RAINSUIT FOR BOWHUNTING, AARG!!
Emory Lynn
bowhunting deer with the following criteria:
1. Quiet (although I actually stated that a QUITE rainsuit was needed.
Not quite sure what a quite rainsuit is!)
2. Light weight, compact
3. Waterproof
4. Breathable
5. Durable (retains it's waterproof property for many years)
5. Separate pants and jacket
6. Hood not wanted, but acceptable if everything else is good.
I got many interesting responses and finally purchased the Dry Plus Quiet
Rainwear from Cabela's. After receiving it, I realized that what I had
suspected earlier is probably true: When it comes to meeting the above
criteria in a rainsuit, THERE PROBABLY AIN'T NO SUCH THING AVAILABLE. I'm
sure the suit is a quality product from Cabela's. It is a "little" noisy,
more so than the catalog information would have you believe. Perhaps it
would be real quiet after getting wet. Where the suit SERIOUSLY fails for
my needs is in item 2. It is quite bulky. When the box showed up from
UPS, my first impression was, wow! that sure is a big box. Maybe there
is just a bunch of packing material added. But why packing material for a
rainsuit? The box was 15" x 13" x 5" and the rainsuit was actually
squeezed into it. So, I've been forced to return it.
I really should have known better. When you start with a
waterproof/breathable fabric that is inherently noisy (e.g., Gore-Tex or
competing products like Dry-Plus), and then add an outer layer to quieten
it (e.g., fleece, wool, ambush cloth, saddle cloth etc), plus add a liner
(e.g., nylon to protect the waterproof/breathable material, for comfort,
ease of putting on/taking off, etc.), there is no way that the final
product will be light weight or compact. With this type of product, when
you go out in both pants and parka you are really wearing the equivalent
of six (6) garment layers (not to mention your regular hunting clothes).
Warmth is not needed and is actually a detriment for me. When I bowhunt
in Alabama on rainy days the temperature is normally in the 40-75 deg F
range. I've got plenty hunting clothes for warmth. Even in Canada and
Alaska it doesn't "rain" when the air temperature gets below 32 deg F!
My guess now is that I'll wind up buying a light weight rainsuit, probably
nylon, with polyurethane coating. I've had one before and it worked well
for 2-3 years. It's wasn't too noisy and really got quiet when it was
wet. I could easily carry it in a fanny pack and put it on only when it
started raining, or wear it when heading out, if it was already raining,
without getting too warm. But because it was a coated fabric, it's life
of shedding water was limited. I tried various sprays to rejuvenate it's
waterproofability (is this a real word?), but nothing proved acceptable
for serious rain. A new suit is the answer and currently they run about
$50-60.
Another strike against the rainsuit I returned: I hope to go elk hunting
next year in Colorado and this hunt might involve some backpacking. There
is just no way I'd carry such a rainsuit on a backpacking trip. I
couldn't carry enough food, etc. along for lack of room.
Finally, to Steve who advised that my request was "a Piece of Cake: Get
your hands on a Fall 94 or Christmas 94 catalog from Cabela's ... You will
find more options that fit your needs than you can count on both hands.":
I sure wish you had been right.
Emory Lynn
NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL
ONLY 173 DAYS REMAIN UNTIL THE START OF THE ALA WHITETAIL BOW SEASON
:-)
ONLY 207 DAYS REMAIN UNTIL AUBURN KICKS ALA-BANANA'S BUTT FOR SWEET REVENGE
:-)
GOT 5-6 LARGE BUCKS SCOPED OUT (AT LEAST TWO POPE AND YOUNG ONES), AND AN
A-GILE, HOS-TILE AND MO-BILE GRIDIRON GROUP AT THE ALMA MATER. WHAT A
GREAT FALL IT'S GOING TO BE. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!
meksikatsi
<lyn...@opsmaster.msfc.nasa.gov> writes:
>
>In an earlier post I asked for recommendations on a rainsuit When it
comes to meeting the above
>criteria in a rainsuit, THERE PROBABLY AIN'T NO SUCH THING AVAILABLE.
I tried to tell you that in my private post to you, but knew that you
would have to find out for yourself. :-}
For the group, I explore jungle areas in South America in my quest to
learn more about ancient Ameriginal peoples. For relaxation, I climb
rock when I an home in California. I have tested many, many
rain-prevention systems and NONE work. I have developed the following
system for taking care of the problem:
First, the problem with rain suits is a weather phenomenon known as dew
point. At dew point, ALL waterproofing systems will fail, including
Gore-Tex - [the Gore-Tex rep even admitted this fact].
I use a layering system that works almost like a wet suit when diving.
The outer garment should be one that is comletely waterproof, loose,
with lots of air space, and easily removable. I usually use a poncho
because it can be utilized for so many things and is very loose. This
garment ONLY sheds excess water. Reminder - ALL materials will
eventually get soaked with long-term use in rain, even those that are
billed as completely waterproof, like ponchos. There MAY be some, like
fishing gear that won't, but are too heavy to be considered in this
discussion.
The real protection comes from layering with wool [or some man-made
fibers]. Also necessary [mandatory even in warm weather] is a set of
dry clothes, for rest periods. The system works by adding or taking
off semi-wet layers of clothing. In cold weather, naturally, this
means more clothes. The system works, even though it takes some
getting used to. And it IS heavy. But it will save your life in a
survival situation and has been tested succesfully in a range of vary
cold to very hot tempuratures and in varying humidities and altitudes.
Anticipating one question: Yes, you really do put back on the wet
things after your rest, carefully maintaining your dry clothes in a dry
condition - only putting dry stuff on under a shelter. But you MUST
start walking/moving as soon as you get it all on - stop frequently and
add/remove properly to maintain optimum temperature and efficiency.
meksikatsi
Kevin Graham
<zer...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> I use a layering system that works almost like a wet suit when diving.
> The outer garment should be one that is comletely waterproof, loose,
> with lots of air space, and easily removable. I usually use a poncho
> because it can be utilized for so many things and is very loose. This
> garment ONLY sheds excess water. Reminder - ALL materials will
> eventually get soaked with long-term use in rain, even those that are
> billed as completely waterproof, like ponchos. There MAY be some, like
> fishing gear that won't, but are too heavy to be considered in this
> discussion.
>
> The real protection comes from layering with wool [or some man-made
> fibers]. Also necessary [mandatory even in warm weather] is a set of
> dry clothes, for rest periods. The system works by adding or taking
> off semi-wet layers of clothing. In cold weather, naturally, this
> means more clothes. The system works, even though it takes some
> getting used to. And it IS heavy. But it will save your life in a
> survival situation and has been tested succesfully in a range of vary
> cold to very hot tempuratures and in varying humidities and altitudes.
>
> Anticipating one question: Yes, you really do put back on the wet
> things after your rest, carefully maintaining your dry clothes in a dry
> condition - only putting dry stuff on under a shelter. But you MUST
> start walking/moving as soon as you get it all on - stop frequently and
> add/remove properly to maintain optimum temperature and efficiency.
This seems to be a little bit excessive for a bowhunt. It might work for
jungle exploring but under most hunting conditions nothing will excel in
the rain like a nice wool coat and pant. I wear a coat and pant made by
Johnson Woolen Mills from Vermont. I have tromped through the woods of
northern New Hampshire on many a wet and many times cold day. Wool has
always allowed me to hunt without feeling wet or cold. In addition to
these attributes, there is nothing better for sneaking through the woods
as it is extremely quiet.
--
Kevin Graham
kgr...@erinet.com
Check out the "Deer-Tales" WWW page at
http://www.erinet.com/kgraham/kgraham.html