Gortex worth the money

I was wondering if Gortex rain suit is worth the extra bucks or would a cheaper rain suit work.

I have the Cabelas Guidewear [over $400.00] and love it. I also have the Gander Mountain Guide Series TecH20 [around $200.00] uninsulated for the summer but haven’t used it yet. Took many years before I spent the money but am glad I did.
Thanks, Bill

Gortex is definately the way to go, well worth it.
You don’t get overheated in summer rains.
And blocks the wind out extreamly well in cold rains.
Even the cheeper generic gortex knockoff work great.
I’ve pick them up at WallyWorld, Farm Supply Stores,
and at Dick’s Sporting Goods Store in the golf dept
For under a hundred bucks in each case.
Yeah, the big name manufacturers (Columbia, etc)
will charge an arm, leg, and an appendage to be named later
for their top of the line stuff,
but if you look around youll find some good stuff.
Main qualities to look for are;
Repels rain
Repels wind
Alouws persperation out.

Without a doubt. It’s as close to a miracle as there is.

What will go out are the seams first on the cheaper gear. My first inexpensive set lasted about two years before they leaked.

I have a set of Cabelas Guidewear that is at least 12 years old. I wear the bibs over 50 days a year. They are not just for rain but for those chilly mornings or cold days. They keep out the wind even better than the rain. They have never leaked.

They look like hell now what with all of the fish slim, worm bedding and such over the years they are still serving the purpose.

You’ll find it to be almost to be unanimous in favor of Guide Wear here on IDA.

I have tried to go the cheap way and now I have 3 sets of rain wear that suck and one set of GUIDE WEAR.

I have $120 rain gear with something like gortex. It is very good until a hard rain – then the seams started leaking after a couple years. I also have very cheap rubber/PVC like rain gear (comes in orange or yellow at Fleet Farm) and it is 100% water proof, no matter how hard it rains out, although it is not very comfortable.

My 2 cents: If you plan to fish in the rain a lot then go with the best – Guideware. If you don’t plan to fish in the rain much or cost is a factor, then you could get by with the rubber/PVC like rain gear.

Dave Gulczinski

Gore tex or a similar product is the only rainsuit. You can find them in just about any price range nowadays. I have one inexpensive light weight Goretex suit from Cabelas I have used for years then last year I finally sprung for guidewear which I use when it’s colder out. Goretex is to rain gear what monofilament is to fishing lines in my opinion.

Cabelas Guide Wear, best money I have ever spent on clothing.

I will second Kevin’s comments on the Guidewear. I had tried the imitations and got burned. One in particular was the Stearns “Dry Wear” (around $200.00) and that pair lasted about 6 outings before I started to get leaks in the crotch area and seams starting to pull away. I returned them back to Fleet Farm and they said I had to deal directly with Stearns, so I did. Stearns happily exchanged my set for a new pair and the same problem occurred. At this point all I wanted was my money back and I had lost my reciept and they would not return my money but gladly exchange the product for a new set. No Thanks. Bit my lip and went to Cabelas and never been happier. I wear my bibs any time I get a bit chilly in the boat. Going on 7 years now and could not be happier. Worth the money!
I even brought my bibs to Cabelas to see if they could repair the tear I put in by accident and they gladly gave me a brand new pair of bibs…no questions, no receipt! Now thats service that will always keep you coming back.

Guide Wear all the way!

Another important aspect of Gore Tex is the wind resistance. If you have Gore Tex lining in your parka it makes it infinitly warmer than fabric that does not have the Gore Tex backing. You need much less insulation and that has many bennies alone again.

I have Gore Tex in my three season jackets.

My first experience with Gore Tex was 20 years ago. I bought one of those Bud Grant waterfowler parkas from Cabelas. The seams eventually leaked water but I still bring it out from time to time when I have company who needs a warm parka when hunting or fishing.

I now use the Quad Parka and like it a lot. Couple that with the matching bibs and I stay dry when lying in fields waiting out those honkers on wet mornings. I have lain in mud and have water fill the holes my body creates and stay 100% dry.

Ask your self this question…What is it worth not to be in the field or on the lake when the weather conditions are tough and the birds are flying and or the fish are biting?

Or this question…I’d give how many $’s to be dry right now.