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Plan to hunt Co this Sept. and I currently only have Space Rain rain gear from Cabelas. Is this good enough for what I may expect? I have no issues with buying something better but I just dont need it here in Utah. Would I maybe be better off with just more durable pants? I had KUIU rain gear for 2 years and never used it so I sold it last year.
I found that I didn't carry rain gear in my huntingpack until I got a set of Space. Now it's always in the bottom where I don't notice it until I need it. Not real durable, but it can be a lifesaver for those unexpected storms that come out of nowhere in CO in September.
But a more sturdy set of bottoms is definitely recommended for hunting after a rain, etc.., or at least a set with some sort of membrane. The Space pants are pretty thin and could rip easily.
elkmtngear's Link
I just have the jacket. I use gaiters for my lower legs, and the SLIP System for downpours. I HATE rain pants!
Super light and packable, and I just put a down vest under it if it gets cold.
Best of luck, Jeff (Bowsite Sponsor)
I'm like Jaquomo. I have both a top and bottom and carry them almost all the time because they are so light.
To me, they work fine during early fall if you're just hunting here in the west. When I hunt deep in the wilderness, a few days away from civilization, I pack a more durable option.
Last Sept in WY, I got rained on every single day of a 10 day hunt, generally for 1 hour.
This is such a huge plus to carrying the Slip System. Rain? Bam, you got a big ass umbrella.
Rain in the mtns usually comes and goes quick. If it's going to pour all day, you're basically deciding if you're going to hunt soaking wet or not, no matter what you wear.
i have used the same space rain suit in col for the last 8 years.
the only hole i have gotten was from kneeling on rocks trying to get a shot at elk. duct tape fixed that.
the hem on my jacket started coming apart after this year, but that was pretty quick and easy fix.
i have hunted colorado since 96 and there were only 2 years that i recall getting above average rain. normally rain gear is only required for a few hours.
i do not carry large gaiters, if the grass is wet, i don rain pants. my goretex gaiters weigh more than my rain pants.
I've had a Space Rain suit in my pack since 2004 and used it in Colorado and New England hunting & hiking. Last Sept it got a good workout in Colorado with all that rain. I've recoated it once with Nitwax and has held up fine.
I have it. Mine survived crawling over a mile of deadfall after a torrential downpour last fall. I did stay dry and no rips yet.
It is light and I carried it all the time just because of that.
I was happy for what I paid for it.
Ditto on the Slip system for big rains. Sure helped me out during a 2 hour soaker last year when I wasn't carrying the Space gear. No clouds anywhere, so I didn't need it, right? :-(
GDx is right about the short duration (generally) although I recall one September hunt when it rained off-on most of the time for five days. When the storms do come the temps can drop 30 degrees really quickly, can come with major hail, and hypothermia is a serious danger for a wet hunter several miles from camp.
Like others, my Space Rain gear stays in my pack all the time. DUct tapoe (on the inside) cures the rips that occur. Its not the toughest stuff (aviod the tough stuff), but it works really well keeping you dry - about as well as my Sitka even! Plus, its the lightest and most compact raingear that exists to my knowledge.
Its like this, if I lost mine, I would buy it again without a doubt....
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Ditto- I keep it with me while hunting, hiking, backpacking, fishing etc........................it's always in my pack.
Ditto on the the Space Rain, it's always in my pack. I wore it 3-4 days straight while packing my bull off the mountian in almost non-stop rain. Despite having a heavy pack on my back and covering about 9 miles round trip every day, I stayed dry. It's not very durable though and I also recommend wearing gaiters to help protect the lower legs.
The beauty of the "Space Rain" is if it rips you can fix it with duck tape in about 2 minutes! Mike
You can't beat this deal on a quality/lightweight packable pair. After the rain we had last fall, I want something that is waterproof and rugged. .
http://www.lintonoutdoors.com/sitka-downpour-pant/
I am hard on pants. I go through some thick brush and Ok, Ok, I fall down a lot! LOL I want something I don't have to worry about carrying duct tape to repair
That IS a good price on those Sitka pants!
But you can buy a lot of duct tape for $60, though.
:-)
That IS a good price on those Sitka pants!
But you can buy a lot of duct tape for $60, though.
:-)
Yep, that is $100 cheaper than I have found them anywhere else. Never heard of that company, but they shipped me the pants for that price with no shipping charge. I would not pay $250 for those pants, but for that price, I couldn't pass them up.
Actually, $60 seems cheap so I don't have to carry duct tape in my day pack.