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Posts: 617
Location: Clintonville, WI | Bear with me as I can not remember how long ago the last post about this topic was. I need input and am going to the Boards for help (so you'll see this message more than once).
I was recently about to pull the trigger on the Cabela's Guide Wear parka and bibs (WITH Thinsulate) which as most of us know runs a pretty penny, or two, or 40,000  However, while at Gander mountain last night, I saw the Tech2O stuff and it was just under 1/2 the price of Cabela's top end stuff.
O.K. then, both are waterproof, have reinforced knees, etc. How are they different then, if at all (other than different brands of waterproof material)? If different, can Cabela's be 2x better!? Also, I love cold weather fishing and need to be warmer than I've been the last few years. As stated above, I'm thinking insulated which would lead me to go with Cabela's because Tech2O is not insulated.
I've got a couple of solid opinions from trusted sources, but what say the rest of you? |
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Posts: 1189
Location: Bagley,MN 56621 | I cant speak for the other brands, but I did the same post and talked to many people 2 years ago and went with the cabela's Guidewear. I love that bib/parka combo!! I got the uninsulated so I can wear it all summer and not be too hot. I just layer up in the extereme stuff (i.e like Rice that snowy Nov. day) and am very happy with it.
If other stuff is goretex as well I'd maybe look into it further, but if it isnt, get the Goretex guidewear from cabela's.
One pricey suit would be more valuable that 2 (one insulate and one non-insulated) 1/2 price jobbers.
my $.02..hows the winter treating you Mike?
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Posts: 116
Location: winnipeg manitoba | if they are gortex you could have a 2 or 3 ply skin or membrane.yes in theory one garment can be much better than another.you must find out if it is a classic gore or the new xcr gore. there is a cifference in overall proformance of the gear. hope it helps, crippler |
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Posts: 366
| If you've got the money to spend then get the guidewear. The TECH2O might be all right stuff, but this I do know, after you buy the guidewear you will never regret it or be unhappy with it. If you regularly fish in any conditions, then buy the best rain gear you can. Buying cheaper rain gear is like underpowering a boat, you don't do it unless you don't really have a choice, $$$, or you just don't care about your own comfort.
Ryan Anderson |
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Posts: 1438
| I just bought my Guidewear (uninsulated for the same reasons GregM did) last summer. Was the best money I have spend in a long time. I checked many of the other brands including the Tech2O. The Tech2O is not GoreTex if I remember right. Most of the less expensive (I won't say cheaper at over 200 bucks a pop) stuff has a waterproof coating applied to the inside. As you wear it and move around the coating will start to crack at places like the elbows and knees. In the end it will start to leak.
As an added bonus, my wife and I went to the Packers/Eagles game in Lambeau... you know the one where it rained solid for like a day? Anyway, she wore my Guidewear and I wore something else. I got wet and she didn't, at all! After the game she agreed that the extra money was worth spending after she used it.
One other thing. I learned from Mr. Bluegill to use my guidewear all year long. I icefish with it as an outer layer and I no longer get wet knees sitting by the holes setting tipups. A great idea that I would have never thought of.
All I can say is I paid the extra and am very happy with my choice. Hope this helps.
I know Shepster uses the BPS 100mph stuff and is equally happy with that. Shep, what you have to say???
Edited by theedz155 2/29/2004 6:05 AM
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| If you are not decided yet, just more options. They make a nice fishing suit. http://www.froggtoggs.com/catalog%20page.html |
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Posts: 373
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio | I have 2 sets of Bass Pro HPR Gore-Tex rain gear, for the money I don't think you can beat it. Starting March 6, it will be on sale for 79.88 for your choice of parka, bibs or pants. |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I am the King of indecisive! I actually went out and bought the BPS 100MPH suit and had the Guidewear shipped to my house. Like GregM and others I wanted a suit that I could wear several layers under make it more versitle throughout the season. I found that the arm holes in the guidewear were a little small to be wearing layers under so I went with the BPS suit. Money well spent! Someday when its absolutely miserable out for hours ask yourself how much you would pay right there on the spot to get warm and dry and still fish. That day for me was the last day in my old suit with a wet butt! |
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Posts: 217
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Big Mo,
For Christmas, my wife told me she'd buy me a pair of whatever I wanted. I looked at the Guide Wear, Bass Pro's Gortex and top of the line everything else.
A friend of mine turned me on Chapin. This company makes rain gear catering primarily to the sailing industry. I tried out a pair of my buddy's bibs on a wet/cold day on Minnetonka and my decision was made. I bought the "Passage" parka and bibs - for significantly less than the aforementioned outfitters. Haven't had the full suit on any water but shoveled alot of snow with the parka and it blocks the wind great and is very, very dry. Extremely well constructed too. Only downside is all they make is red/black.
Good luck.
http://www.chapincompany.com/
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Posts: 1516
| I have Guidewear and like it alot except fro one problem. I have the jacket and bibs. When I'm sitting and taking water as boat spray or rain the water drains off the jacket and apparently pools on the bibs and leaks thru the zipper and I end up with a leak and a soaked crotch. Not good when to temps are in the 30's. Aside from this leak it's great rain gear. Has this happened to anyone else? If so what did you do about it? |
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Posts: 226
Location: W. PA. | What's the difference between regular gore tex and the xcr gore tex?
Thanks, Scott |
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | This will be the 10th season for me with my Cabela's Guide wear. This stuff is still like new yet. If you keep all the zippers zipped and the velcroed flaps closed properly it simply does not let moisture get in. I sometimes get wet in the front because I don't have the jacket properly zipped up but that is my own fault. I give mine very little care, about all I do is wash mine once or twice a year to keep away the dirty dishrag smell etc. I have the insulated ones and at the time I bought them I would not even consider anything else for the colder fishing months. I did buy mine large enough to get a lot of layers underneath for those snowy fall days. I do find that I get way too hot in the heat of the summer so I went out and bought the Frog Toggs for the hotter months. I do not remember how much that I invested in the guidewear but if you amortize it out over the length of time you are going to keep them it is not as expensive as you may think. I don't know about everyone else but I like being warm and dry in the wet and cold. Just wish that someday someone would pay me for these great endorsements. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The best rain gear I have ever owned I got when I was working for Skeeter Boats. It is 10X brand Gortex, is 12 years old, and going strong. I stay dry in the set in a down pour. |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | I agree with Mr. Worrall, I have a set of 10X raingear that is so old (10+ years) that it is in Treebark Camo, which was the only camo available at the time. The only wear is from use hunting every year. 5 years ago I bought a second set for back up and for use by guests. Both are still water tight. |
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Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | I went with Cabelas XCR Gore Tex for summer use to compliment my Cabelas Dry Plus Camo for colder weather. Santa brought it... so I can't report on its performance yet... but from what I can tell it is the "new and improved" design for the classic Guide Wear. Supposedly it stretches for more mobility and comfort... and doesn't seem as "stiff" as the heavy Cordura material that the Guide Wear uses. Thus, seemed perfect for the warm weather use I'm looking for. We will see.
Regardless of the garment brand or series... if it has a Gore-Tex liner I'm sure you will be pleased with its performance. Definetely worth the $$$$.
jlong |
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Posts: 5874
| Mo,
Theedz is right. I bought the BPS 100 MPH rain gear. I've had it over 2 years now, and really like it. Have not gotten wet, even in the worst of it. Steve Worrall and I were in some rotten nasty rain last year on Bago, and I stayed completely dry. I have used mine in March on the river in Spring Valley through March on the ice up nort! Keeps me warm and dry all year long. The only thing I wish for would be another pocket on the bibs.
When I bought mine, I actually went to BP in Gurnee to buy the XPS they had on sale. I couldn't find a matching set of extra bubba, so the sales guy agrred to dicount it the same amout as the XPS was. I saved over $150!
The other reason is when I call Tom at the Gander in Wausau. I get my jabs in by asking if they sell 100 MPH rain gear. hehehe He always says "NO! Ours is 108!"
Edited by Shep 3/3/2004 3:53 PM
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Posts: 617
Location: Clintonville, WI | Wow, what a response! Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you for good feedback. |
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Posts: 4266
| I gotta turn all of you guys onto www.sierratradingpost.com
They sell overstocks and 2nds and all sorts of stuff. I avoid the 2nds, but I bought 2 Columbia insulated rain parkas for $30 a piece. Check them out from time to time. They have Columbia, 10X and all sorts of good stuff from time to time. Not just raingear, but all sorts of layering stuff and fleece and even Scent-Lok stuff for you hunters. I keep both the parkas and the matching pants in the boat. I think both sets cost me less than a new jacket alone would cost.
They're always worth a look.
Beav |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Beaver, thanks for the response. great thread!What does everyone think of the Frog Toggs for summer use? I have Browning Goretex for cold weather and bowhunting, but can't decide what to get for summer. I don't need the insulation, and if the Toggs breath as they say they do, they may be worth the money..?? does/has anyone had good/bad experiences with this product? |
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Posts: 5874
| I think Toggs are good for light warm rain/drizzle. I have a set in my boat always in summer, but only use them in the light stuff. If there is a chance of any rain, I will bring the BPS 100 MPH. Not sure how Toggs hold up in a hard, prolonged rain. My guess is you're gonna get wet. |
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Posts: 4266
| Toggs are not a "go to" rainwear, but if you want something that you can stow easily and get on quick, they are alright. I keep some in my boat year round, but like was said before, I don't think that they'd hold up well in a good "soaker".
Beav |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Obviously I'm a little biased with the Gander H20 suit, but if I thought it was garbage I'd say it. So far I have 3 suits and not 1 has leaked. For around $200.00, I can say its probally the best for the money. I also own the 100 MPH Bass Pro suit and think the newest Gander Gore-Tex suit is better. It's right around $320.00, but was or is on sale for about $250.00. Big pockets in the bibs and parka, double stiched...really really nice.
I agree with GregM on the non-insulated suits, you can always add a layer of fleece when needed and even though Guide Wear is made of Thinsulate, you will get warm in summer.
Edited by Gander Mt Guide 3/4/2004 2:42 PM
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | After this last weekend, I'm in the market for some new gear. I found this.......great post. |
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| Buying the Guidewear was the best money I ever spent! |
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Posts: 226
Location: W. PA. | I'm with you, I bought the cabelas xcr suit and the bass pro to compare them. I sent the bass pro suit back the next day. The cabelas was twice the price, but worth every penny. If it holds up half as well as what all the guys are saying about the guidewear I'll be plenty happy. It's all the little things that make the difference, like the adjustment for the hood that pulls it back so it doesnt hang in your eyes. That's something I've never seen on any other suit. The entire thing is very well thought out.
Scott |
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Posts: 267
Location: Right behind you (tap, tap) BOOO | <p>I recently bought the Gander Moutain Tech2o Raingear bibs and jacket on sale for 150.00, and i have to say it was the best 150.00 I ever spent. I would recommend it to anyone.</p><p /><p>Esox23 </p> |
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