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Posts: 44
| I am looking for some input on rain gear. For a very, very long time I wore an ancient set of Fenwick rain gear. Stuff lasted forever, was the perfect weight, and you could throw baits all day long in it.
When the Fenwick suit finally died, I purchased a Frabill suit that was horrible, heavy, leaked, etc.
Past couple of years made do with a hodgepodge of different gear, ready to make an investment again. I went to Cabela's, and the Guidewear gear just seems too heavy and bulky to toss baits in.
Looking for suggestions on higher end gear that works.
Thanks!
Bob |
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Posts: 32784
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | We received a couple sets of Hodgman Gear in the Cold Weather model. It has removable thinsulate liners, and is one of the best rain/all weather suits we have used to date. These guys are famous for building high quality, high end gear, and the suit is not cheap, but we would rate at the top of the rain suits/all weather gear available. Really well designed for moving around, casting, etc. The Core INS insulated jacket and bib attachments make this a high end late Fall and through the worst of Winter garment. Very impressed. Only drawback is for ice use; the hood is not insulated. A high quality hoodie fixed that.
Not sure what happened to Frabill, I bought a couple closeout suits last year in the F2 and 3, and had the same experience you had. My old Frabill Storm Suit is still perfect.
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | I have a Gill suit for 3 seasons and it has treated me well.
I've heard great things about the BPS 100MPH suits. I guess they have a 200MPH suit, now. Also, Simms makes some awesome stuff. The Challenger suit is a good option that is more economical than most Simms items, but still Gore-Tex material. |
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Posts: 492
Location: midwest | SIMMS PRODRY. In my opinion the best there is available. I have had mine for quite a few seasons and never got wet while wearing it. I have also heard good things about the Carhartt Angler Storm Defender series but it is too new to judge durability. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | for warmer weather when you just want something thin I have a Marmot PreCip jacket that was rated very high and I have been happy with it. I wear a thin pair of North Face Goretex pants on bottom. For chilly temps say in the 50s/60s, I have a Gander Guide series parka/bibs, has been awesome for ~10 yrs. I think it is similiar to the Bass Pro 100mph gear.
Edited by BNelson 4/19/2018 10:49 AM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | summer it's simple rain jackets and pants, for cooler and lake michigan outings i did a lot of research and got the Gill product and really happy with it after wearing in some aggressive conditions last year. When you look at the zippers and the way they cover them, you notice quickly that this is not your everyday rain gear.
Rangerwear carries both Gill and Simms and that's where i got mine.
my research took me to:
Gill
Helly Hansen
Simms
Edited by jonnysled 4/19/2018 11:42 AM
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Posts: 19
Location: Buffalo, NY | I've had fairly good luck with the Huk Gear i've purchased. Really really comfortable, nice stretch. the Next LVL bibs and jacket i have from them are great for waterproofing, not that warm. Layered with polar weight base layers and a fleece; keeps me going through November into December. |
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Posts: 1000
| mtcook16 - 4/19/2018 10:27 AM
I have a Gill suit for 3 seasons and it has treated me well.
I've heard great things about the BPS 100MPH suits. I guess they have a 200MPH suit, now. Also, Simms makes some awesome stuff. The Challenger suit is a good option that is more economical than most Simms items, but still Gore-Tex material.
+1 on the Simms Challenger. Tried on a bunch of different options and went this route for two reasons:
1. fit seemed to have less material for rods and things to catch on.
2. uses Toray instead of Gore-Tex. This operates a little differently than Gore, and as a result is significantly less stiff and more breathable than gore-tex. We'll see how I feel about that in 3-5 years, but I'm optimistics
Price for jacket + bibs was $400, which was great. Maybe next time around I'll be able to ante up $1K for the pro-dry, but we'll cross that bridge when it comes.
What probably should be mentioned as well is base-layers. I use patagonia capilene. |
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Posts: 410
Location: With my son on the water | Has anyone used a good 3/4 length rain coat/jacket for around $100 plus or minus? I have used the Helly Hansen with success but it's a bit hot in the summer, but then what isn't?
Thanks Brad |
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Posts: 3136
| I don't understand why the outdoor community hasent embraced and offered more trench coat length and style rain coats,,a jacket fits up against you,,a trench coat keeps the rain away from you and acts has a rain gutter letting it drip down off and below your knees,,I tried a cheap discontinued one last year and what a difference in comfort and efficiency. I just wish they would make more.
Not to mention ALL the sponsor patches you pro staff guys could put on it, has big has a quarter panel on a nascar  |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | tolle141 - 4/19/2018 12:58 PM
mtcook16 - 4/19/2018 10:27 AM
I have a Gill suit for 3 seasons and it has treated me well.
I've heard great things about the BPS 100MPH suits. I guess they have a 200MPH suit, now. Also, Simms makes some awesome stuff. The Challenger suit is a good option that is more economical than most Simms items, but still Gore-Tex material.
+1 on the Simms Challenger. Tried on a bunch of different options and went this route for two reasons:
1. fit seemed to have less material for rods and things to catch on.
2. uses Toray instead of Gore-Tex. This operates a little differently than Gore, and as a result is significantly less stiff and more breathable than gore-tex. We'll see how I feel about that in 3-5 years, but I'm optimistics
Price for jacket + bibs was $400, which was great. Maybe next time around I'll be able to ante up $1K for the pro-dry, but we'll cross that bridge when it comes.
What probably should be mentioned as well is base-layers. I use patagonia capilene.
You are correct, I misspoke when I said Gore-tex, instead of Toray. I was thinking of a different jacket / bibs. But regardless, I know quite a few guys who wear the suit and like it for the reasons you mentioned.
Edited by mtcook16 4/19/2018 3:16 PM
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Posts: 304
| If want for hunting also,might check Kuiu Yukon or Chugach.(toray) |
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Posts: 106
| Simms Prodry suit. |
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Posts: 1080
Location: Aurora | happy hooker - 4/19/2018 2:33 PM
I don't understand why the outdoor community hasent embraced and offered more trench coat length and style rain coats,,a jacket fits up against you,,a trench coat keeps the rain away from you and acts has a rain gutter letting it drip down off and below your knees,,I tried a cheap discontinued one last year and what a difference in comfort and efficiency. I just wish they would make more.
Not to mention ALL the sponsor patches you pro staff guys could put on it, has big has a quarter panel on a nascar :)
I feel ya,
Tight fitting stuff is nicer cuz it doesn't get caught up on stuff as much but I've been runnin an oldschool hand-me-down waxed Barbour jacket and it's kept me dry so far even though it's comin apart a little. Not ankle length but built-in hood and couldn't beat the price. |
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Location: 31 | Something I've been doing for years is wearing PVC shorts (cut from full length) under my regular rain pants and overlaying my Gore-Tex suit with a size 6x PVC on heavy rain days. The shorts always keep my butt dry, and it's an easy on-off with the PVC jacket as needed. |
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Posts: 9
| I bought a set of Huk next level bibs last year worked great I just ordered a jacket today.
I tried wearing a Simms challenger suit. They don't really fit .
I'm between sizes. |
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Posts: 49
| In my opinion, you can't beat Simms products when it comes to staying dry/quality. I've used their waders for many years and been extremely happy with the quality and toughness. I bought their challenger rain suit, which is light weight and relatively affordable. Last year I stayed dry fishing multiple days in a row with constant rain, while my buddies were all wet wearing other brands including Huk. I would imagine Simms Pro Dry suit would be a great choice as well. |
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Posts: 441
| The new Cabela's Guide Wear suits are a lot lighter in weight, than the older ones. I like my new set. They also have a great warranty. |
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Posts: 299
| I'm going on 4 seasons with the Simms ProDry and simply can't be happier. It's truly been a dry rainsuit in some of the worst rain conditions imaginable. It's not a "warm" type suit with it very thin and comfortable. I've used it several times in the Florida heat and afternoon rain storms. I've used it all summer in Michigan. I've even used it in the fall up until it starts to get really cold. It really is a dry lightweight suit and I find myself wearing my jacket everywhere on rainy days! It's perfect standing on the sidelines watching your kids play soccer in the rain and wind! While everyone is either using an umbrella or sitting in their car, I'm dry and comfy in my jacket watching my kids play. Is it pricy? Yes! Is it worth the extra money to have it last many years while dry? Absolutely!
Edited by detroithardcore 4/20/2018 11:01 AM
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Location: 31 | Next time around I'll check out the Simms ProDry and lighter weight guidewear stuff. Can you sit all day on wet boat seats/carpet without water soaking through? I had a private message why use PVC shorts under the Gore-Tex pants; In a nutshell I simply didn't like wearing the heavy/bulky bib guidewear style stuff and much prefer the lighter higher-quality Gore-Tex suit for (pretty much) everyday use. The only issue I've experienced is that even when it's brand-new, water soaks through Gore-Tex when I sit all day in a wet boat... the problem has been 100% solved by wearing PVC bib style rain pants cut-offs under the Gore-Tex on those soaking rain days. Wearing the 6x PVC top over the Gore-Tex is a similar approach to the trench coat idea, it not only provides an additional layer during downpours, but also keeps everything from getting waterlogged and heavy.
Edited by Jerry Newman 4/20/2018 12:15 PM
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Posts: 1000
| detroithardcore - 4/20/2018 10:57 AM
I'm going on 4 seasons with the Simms ProDry and simply can't be happier. It's truly been a dry rainsuit in some of the worst rain conditions imaginable. It's not a "warm" type suit with it very thin and comfortable. I've used it several times in the Florida heat and afternoon rain storms. I've used it all summer in Michigan. I've even used it in the fall up until it starts to get really cold. It really is a dry lightweight suit and I find myself wearing my jacket everywhere on rainy days! It's perfect standing on the sidelines watching your kids play soccer in the rain and wind! While everyone is either using an umbrella or sitting in their car, I'm dry and comfy in my jacket watching my kids play. Is it pricy? Yes! Is it worth the extra money to have it last many years while dry? Absolutely!
You hit a really important point with these Simms suits. They're designed as very good rain shells to be fished all season long via smart layering. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | Simms Pro Dry suit is $1000 bux? wow... My Marmot jacket and North Face pants were 180 bux and I never got wet last year either  |
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Posts: 8716
| That's not saying much coming from a guy who can fall out of the boat head first and not get his hair wet.... |
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Location: Contrarian Island | takes mad skillz! |
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Posts: 32784
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | esoxaddict - 4/20/2018 1:40 PM
That's not saying much coming from a guy who can fall out of the boat head first and not get his hair wet....
That there is funny. |
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Posts: 1126
Location: Minnesota. | This has been a very informative post, esp. for a boy who's fav. boat partner like NEVER complains...
Cabella's Gortex.....on the Big "V".
Edited by Jeremy 4/20/2018 7:14 PM
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Any rain gear that claims waterproof and breathable, which is Goretex and most others that utilize a membrane, can be mostly waterproof in rain, depending on how hard it rains. But all of them are susceptible to letting water through with enough pressure, i.e. sitting on wet seats, etc. The only type that doesn't let water through is as Jerry describes which is non-breathable stuff like Helly Hansen pvc or similar. When you really need to stay completely dry at all costs, and are okay with it not breathing, meaning you will possibly get damp from your own perspiration if it's warm and or you are fairly active, then this is the way to go. For most though, especially in summer or other than really cold temps, we can usually live with getting a little wet using a membrane type and will be much more comfortable as well. |
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Posts: 8716
| If air can get out, water can get in. If water can get in, it will. Through the seat, through the knees, through the zippers, wherever. I've had great luck with the Gander Guide Series insulated stuff staying warm in crappy weather. Staying dry? Not so much. The parka has a hood attached by a zipper, and not one of the tight ones that might prevent some leakage. The exterior fabric soaks up water like a sponge. Washing it and treating it with the nik wax stuff helped. The non insulated set fared better, and actually kept me dry (enough) for 5-6 seasons. Again, washing/treating with Nik Wax bought me a few seasons, but even that stuff is absorbing water now. For the price? Not bad. I have a set of the lightweight pants/jacket from Dick's. It's worked as well as you would expect for less than $200. You get wet. But its thin and made for warm weather. Surprisingly hot in that stuff though. Our most recent was the BPS 100 MPH stuff. Only one season on it, but it seems to be well made, with nice zippers, and so far no wet azz from sitting on wet boat seats and no wet knees from kneeling on wet boat carpet.
I'd consider the Gander Guide Series stuff again, to be honest. The parka fell apart well before it's time. The outer shell is a sponge. It's bulky as #*#*, and you're bound to rip out a pocket with the butt of your rod. But no matter what sort of weather I've fished in, despite having to come home and literally wring water out of everything I had on underneath it down to my socks, I have never once been cold in it. Wet and p-o'ed? Yes. Cold? No.
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Posts: 5129
| Bps 100 mph have been good.i have two suits now. |
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Posts: 383
| Another vote for Simms ProDry. Super happy with mine. Keep an eye on eBay and you can find some deals... |
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