Blackfish vs Simms

Looking at getting blackfish storm skins rain gear? Would be using it only for open water fishing. March thru November. Really like the wool or primaloft liner in it but waterproofing is priority’s. Looking at simms challenger set uninsulated to compare against. Any recommendations for one or the other? Thanks

I could be wrong. But the blackfish Gear with Storm Skin is really not what I’d call Raingear. Blackfish does have pure Raingear and it is great. I love my Endure set. I also own the Gail Pull over with Storm skin. Although it is listed as Waterproof, I’d not use it like raingear like their other raingear products. It nice for added warmth and will keep out some light rain but would not hold up in a long full day rain like traditional raingear

I don’t own Blackfish or Simms rain gear. Mine is Cabela’s Guidewear. What I can recommend is to get uninsulated if you want to use it from May to November. Buy it one size bigger and layer underneath when its colder out. If you get insulated rain gear, you will roast during a summer 85 degree rain like a snow cone in the desert.

gim wrote:

I don’t own Blackfish or Simms rain gear. Mine is Cabela’s Guidewear. What I can recommend is to get uninsulated if you want to use it from May to November. Buy it one size bigger and layer underneath when its colder out. If you get insulated rain gear, you will roast during a summer 85 degree rain like a snow cone in the desert.

100% agree with this. That is what I purchased my Blackfish Gail pullover for. To layer under my raingear on colder days.

I would look at getting the Striker rain gear. It is really top of the line and is by far the best rain suit I have ever tried. If you want confirmation just check out the reviews.

I have the simms challenger suit both insulated and uninsulated and love them both. Not much I would change on them besides the price.. I own a lot of Simms gear and have never been disappointed with them. That being said, blackfish is right up there with Simms in quality and maybe a little cheaper. I don’t think you can go wrong with either brands, get whatever you like/ is in budget.

Walleyeguy34 wrote:

I have the simms challenger suit both insulated and uninsulated and love them both. Not much I would change on them besides the price.. I own a lot of Simms gear and have never been disappointed with them. That being said, blackfish is right up there with Simms in quality and maybe a little cheaper. I don’t think you can go wrong with either brands, get whatever you like/ is in budget.

Simms does make some quality Gear. Just way out of my Budget. Had I not got a really good discount on my blackfish Rain gear, I’m not sure I would have even got it.
I spend a fair amount of time in the boat each summer, and most my raingear in the past have tended to last a rather long time. This is the only reason I can seem to justify the $ I spent on the blackfish raingear I purchased.

fishthumper wrote:

I could be wrong. But the blackfish Gear with Storm Skin is really not what I’d call Raingear. Blackfish does have pure Raingear and it is great. I love my Endure set. I also own the Gail Pull over with Storm skin. Although it is listed as Waterproof, I’d not use it like raingear like their other raingear products. It nice for added warmth and will keep out some light rain but would not hold up in a long full day rain like traditional raingear

Thumper is on the right track. I have an older Simms Challenger set that is very nice and I have several blackfish items and also like them. I have the blackfish Aspire and Endure rain gear a few regular Gail pullovers and a Gail Stormskin set. I wore the Stormskin set on the St. Croix opener last spring and I was happy with how it functioned on a cool rainy day but I would not be looking for the same thing on a warmer rainy day in July or even a snow/rain mixed day in January. I used the storm skin set in the fall with some light rain and was happy. If I am going out on a long day in colder weather with rain all day I would still prefer my Blackfish Endure set with good layers underneath over the Stormskin set.

Anyone know of any brand that makes tall sizes that are actually tall and not just wide??? I have yet to find a brand that makes a long enough inseam.

Charlie W wrote:

Anyone know of any brand that makes tall sizes that are actually tall and not just wide??? I have yet to find a brand that makes a long enough inseam.

Charlie both Scheels and Cabelas/Bass Pro have Tall sizes in bibs.
Scheels Outfitters Extreme and Cabelas/Bass Pro Guidewear.

I’m 6’4″ and own both.Inseam length works for me.

Not sure how tall you are or if you have ever checked these options out.

bullcans wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Charlie W wrote:</div>
Anyone know of any brand that makes tall sizes that are actually tall and not just wide??? I have yet to find a brand that makes a long enough inseam.

Charlie both Scheels and Cabelas/Bass Pro have Tall sizes in bibs.
Scheels Outfitters Extreme and Cabelas/Bass Pro Guidewear.

I’m 6’4″ and own both.Inseam length works for me.

Not sure how tall you are or if you have ever checked these options out.

Same height with 36”+ inseams. I used to have the cabelas insulated in tall. I didn’t know scheels added tall to their lineup – must have added them kinda recently? Will check them out again. Thanks.

Picked up Simms CX bibs and jacket last spring on sale.Kept me dry in some pretty nasty rain events,and with a good base layer and a layer of fleece underneath kept me plenty warm/dry in the boat well into November.

Thanks guys I bought the Simms challenger bibs