up on me agian by violently slamming the phone down and has since ignored my calls and emails.
I just think if your going to put a 10 year waterproof warranty on something you need to stand behind it a little better. I kept getting the run around that the warranty is on the fabric only. If the seams leak its not there problem. Anyone else have a bad experience with them?

My gear is also from rivers west. Bought from fishman's marine and there clothes were supposed to last ten years. Mine, not even two years and it leak like you said. There is only one problem, i dont have the receipt from two years ago. Did you have yours when you called them?? Let me know. Thanks.

[bosbo6939]

Yes i had my receipt's but at first they didn't ask for them. My biggest problem that i have had is just the fact everytime i have talked to them they promise me things like they'll mail me a brand new jacket and just don't follow through. When i call back they always have some lame excuse. I'm 100% sure that mine are leaking and its now sweat. They only leak at the seams or where the cargo pockets are stitched on. I just can't believe the customer service rep would just slam the phone down on me like that. I guess she doesn't realize the customers are the one's who keep her working.
Brandon Osborn

[Jennie@ifish]

Bump--- I'm sorry! I didn't see your name. Could you please edit and put your name on the first post?
Thank you! And I'm sorry, again!

Jen

[fishhunt&fire]

I used to really like RW. I know of alot of people who swear by them, but me personally, as soon as you provide me with poor customer service I'm done with your product. I tried to get a rip in my rubber cuff fixed and they straight up told me sorry. The lady tried to tell me to take it back to Sportsmans??????? Um Sportsman didn't put the tags on it that say warranty? Sorry nothing we can do.....

Like BowKill said Sitka gear 100% the way to go! Awesome product and great people!!

Tyler Chenoweth

[StevenB]

Originally Posted by bosbo6939

I'm 100% sure that mine are leaking and its now sweat. They only leak at the seams or where the cargo pockets are stitched on.
Brandon Osborn

All of my 3 Rivers West Clothing(2 coats one pants)Leaked & have ALWAYS Leaked. How much does it leak? A Lot.

Steven Berglund

In the spirit of the Great TV show Myth Busters I'd like a Rivers West satisfied owner to give their Rivers West gear a water proof test.

I live a mile from the Oak Grove Fred Meyers. In the next few days I hope someone who believes in the product will help me do a fair test of tests on the water proof abilities of Rivers West Gear. I'd love to see them pass a fair test that will put this question to restwater testing.. I'd be glad to be the one who does the traveling to do some .

I went long on Rivers West buying three items.. After a year of ownership I was in some serious rain weather for 30 minutes. The seams leaked. I find the gear to be good for below freezing temps with winds.

To my understanding the material and how Rives Wet puts it together there is no way to seal the stitched seams. It is my guess that a satisfied Rivers West owner has not had their Rivers Wet gear in true sideways rain conditions. Either that or they have enough other gear under the R West that the leaks seem more like body moisture.

I think water proof ought to mean I can hit one of the seams with a hose and it will not leak.

Steven Berglund

[mangler]

I've had nothing but problems with rivers West and that was before the original owner sold out and al the stuff started getting sold at bi-mart and wal mart. Rivers west has always had poor customer service as long as I've dealt with them.

If you want good rain gear go to Sitka Gear.

Lee Manghelli

[shed head]

Originally Posted by Amahnee

My jacket has kept me dry for three years. My pants have kept me dry all season so far in total downpours. Must be a fluke?

I'm a satisfied Rivers West guy.

[CWOregon]

I dont have any myself and wont be purchasing any but I have friends that have it and have mixed reviews. Usually keeps you dry from the outside but you better hope you are either just riding around in the truck or sitting in a stand because if you move you will sweat and then you'll be wet and eventually cold if you ever stop moving.

[Chesapeake]

I dont have a horse is the race, but I'll comment anyway.

The 2 folks I know and hunt with that bought Rivers West returned it for a full refund after only one or two wearings. One to Fishermans, and one to Bob's.

The seams leaked.

To me looking at the fabric and construction I fully understand how that happens. The fabric is pretty much some type of fuzzy saddle cloth. The early garments were just sewn at the seams. How could anyone expect that to work? Now they tape the seams. How are you supposed to get a seal with tape on fuzz?

For me, I just cant see how the fabric is supposed to work as part of a waterproof garment. It looks to me like a good mechanical seal isnt feasable.

[beaverheart]

Want to fix it here is a suggestion:

This problem crops up all the time on waterproof products that are sewn. I had the same issue with a tent fly. We bought a liquid silicon product and saturated the seams and that fixed it.

[fishlipper]

I bought a pair of Rivers West pants a few years ago, and they did good on the westside for a few trips, and then they started to leak at the seams. I called Rivers West and they said wash them and put them in the dryer and that would seal the seams back up. I was skeptical to say the least, but I tried the wash and dry thing and it did not work. The other thing I don't like about them is they are extremly hard to dry once they get wet on the inside, and they weigh a ton when they are wet. Anybody want to buy a awesome pair of River West Pants? I guess if you are going to be sitting all day on a cold, dry, windy day they would be great. I would like to get a pair of Sitkas.

Chet Perry

[Navy Chief]

I have the original H2P series and I love them. they keep me dry from the rain. The only thing I don't like is the sweat. I tend to hike sometimes as many as five miles into an area I want to hunt, and they just aren't made fo rthat kind of use. Great for sitting on a stand in a terrential downpour but bad if you are going to exert yourself. I am interested in trying the newer lighter weight version, but there is no way I can afford them right now.

[Colin S]

Garbage! I have one of the duck jackets and it leaks at the seams. Not seam sealed at all.

COLIN STEWART

[#1waterdog]

Originally Posted by jlg

Gonna need a full name on this post.

wash it

[huntntrap]

Has anybody with leaking issues looked at their tag there are several different types of rivers west gear from cheap to expensive. Also there are USA made and China made. if you spent $89 at bi-mart those are from China and for that money you should expect them to leak.

[StevenB]

Originally Posted by huntntrap

Has anybody with leaking issues looked at their tag there are several different types of rivers west gear from cheap to expensive. Also there are USA made and China made. if you spent $89 at bi-mart those are from China and for that money you should expect them to leak.

The Ones I have that leak were from the first 2 years of production. Made In USA. Also Leaked in USA.

I think that Rivers West probably were wise to sell out. They probably made a bunch of leaky gear the first few years. Then they added seam seal tape which helped slow the water. The cost of adding the seam tape put the products out of the price range they needed to be in. Buying slowed.

Great brand name... sort of rolls off the tongue.

I do best with light weight Grundens or Impertec Helly Hansons (With the Helly Hanson stupid pockets that snag on brush.

SB

[bosbo6939]

So i went out today and wore my new $200 pants for the 3rd time. They had completely saturated my long johns underneath within 2 hours. That meant that by the time it was legal to shoot i had been wet for a long time. My hunting partner was wearing Cabelas mt050 that are 7 years old and after all day in the rain was bone dry. Rivers west has lost my business forever and hopefully anybody else looking to purchase rain gear in the future. I also got soaked under my stalker jacket. Absolutely worthless.

[NeverGuess]

My Rivers West have not leaked, but obviously a lot of others have.

My MT050 has been good. Pants and jacket.

I have also heard good and very bad things about Sitka, from a friend who spends a lot of time in the back country of AK & Canada

He swears by Swazi. I have never heard anything bad about Swazi, but I only know 1 guy personally who has them.

[brando]

I own a duck coat and it leaks in the shoulder area and it gets heavy.

[redneckty1]

I love mine the only issue I have is I sweat alot in it but it is much better then being wet. I like Rivers West and am lokking to pick up and Eider jacket in the near future.

[Nr fisherman]

Well I have not been one to post many replies but I will on this one.
I first took notice of Rivers West products while walking through a Joes Store a few years ago when I noticed there display of some of there coat material made into a waterfall. There was not much to say if it could keep water in it should keep it out at least for 10 years. I bought a pull over and since another jacket and hat. The other day I hunt on the island with my girl friend who was wearing my Ducks Unlimited gortex jacket while I was wearing my Rivers West jacket. After sitting in the blind for half the day she was dry and I was soaked to the bone and the worst part was my pockets had an inch of water in them because they don’t drain.

Joe Brandl

[tailwalker]

Same story differnet day......wanted to get some " good" water proof pants and was willing to pay top dollar......well leakes like a champ and I would never buy them again......10 year unbreakable water proof guarantee....thats a joke.....you should have to prove that before you advertise that it is 100% WATERPROOF....PRETTY MISLEADING!!

Aaron Walker
I approve this message

[BerettaMan]

I have tried it all, most stuff will not handled a constent downpour; which will happen several times a year if you hunt in Oregon. I spent $250 on a layered waterfowl system and it leaks under full rain, that sucks. I believe alot of companies get away with the waterproof claims because most guys do not hunt hard in big downpours.

The solution is Goretex, Goretex, Goretex.