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Posts: 76
| I have worn Cabelas guidewear goretex clothing for the last 18 years. I have gone through three sets in that period of time. Most just got old and didn't repel water after several years. One was lost by getting too close to a Mr. Heater while landing a muskie in late November (boat partner forget to turn heater off before grabbing the net).
I have been satisfied with the Cabelas products but they discontinued the jacket with the storm flap over the zipper and only have it in the parka. I run a tiller and that flap is necessary since I can't hide behind a console. Exposed zippers leak with direct rain on them. Most of my fishing is done from September through freeze up.
I was wondering what products others might be wearing to protect themselves from the elements since I am in the market for a new set. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Frabill Storm Suit. Top shelf gear all the way. |
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Posts: 150
Location: Appleton, WI | X2 for the frabill storm suit it has always kept me dry |
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Posts: 752
| I have the Frabill suit too and would highly reccomend it. I also use a Simm's Jacket when its warmer which is great too but a bit of a price bump from the Storm Suit... |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | This may be a dumb question but why not get the Cabelas Parka if it has what you're looking for? Doesn't the parka offer a little more protection than the jacket?
I'm curious, do those of you with full rain suits use them equally in the summer and fall or do you have different sets? Seems like a lot of the big rain suits would be pretty heavy and uncomfortable in the summer. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I've got a set of the gander mountain pro elite guide series in a non insulated version, parka and bibs, very happy w it
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Posts: 152
| I have had the Gander Mt H20 series bibs and jacket in the past and it only held up for about 2 seasons before it lost its water repellant qualities. A friend of mine just uses Frog Toggs (same simple suit he stuffs in his golf bag also). I think his frog toggs are far more packable and have held up better than my H20 series suit so far and on top of it, it is about 1/3 of the price. |
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Posts: 8782
| I've got two sets of the Gander Guide Series stuff - one insulated, one not.
The insulated stuff soaks up water like a sponge. It's fine if you're just standing, but if you kneel on the carpet, your knees get wet. If you sit down between spots, your ass will get wet. The cuffs soak up water, so you'll be wet up to your elbows. The leg cuffs soak up water too, so you'll be wet up to your knees. After about 4 hours, your socks will start soaking up water from your pants, leaving your feet and the inside of your boots wet, too.
The regular (uninsulated) stuff only leaks through the zippers, the ass, and the pockets. That's usually my go-to gear for anything from 40 up to about 60 degrees. Anything over 60, and you feel like you're wearing a sauna. Over 60 I wear the lightweight nylon stuff. (i.e. Frogg Toggs or similar) It keeps you dryer than you'd be with nothing, and it's easy to get on and off between storms.
I had high hopes for the storm suit. But after talking to several guys who used them, and I mean USED THEM-used them, not just for a few hours on a day with light rain? Well, the reports were basically "yeah, it's good rain gear. I like it. You're gonna get wet in it. But you're gonna get wet in anything.
I haven't found anything that keeps you dry when you're zipping around between spots in an all day rain. You're pretty much a giant sponge out there no matter what you do. Best bet is buy something good and accept that "kind of wet" is the best you are going to get. |
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Posts: 8782
| As a side note:
I washed all my gear this summer with NikWax - REI has it. One is a wash, one is a treatment, and then there's a spray.
Seemed to make the stuff a bit more waterproof. We'll see come fall. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | good rain gear maintained well should not get you wet.. I've fished in both my cabelas insulated guide wear and the gander stuff in some torential rains, long days on the water and not gotten wet..when guys say they get wet and have good rain gear i'm guessing they just didn't maintain it correctly like w the Nikwax products..those work wonders.. just my opinion. |
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Posts: 897
| I'm not a fan of my Frabil Storm Suit, especially considering the price tag. For $450 you shouldn't get wet. I've had mine for two seasons, never washed it. The first few times it seemed like the water would bead off it for the first hour or so in a decent rain, then it would start soaking thru. Now it just starts soaking thru right away. I am going to try some sprays and treatments to waterproof it...but I'm not pleased I have to do this with a suit I was assured would keep me dry in any condition. |
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | Have gander guide gear I used heavily three seasons and stayed dry, the fourth season it wet through in several sections. Got cabela's gortex guide wear this time out and it's awesome so far. This is 3rd season on cabelas already. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | $50.00 for frogg-toggs that go on and off quick over light clothing or heavier layers is impossible to best ... IMO ... combine that with a handy, easy to stow bag that takes up very little space. great value ... |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | I have Browning Hydro Fleece which has served me well for the last 6-7 years, bowhunting and duck hunting included.
Frog Toggs for summer. Doesn't last forever but at that price it doesn't need to. |
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Posts: 120
| Bass Pro 100 MPH. Excellent |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | whynot,
There was an issue if I remember correctly with a run of the first Storm Suits, get in touch with Frabill and see if they will do anything for you. Mine is heavily used summer, fall, and even winter, I have never washed it but do dry it properly after use (do you?) and it still works like the day I took it off the shipping hanger. |
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Posts: 8782
| sworrall - 8/22/2013 6:34 PM
[...]
I have never washed it but do dry it properly after use (do you?) and it still works like the day I took it off the shipping hanger.
Cam you elaborate on that process for those of us who just put it on a hanger and leave it? |
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | Not sure about frabil storm suit but the cabelas suit says to put it in the dryer on medium for 40 min after use in the rain. I would think the storm suit would be simular. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | By the way, Addict, I REALLY use the Storm Suit, and so far, it's been flawless. Elaborate on making sure the suit is dry before shoving it a storage compartment or cramming it in a bag? Is that really necessary? Dry it first. Since I have not used the brand you are complaining about, I can't tell you what the instructions for that one read...try reading them, I guess.
There are now three grades of Frabill rainwear. Keith has been using the Frabill rain suit this year, and is really happy with it.
I stood in an absolute downpour for two hours covering a walleye tournament a few weeks ago in a Storm Suit that is heavily used and two seasons old, and I mean a frog strangler. I didn't have ANY wet clothing when it finally stopped. Secure the suit and zippers properly, and the gear will keep you dry. Don't, and it may not, and that's when I will get wet in the collar and sleeve area of the storm suit...because I don't want to be annoyed with having the suit secured enough to keep the water out. Not the suit's fault.
That goes for the BPS suit too. Great rainwear if you secure it properly.
I had a 10X Gortex suit for years. Good rainwear, if secured properly you would end up damp, but not soaked, at the end of fishing all day in the rain. Fine if it was above 55 degrees, not if it was colder. |
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| Frabill is good stuff. So is the Guidewear. |
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Posts: 76
| Thanks for all of the input. Opened my eyes to a couple of things I was not aware of and to a couple of products I would have overlooked. In response to dami0101 I prefer the jacket because it sits tight to the waist and doesn't pool water while motoring across the lake while running the tiller, plus it doesn't catch the back of my rod while sliding it up underneath my arm after the cast to begin the retrieve. I have used both the parka and the jacket and much prefer the jacket. It's a personal preference for me after years of walleye tournament fishing and now a muskie addiction! |
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Posts: 833
| I'm on the FXE Stormsuit bandwagon also. Great stuff. I wear the bibs all season, and it is kicks butt. One great bit of advice I got was to make sure the pair you buy is a bit roomy so you can layer up underneath it. The suit does a great job of keeping the elements out, but it doesn't do a great job of keeping the heat in. (why it works in Summer) Add some UA Cold Gear and a nice pair of sweat pants and you are golden when the mercury drops. |
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Posts: 139
| Frabill storm FXE suit. bought one last year and its good stuff. Expensive but so was the cabelas stuff. |
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Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | I have a set of the Cabelas Guidewear Goretex insulated bibs and parka. They still keep me dry in an 8 hr rain, but it doesn't bead up like it used to. Is there a product like a spray or something to "renew" the repellency? |
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Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | nocturnalmotors - 8/23/2013 10:40 AM
I have a set of the Cabelas Guidewear Goretex insulated bibs and parka. They still keep me dry in an 8 hr rain, but it doesn't bead up like it used to. Is there a product like a spray or something to "renew" the repellency?
FYI, found this on Gore-Tex's site
http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/care-center/restor...
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Posts: 897
| sworrall - 8/22/2013 6:34 PM
whynot,
There was an issue if I remember correctly with a run of the first Storm Suits, get in touch with Frabill and see if they will do anything for you. Mine is heavily used summer, fall, and even winter, I have never washed it but do dry it properly after use (do you?) and it still works like the day I took it off the shipping hanger.
Steve,
Only time it gets put away wet is on the water after it quits raining, otherwise I dry it out every time it gets wet. I don't use a dryer, but hang it in the garage to dry.
I'll contact Frabill and see if they will do anything for me. Thanks for the heads-up about the first run. Pretty sure mine would have been one of those since I bought it shortly after it came out.
Chris |
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Posts: 415
| jonnysled - 8/22/2013 2:37 PM
$50.00 for frogg-toggs that go on and off quick over light clothing or heavier layers is impossible to best ... IMO ... combine that with a handy, easy to stow bag that takes up very little space. great value ...
Agreed. I have had more expensive suits that don't come close. I fished in a down pour just the other day and stayed bone dry, except my shoes. |
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Posts: 8782
| sworrall - 8/22/2013 10:30 PM
By the way, Addict, I REALLY use the Storm Suit, and so far, it's been flawless. Elaborate on making sure the suit is dry before shoving it a storage compartment or cramming it in a bag? Is that really necessary? Dry it first. Since I have not used the brand you are complaining about, I can't tell you what the instructions for that one read...try reading them, I guess.
[...].
Here I was, thinking that maybe Steve had some special trick to drying out your rain gear that I hadn't thought of. Hang it up... 'ya THINK???  |
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Posts: 8782
| whynot - 8/23/2013 11:47 AM
sworrall - 8/22/2013 6:34 PM
whynot,
There was an issue if I remember correctly with a run of the first Storm Suits, get in touch with Frabill and see if they will do anything for you. Mine is heavily used summer, fall, and even winter, I have never washed it but do dry it properly after use (do you?) and it still works like the day I took it off the shipping hanger.
Steve,
Only time it gets put away wet is on the water after it quits raining, otherwise I dry it out every time it gets wet. I don't use a dryer, but hang it in the garage to dry.
I'll contact Frabill and see if they will do anything for me. Thanks for the heads-up about the first run. Pretty sure mine would have been one of those since I bought it shortly after it came out.
Chris
That might explain the guys I talked to as well. I think they all got theirs the winter the stuff first became available. May consider the Frabill suit after all. |
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Posts: 76
| Great link nocturnalmotors. No endorsement on the link of a specific product, but this is where the NikWax that esoxaddict referred to would apply. Thanks for the info. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | Nikwax stuff is awesome stuff.. |
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Posts: 251
| I have the FXE stormsuit and only used it a few times but Each time I have gotten very wet inside the suit. Usually it is through the butt or knees even though it has an extra layer in that area. I always figured it just couldn't stop water from getting in if I sit on a slightly wet seat (after 1-2 hours, maybe less). Is this true you think? I also bought mine early after they came out with it, could it be part of the problem they were having with the early versions. |
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Posts: 56
Location: Stanley, WI | jboutdoorguy - 8/22/2013 3:17 PM
Bass Pro 100 MPH. Excellent
The bass pro shops pro qualifier is also an excellent suit, and is also a little cheaper than the 100 MPH if you are looking for a lighter weight suit. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Bet so, T. I can sit in a puddle for 3 hours in mine and stay dry. |
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Posts: 58
| Anything KLIM is the best rain gear out there. Extremely durable and water proof. |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Iowa | Helly Hansen Impertech series...dryest stuff I have ever worn... |
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Posts: 432
Location: mpls | Simms Prodry is great stuff! I am trying to get them to release the insulated version sooner. its coming,but is still off about a year. This fall Simms is introducing a liner system that can worn on its own as well. I'll be owning that for those cold MN days 
Joe
[email protected] |
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| Take a look at Viking brand gear. Found some in Ketichan Alaska at a fishing gear shop. It's brand used by commercial fisherman and the price seemed reasonable. |
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Posts: 46
| I own the Bass Pro Pro Qualifier bibs (I like the zipper function better than many other options) and the Frabill Stormsuit Jacket. I originally had problems with the jacket leaking, but returned it and got a free replacement, and it is great. Dryness may be the main reason to choose a specific bibs/jacket. Just be sure that you can practice cast/troll/sit/drive/take the suit on and off in a comfortable way in the store, otherwise doing it in the rain will seem nearly impossible. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Is there a difference between the storm suit and the fxe storm suit? I've been thinking about picking up the suit and found a good price online but its referred to as the storm suit and not the fxe storm suit. |
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Posts: 245
| Hows the Frabill Rain Suit? |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Keith has been using the Rain Suit all season, likes it fine. |
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Posts: 8782
| No matter what you buy, here are a few things that I consider "bad design" that I've experienced with various kids of rain gear. On my next purchase, I will avoid these features:
1. Removable hood: Zippers aren't waterproof. Neat.
2. Thinsulate lining: Warm stuff. When you sew it too close to the cuff on the ankles, it soaks up all the water that runs off your parka, down your bibs, and onto your boots.
3. Chest pockets: The two with flaps are nice. The two big ones with vertical zippers and no flaps are nice until you make your first long run of the day in a hard rain. You can fit a lot of RAIN in those pockets, too. |
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Posts: 298
Location: Not where I want to be! | I have had Cabelas guide wear for about 10 years now. No complaints about design or workmanship. After 6 years I bought a can of CAMP DRY from the camping dept at cabelas and sprayed the jacket and pants.(hang on hangers outside and let dry) I now do this every other year, the water just beads up and you stay dry. |
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Posts: 76
| I am reporting on my search. Thank you to everyone for your responses. I was intrigued by the Nikwax products discussion and decided to give them a try. If it didn't work I would be out a few dollars and would still need to buy a new rain suit. Experiment was highly successful! The Nikwax wash and treatment worked perfect. My first impression was seeing the garments coming out of the washer. Water was beeded up on them and just ran off as I picked them up. After drying I noticed that the suit smelled just like the day I bought it. That reassured me that I was on the right track. Now the real test.....rain and wind. Mother Nature supplied that last week in Canada. Two days of rain and wind (at times excessive) and water was beeding up and running off like the suit was coated with oil. I also treated a 14 year suit for my fishing buddy as well as a spray for my boots. Both worked fine.
Nikwax is the real deal. Thanks to the responses in this forum my old suit is new again and I have more money to spend on tackle and equipment. |
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Raingear