I’ve been soaked to the bone more times than I care to admit. You took the day off from work and don't want rain to ruin your plans, or you booked a destination hunt month's ago and now the forecast is wet and gloomy. From chasing gobblers through sodden spring timber to bugling bulls in cloud-choked basins, I’ve learned one thing the hard way: You can’t control the rain, but you can control how ready you are for it.
Rain doesn’t have to wreck your hunt. You just have to pack smart and lean on gear that’s built for the backcountry and beyond. Here’s how I prep, pack, and dress for hunts.
Start With a Packable Shell That Works
I don’t leave camp without a packable camo rain jacket that packs small and performs big. The 3L Rain Jacket from Pnuma checks those boxes. It’s dead-quiet, breathable, waterproof, and shoves into my pack without taking up valuable real estate. If I’m hauling into elk country or heading to a treestand with unpredictable skies, it’s the first piece of gear I grab.
Keep Your Legs in the Game
Cold, wet legs will ruin your focus fast. I pair my rain shell with a tough, water-resistant pant camo hunting pant like the Waypoint Pant. It sheds light moisture, dries quickly, and gives me enough durability to crash through wet brush or sit against soaked timber without feeling like I’m wrapped in a sponge.
Layer Like It Matters—Because It Does
One of the biggest mistakes I see? Poor layering. When your hunting rain gear does its job, but it’s your next-to-skin layers that either help or hurt when things get damp. I run the Gunnison Merino Wool Hoodie as a go-to midlayer. It stays warm when wet and manages moisture like a champ.
Dry Bags and Details: Protect What Counts
Anything that can’t get wet—calls, phones, licenses, gloves—goes in a dry bag or zip-seal. I don’t trust pack covers alone. I’ve had too many hunts where water snuck in through seams. I keep backups dry and pack with intention. That extra ounce of prevention keeps me focused instead of frustrated.
Optics, Lens Cloths, and Staying Sharp
When you’re glassing in the rain or pulling up for a shot in misty conditions, clear glass isn’t optional. Carry a microfiber cloth, a lens pen, and a dedicated rain cover for your optics. I store mine in an easy-access pouch so I can dry off and stay on target when things get wet and wild.
Bonus Rain Day Essentials
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Hand warmers: They weigh next to nothing and can be the difference between numb fingers and pulling the trigger.
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Waterproof gloves: Not bulky ones—just thin gloves that keep your grip solid and your hands dry.
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Extra socks: Dry feet are worth their weight in gold. Always pack a second pair, sealed tight.
Final Thoughts
You can’t always pick the weather, but you can pick your gear. Rain is part of the hunt—and it’s often when the biggest opportunities show up. If you’re prepared, you’ll stay out longer, hunt harder, and come back with more than just a soggy story.
So pack smart. Bring gear that works. And let the other guy call it quits early.
FAQs
What’s the best way to layer for cold and wet conditions?
Use a moisture-wicking base layer (like merino wool), followed by an insulating midlayer, then a waterproof outer shell. This system keeps sweat off your skin, retains warmth, and blocks outside moisture.
How do you keep gear dry during all-day hunts in the rain?
Use waterproof dry bags or compression sacks inside your pack. Seal electronics, gloves, and food in individual bags. A pack cover adds extra defense, but interior protection is essential.
What are signs your rain gear isn’t performing?
If you feel clammy or wet inside your shell and your base layers are soaked, your gear may be saturated, not breathing properly, or simply not fully waterproof. Check seams, zippers, and breathability ratings.
What’s one item hunters forget on rainy hunts?
Extra socks. Wet feet cause blisters, sap energy, and can even lead to hypothermia. Pack a spare pair in a zip bag—it’s the cheapest lifesaver you’ll carry.
How To Pack for Rainy Hunts
I’ve been soaked to the bone more times than I care to admit. You took the day off from work and don't want rain to ruin your plans, or you booked a destination hunt month's ago and now the forecast is wet and gloomy. From chasing gobblers through sodden spring timber to bugling bulls in cloud-choked basins, I’ve learned one thing the hard way: You can’t control the rain, but you can control how ready you are for it.
Rain doesn’t have to wreck your hunt. You just have to pack smart and lean on gear that’s built for the backcountry and beyond. Here’s how I prep, pack, and dress for hunts.
Start With a Packable Shell That Works
I don’t leave camp without a packable camo rain jacket that packs small and performs big. The 3L Rain Jacket from Pnuma checks those boxes. It’s dead-quiet, breathable, waterproof, and shoves into my pack without taking up valuable real estate. If I’m hauling into elk country or heading to a treestand with unpredictable skies, it’s the first piece of gear I grab.
Keep Your Legs in the Game
Cold, wet legs will ruin your focus fast. I pair my rain shell with a tough, water-resistant pant camo hunting pant like the Waypoint Pant. It sheds light moisture, dries quickly, and gives me enough durability to crash through wet brush or sit against soaked timber without feeling like I’m wrapped in a sponge.
Layer Like It Matters—Because It Does
One of the biggest mistakes I see? Poor layering. When your hunting rain gear does its job, but it’s your next-to-skin layers that either help or hurt when things get damp. I run the Gunnison Merino Wool Hoodie as a go-to midlayer. It stays warm when wet and manages moisture like a champ.
Dry Bags and Details: Protect What Counts
Anything that can’t get wet—calls, phones, licenses, gloves—goes in a dry bag or zip-seal. I don’t trust pack covers alone. I’ve had too many hunts where water snuck in through seams. I keep backups dry and pack with intention. That extra ounce of prevention keeps me focused instead of frustrated.
Optics, Lens Cloths, and Staying Sharp
When you’re glassing in the rain or pulling up for a shot in misty conditions, clear glass isn’t optional. Carry a microfiber cloth, a lens pen, and a dedicated rain cover for your optics. I store mine in an easy-access pouch so I can dry off and stay on target when things get wet and wild.
Bonus Rain Day Essentials
Final Thoughts
You can’t always pick the weather, but you can pick your gear. Rain is part of the hunt—and it’s often when the biggest opportunities show up. If you’re prepared, you’ll stay out longer, hunt harder, and come back with more than just a soggy story.
So pack smart. Bring gear that works. And let the other guy call it quits early.
FAQs
What’s the best way to layer for cold and wet conditions?
Use a moisture-wicking base layer (like merino wool), followed by an insulating midlayer, then a waterproof outer shell. This system keeps sweat off your skin, retains warmth, and blocks outside moisture.
How do you keep gear dry during all-day hunts in the rain?
Use waterproof dry bags or compression sacks inside your pack. Seal electronics, gloves, and food in individual bags. A pack cover adds extra defense, but interior protection is essential.
What are signs your rain gear isn’t performing?
If you feel clammy or wet inside your shell and your base layers are soaked, your gear may be saturated, not breathing properly, or simply not fully waterproof. Check seams, zippers, and breathability ratings.
What’s one item hunters forget on rainy hunts?
Extra socks. Wet feet cause blisters, sap energy, and can even lead to hypothermia. Pack a spare pair in a zip bag—it’s the cheapest lifesaver you’ll carry.