Rain,Rain and Wet

[Abalone]

Saturday and Sunday I was in the coast range hunting,

I had on my River's West pants jacket, Danner boots ( With the little U.S.A. Flag ). My Oil Skin hat I just bought at Joes. By the end of the day I may as well had been wearing Cotton sweat pants and Cotton sweat shirts and cheap leather boots.

We are talking about some serious money folks for all these clothes.

What a joke

There were three other guys hunting, The guy that seemed to be the dryest was Chuck and he was wearing Cabelas Rainproof camo.

He's the same guy that convinced me to buy the Rivers West.

What burns me about Rivers West and their Bumper to Bumper warranty
like Danner, They won't back it up. When I called them they told me to wash it and dry it and if it leaked again they would wash it for me.

Being wet like that wears you out while trying to hunt.

[StickFish]

That is the coast range for ya. Two ways to hunt that stuff, Rubber Up with some foul WX gear or forget it and go with quick dry. Cabelas MTo50 has also worked real well for us.

[huntinfool]

I wear the Cabela's MT050 packable stuff with good results. I've had the jacket for 9 years or so and it is just now starting to let water in at the seams on the shoulders. I think I'll try seam sealing them. I also have some Pella and they work pretty good also, but are a little heavier. As for Danners, the problem I have is big feet. My feet are slightly bigger than 15's and so I wear the biggest size they make in the Grouse and after a year or so I stretch the seams on the Gortex booty and water finds its way in. Have you tried Frogg Toggs rain gear?

[Beamerfish]

I've been hearing the same thing about the river's west and my fancy cabelas raingear also failed the Oregon Coast range challenge. Seems like that stuff works fine for normal rain but gets overwhelmed by a good old fashioned relentless downpour. Went to HH Impertech based on good reports from the Alaska guys. So far so good.

Ray Beamesderfer

[huntinfool]

Originally Posted by Beamerfish

I've been hearing the same thing about the river's west and my fancy cabelas raingear also failed the Oregon Coast range challenge. Seems like that stuff works fine for normal rain but gets overwhelmed by a good old fashioned relentless downpour. Went to HH Impertech based on good reports from the Alaska guys. So far so good.

Ray Beamesderfer

How does the HH stuff hold up to brush/briars and snagging/puncturing?

There's also a newer company called Sitka Gear?

[ORsouthpaw]

Abalone... I was also in the coast range on Saturday looking for the elusive Black tail. I don't know if anything will stand up to being submerged in rain. I feel your pain though. Everyhing I had on was soaked through including my Cabelas backpack which has the Mto50 material. My camera got wet as did everyhing else inside of it. Frusterating to say the least.

[outdoor.spec.ops]

Cabelas Guidwear. My brother, father, and I, all wore it in the nasty coast range, and through the reprod timber, and can say WE STAYED DRY! I don't think I have ever hauled an animal out of that crap without a rip, tear, or leak. I had no rips, tears, or leaks, when I got my buck Saturday and this was through 1,000 feet of 12+ year old reprod. The only reason I got wet was because I took off the jacket to gut the deer.

When I got home, I hit the bibs with the pressure nozzle, and hung them up to dry, the insides never got wet even when bieing hosed off.

[Beamerfish]

Originally Posted by huntinfool

How does the HH stuff hold up to brush/briars and snagging/puncturing?

Good question - not sure I've subjected it to the maximum test here yet. We'll see.

[oregonmuley]

I have some of the new stuff from Sitka gear. Its not cheap but its the best- I think anyway. I have Rivers West jacket - it pretty much stays in the closet now that I have the Sitka. Maybe if Santa is good to me he will bring me the pants!!!

[Limbhanger]

Good ol' fashioned wool with a good polypropelene or under armor type base layer. You will hunt comfortable all day even if it rains daylight to dark. I wont hunt blacktail in anything else when the weather turns ugly.

[DukAddict]

Im not sure how your rivers west gear soaked through but I personally believe that is the best gear on the market.

Brett Neffendorf

[ehunter]

What kind of wool Limbhanger most of my old wool smells when wet I am fleece guy

[Limbhanger]

Originally Posted by ehunter

What kind of wool Limbhanger most of my old wool smells when wet I am fleece guy

Um, well, I hate to break it to you, but it ain't the wool.

[ehunter]

I prefer a light flleece top and long johns under my rain pants and I like bibs they keep your back a little dryer. The thing I hate is a hood with rain gear if you wear it you can't hear and if you don't the back of your coat soaks up the water and that is where I get wet..

[toas243]

I love my columbia wool theirs has a some water proof ( ok resistant ) fibers in it to keep you high and dry

[Crayfin]

Originally Posted by oregonmuley

I have some of the new stuff from Sitka gear. Its not cheap but its the best- I think anyway. I have Rivers West jacket - it pretty much stays in the closet now that I have the Sitka. Maybe if Santa is good to me he will bring me the pants!!!

I have both and used them in Canada on my Caribou hunt--the stuff is world class! Never got a freaking frop on me and was in the rain...........alot

[Abalone]

Originally Posted by DukAddict

Im not sure how your rivers west gear soaked through but I personally believe that is the best gear on the market.

Brett Neffendorf

This is a very legit question.

Underneath my Riverswest I was wearing body armor, some stuff I bought a couple years ago for reducing body order in hot weather. The military uses it in Iraq. ( or whatever ).

While the Rivers West was leaking, I could tell that the rain was entering through the seams. Eventually everything underneath got wet. I am not sure if the Danners were actually leaking through or if the rain was running down my ankles into my boot ? The River's west has a neoprene seal so I would think that that would keep the rain up and out. Only the right boot got soaked but the left side got only slightly wet.

Don't get me wrong. I really love my Rivers West for hunting. The first year I had it, it didn't leak at all. It is very comfortable in Cold weather but a let down in the heavy type rain....

[ehunter]

Crafin how warm was the Sitka for hiking in???



Abalone you need gaitors that will help keep your feet dry. The gaitors also help protect your boots you have less boot exposed. Cabelas and Kentreck make some nice hunting gaitors.

Originally Posted by Abalone

This is a very legit question.

Underneath my Riverswest I was wearing body armor, some stuff I bought a couple years ago for reducing body order in hot weather. The military uses it in Iraq. ( or whatever ).

While the Rivers West was leaking, I could tell that the rain was entering through the seams. Eventually everything underneath got wet. I am not sure if the Danners were actually leaking through or if the rain was running down my ankles into my boot ? The River's west has a neoprene seal so I would think that that would keep the rain up and out. Only the right boot got soaked but the left side got only slightly wet.

Don't get me wrong. I really love my Rivers West for hunting. The first year I had it, it didn't leak at all. It is very comfortable in Cold weather but a let down in the heavy type rain....

[mtn300]

Rivers west is not work one red cent. Bad stuff.

[Abalone]

OH ! I forgot to mention, I was wearing my Gators. Seriously.

I really don't know what the answer is.... Just get used to it I reckon.

I was wet but I wasn't cold, except the hour I spent swinging in a tree stand. Man that is really scary when a wind gust hits and you are Twenty feet in the air on a skinny little alder tree....

[ehunter]

What kind of gaitors and your nuts setting up there in the wind no way I could do that nope

Originally Posted by Abalone

OH ! I forgot to mention, I was wearing my Gators. Seriously.

I really don't know what the answer is.... Just get used to it I reckon.

I was wet but I wasn't cold, except the hour I spent swinging in a tree stand. Man that is really scary when a wind gust hits and you are Twenty feet in the air on a skinny little alder tree....

[Abalone]

You know it's funny thing you say that.

I was told by a guy I met, if you are going to hunt bears you have to stick with it for at least an hour. Nothing was going to happen that would bring me off that stand ( Period ) But when an hour came around I was down Pronto. I was using my E-call using a Doe in Distress Steady for one hour.

The swinging was one thing, but the popping sound of the steel ladder made me nervous. I wonder if anyone has ever been in a tree stand when the wind knocked the tree down ? Alders snap don't they ? The guy that set this stand up said that it wasn't leaning forward when he put it up......

[ehunter]

I don't like heights any way so any extra movement would do it for me and no one else would want to hunt in there when I finally got down

Originally Posted by Abalone

You know it's funny thing you say that.

I was told by a guy I met, if you are going to hunt bears you have to stick with it for at least an hour. Nothing was going to happen that would bring me off that stand ( Period ) But when an hour came around I was down Pronto. I was using my E-call using a Doe in Distress Steady for one hour.

The swinging was one thing, but the popping sound of the steel ladder made me nervous. I wonder if anyone has ever been in a tree stand when the wind knocked the tree down ? Alders snap don't they ? The guy that set this stand up said that it wasn't leaning forward when he put it up......

[Crayfin]

Crayfin how warm was the Sitka for hiking in???

They have vents on the sides which really help when your hiking in. The stuff is very light-so light in fact I was worried about it holding up--the stuff is awesome, well thought-out and very durable.

They are constructed with the pockets and zippers to the vents high, so that when you have a pack on you can get to everything. I will not use anything else until I find something better!

[ehunter]

That is a good report this is their rain gear right? Sitka™ Gear 90%

Originally Posted by Crayfin

Crayfin how warm was the Sitka for hiking in???

They have vents on the sides which really help when your hiking in. The stuff is very light-so light in fact I was worried about it holding up--the stuff is awesome, well thought-out and very durable.

They are constructed with the pockets and zippers to the vents high, so that when you have a pack on you can get to everything. I will not use anything else until I find something better!

[RU1234]

I have Sitka rain gear and although it is very expensive I believe it is the best. I've tried Cabelas Rain suede which was good, but Stika is lighter, more compact and designed better. I wore it at my daughter's soccer game Saturday and for two hours it poured. Not one leak whatsoever.

[4on4off]

rivers west is great at repelling water just not a breathing. If you are walking and hunting that means your sweating the material that rivers west is made from does not breath or let heat out so you get wet from the inside out

[Crayfin]

Originally Posted by ehunter

That is a good report this is their rain gear right? Sitka™ Gear 90%

I have that jacket too--it is good but only water repellent. their raigear is the downpour series. I have the mountain pants as well and they are really good too. You pay the money for this stuff but it really is worth it. Janssens Adventure Outfitter carries it there in Hillsboro and I believe Archers Afield in Tigard does as well

[RU1234]

Sitka makes an actual rain jacket and pants (not the 90% jacket) that are 100% waterproof. That is what I have and was referring to. It is the best.

[riverswild]

Everyone I know that has used Riverswest gear hates it. One guy paid over $500 for a set to take to AK and after a 2 mile walk he had a rash from sweating. A couple days they leaked. Others have had the same complaints, too much money and they leak. Especially along the shoulder seams.
1.5 years ago I contacted them by phone and website to order some.
I am glad their customer service sux and that I did not buy it.

[cwacker]

Maybe this stuff is a little better. Just got a set and used them on Monday durring the rain and wind storm at Saddle Mt. I stayed dry as a bone all day. The only bad thing as said earlier is that they don't breath well. I found I had to vent when I was working hard through the timber and once I was out of the reprod. I was wondering if they are using neopreme as a base material. Having done a lot of surfing, the seams of a wetsuit do give if their stitching gets old. Either case, I will try it out in 20+ weather this week in north Idaho. It works for me so far and I don't smell like a drowned rat.

[Hunt'nFish]

Yes, I believe RiversWest is neoprene based. Doesn't breath but if seams are sealed and not stretched it shouldn't leak.
But it seems from the reports it does. Take it back if you can, or Aqua-Seal all the seams if you can't.

I have not found anything, short of oil skined or waxed canvas that will stay dry, but my set of Cabela's Dri-Plus did well for many years until even their seams got stretched from backpacks or sitting in a saddle (pants) and started to leak.

I also have a Woolrich jacket that has done fairly well, but it will eventually leak in all day coastal down pours.

My Columbia Omni-Tec parka has done well so far, but again it doen't breath. Even my Dri-Plus didn't breath fast enough to prevent sweat from soaking me on the inside.

So I have accepted that layering is critical. Sorta like shingles on a roof.
If it get to REALLY pouring the Omni-Tec parka comes out and goes over the Woolrich which is over the Dri-Plus.

Slather up the boots with Obenoff's wax and wear Seal-Skinz over thick 50/50 wool/syn socks, which are over thin synthetic socks.
Feet never wet when I do that.

Oh, I am partial to my oiled boonie hat as well. Only thing better is a good cowboy hat.
I like hats over hoods because I can hear better.
Good luck to all staying dry. I'll be out there with ya this weekend as well.
Hunt'nFish

PS: don't under estimate the power of a tube of aqua-seal for sealing up leaky seams.
Looks aren't everything ya know. Doesn't have to be purty, just functional. Animals don't care.

[DRUNK COWBOY]

The people who like rivers west are hunters that are not moving around much. It is great if you are sitting a duck or goose blind or fishing on a boat. But, if you are like me and like to put a lot of miles on the stuff sucks. I had a pair for my Murderers Creek hunt two years ago. It was fine in the rain, but I was still soaked from all the sweat. I had pools of water inside my pants and jacket. This did not come from the rain. Do you know what happens when you stop to sit on a stand when you are soaking wet? Yep, you get freaking cold!

Good gear for the non walking hunters and fisherman, but bad for moving around in. I took my Rivers West back the week after I returned from my Elk Hunt and Sportsmans never questioned me.

Ian Fladoos

[cheyenne10]

I bought a set of the Charhartt raingear this past summer at Joes sale. I wore the pants quite a bit in late Sept. in WY. snow and rain and they did real well. I gave up some flexibility but managed a day from 7400' to 10K and back very comfortable. Even worked well on a couple occasions where it was too steep to decend normally and sat and slid thru snow. Buddy with Jeans and gators froze and got soaked. I only had damp at cuffs. I wore fleece jacket over polypro and these rain pants over levis with ploypro and was very comfortable. Have not tried jacket yet but would need to be much more still hunting to be comfortable in it.

Only drawback on pants is their waist high not bibs and no fly. The suspenders are well built and stay on and easy adjust.

I need to find a good quite wool over polypro to use on coast. I am somewhat allergic to some wool on legs so I need to find right ones.

[ogrejager]

Originally Posted by Abalone

Don't get me wrong. I really love my Rivers West for hunting. The first year I had it, it didn't leak at all.

I see this a lot with all these new "breathable" raingear. They start to leak after 2-4 years. I'm really starting to favor raingear that is just waterproof. Wear less under it, sweat less, stay drier.

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

I have not found anything, short of oil skined or waxed canvas that will stay dry.

You know, my Filson jacket worked great. Until my wife's mastiff ate it.

To stay on topic--I've been experimenting this year. I bought a Mustang float coat. So far, it's kept me dry (although no good, driving rains yet), is warm, FLOATS, and is a good recoil pad (although learning to shoot in it took a bit of work). I'll tell you all how it worked out later this year. Worst case, my wife is happy because I'm wearing a life jacket....

[Snapset]

When I hunt elk, I cover enough miles that staying warm is not an issue. Not keeping my scope dry has cost me more elk than not staying warm.

I have spent a lot of money on boots over the years and never liked the fit or durability of Goretex. Now I use cheap rubber boots with good socks when I hunt elk, and wool army pants. I bring a change of socks in a ziploc and my feet stay dry and comfortable all day long. I use a fleece or 2 on top, and always hunt up from the truck. Name brands may be nice, but the elk don't ask to look at the tags of my clothes before I shoot them.
And really, so what if I get wet in the coast range? Elk season is short. I can dry out in December.

[PIR8 Hook]

How about that stuff that you dip tools in...just spray the whole body & peel it off at the end of the day.....

Seriously though, I grew up in South Tillamook County, just one block from the beach..I know your pain, Bro!

[Buck Fever]

I agree with limbhanger about wool. I say just forget about staying dry and worry about staying warm. Even with the most waterproof gear, you just end up sweating so much you're practically just as wet. Wool is much quieter and more comfortable, IMO. Good luck on the search...

[arlie]

I go with fleece and polypro under it. Damp but tolerable and quiet. I'm hunting not going to a tea party!:tongue:

[nehalemguy]

Elk Season
November 18
Saddle Mt. Unit
Conditions: Rain...all day long.

Here is my report. Yesterday I wore Rivers West jacket and pants in the Saddle Mt. unit. The pants leaked in the crotch and were not waterproof. They failed in their promised performance. They will be returned. The jacket was functional except that I experienced wicking at both my wrists and the bottom of the jacket. My head, shoulders and chest stayed dry.

Today I wore Cabela's Outfitter Series Dry plus bibs and the same Rivers West jacket. The bibs stayed dry all day but I again experienced wicking with the Rivers West jacket. I was able to eliminate some of the perspiration problem by not wearing a fleece underlayer while I was moving and instead wore only a polypropelene base. I also unzipped the arm vents. Even so I can understand and back up the complaints that many have about Rivers West not breathing well enough to rid excess perspiration.

Bottom line: there are better products on the market. I would not reccommend Rivers West products for the Oregon/Washington coast until improvements are made to their product line.

Eric Larke

[snazl]

Originally Posted by nehalemguy

Elk Season
November 18
Saddle Mt. Unit
Conditions: Rain...all day long.

Here is my report. Yesterday I wore Rivers West jacket and pants in the Saddle Mt. unit. The pants leaked in the crotch and were not waterproof. They failed in their promised performance. They will be returned. The jacket was functional except that I experienced wicking at both my wrists and the bottom of the jacket. My head, shoulders and chest stayed dry.

Today I wore Cabela's Outfitter Series Dry plus bibs and the same Rivers West jacket. The bibs stayed dry all day but I again experienced wicking with the Rivers West jacket. I was able to eliminate some of the perspiration problem by not wearing a fleece underlayer while I was moving and instead wore only a polypropelene base. I also unzipped the arm vents. Even so I can understand and back up the complaints that many have about Rivers West not breathing well enough to rid excess perspiration.

Bottom line: there are better products on the market. I would not reccommend Rivers West products for the Oregon/Washington coast until improvements are made to their product line.

Eric Larke

CHECK OUT NIK WAX.
EASY TO USE. WON'T STOP WATER THRU POROUS FABRIC BUT WILL SHED WATER AND WATERPROOF THE FIBERS TO MAINTAIN INSULATION PROPERTIES. I DO ALL MY LINERS EVEN BASEBALL TYPE HATS.

[Legend21]

Abalone I feel your pain brutha'. I too hit the coast range for elk this weekend and would have had better luck trying to swim the English Channel...and probably wouldn't have got as wet either.

I don't care what gear you have on man, with 40mph wind gusts and rain coming at out sideways your not going to stay dry no matter what you have on. I had waterproof gear head-to-toe and was still soaked to the bone by the end of day. I manged to see two deer but no sighting of any elk. I think the must have migrated to Montana due to the weather. At one point I think I actually saw some salmon swimming by me, there was so much water.

It seems every 3yrs or so I fall for the same song and dance again at the coast range, like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football and Coast Range Lucy is there to pull it out from under me once again.