Get a marmot precip for your outer rain layer.

Best value imo. Put a puffy under that ideally with a wool base and you are good to go.

I've worn mine all over including Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado over the last 7 years and it's still going strong.

Has pit zips, its waterproof, great hood, pocket, and zipper designs. Get your warmth from your mid and base layers.

Are you going on an AK cruise every year? If so, then if would make sense to purchase an expensive Gore-tex jacket similar to the ones listed above. But if you aren't going to use your new jacket a lot, then it doesn't make sense to spend $500 when a really good rain jacket will suffice. Marmot, North Face, Patagonia, REI, Columbia, 5.11 and I think Carhartt all make good rain jackets that cost much less than a Gore membrane jacket. Waterproof coatings vary in breathability, so you can choose your level of cost.

Just remember to buy a size you can fit over a number of layers. You can encounter some really cold temps in AK during the summer, especially if you are on Zodiac touring close to the glaciers. You should also consider a set of inexpensive and packable rain pants too, since it is very possible you will encounter some fairly heavy rainfall. I took an inexpensive set of Columbia pants on our last AK cruise, and I used them almost every day.

C

Caladan said:

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Are you going on an AK cruise every year? If so, then if would make sense to purchase an expensive Gore-tex jacket similar to the ones listed above. But if you aren't going to use your new jacket a lot, then it doesn't make sense to spend $500 when a really good rain jacket will suffice. Marmot, North Face, Patagonia, REI, Columbia, 5.11 and I think Carhartt all make good rain jackets that cost much less than a Gore membrane jacket. Waterproof coatings vary in breathability, so you can choose your level of cost.

Just remember to buy a size you can fit over a number of layers. You can encounter some really cold temps in AK during the summer, especially if you are on Zodiac touring close to the glaciers. You should also consider a set of inexpensive and packable rain pants too, since it is very possible you will encounter some fairly heavy rainfall. I took an inexpensive set of Columbia pants on our last AK cruise, and I used them almost every day.

C

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I only Have one blue star to give to this post!

I agree with others that are saying you don't need to spend money on stika or simms if it's going to be one trip. I've had good experiences with a variety of different waterproof membranes, it doesn't need to be gore tex.

You might also ask around if you have friends that do still hunt to see if they have a jacket they'd let you borrow.

If you are going to buy I'd echo the recommendation to look to outdoor companies vs hunting companies. It's going to be much easier to find a decent jacket on clearance if you check REI or Moosejaw.

took too long for this to show up.

On both of the Alaskan cruises I have been on, I just wore a North Face jacket similar to this one.

https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/shop-all/jackets-c701295/mens-alta-vista-jacket-pNF0A7QAW?color=JK3

It kept my very dry and my layers underneath kept me warm. I wouldn't get one of those $400 jackets unless you plan on being out in the rain all day consistently for hunting or work. But hey, if you have the money and want to flex on all of the land manatees at the ship's buffet then by all means get a sitka or simms.

Thanks LRHF!

Just came from the Patagonia website, where they are having their 40% off Winter sale. There's at least three rain shells on sale for under $150. Along with a bunch of other stuff of course. Would definitely be worth your time to investigate. Their stuff is constructed quite well......

C

StockHorseAg said:

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On both of the Alaskan cruises I have been on, I just wore a North Face jacket similar to this one.

https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/shop-all/jackets-c701295/mens-alta-vista-jacket-pNF0A7QAW?color=JK3

It kept my very dry and my layers underneath kept me warm. I wouldn't get one of those $400 jackets unless you plan on being out in the rain all day consistently for hunting or work. But hey, if you have the money and want to flex on all of the land manatees at the ship's buffet then by all means get a sitka or simms.

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I wore $20 frog togs on my AS cruise. They're big enough to wear warm clothing underneath and very light for travel.

Another vote for layers and at a moderate price.

When I had back-to-back Maine and PNW trips planned, I just went to Cabelas and bought a thinner under layer fleece, a down jacket, and a < $100 Under Armour rain shell. I use them all the time and that setup maybe cost me $250 and can be configured any number of ways making it all very versatile.

I can absolutely appreciate the expensive stuff. But for many of us, it's just not necessary.

And yet another vote for layers and something moderate. I love my Marmot Precip for the price.