Rain Gear

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

I have looked through the Soft Shell thread and have not found anything that I think fits my needs.

I went to range this Monday with a real cheap poly jacket and after about an hour got soaked with the 3 inches or so of rain we got.

I am looking for a good water proof jacket. I live in Georgia so I do not need any fleece, etc for warmth. I would use the jacket for range, classes etc.

Any suggestions?

2

Bass Pro routinely clears out their house brand gore-tex lines. On the way down to USTC in NC, I picked up their formerly $130 gore-tex pants for $70 on sale. Cabelas does the same thing.

The thing I hate about PVC and other similar waterproof jackets/rainwear is that they seem to hold all that body moisture in as well – whereas Gore-Tex products don’t seem to do that.

Here’s an example from Cabelas: Gore-Tex Jacket

3

I have a Cabelas gore tex shell and love it. If its cold I just throw layers or a down vest underneath. Mine is over 10 years old and still keeps the rain out and like you mentioned does not build up a lot of moisture on the inside.

HD

4

Have you looked at REI’s stuff

5

I second a Gortex Shell. Layer underneith for warmth. I have several as I live in VT and am outside year round. Ensure all seams are sealed. Consider a mesh liner as this helps protect the Gortex membrain and the sealed seams. Also look for pit zips which are critical for optimal venting when warm. Although expensive, a good Gortex shell will last a long time if you take care of it.

6

Event is awesome and is so much more breathable than goretex and its super durable. Check out REI’s kitmah and other event jackets, I have one and their pants and they are awesome. I also have some gore stuff including an nice ArcTeyrx jacket but the event definitely breaths better.

http://www.eventfabrics.com/

7

Good packlight gortex type I have one from LL BEAN its got the little rubber bumps inside and great Pit zips plus the pockets have a mesh and you can further vent by leaving them open.

8

I’ve got a TAD Gear Raptor Hardshell made with eVent that is truly awesome, but you could also check out Rivers West stuff - really good stuff, but expensive…

9

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10

Helly Hansen Impertech/Camo. I have worn it at two classes in the last month and I was both warm and dry.

If you want Gore Tex. Arc’ Teryx Alpha Jacket and Pants. Bomb proof construction.

11

Rain gear is going to be pretty much conditional on how hard you want to run it and what you intend to do in it … and how long you want it to last.

You can have light and breathable or bombproof and somewhat breathable.

If you are just at the range or a low impact/moderate class’ then maybe something like a Marmot Precip

http://www.zappos.com/marmot-precip-jacket-cub

If you are going to go gonzo and go prone, crawl and scruf around in the dirt (or mud by nature) then something more aggressive like an Arcteryx Scarab, perhaps … something geared to mountaineering.

And there is a whole range in between.

Most modern WP jackets keep you reasonably dry on the outside. How much you perspire has as much to do with it.

As it is I have yet to find a really good all-around jacket.

I typically go softshell + a light weight packable like a Sierra Designs Hurricane for downpurs. But, softshell would probably not work well down south as you noted.

I’d go with a Precip for starters. At just $100 you can muck around in it pretty hard and not feel bad about beating on it. Comes in a few earth tones too.

12

I bought several Columbia Ibex suits (2-piece) in 2XL a few years ago to get them cheaper than retail. I still have a few if you’re interested. They’re forest green in color and work quite well. I think they were a bargain for $30 but maybe I’m not as picky as some? They are well made, sturdy and keep me dry which were the main things I was looking for.

13

REI has this particular Marmot on sale for $70. I was just there yesterday.

14

I have used mine with day pack load and other bags but never full pack or combat load. Never any issue at all.

15

I’ve been using a Marmot PreCip jacket for a few years now. It’s served me wonderfully. Seams fully sealed, no signs of leakage at all. I’ve used it backpacking and on my latest outing I was hiking 10mi in constant rain- it kept me bone dry with no seepage of any sort, even with the (gargantuan) pit-zips fully open to facilitate my perspiration.

…No idea how it would hold up in a class scenario though.

16

I used the one I bought for a sum total of 2.5 hours on Sunday. For me, it was too noisy and not as breathable as I would have liked. BUT, my point of reference was a $300 jacket, so for the price, I was impressed. The weather was also ~80 degrees and rainy. I think had I not needed a size smaller it would have been perfect.