![]() The Sitka Gear Cloudburst system is engineered with GORE-TEX® and a durable water repellant (DWR) fabric treatment making it waterproof, windproof, and breathable, yet lightweight. Paying for premium gear is actually more cost effective in the long run when the gear performs, and the quality allows it to last for many seasons-not to mention, keeps you on the hunt longer based on its performance. This experience really drove home that having gear that performs 100% for you in the field is extremely critical. Trying to make light of their experience, I may have ribbed them a little more than I should have while they were each rotating their clothes from the dryer. I felt horrible for these ladies knowing they had put trust into gear that failed them horribly. The guides built a fire in the fireplace at the lodge to put her in front of until her blue lips returned to pink. One was drenched through all three layers that she was wearing, and she was extremely uncomfortable all day. All four experienced varying degrees of being wet. Unfortunately, when I got back to the lodge, I found out that four of the other ladies, who were all wearing a different women’s brand camo, did not have the same performance from their gear. I was pleased to find that the zippers did not leak, and the fabric was comfortable in the stand because of the ample fit without being bulky. Since your body naturally heats up and sweats when you are on the move, I had no issues with the material building up moisture between the layers because of the breathability of the three-ply GORE-TEX® material. I had a pretty long walk in and out of my hunting area. I didn’t have any leaks nor condensation build up from body heat. I was comfortable wearing my Sitka Gear in the stand in the wet, 40-degree weather because I had my base layers and mid-layers on, topped with the Cloudburst pant and jacket. My reply to my guide was: “Yes, unless there is lightning, then I would like to be picked up.” It rained the entire day and did not slack off until just before sunset. We had minimal cellular service in our stands so when we were dropped off in our hunting areas, the guide verified with each of us if we wanted to stay out all day or not. The temperature remained in the low 40s the entire day. When the torrential front cleared to a steady drizzle with intermittent heavier rain, we all decided we wanted to go to our stands for the remainder of the day. On the third day of my Illinois hunt, the morning started off with the group sleeping in because the rain was heavy with high wind gusts. Others failed by leaking through the zippers or the material itself leaving me soaked, cold and miserable. Some gear worked well in keeping me dry from the rain, but the materials were not breathable, so it caused moisture to build up under the raingear. I have owned various brands of raingear in the past, but I was never really pleased with them. When you mix all-day downpours and temperatures in the 40s, you have the perfect combination to experience a miserable hunt if you are not prepared.Īs I was preparing for this trip, I knew that there would be several days of rain during the week. I found that out on my recent archery hunt with a group of ladies in Illinois. There is no happy medium with raingear it either works and works well, or it fails and fails miserably. ![]() The Sitka Gear Cloudburst Rain Gear Exceeds Expectations.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |