Hunting rainjackets?

I've come to the conclusion that my rainjacket is due for retirement. It has been tough as hell and excellent for a lot of years, but it's not cutting it anymore and I don't think a goretex reproof will be able to save it.

So, what're people using for rainjackets? I'm happy for it to be simple and no fuss, but would like it to be robust - don't have any time for something that'll tear if it snags on something or needs to be handled with care.

Suggestions? I can sometimes get stuff cheap overseas through contacts, but I really don't know what's worth the spend and what isn't. Maybe there's an Nz supplier worth buying from?

https://earthseasky.co.nz/product/zeal-guide/

Local to Chch even. They have pop up sales occasionally. And they are able to repair if something did happen

I've got a Milsurp French army goretex jacket. Heavy but bullet proof. I'll be getting another mil surp one when this one eventually needs replacing.
https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/pr...YaAj3NEALw_wcB

Swazi Tahr XP Anorak, Had mine for 4/5 years, Hardy as

Earth sea sky hydrophobia for longer walk in type trips where weight and packability matter.
Cactus rain jacket for everything else

Ex military MVP, Sympatex or Goretex are excellent value but can be noisy as they don't have the soft shell or brushed finish. There are a few NZDF MTP ones on the website above and they are really good for a quarter of the price of a commercial one.

I use the lightweight Halo.

However if gorse, blackberry or matagouri are around I don't wear one.

As Happy Jack says, I use a light one as well, only pull it on when I know I'm in for a soaking, otherwise I use a Stoney Creek Froastline, it's shower proof which is suficent most of the time. I've just recently bought a Stoney Creek "Stow it" jacket for my raincoat, but big enough to pull over all the other stuff I seem to be wearing these days.

I have a Stoney Creek Huntlite that I do not recommend

It has some nifty grip strips to stop your rifle sling slipping off your shoulder but beyond that and esp given the price it is, as the British are wont to say, all a bit pants

Stoney creek stowit seems to work pretty good

Swazi Tahr XP if you like a pull over so less leaks at the front

Swazi Wapiti XP if you want a front opening and bigger pockets

Swazi Tahr xp - tough as and the new ones don't hold the water like the old ones did.

yes swazi either thar coat or wapiti coat just a class above

I've had a few of those Swazi Tahrs (still have 3 of them) and they are ok when new but they soak up water die to the soft outer layer and get heavy and take a long time to dry and none of mine have lasted more than about a year before they leak. Still keep them as a windproof layer for at work etc but don't really put much faith in them anymore

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....jacket-105012/

For the last few years, I have used a German army Sympatex jacket. It is waterproof, soft, packs well and is not noisy and cost about $50 in excellent condition.

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Originally Posted by rupert

For the last few years, I have used a German army Sympatex jacket. It is waterproof, soft, packs well and is not noisy and cost about $50 in excellent condition.

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I've been using that too,unfortunately I think it has given up the ghost. I'll probably get another as a rough work jacket, but might treat myself to something lighter for hunting.

light is good, but don't expect anything lightweight to be durable. I've got a Bushbuck jacket made of the same fabric as this, one: https://bushbuck.co.nz/products/stas...42156784353379

They were clearing them out last year for $80 as the zips weren't stitched properly, so you basically had to use them as an anorak (though I picked through them and found a good one in my size). But I wouldn't trust it to stay waterproof long if pushing through any scrub, etc - might be ok with another layer on top to protect it? I don't expect it to stay waterproof for more than a couple of years, but on the plus side, its more breathable than the heavier jackets I've had, and fits in my pocket so always stays with me. The main thing with the modern jackets is that they aren't designed to keep you bum dry. Need to be used with overtrou. Not many parka options these days... but if you have the coin, Earth Sea Sky and Cactus are a couple of local options.

Last winter out in the pouring rain. Some dude had a big smile... using a DairyTech raincoat. Only one whom kept dry. It was also bloody cold. If it is good enough for a cow cocky then its sweet. 2C.

Macpac Copeland.
Hunting stuff is at least 100% overpriced.

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Originally Posted by TeRei

Last winter out in the pouring rain. Some dude had a big smile... using a DairyTech raincoat. Only one whom kept dry. It was also bloody cold. If it is good enough for a cow cocky then its sweet. 2C.

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Bet he'd be sweating like anything if he had to actually do anything in it though. Have a few of those "dairy" type jackets that we just leave at the cowshed to throw on while hosing out the yard etc if it's raining or sitting on the bike following cows but they're hopeless if you have to do anything physical while wearing one. We buy our staff the Stoney Creek Tempest stuff and they get a good run out of it, keeps them dry and it breathes but it's heavy and not really what you'd want to be stuffing in your pack for walkabouts

https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-mens...2-GPL00-S.html

For less than $150, not bad

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Originally Posted by Ross Nolan

https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-mens...2-GPL00-S.html

For less than $150, not bad

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That linked coat is NOT Waterproof at all. Its a 'lifestyle' coat only.

Appreciate all the recommendations.

Anyone got anything to say about the Kuiu chugach or yukon? My general experience is that hunting specific gear is usually extra cost and lower quality, but lots of people rave about kuiu.

I bought a First Lite Omen Stormshelter jacket a while back and bloody love it. The cut is great & it’s been pretty durable so far. Feels lightweight but is very heavy duty. It’s got zips on the chest and arms for venting when walking- they’ve got flaps over them, so even if it’s raining you get good breathability without rain getting in. Got it from Points South. I’m planning to get the matching overpants at some point as well.

I’ve got a Stoney Creek stowit as well which is lightweight but only good for light drizzle and as a windbreaker. Also have an old Kathmandu goretex which I’ve had for probably nearing 20yrs but is on its last legs.

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Originally Posted by canross

Appreciate all the recommendations.

Anyone got anything to say about the Kuiu chugach or yukon? My general experience is that hunting specific gear is usually extra cost and lower quality, but lots of people rave about kuiu.

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I had a chugach a few years ago, it was like it was made from a mcdonalds paper bag with a fancy camo pattern, sold it without ever using it as there was no way it was going to hold up to any kind of abuse fullstop

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Originally Posted by canross

Appreciate all the recommendations.

Anyone got anything to say about the Kuiu chugach or yukon? My general experience is that hunting specific gear is usually extra cost and lower quality, but lots of people rave about kuiu.

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Yip I use a kuiu Chugach (selling maybe wrong) it's awe lightweight packable but short I have it in my day pack always just in case.
The Earth sea sky is a better full on rain coat but bigger and heavier but nice and long.

Sent from my CPH2531 using Tapatalk

Kuiu kutana is a great jacket

Also earth sea sky Hydrophobia

I’m a shepherd in southland so spend most of the winter in rather shit weather, wet and cold. Can spend weeks at a time in it, and get to enjoy the cat piss smell that eventually starts to be emitted from leggings when you take them off. Fortunately can’t smell them when you wearing them. As others have said anything lite doesn’t last, most hunting brand stuff is bloody expensive, and poorly breathing stuff just gets you soaked as soon as you start working - just from the inside. Best stuff I’ve had by a mile is Kaiwaka. It is waterproof, as in it doesn’t leak no matter how wet it is, and it does breathe pretty well. The downside is it’s a we bit heavy, no to bad but a little bit heavier than some of the hunting stuff. The upside is it lasts very well and is reasonably priced. Pretty popular down this way.

I got the Patagonia Torrentshell. Was around $250 ish on sale. Been perfect. Lightweight, pit zips etc.

Quite noisy but I only really hunt the tops + take it off if I am stalking in on something.

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Originally Posted by HarryMax

I got the Patagonia Torrentshell. Was around $250 ish on sale. Been perfect. Lightweight, pit zips etc.

Quite noisy but I only really hunt the tops + take it off if I am stalking in on something.

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A great option, had one myself, must still have it somewhere actually it performed really well I just wanted something with a bit more length