Best Foul weather rain gear?

Greetings! I”m going to replace my rain gear this year and wondered about any recommendations? I want bibs and a parka w/ hood?

Cabelas Guidewear is good if you can afford it. I recommend the non insulated stuff. The insulated set is unusable in the summer months when it rains.

Last year I purchased the Simms Prodry bibs and jacket. They do a great job keeping me dry. The only thing I don’t like is the bibs don’t make it easy for a gentleman to relieve his bladder. They are pricey, but you can find them on sale. I justify the price based on them being a 5-10 year investment. Nothing worse than being wet on a five day fishing trip. I learned the hard way.

Simms also has the challenger line of rain gear which works well.

Cabela’s Guide Wear is “on sale” right now. Definitely one of the best out there.

Normal price for the Advance line is $400 a piece, on sale for $240. 40% off

The other lines are also on sale for 15-25% off.

I almost……and mean almost…..bought a set on Sunday. I carried it around the store for an hour but just couldn’t pull the trigger. I have a set of Frabill stuff that’s been good to me and just couldn’t justify the upgrade until I wear them out.

Cabelas Guidewear w/ Goretex (not sure if they still make a set w/o Goretex anymore). Non-insulated for spring, summer and fall, the insulated set also works great for ice fishing

The Pessimist wrote:

I justify the price based on them being a 5-10 year investment. Nothing worse than being wet on a five day fishing trip. I learned the hard way.

Been there, done that. However I’m learning that breathable rain gear will never go 5-10 years.

The outer fabric degrades and loses it’s Durable Water Repellent(DWR). This is more effective at keeping rain out than the fancy laminate membranes like GoreTex. You can get some extra mileage by cleaning then treating with a product like Nikwax.

This isn’t to say that Simms Prodry or Cabelas Guidewear isn’t top of the mark. Just that they won’t be as good in year 5 as year 1.

FWIW – I have Simms and before that Marmot(3 layer gore tex), and North Face(2 layer goretex). All were awesome in the first year or two then degraded over time.

gimruis wrote:

Cabelas Guidewear is good if you can afford it. I recommend the non insulated stuff. The insulated set is unusable in the summer months when it rains.

X2 I have both the non insulated and insulated going on 10 plus years and have held up well. I treat mine with Thompson Waterseal about every 3 years and still dry as a bone.

If you’re looking for something guaranteed to keep water out, you have to get PVC gear from someone like HellyHansen or Grundens.

patk has it with any waterproof/breathable membrane style rain gear, the key with those are to maintain the DWR so that the fabric does not saturate. While I won’t endorse Tom P’s method of Thompson Waterseal, REI does have a good series on how to pick out and maintain rain gear. Main thing is to wash them often with proper detergent.

https://www.rei.com/learn/series/rainwear-basics

I myself prefer to buy high end ski/alpine jackets on closeout/clearance over Cabelas/BPS/Simms/etc because 1) the cuts/design of those jackets fit me better, and 2) I prefer the look of them. My current bibs are closeout Guidewear bibs I got a few years ago, will do the same when these give out.

Hope this helps, good luck.

I have this jacket and a set of PVC bibs by helly Hansen

https://www.carhartt.com/products/carhartt-men-outerwear/Midweight-Waterproof-Rain-Storm-Coat-103508

if I know its going to rain a lot or if im in a smaller boat and I know ill be getting splashed a lot I will wear these. PVC is the only guaranteed dry rain gear. its a little uncomfortable and heavy but that’s the tradeoff.

I also have a set of guidegear (sportsmansguide brand) jacket & bibs that are actually really good quality for the price. I also have a set of Striker jacket & bibs that will make their way in the boat too. Havent tested the striker gear in the boat much though as I just got that a year ago.

Bought new stiker gear “ice fishing” claims to be “water proof”. Stikers definition of what water proof is not my or any other manufacturer definition. Gear is not water proof by any means. Brand new gear in a slight rain in ID on the ice soaked to the bone. Called manufacturer their explanations I had to laugh they suggested spraying with some sort of water resistant products. I told them that I had not done that on “water proof gear for 30 yrs. they kept us warm and they supposed to keep you afloat just not dry unless the rain comes in a more solid form like snow. As for the previous comments on Goretex the wife had a old pair of snowmobile bibs and they started to leak sent them to goretex they tested them determine that they had failed and my wife got to get a new set of Klim bibs and they paid for them. You cannot beat that from anybody we have used goretex gear for over 30 yrs had PVC rain gear for sailing and some for the motorcycles with that you didn’t have to worry about the rain because you were soaked from sweating cabelas guidewear great. Cabelas is not warranting anything anymore due to the BP buy out but I would trust goretex to stand behind their products just have to leave the goretex tag on the garmet Our experiences

Go to REI and watch their clearance racks if you have time to buy. You can find really good deals on high end stuff. I got a Patagonia rain jacket for $50 last year and it’s great. It’s more of an outer shell but with layers underneath I’ve worn it in 30 degrees.

Columbia also makes good pants at a reasonable price, so does Duluth trading. I don’t like bibs and the Columbia pants are really high quality for a good price. I don’t think you need to spend $500 for a good set if you shop around.

I wear grundens.

Ever seen a crab show

Weather-Boss Hooded Foul Weather Workwear Parka

I have been happy with my striker rain gear, well built just like the ice suits