Top 4 Rainwear Clothes For Spring!

Everybody has heard the saying, “April Showers, brings May Flowers", right? If not, you must not live in an area that gets the kind of rain that we get here in Virginia. I know tourists, friends, and family that visit Virginia in the summer always comment on how green everything is here.  I tell them every time that we wouldn’t be able to have the luscious green forests everywhere if it didn’t rain every couple of days in the Spring. There are many places all over the country, like the Pacific Northwest that rains what seems like 320 days a year. This blog is a guide to finding the perfect rainwear gear for those who want to be outside and stay dry and healthy. 

1. Carhartt 104234 – Storm Defender Force Midweight Bib Overall

Whether you’re hunting in the woods in late April or you’re a year-round fisherman, everybody needs a good pair of bibs. I carry the Carhartt Storm Defender Force Midweight Bib overalls every time I hunt in suspect weather, every time I fish in the New River, and every time I camp in the wilderness. My favorite feature of these bibs is how lightweight they are. They weigh only 5.4 ounces and are built with a breathable 3-layer technology that keeps you dry from the inside and outside. I love the reinforced front zipper because, in the past, many companies would disregard the zipper. The seams are incredibly strong and durable with 100% fully-taped waterproof seams for optimal waterproof features. 

If you’re in the market for a comfortable, waterproof, set of bibs, the Carhartt Storm Defender Force is a good option. You’ll appreciate the breathable fabric just as much as you appreciate the waterproof features. From the knee down, it’s built with a Quilted Taffeta lining to give added protection against heavy water (lakes, rivers, etc…) areas. Another great feature is the bibs come in all the Big & Tall sizes too for you behemoths out there. 

2. Carhartt 104039 – Storm Defender Midweight Hooded Jacket

One of my biggest gripes about waterproof clothing is how uncomfortable they can be due to the waterproof features. I own waterproof gear that I can’t wear because I sweat relentlessly inside the jacket, even though no water gets in from the outside. The reason I love the Carhartt 104039 Storm Defender Hooded Jacket so much is because it breathes like nothing I own, except some of my Eddie Bauer gear. 

The Carhartt 104039 jacket is only 4.7 ounces and made from 100% nylon with the famous Carhartt Storm Defender waterproof, breathable technology. Carhartt added their Rain Defender water repellent that sheds water similar to what RainX does for your car windshield. Often times with hooded jackets, the hood isn’t as waterproof as what I’d like, but I’ve worn this jacket while hiking in Wyoming during an unexpected thunderstorm with torrential rainfall and I didn’t get wet at all. As you inspect the jacket, you’ll notice the fact that it’s triple-stitched on all the main seams to ensure durability and longevity. 

3. Carhartt 102308 – Buckfield Pant

Rain pants are as important to a hunter as almost anything else you can wear in the field. With turkey season in full swing, we’ve been getting those infamous April showers and they come out of nowhere. Having rain pants when you’re out in the woods is instrumental to maintaining your health and safety in wet and rainy conditions. These pants are softshell that is only 9.7 ounces and made from 100% polyester. I do think these pants are a little heavy but incredibly comfortable and feature the same triple stitching and Rain Defender repellent technology. 

The Carhartt 102308 Buckfield pants are not the best for ventilation and are not as breathable as I’d like. However, they allow you to zip up the pant legs from the ankle all the way to the knee to allow air in and no sweat your balls off. The fit is relaxed in the weight and legs to allow you to move freely without restriction and discomfort. These pants are built with side cargo pockets and back pockets with a zipper and magnetic closure to ensure everything in your pockets stay dry (great for cell phone). Overall, I love these pants as they do exactly what they say they will do; prevent water from entering your pants and causing trouble while you’re out in the woods during inclement weather. 

4. Carhartt 103291 – Stormy Woods Jacket

Of any item on this list, this is my favorite piece of gear that I use more than any other rain gear. You might ask, why did I place it at 4 if it’s my favorite? The bibs are so versatile and beneficial in almost any outdoor setting. Rain pants are always underrated and vital to your safety, and the Midweight hooded jacket is warm, breathable, and still very lightweight. In Virginia, we don’t get too much cold weather, so hunting and hiking out in the woods often requires a lightweight, thin, breathable, and durable jacket for spurts of unpredictable rain. 

Coming in at only 2.8 ounces and made entirely of polyester, this 2.5 layer membrane fabric is incredible. It’s built with the Storm Defender waterproof breathable technology and the Rain Defender water repellent finish to shed water like even in the heaviest of rain. I carry the Stormy Woods jacket in my hunting pack and it even fits inside my turkey vest pouch when I pack it down. Carhartt really put their effort and time into this jacket with the waterproof zippers, fully taped seams, and the convenient and comfortable Rugged Flex durable stretch technology. Often times rain jackets are very stiff and restrict movement in the shoulders and midsection. This jacket allows for any kind of movement you need to make without having the jacket roll up over your stomach (helps with my beer belly) while you’re trying to bend down or lay prone for a better shot. Overall, this jacket is a must-own for anyone that spends time outside in unpredictable environments.