Rain Gear.

OK,

I know there are plenty of guys out there in the same boat as I when it comes to staying dry. The problem I am having is that I buy this expensive rain suit and it only works for about a year then I might as well not even put it on.

Is there some secret to resealing these things or I am just out of luck.

jc

Have you tried any rain gear with genuine “Gore-Tex”. I believe Gore-Tex has a 10 year warranty for waterproofness. At least they used to.

Nothing is better than the original IMO.

I have that Gander Mountain Guide Series stuff. Definatelly not even a full year.
jc

JC,

I own a Mercury rainsuit that lasted one year. However, rather than throwing the suit away, another club member told me to stop by Cabela’s and ask for their waterproofing spray on repellant. It comes in a miniture spray bottle for about $10.00. You thoroughly wet down the suit, shake off the excess water and apply the waterproofing. Then toss the suit into the dryer and dry completely. The first tournament of the year at Cassville i fished in the rain from 8:00 to 11:30 and not a drop of water soaked through my suit. Pretty good way to give your rain suits new life.
The bottle only does one suite so its a little expensive, but worth every penny. FYI. Hope it helps.

Chris

The rain suit I had yesterday definitely did not work.

Tell ya what boys…

This may be unethical but hell, none of us are made of money

Go to cabellas and get their rain suits, they run about $350 for the whole set. They do work great for a couple years but when they stop working just take back and tell them that they leak. They credit you exactly what you paid for them years earlier. Im on my third set in 7 years but have never had a problem exchanging them. They have great customer service!

JHall

I have a Hodges rain suit. I can tell that I’ve had it for five years. No problems, but it’s definite a suit I wouldn’t wear during the summer months.

Have you tried those Frogg Toggs? I’ve not.

Thanks ,

Jeremy…..was out with a friend fishing on Sunday during the downpour and he also had a expensive Gander Mountain rainsuit (bought last May) that soaked him right to the skin, tops and bottoms. He is taking it back to Gander…at 300$ plus or minus I wouldn’t think you would need to buy any sealers or waxes to keep it working. Told him to let them know just how he feels!!!!! Let you know what they tell’em.

Yep, That is the same set I have.
Let me know.
jc

I had a pair of Frogg Toggs. They work well for about a
year, and then they get a bit “fuzzy”, and they get prone
to tear. They are nice for hot weather, since they do
breath well. Mine cost $50, and were good for a couple
of years. I have the expensive insulated stuff, but as has
been stated, about every 2 years, I wash them twice, once
with Arm&Hammer powdered soap, and then with no soap, to
thoroughly rinse any residue out of the fabric. Then
I spray on a good coating of 3M water repellent. That
restores them to water tight for a couple of years.
Yesterday, I sat about 3 hours, in a downpour, tournament
fishing, in my “lightest” raingear, which is light PVC
coated Columbia brand stuff. I think it was wetter in
my raingear, from perspiration, than it was out in the
rain…Well almost as wet I guess I am in the
market for summer rain gear, that breaths. I might have
to get another set of Frogg Toggs, and keep them for
warm summer rains, only, to get some more life out of
them.

Big Bass Bane

I took the plunge this spring on a new set of Helly Hansen rain gear. After fishing long days in a few of mother nature’s ever so grateful midwestern monsoons this year, I was still dry as a bone. I’d definitely recommend the product, it was worth the $300.

I’m with J.Hall on this one. Got my first set 9 years ago. After 7 yrs. it started leaking and I traded it in for the same price I paid for them toward new ones. Then next set only cost me $20 more. For some reason they don’t fit the same as they did 7 yrs. ago. They also told me to wash them once in a while and that actually helps the gore tex work better. I got wet arms yesterday, but it was from holding the rod up and the water running down into my sleeves. Cabela’s get’s 2 when it comes to clothing and customer service. Fishnut

You get what you payfor. I spent the money about 4 years ago for the 100MPH Gortex from Bass Pro Shops and I’m always dry. This suit has more comfort factors than I can mention. My favorite is the pockets. They keep your hands warm even when they are wet. You can pull them out wring them out and they feel dry and warm again.

Ken

Fishnut and JHall are right on…

I bought my Cabelas rain suit 9 years ago… still like new. My dad has a set that’s 14 years old… still like new… we’ve never had to exchange ours, as it keeps us dry in a driving monsoon… great gear, but pricey.

One word of wisdom… if you are storing them in your boat and the compartments get damp or “stink like boat” (ie. gas umes, etc) this will break down your gear over time. It is important to keep rain gear clean and dry when not used and stored. I am a testimonial for that!

Fleck-of-blue, Boney and I commented on your choice for quality rainwear. I had a spare you could have borrowed problem was we did not know if that was rain or “hawg slime” great job yesterday!! fun huh!!??

Yep, that’s what I get for leaving the gear at home. Oh well, such is life. By the time we saw you, I was soaked, but I most definitely appreciate the offer.

Great job to you and Boney. It was certainly a day I won’t forget for a long time to come.

Another fantastic tournament by Team Supreme.

If your frogg toggs are leaking send them back and they will send you a new pair.

From the Gore Tex Website.
GORE-TEX® OUTERWEAR

WASH
Machine-wash warm (104° F/40° C). Powder or liquid detergent. No fabric softener.

DRY CLEAN
Follow manufacturer’s instructions. If professionally dry-cleaned, request clear distilled solvent rinse and spray repellent.

IRON
Steam-iron warm.

BLEACH
No chlorine bleach.

DRY
Tumble-dry warm.

WATER REPELLENT TREATMENT
Gore recommends applying a topical water repellency restorative for outdoor fabrics, available at your local outdoor retailer. We do not recommend wash-in treatments.

STAIN REMOVAL
Use pre-wash treatment such as Shout or Spray ‘n Wash. Follow the pre-wash manufacturer’s instructions. Rinse well.

I wash and dry my Cabelas set a couple times a year and it
stays dry.

Quote:

---

If your frogg toggs are leaking send them back and they will send you a new pair.

---

Thanks for the info Scooter I just got a pair of Frogg toggs this year and I realy like them, I was in that down pour yesterday and I stayed bone dry.

JC, I don’t like your post, since I bought the same outfit you did. Hopefully, yours is just a defective suit . Time will only tell with mine, and I hope I am not in the market for a new suit, or other alternatives to making this one work. Let me know if you try any sprays on yours, and if it works. May me handy info in the future.

I bought the Columbia Omni-tech waterfowl series from Cabelas 3 years ago and have been dry ever since. They are kind of spendy but well worth it.

I broke down and bought the 100 MPH Bass Pro suit last year and could not be happier with this product. It can get a bit warm in 90 degree weather but if it is raining hard and 90 it feels cooler than that and it does breath somewhat. I give it a 5 star rating and feel it was money well spent. Helley Hansen is also very good commercial grade rainwear but it does not breath like goretex.

Quote:

---

I bought the Columbia Omni-tech waterfowl series from Cabelas 3 years ago and have been dry ever since. They are kind of spendy but well worth it.

---

Along with my Frogg Toggs for warm weather I also have the Columbia Omni-tech waterfowl series, great for cold weather they have always keept me warm and dry!

Cabela’s guide wear hands down. I stay perfectly dry and happy. . As mentioned earlier they are warm in hot weather, but keeping dry is 10x more important in my opinion.

Im with the cabelas on this deal! Probably cuz my Old Lady works there and I got a deal but they work!

Whoops! Looked at my rain suit again on Tuesday afternoon when I was, uh, sick, and it read Hodgeman’s -not “Hodges” .

So far, thats the best one I’ve ever had .

Thanks ,

OTW