Best waterproof pants

seasley

Active member
In the market for another pair of waterproof pants. I have used DRAKE EST pants over fleece bottoms and have worked great, but barbed wire fence ruined them so asking what you guys prefer?

And also, is the Sitka stuff worth the price
 
I was about to ask the same question. I hunt the desert but am finding myself in the rain more an more often. Need some good waterproof pants(not rain gear) that are sturdy.
 
I have these and you can find simular ones.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-Genuine-US-A...e-/121379895643

They are cheaper and the set that i have still worked great this last weekend. I bought them in 2000 and the only thing i have done is put fresh seem sealing tape on them this last year.

Gortex is nice but after a few days it doesn't work as well. I have stood out in the Rain, Pouring rain, for 5 days straight for 4 weeks and never had a rip or leak. Best money I have ever spent.

I also use a Nutzsaver when crossing fences.
It's basically a horse blanket thing that has some heavy fabric and a non-slip mat in the middle of two layers of the fabric. It doubles as a shooting mat when i lay out on the ground. I place it on the seats to keep my pack and other things on it so i don't get mud on everything, and it just lays on the fence. I leave it next to the fence when i am across, and now i don't worry about getting over a barbwire fence without ripping my camo.
 
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Originally Posted By: AzDiamondHeatThanks Reb. I know you hunt a little different terrain than I do but which pant from them do you like?

I am not sure of exactly which ones. We bought them about 13 years ago. They would be basically the same type as the Rivers West Snake River jacket. They are a very durable material.
 
Originally Posted By: reb8600Look at Rivers West.
These are my first choice also. comfortable, quiet, and waterproof. They make them in two different weights and many different colors/patterns. Rivers West has stood behind the product for me when I damaged the pants. Sometimes on sale at Sierra trading.
For thorn brush and wet areas it is hard to beat Filson Tin Pants.
 
Originally Posted By: wysongdogKuiu Yukon pants are the absolute best and toughest in my opinion but that's just my 2 cents


I'll second the kuiu, but I use the chugach pants. They are tough and waterproof. Everything I have from kuiu is the best I've owned. With kuiu and filson wool, I can live outside all winter. One day in the rain makes it worth the price. I got tired of buying rain gear every year. And having it fail. I've had some kuiu for going on 4 years now, and it's still nice. The guy who started kuiu is the same guy who started Sitka gear. He sold out then started kuiu for the extreme hunts he gets into.


I just noticed the OP was from March. So I'm thinking he got his rain gear by now.
 
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I worked next to the Rivers west plant in Seattle and bought a set to hunt out here on the coast, they weren't nearas breathable ànd ended up getting g as wet from sweat as the rain, didn't work like vortex or cabelas dry plus, I gave them away. I've gone to cabelas dry plus upland chaps for hunting in wet grass and stuff that sticks, they are really breathable and as the day warms thèy roll up for n the pack.
 
What type of pants are waterproof but not rain gear? I'm anxious to read the replies to learn more about this.

I used the Cabelas Gortex rain suits in the past and even they were not completely water proof when fishing out in the rain all day. I eventually got my butt wet when I sat down in the boat seat. I learned later on that one can wash them in this special solution and it will make them waterproof again. Tikiwash is what I think it's called. I outgrew them. They are a large size and I now wear an XL or XXL sized rain suit.

They never tore or ripped as they had ripstop nylon material on the outside and the Gortex was sandwiched inbetween the outer layer and the inner lining. So the material holds up very well. I used them from the late 1970's well into the 1990's until I gain a lot more weight. I still have two pairs of the in my closet. Although they need to be rewater proofed before using them again. They are green in color.
 
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Originally Posted By: jwdakotaHow is kuiu for breathability?

I've found them great. But I only wear filson merino wool long underwear, and silk like boxers under my gear in the winter. I've found that cotton holds moisture and rubs skin raw. It's about the total layering system. And merino wool is the best for me. I use my kuiu chugach pants mostly in the wet snow in WI, they have double layers down where muddy boots rub, and zip up to take on and off over boots, so they pack down real small to bring along. They are gray, so it's a basic snow camo. As far as rain proof and water proof, I don't really know. I know the zippers are waterproof, and that's hard to do. Also it may be the pore sizes for breath ability. But the chugach are my favorite. They pack small and perform large. I didn't want the heavy duty ones, since I wear merino wool everything underneath to help keep moisture wicking, and try to not overdress and then overheat, so I keep layers in my truck year round really. I've found that to be almost more important. I only wear filson wool underneath. And smart wool socks in my boots. Pick your thickness for the temp. outside. The old army rain jackets work great keeping you dry on the outside, but you get slimy on the inside since they are like a rubber type material or coating. And that's no good in the cold. Kuiu makes great stuff. I have a kuiu pack with a carbon fiber frame that is just great. I use it for travel and hunting. The guy who started kuiu is a world traveling sheep hunter mainly I think. So he gets so far away that he needs his gear to just survive, and be light. So everything is used like that in development.
 
I can't imagine SD winter is much different than WI. I just ordered First Lite merino wool for my base layer and am looking for quality outer layers. Do you ever need a insulation layer in between or is the wool enough? What do you wear for a jacket?
 
That merino wool base layer will change your outdoor hunting comfort level. The wool is always enough for me, because I have so many pieces of filson gear in different thickness. Most often is a double mackinaw cruiser jacket or one of their thick hunting sweaters with oilcloth shoulders. For a rain jacket I use one I bought at REI 8 years ago, and it's been great. It's their brand. And it's all stained but still is my goto rain jacket. I bought it on recommendations only. And it's been great. Once she's tore up I'll get a kuiu, as I'm pretty sure the REI is changed. I have been trying to find an extra one and can't. But I use my wool in light rain. Good wool still keeps you warm. But it gets heavy. But it's a natural scent killer, and allows moisture to escape properly. It took me years to realize good wool is by far the best hunting gear for extreme cold and wind. And it's quiet. But mostly it's my double mackinaw cruiser and a filson merino top. I have a few different tops depending on how cold. And a filson sweater for under that if it's real windy and way below zero. But I love my filson wool pants and muck boots with smart wool socks. And a good wool hat with a merino wool neck gaiter. And the stuff is tough. I got the buttons sewed on my wool pants to put the filson suspenders on for extra comfort. They are expensive kinda, but everything is fit to me. And just how I want it. It's a collection of many years. And I wish I would of bought wool to begin with. I have so many other hunting clothes that will be going to my nephews. And wool is good even when it warms up to about 45 out for me.
 
Thanks, great info. After a couple years of buying what looked cool or being talked into something by a salesperson, I'm trying to do it right, spend some money on quality clothes that will keep me Dry and warm for years to come.
 
Yeah wool isn't the lightest, but it's the best for me. It has to be good wool. Not recycled wool with junk added. Some wool is itchy, but merino wool is soft. That's my favorite bottom layer. With silk boxers and then merino wool with filson wool outside that. All the synthetics are useless to me now. Except the chugach pants for wet snow and mud, and the rain jacket for certain situations. Mostly fall and spring. But good wool hunting clothes should last 20 years. You can sew it if you tear it. And I just hang it out to dry, and any mud I just brush off when it's dry. I don't really wash it. I want it to keep its properties and lanolin. It doesn't hold scents either. It's weird. The merino stuff I wash. Just not the outer stuff really. I brush it and spot clean it up. Good zippers and good buttons are key also. I actually like wearing it. It sounds weird I know.
 
I bought a pair of the Browning Deluge pants and have really liked them. Small and lightweight, I can roll them up and keep them in a pants cargo pocket or pack easily. Enough to keep you warmer, but not burn you up when doing a lot of walking. They are not the dedicated rain gear as mentioned before, but great for those situations where you pack something lightweight to keep you dry if the weather comes in on you or if you are just trying to stay dry on the wet ground from rain or heavy dew. Hope that helps.
http://www.browningshop.com/product/deluge-pant-realtree-ap-3x
 


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