Posted: 4/1/2022 8:58:21 AM EDT
[Last Edit: steve8140][Edited]
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I’m looking for some rain gear to use while on the range and while taking classes if needed and looking for advice. For those of you who have gotten stuck training in the rain what are some things you’re glad you had or wished you did have them? As far as a jacket goes do you prefer to wear a normal sized jacket underneath your chest rig/ plate carrier or an oversized jacket that covers everything? Are there any decent waterproof rain pants that also have belt loops that can take a little abuse? I currently have a few pairs for hunting but they’re very thick for sitting in a stand and not good for being active. Give me your tips and tricks. |
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Gore-tex jacket, pants, and boots. Non-cotton clothes underneath. I have gore-tex gloves and a fleece cap for the cold + wet Ponchos are something, but don't really keep you dry. Of the ponchos, the Swiss ponch seems a bit better than average... but that only works when you stand still. |
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Originally Posted By YaBoyKGTho: I took a class where it absolutely poured. I just wore a regular rain jacket and my PC over it. Pants got soaked though. Also interested in what people recommend here. Ditto. If there is rain in the forecast (and even if there is not....unless you are out in the desert), bring rain pants if you are going to have a rain jacket. The rain drains off the jacket and the front of your pants, particularly just below the jacket hem, will get soaked through fairly quickly. Also, in concurrence to the previous post about mud: If you are only doing upright shooting (no prone or kneeling position shooting), at minimum you should have spare footwear for the ride home. If you are gonna go prone or do some shooting from the kneeling position, be mindful that mud gets everywhere. Be prepared to bring a complete change of clothes for the ride home OR put a lot of plastic on your car seats/interior. |
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@YaBoyKGTho To update this post, I looked around a bit and read some reviews. I wanted something that I could wear all the time as needed and not have anything too tactical looking of camo pattern. Something I can wear to the range and also camping, hiking, fishing and so on. I spoke to a few friends and my uncle who is a diehard fisherman and was told about the bass pro/cabelas branded Guidewear Gortex line. He’s worn them for a few years and is very happy with them. Today I stopped by Bass Pro and ended up getting a light/mid weight rain parka for the warmer months and another for the colder months. Also got a pair of thinner Gortex rain pants to go over my regular pants. My legs rarely get cold and didn’t want the pants to be overly bulky and one of the more important features was that they have belt loops so they will work with by BFG belt. As far as boots, I have a few pairs of hunting/hiking boots for light rain and mud and have Muck Boots for heavy rain and deep mud. I’ve been wearing them quite a bit lately at our night shoots throughout the winter and they have worked great. (Also for those interested, Bass Pro has several types of muck boots on sale currently so I even bought the wife a pair for hiking). The last picture shows three style boots for $50 each. The thinner jacket was $220 The insulated parka was $270 The pants were $120 Total was $610, I had $300 in gift cards so overall I can’t complain and I’m happy. I have a two day rifle class coming up next week and the weatherman is calling for rain both days. I’ll report back after the class to say how well they did for keeping me dry as well as having freedom of movement. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By xcalibur12: Frogg toggs. I have a few pairs of Frogg Toggs, the lightweight and packable ones tear easy and also don’t have belt loops. So when ride below the waist and constantly fall down off my butt. The nicer ones will probably hold up better but I don’t know about the belt system. I didn’t look at them too much. |
| I have expensive AF Sitka stuff, Cabela's Guidewear, etc. It's all really heavy when you start moving. What I do now for classes that has worked for me is to get a set of Frogg Toggs, wear them for the class, then pitch them because the pants are close to destroyed. I have been in classes where it freaking poured, and the FT worked fine for basic protection. Nothing is going to keep you dry when its pouring and you are moving and shooting, IMHO. Be sure your ear pro will fit under the hood. |
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UPDATE TO MY ORIGINAL POST: The weather was terrible throughout that weekend and there were points of heavy wind and down pours for long periods of time. However, when we checked in we were told the class was scheduled on the indoor range. All that money spent for nothing. But I’ve actually already used them a few other times so it’s still a win. |