Choosing the Best Hunting Rain Gear: M5 vs. M7

Lightweight, breathable rain gear is a necessity for every Western hunter’s kit. Whether it’s intermittent drizzles, torrential downpours, or an all-out blizzard, inclement weather is almost guaranteed when chasing big game in the mountains — but it doesn’t have to limit your hunt.

Waterproof hunting gear needs to be imperceptible in your pack, capable of shielding you from the elements, and quiet. It also needs to purge sweat vapors so you can stay dry from the inside out through varying levels of activity. Stone Glacier’s advanced waterproof apparel meets each of these demands through our proprietary HydraShield™ technology and our innovative, hunter-driven design.

HydraShield™ technology prevents rain and snow from passing through to your body while transporting water vapors from sweat to the exterior of the textile during high exertion activities. This transfusion process ensures you stay warm and dry in all wet weather conditions.

We offer two breathable waterproof systems that — when paired with the appropriate insulation layers — will keep you warm and dry in every hunting condition imaginable: the M5 Jacket and Pant and the M7 Jacket and Pant. Each system is built to excel in different conditions and scenarios. We get a lot of questions from customers about which system is right for them, and the info below is meant to help you weigh two key considerations in determining which is the best hunting rain gear for you.

As always, our customer service team is on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Temperature

Temperature is the biggest consideration in choosing between the M5 and M7. Layering is mainly a game of managing temperature levels, both from the outside-in and the inside-out. Mountain environments throw the gamut of temperatures at you, even in the early season. Eighty-degree days can still see frosty temps at night, and early fall squalls can swing temps from 70º to 50º in a matter of minutes. The late season can see the mercury drop to well below zero, and then there’s the wind.

For 90 percent of scenarios, the M5 Series is going to be your go-to shell system. The M5 Jacket and Pant are lightweight, super packable, and feature our waterproof, windproof, breathable HydraShield™ laminate. These shells should live in your pack from opening day of archery season well into your winter hunts. In milder conditions, mid-layers like the SG Helio Series will provide great warmth and exceptional breathability under the M5 Jacket and Pant. As conditions cool, you can stack layers like the Cirque Jacket or Grumman Jacket and Vest underneath the M5 Jacket. If you’re in hot pursuit in wet conditions, the M5 Jacket is built with pit-zips to easily dump heat.

The M7 Series shines on the other 10 percent of hunts — the bitter, cold, late-season sufferfests when temps are low but odds are high. The M7 Jacket and Pant both feature the waterproof, breathable HydraShield™ laminate encased in a polyester face and a fleece interior. While still breathable, this construction is designed to lock in heat while locking water out so you don’t need to shed or add layers as often. Think of slowly tracking bull elk to their bed in sub-zero, snowy conditions or waiting for a coveted muley buck to feed into a frigid, windswept clearing.

Activity Level

Once you’ve factored in the general temperature conditions of your hunt, you need to account for your anticipated activity level. Is your priority to burn boot leather and cover as much ground as possible, or will you let your optics do your walking for you? If you’re going to be crushing vertical miles, err towards the more breathable and lightweight M5 Series. If you’re slowly and meticulously picking your way through the mountains in cold conditions, go with the M7 Series.

The M5 Series excels on active hunts as it’s designed for packability, breathability, and adaptability. Think of dogging a herd of sheep or goats high into no-man’s land. While the M7 Series will accommodate layers underneath, it is designed for very cold conditions and slower activity levels so that you do not need to constantly be taking layers on and off.

Lastly, rain shells can be notoriously loud, which is why many hunters hate to wear or even pack these pieces. We believe your rain gear should always be with you on the hunt, which is why we built the M5 and M7 Series with a soft, pliable polyester face to dampen noise. This key feature can help you close the final distance needed to engage your target, and while the face fabric can wet out in torrential rain, the HydraShield™ laminate will ensure you stay dry underneath.

Whichever waterproof system is best for you, the take-home lesson is to go into your hunt prepared for the worst conditions you’ll encounter. You work too hard for an opportunity only to be turned around with your tail between your legs because you’re soaking wet and shivering.

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