Anything breathable will not be waterproof period. Anything waterproof you will be soaked in from sweating if active at all. I would not spend that kind of money on something that will get abused while running around the mountains. Seen some high end stuff last about one hunt in the brush.

 

Seen guides in Alaska throw out their hunting clothes after the season because they’re so trashed .

 

Kuiu chugach would be a great choice. Light weight and packable. Plus it has pit zips on the jacket and side zips on the pants for venting. I usually just pack the jacket if there is spotty rain in the forecast, early season archery elk won’t be too cold and there will be more dry days than wet days. I’ve had my set for 3 years and still going strong. Hunting elk in the lower 48 states will not trash it and continuous for days rain is unlikely. Wait for it to go on sale and you will get a good deal.

 

like above if it is rain proof you will sweat
I bought a set of the the Cableas MTo01 rain stuff, that was advertised as breathable, well it is, walking down the street but not in the mountains
I would buy a cheap packable rain suit, pants and top, maybe green in color. Remove it when you are in elk, just remember where you set it down at...I found a set one time in Colorado...

 

Another option kings xkg windstorm set price point is good and quality gear.


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No membrane breaths great....you'll just go from absolute horrible sweat box to a sweat box you can live with better.

What does breath great is big ol' vents in your clothing (various zipper vents in strategic locations, etc)....but no one talks about that much because of sipping various high end membrane kool aid (for instance, people actually think if you sandwich goretex in there somewhere that a silicone impregnated full grain leather boot magically starts shedding moisture through 1/4" of silicone soaked leather....what?)

It has been researched by some hiking brands, and most moisture (even with breathable membranes) escapes via big holes in the garment (head hole, end of sleeve, bottom, vents, open zipper, etc).

Rivers West is not known for their membrane being very breathable. But there stuff is more waterproof than most and they have zipper vents all over.

I love these 2 pieces and they are cheap enough that if you kick a barbed wire fence you won't have to call an accountant.

Stalker Jacket

proshop.riverswest.com

Stalker Pant

proshop.riverswest.com

 

I'll definitely look into those. Never heard of them. Thanks for the links!

 

I struggled with rain gear for the last ten years. Just didn't want to spend a ton of money. But when I actually had to wear it, I loathed it. I had nice Cabela's heavy duty rain gear, just didn't wear well and was super hot. I finally got fed up and spent the money and am super happy I did. I bought the First Lite stormtight rain gear. I used it last elk season. It was great. I didn't mind wearing, it wore well and didn't droop or try and ride down. It was breathable and I didn't have any rips. It is durable where it needs to be and was quiet. I am come to the conclusion that sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Its just the initial payment is high these days. The high end clothing lines would be worth a look. And if you don't like them, then send them back. Good luck

 

I meant to mention First lite as I've definitely read some strong reviews on their stuff. I know in CO I don't typically hunt in the rain a lot, but when I'm traveling 1000 miles for a 10 day hunt, I don't want to waste any days. The elk don't care of it's raining! What state did you hunt elk in if you don't mind me asking?

 

Don't forget about hiking brands.

Hunting brands charge way too much.

For instance, a hunting brand will charge as much for Gore Tex Paclite (worst membrane they make) as a hiking company does for 3-layer Gore Tex Pro.

I guess because of name and camo.

 

Lots of options;
I’ve owned probably 15 different mnfr rain gear over the last decades, my take:

RG for the Rockies is different than in SW Alaska. In the Rockies I like the light packable stuff and currently use Kuiu NX but Marmot PreCip, Cabelas Space Rain, Browning makes a good packable Rain jacket, …many options for that.

I use the Chugash and the HH Impertech for days and days of rain in Alaska and you will be pawing your way through wet brush the whole trip. …but that stuff is not very packable.

 

I've had the Cabela's space rain stuff for 10 years. For as little as you need to wear in CO, it has been really good and it is inexpensive. I've had the same set since 2014. It got a workout that year as it was the year with all the flooding, but wear the top maybe a couple of times a season and only occasionally throw on the pants. If I was hunting in a wet climate I'd have KUIU or something similar but really hard to justify the cost when it just sits in your pack.

 

Admittedly, I only have gone back country elk hunting once 2 years ago. That was early season Colorado. I wear pnuma and brought the 3L element proof rain jacket on that hunt. The design of the Kuiu chugach and the Pnuma 3L element proof rainjacket are extremely similar. I've worn it in heavy rain before, and it will keep you dry. We didn't get days of rain, only had one storm roll through that week. I ended up using the jacket mostly as a windbreaker during our mid-day breaks, and was glad to have something that easy to pack with me. The pit zips do help in regulating temperature. I keep that jacket with me on all trips where I think I may be out in the heavy rain for extended periods of time. I use it at home as a rain jacket when I want to keep dry.

 

A "Rain Jacket" can be a great piece of gear not only for rain protection but also wind. You should be able to get several years of use out of a good set. Personally I run the Kuiu Chugach pants and an Arcteryx Beta LT Jacket. I have been in these for multiple hunts across the west for deer and elk. It is all personal preference but you should get several years of use out of that stuff as an average consumer/hunter. Sure if a Guide in AK wears it for a season he may destroy it but there isnt anything made that will last through the abuse they put on some gear. I personally would stay away from the First light rain gear I have had poor experiences with their "waterproof" stuff.

 

With all due respect to some others who have posted….I would NOT recommend the chugach….it will keep you dry until it rips….it is.by far it is the least durable in the Kuiu line-up, likely why it is the most packable?

I guess the bigger question you have to ask yourself is what will the primary mode of hunting be on this particular elk hunt as well as what do you engage in most throughout the year. If your hunt is like any, I’ve been on there will be continuous stalking through unpredictable terrain. In my experience, the Chugach lhas not held up well.

I know it carries with it a higher price-tag, but it truly is one of the buy once, cry once phenomena available in this industry; the Kuiu Yukon set. It will handle just about everything you throw at it and best of all, keep you dry.

I would not classify this as packable rain gear, however, I have packed it much like I’ve packed heavy weight gear in the winter. I am not sure how you hunt for the remainder of the year, but if you ever hunt in inclement weather, the Yukon will be a total game changer for you.

If you were looking for something slightly less expensive, and perhaps a little more packable; I would recommend the Kuiu kutana storm shell. It is a garment somewhere between that chugach and the Yukon. The Yukon does have small details that do make differences in the field, primarily the reinforced areas around the knee and seat as well as the cuffs and zippers.

Hope this helps a little

 

With all due respect to some others who have posted….I would NOT recommend the chugach….it will keep you dry until it rips….it is.by far it is the least durable in the Kuiu line-up, likely why it is the most packable?

I guess the bigger question you have to ask yourself is what will the primary mode of hunting be on this particular elk hunt as well as what do you engage in most throughout the year. If your hunt is like any, I’ve been on there will be continuous stalking through unpredictable terrain. In my experience, the Chugach lhas not held up well.

I know it carries with it a higher price-tag, but it truly is one of the buy once, cry once phenomena available in this industry; the Kuiu Yukon set. It will handle just about everything you throw at it and best of all, keep you dry.

I would not classify this as packable rain gear, however, I have packed it much like I’ve packed heavy weight gear in the winter. I am not sure how you hunt for the remainder of the year, but if you ever hunt in inclement weather, the Yukon will be a total game changer for you.

If you were looking for something slightly less expensive, and perhaps a little more packable; I would recommend the Kuiu kutana storm shell. It is a garment somewhere between that chugach and the Yukon. The Yukon does have small details that do make differences in the field, primarily the reinforced areas around the knee and seat as well as the cuffs and zippers.

Hope this helps a little

Wow that helps a lot and definitely gave me some things to think about. Appreciate you taking the time.

 

Ive had the Chugash on Kodiak and other AK multiple times and so have my buddies……its more durable than most.

If you are pawing through oak brush on an elk hunt ( why would anyone do that?) then the Yukon is tougher for sure.

I think ‘packable’ is key for deer and elk hunting in the Rocky mtns. Typically you are covering a lot of ground and to have your rain gear take up that much room in your pack is a PITA.

Now if you are hunting Alaska or Roosies on the NW coastal areas…then tougher heavier RG is needed.