Rain gear for Alaskans?

[freddogs]

I just got my new Cabelas catalog and there is page after page of hi-tech raingear. Is that what you guys in Alaska wear. I've heard that it rains alot up there but I suppose it depends on what part of
Alaska you live in. Here in Wisconsin I just throw a canvas army surplus poncho on when it's raining. What do you guys use? :rain:

[Daveinthebush]

Since it is usually chilly, I use a heavy set of Helly Hansen's.  But in a four day hunt last fall I was as wet inside the thing as out.  Does not breathe.

Go to be something better.

[Paul H]

I've been continually disapointed with Goretex type gear.  It never seems to breathe well enough to ventilate prespiration, and after a few uses, water just soaks through on the outside.

What I've learned is that you simply cannot find gear flexible enough to keep you dry, anything that is breathable enough to get rid of prespiration during heavy exursion won't keep the rain out, and anything that truly keeps the rain out, gets soaked on the inside with prespiration.

The key is, staying warm while wet.  What I find works well is layering, polypro long johns, a layer of fleece, and real waterproof raingear on top.  Polypro and fleece will keep you warm while wet, as they wick away the prespiration.  I also use a milsurp poncho, with ankle fit hip waders, it'll keep me dry from the hardest blowing rain, or the sloppiest wettest waste high grasses.  Also good for getting in and out of boats, and sloshing through swamps.

The other thing to consider about Alaska is not only does it get wet at times   but the whether changes extremely fast.  You can see clear skies and 60 degrees one day, and have blowing sleet and snow the next day.  It is really tough to carry enough gear to be prepared for all situations.

[Moose-Hunter]

I wear a Scent Blocker Plus rain jacket and Cabela's Scent-Lok Gore-Tex pants. So far I'm pleased with both, but we'll see how they really perform this September.

[Dand]

Helley Hansen - commercial fishing grade rain gear is my old standby but its heavy, noisy, and hot.

For several years now I have been using Cabela's Guide type rain gear with total satisfaction.  And last year I poured HARD the whole first day of moose season.  I wear the pants a lot in the winter while on my snogo too.

[BW]

Kind of a mix, but I wear a North Face Mountain Light Gore-tex rain coat.  It's little more than a shell with pockets, zippered vents, and a great hood that turns with my head.  For pants, I like Helly Hansen Impertect bibs.

So I'm high tech up top, and old school down low.  Add some Xtra-Tuff boots, and I'm water proof.  

[Winter Hawk]

I wear the Nytrile type.  I believe the brand is RAinskins.  Cheap and tough, when the waterproofing starts to go I paint on Thompson's Waterseal and go another season or two.  Road locating and surveying on Prince of Wales Island, lots of rain.

-Kees-

[muskeg]

I wear my Swazi Bibs every hunt day. I'm on my 3rd pair in 6 seasons. That is usually over 100 days a season and most I would say were wet.

I use the Swazi Thar pull over for the 'heavy' days but use a Peter Storm jacket the most. I also use the Helly Hansen Impertech stuff.

[Moose-Hunter]

Helley Hansen - commercial fishing grade rain gear is my old standby but its heavy, noisy, and hot.

For several years now I have been using Cabela's Guide type rain gear with total satisfaction.  And last year I poured HARD the whole first day of moose season.  I wear the pants a lot in the winter while on my snogo too.

Your post just reminded me of opening day for moose season last year as well! Man, did it rain and I didn't even see one moose all day. :cry:

[akpls]

Help!!  Need rain gear in Fairbanks now! :eek:

[Daveinthebush]

I think Noah can help.  I heard your getting it pretty good but I don't feel sorry. Last Oct. we had 10+ inches here in Valdez.


Keep you powder dry!

[Winter Hawk]

Shucks, I boated down Cushman Street in '67... and didn't have any reain gear, either!

-Kees-

[Dand]

I gave my Cabela's guide gear (fishing style) coat a real work out in 4 days of rainy moose hunting.  Rained every day but thankfully not all day or all night.  REAL hard at times.  After 1 hour long squall it took 10 minutes for my bilge pump to clear the water.  Mostly much milder but plenty wet.  

The Cabela's coat worked well through out.  Only complaint is I wish the sleeve linings were somehow fixed so the wrist cuffs wouldn't push out where they can get real wet and a bit hard to take on and off.  Oh, and the small velcro patches closing the big pockets still let stuff fall out - full zippers would be better and quiet.

The Cabela's mossy oak quiet pants worked very well too - can't remember the model but it isn't their top line.  They ARE much quieter than the guide gear (fishing) model pants.  They kept me dry and really  dried quick in the sun.  I wish they had belt loops at the waist so when its mild I could pull down the bib part and cool off easier. I broke one of the ankle snaps some how - that's a bummer but I might be able to fix it.
Really like the calf length zipper for getting the pants over boots.  

Only other thought on the pants is I think they should terminate the leg linings a short way below the knee.  Much of our hunting is done getting in and out of boats - often wading in water up to 12 inches.  Water gets into the lining, then when you raise your leg to hop into the boat, water trapped in the lining runs up your leg over your pants and down into your boot.  You're wet and cold the rest of the day.  I've cut holes in the bottom of the linings on my Guide gear pants - forgot to do it to these.  Maybe I should pass this on to Cabelas.  Well FWIW hope you find this helpful.