So I'm in the market for rain gear

vanguard

vanguard

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Location
Apex, NC
Last year I went to tellico three times and never saw it go more than 12 hours without raining. I'm headed back at the end of the month for a 4 day trip and I'm trying to get prepared. I need rain gear for driving in all day long in an open buggy (no windshield, etc.) In the winter I expect to wear insulated coveralls so this is really a 3 season solution.

I'm leaning toward carhartt rain gear because it's reasonably priced and a fellow wheeler seemed to like his set. However, Helly Hanson is supposed to make decent stuff and then there is Grundens, which markets to commercial fisherman. Price is a factor but it's not the only thing I'm looking at. I want to wheel all day in the rain and the mud then take off my gear and be dry and semi-clean underneath.

Any suggestions?
 
anything that doesn't breath and you'll be soaked inside just as bad and smell worse.

Get something with pit zips, that will vent a lot of heat and moisture.
 
I know it has a number, just don't know what it is. But I bought the Army issue rain stuff from the trade lot. Like $5 a piece, breathable and water proof. Also, they have rain suits at Northern pretty cheap, not sure they would last too long, but cheap as well.
Any tight woven cloth something like a field jacket holds out pretty good, if you take the time to treat the cloth with Scotchgard. I usually take mine outside and hit it several times allowing it to dry in between treatments.
 
i have a pair of ~$20 (ea) rain/wind coats from wal-mart. I got them a little on the large side so they could be worn over a coat. THey breath well and have several mesh vents so it vents well as you move.

They have actually been holding up well. I don't like to spend a ton of $ on certain things since 'stuff happens' and you never know when somthing like that will get torn or needed for another use. Plus I don't worry about em walking off...

Ya ive tried the yellow rain slicker, they don't work with the humidity we have down here..
 
FROG TOGGS

Unbeatable

Just have to exercise a little caution, they can rip easier than "rubber" rain suits.

But NOTHING is more comfortable, quiet, dry and breathable.
 
x2 on the Frog Toggs.
 
Red Ledge Rain Gear

40 bucks for the top and 40 for the bottoms.

Cheap, lasted for 2 summers at Philmont in New Mexico (Rain, Hail, snow etc). Pretty damn good bang for the buck, lower end of higher end rain gear. Beats paying 200 for just a jacket elsewhere.
 
upnover said:
I know it has a number, just don't know what it is. But I bought the Army issue rain stuff from the trade lot. Like $5 a piece, breathable and water proof. Also, they have rain suits at Northern pretty cheap, not sure they would last too long, but cheap as well.
Any tight woven cloth something like a field jacket holds out pretty good, if you take the time to treat the cloth with Scotchgard. I usually take mine outside and hit it several times allowing it to dry in between treatments.
Click to expand...

x2 on SOME of the army stuff. might be able to score a desert or woodland camo gortex set pretty cheap as the army is switching to the ACU pattern and the old stuff is no longer authorized for many units. There is a gortex rainsuit, and a gortex parka, the parka being heavier and would sweat you to death this time of year.
 
Or, you could just pull up your skirt so you don't get your pooty-poo wet.. :flipoff2:
 
X3 on the Frogg Toggs. I use them in the boat and they keep me dry even at 70 MPH. Make sure to get the bib-style bottoms. Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas is prolly the best price/place.
 
x4 on the Frog Toggs or 10X Gore-Tex. Either way get the bib bottoms and a jacket that will let you move around. Bass Pro Shops has a lot of nice Gore-Tex rain gear also.

<><Fish
 
As I was reading down through the replies, I was thinking FROG TOGGS!!!! I'm glad someone else beat me to it. We'll make that a X5.
 
I have both military issue Gore-Tex and several retail breathable's...

Military stuff = EXCELLENT durability, but if it's not 50*... you'll sweat yourself soaked (even with the pit zips open)... best for cooler weather. I also have a Vietnam era "gumby suit" (rubberized cotton)... my main choice for cool weather and/or wet weather wheeling...

On the heavier side of retail grade in Helly Hansen poly coated nylon = good for wind stopper also (it's old and I don't wear it often). My Lowe Alpine Diamond Point Ceramic is too flimsy for wearing in the woods.

I second BW suggestion on the Red Ledge... cheap enough you won't get pissed if it gets greased/torn, lite enough you won't sweat to death & easily stashed in the glovebox. The bottoms have nice long zippersup the sides....
 
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