Rain Gear

I’ve stumbled across some sizable fantasy football winnings and my intention is to buy new rain gear. I’ve had the same set of Bass Pro Shops Rain Wear with Gore Tex (uninsulated) for about 12 years now and the waterproofing is mostly worn out. They served their purpose. I really like the neoprene cuffs on the jacket.

This set will be uninsulated. I’m leaning towards Simms Challenger series but I am open to other suggestions. Right now Bass Pro has their primary line of rain gear on clearance so I am also intrigued by those. My parents have always been Cabela’s Guide Wear users in both insulated and uninsulated.

Thanks in advance.

I bought the uninsulated challenger suit last year and love it! Only tested it out a few times in rain, but on windy days it blocks the wind from bothering you

Craig Sery wrote:

I bought the uninsulated challenger suit last year and love it! Only tested it out a few times in rain, but on windy days it blocks the wind from bothering you

Excellent, thanks Craig

Not too many people look at them for fishing but Patagonia and Arcteryx make top notch stuff. If you’re looking for lighter weight both have great options but Arcteryx is expensive.

I also have a pair of Columbia pants that have been excellent.

I have the BPS either 100 or 200 mph rain gear, the only item that I do not like about them is the Plastered on BPS logo. Love the product though had them maybe 4 years now, just a solid product!

What about re waterproofing your old suit?
Waterproofing

Denny O wrote:

I have the BPS either 100 or 200 mph rain gear, the only item that I do not like about them is the Plastered on BPS logo. Love the product though had them maybe 4 years now, just a solid product!

What about re waterproofing your old suit?
Waterproofing

Never thought of water proofing the current stuff. There really is nothing wrong with it other than that. I am going to look into it and the BPS stuff. Thanks Denny

Matt Moen wrote:

Not too many people look at them for fishing but Patagonia and Arcteryx make top notch stuff. If you’re looking for lighter weight both have great options but Arcteryx is expensive.

I also have a pair of Columbia pants that have been excellent.

My arcteryx is top notch hiking gear and performs wonderfully in the boat.

I bought a full suit from Gill a few years ago and have been really happy. The material seemed more heavy duty than the Simms stuff, but the Simms suits seem very nice also. Lots of options for really nice suits that will keep you dry for a small fortune.

Most of the stuff in my closet is from Cabelas or LL Bean. Although not much lately. They have both gone from Quality made in the USA stuff to cheap import with their label. Since Red Head Jonnie Morris has made a fortune buying quality names and selling them down the road. I’m in the same boat. When Frabil discontinued their Storm Suit line. I bought the jacket on clearance. I love it. But never found the bibs in my size. In looking Simms, if you can find a good sale seem to be pretty good. But at retail, I’m out. See a lot of Black fish. But usually on someone being paid to wear it on tv. Saw a pair of Gundens rain pants yesterday I would have bought if they were bibs. Some of their stuff isn’t very breathable. I have an REI packable set that’s good for light rain. But in a storm. You just as well leave it dry in the truck. Cause you’re guuna get wet. Cabelas used to make it easy. Great quality and reasonable prices. No surprises, and good warranties.

ive had about 10 different rain suits over the years from cheappy frogg toggs to bass pro shop 100 MPH suit. at this point i dont use anything but the polyester suits. I have a carhartt one like below. its heavy but when i layer with a hoody its hard to beat for warmth and the weatherproofing never wears off and i can withstand any amount of rainfall

https://www.carhartt.com/product/103508-365LREG?kpid=Ecomm_Shopping_Non-Brand_go_cmp-15345964968_adg-133731693247_ad-563709671518_pla-296624071193_dev-c_ext-_prd-103508-365LREG-YT_sig-EAIaIQobChMIqKfHgOfh9QIVsP_jBx3pmAGbEAQYASABEgLlCPD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqKfHgOfh9QIVsP_jBx3pmAGbEAQYASABEgLlCPD_BwE

I got a good deal on blackfish Endure bibs and Jacket at the start of last season. So far I have to say I’m really impressed with it. Used it in a few heavy rains and stayed really dry. Being that I’ve only used it for 1 summer I can’t say how it will hold up or time, but so far more than happy with it. It is rather expensive and not sure I would have paid full cost for it. But then again most all high quality raingear is expensive. I spend to many days out in cold wet conditions and not willing to take the chance on cheap raingear.

crappie55369 wrote:

ive had about 10 different rain suits over the years from cheappy frogg toggs to <em class=”ido-tag-em”>bass pro shop 100 MPH suit. at this point i dont use anything but the polyester suits. I have a carhartt one like below. its heavy but when i layer with a hoody its hard to beat for warmth and the weatherproofing never wears off and i can withstand any amount of rainfall
/quote]

Poly raingear is fine in colder temps, But if you wear in warmer weather of get overheated in it them you will end up just at Wet from sweat as you would if you didn’t bother putting any raingear on. Poly breaths about as good as a Hefty Extra Strong Trash bag. not saying it doesn’t work. Just saying it does not breath well and you will Sweat if overdressed or the air temp is warm.

I bought a Striker suit last year for lake MI. Just something to cut wind and wave spray while motoring out/in plus rain. 1 hard season of use and I’m happy. I abused the bibs and they held up better than expected. I bought an up size for wearing over multi layers. If the sun pops out, holy crap is it warm. But then that was part of the plan. Early season may is often water temps in the 40s to maybe 50. Sure is nice to just hose off my legs after handling a bunch of slimy lakers

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I was given a ten year old Gander Guide Series set by my father in law several years ago. He had used them on his once a year Canada trip if it rained so they were barely used. During the second season of heavy use by me it started to absorb water. I tried re-waterproofing it twice. First time was with the Tech Wash cleaner and wash-in Nikwax stuff and the next time with the spray type Nikwax. It just didn’t work for me. I bought a set of Scheels Outfitters Non-Insulated Extreme and they’re working well after two seasons. We’ll see if they last.

I’m in the rain a lot. I have no choice. I use to wear Helly Hansen and they’re good. However, in driving rain my collar area would get wet. I tried Grunden’s and I like them a lot better than Helly Hansen. No more wet collar area.

Simms challenger and ProDry suits are nice.

I have the $200/ea scheels brand bibs and jacket and have had 0 complaints.

Poly raingear is fine in colder temps, But if you wear in warmer weather of get overheated in it them you will end up just at Wet from sweat as you would if you didn’t bother putting any raingear on. Poly breaths about as good as a Hefty Extra Strong Trash bag. not saying it doesn’t work. Just saying it does not breath well and you will Sweat if overdressed or the air temp is warm.
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Very true and glad you brought that up. I forgot to point that out

A lot of good advice and suggestions on there. I’m not interested in insulated rain gear. I primarily fish in summer rain when its muggy and warm out. So I need breathable rain gear. Sounds like Simms may be a good fit. I still am going to try and rain-proof my stuff right now and see if that works first. Anyone ever see the Simms stuff go on sale? I check regularly and its always the same price. And when places have a 20% off sale, Simms is often excluded.

Check fish USA or steep and cheap.

I got a deal on the new Rapala rain gear last year. Did a good job. The only real test is being seated behind the wheel in a down pour. If your beans and frank stay, you know you’ve got a keeper.

Look at the Sitka Cloudburst. Like all of the stuff it is expensive but going on year 3 of it and it is very dry and breathable.

Thorne Brothers has sales on Simms from time to time. I got the challenger insulated stuff at 50% off about a year ago. Uninsulated I am not sure if they go on sale or not. If they do, it would most likely be in the fall.

gim wrote:

A lot of good advice and suggestions on there. I’m not interested in insulated rain gear. I primarily fish in summer rain when its muggy and warm out. So I need breathable rain gear. Sounds like Simms may be a good fit. I still am going to try and rain-proof my stuff right now and see if that works first. Anyone ever see the Simms stuff go on sale? I check regularly and its always the same price. And when places have a 20% off sale, Simms is often excluded.

My vote goes to Grundens or Helly Hansen for raingear. Breathable and functional. I love Simms but I do feel like I am paying for the name/fly fishing status.

Steep and Cheap is a good site to keep an eye on.

I stumbled upon a Simms Gear that get you 20% off bibs after you buy Challenger jacket. Then, on their site a 15% off over all pops up for new customers!
Code BMC22

Just ordered a Simms Challenger jacket from the Simms website. They have the I have linked on sale for $159.97 and then if you sign up for the first time buyer you get another $15 off(popup when you first go to the site). All in with free shipping it was $155.30. Pretty sure they run a little big too but we will find out when it arrives.

M's Simms Challenger Jacket

I’ve had a great run with Guidewear, too. My son has the Simms Challenger gear and that’s really nice stuff. Then again, so is my other son’s Scheels suit. I always though that Blackfish e-vent stuff looked interesting.

I have a blackfish set that I love, and a frog toggs set that is good enough as well. Not the cheapo frog toggs, their slightly higher price point version. Burned through too many of the cheapos lol

One thing that I’ll say is that a lot of good recommendations were made here. BUT, the best luck I’ve had with rain gear was a result of me taking good care of it. Every spring I get it out, brush it with a nylon brush and some light dish soap/warm water. Then I let it dry thoroughly and give it an application of NicWax (or whatever your mfg suggests). Keeping it clean and keeping it fresh with the waterproofing really does wonders.

I think you can get a good number of years out of a suit if it’s well cared for.

I’ve got an uninsulated set from Helly Hansen that has treated me well.