Rain gear

[Pheroze]

Just over a month to go an we will be in South Africa. From what I am reading it sounds like a rainy season so far. What do folks suggest for rain gear? Do you bother with it? Will it just get shredded on the thorns?

 

[Therack]

I wear rain gear for my job about 50-60 days per summer. Gore-Tex is the the best with Dry Plus being a close second. You can buy the packable rain gear made from nylon, it's compact, lightweight and repels water for a period of time. The nylon is good for short term wear but will eventually soak through if your out in the rain all day, it also would be suseptible to thorns. For all day wear I would use Gore-Tex or Dry Plus. I prefer Gore-Tex as I think it breathes better than Dry Plus. The outer shell is going to protect the Gore-Tex from thorns, most are a nylon or polyester. Buy a good camo jacket with Gore-Tex or Dry Plus, it can double as a rain jacket and also your early morning cool weather jacket.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I hunt in the winter when it is dry. However, depending on where I am headed I take rain gear along. It has managed to rain on every trip, even in the Kalahari.
Typical two layer cloth rain gear has worked for me.
Viking Tempest II, is workable.

 

[CAustin]

I take a jacket that is rain retardant ! I also pack a disposable pancho in my day pack just in case we get caught out in the rain!

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

The most important thing when it comes to rain gear is the noise factor.

 

[Mekaniks]

I wear this for hunting/fishing in Alaska, and I going to take to SA when I go. It's heavy enough to repel water all day and be durable, but not to heavy to pack. It breaths well, quiet, but mostly I really like the Velcro wrists. Tighten the Velcro and the cuffs won't get in way when glassing or operating a rifle or bow.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hell...gclid=CIP31Infz8wCFYpffgodgNEGvg&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[BRICKBURN]

The first time I hunted the Pongola reserve it rained like crazy the first day. Atypical of the season. Moosa (on the left) was stuck in the rear of the Bakkie with his cotton jacket on and was drenched.

Two years later, more as a joke than anything else, because rain in the winter is so rare, I took a plastic rain suit along for Moosa. It turned out that it was useful gift for use while he was sitting the rear of the Bakkie.
When a stalk on the Hyena started the NOISE emanating from it was too much. It was torn off, literally in seconds. It worked for twenty minutes.

 

[Pheroze]

The noise from rain gear has always bugged me so I tend to stay away from pants (swish, swish, swish...) The better choice seems to be a water repellent fabric rather than a rain suit?

 

[Pheroze]

I wear this for hunting/fishing in Alaska, and I going to take to SA when I go. It's heavy enough to repel water all day and be durable, but not to heavy to pack. It breaths well, quiet, but mostly I really like the Velcro wrists. Tighten the Velcro and the cuffs won't get in way when glassing or operating a rifle or bow.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hell...gclid=CIP31Infz8wCFYpffgodgNEGvg&gclsrc=aw.ds

That looks really great! More stuff to buy 

 

[siml]

I use a Drizzy bone jacket, oil skin.

 

[Hank2211]

It almost never rains during hunting season in southern Africa. If it does rain, it passes quickly, as a rule.

If you're in the rain forests of central Africa, don't bother. It's too hot, the rain clothes will make too much noise, and they wouldn't last an hour due to the thorns.

Getting wet isn't the worst thing that could happen to you on a hunt!

 

[lwaters]

I find that rain gear is worthless in warm weather. You sweet in it and are wet anyway.

 

[Ray B]

If it was warm I preferred to get wet rather than wear raingear. A 3" brim hat kept the rain off of my head and face.

 

[sheephunterab]

We use a Stoney Creek StowIT rain jacket to keep us dry riding around in the truck and such in Africa. It's super light weight but durable. Stoney Creek also makes some great quiet rain gear but depending on the temperatures it could be warm. We use it at home but have never taken it to Africa.

 

[cagkt3]

I have used Frog Toggs stuff as a lightweight, packable suit for motorcycle trips. I've used it also working around the deer lease but I don't think they breathe very well (albeit it was summer, 70°). Also never tried hunting in it so I can't speak for the noise.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Dad always told me I'm so full of shit I'd float so I never have bothered with rain gear! Lol
Honestly I use Sitka Cloudburst jacket and pants hunting up north and carry the light weight packable suits from Sportsmans Warehouse in warmer climates. I was thankful that I spent the money on the cloudburst suit last September while glassing for moose in central AK!