It’s time I changed wardrobe and am looking for a good set of bibs and jacket.
I have cold weather gear, so non insulated is pretty much the only criteria I have.
What’s everyone buying and more importantly, liking?
I’m not all up on the latest gear in that department. However my biggest requirement (for bibs at least) is that they have a belt. I have a guide gear rainsuit that doesn’t have a belt on the bibs and after a few hours of standing I can feel the weight hanging on my shoulders and throughout my back. My grey ice armor suit has the belt and I can stand all day in them and not even notice they are there.
The belt makes a HUGE difference for me.
Cabelas guide wear in my opinion. I have had it for 5 years and it has served me well. Right now on cabelas.com you can get 20% off all cabelas branded clothing.
I have the Frabil FXE, now called the Frabil F2. They are very good at what they do, keep you dry. I am with Munchy that bibs should have a belt, which these do not. Many of the guys I fish with run Cabelas Guide Wear and I have never seen an issue with those either.
I would like to put a set of Striker Pinnacle gear in my hands, they look nicely built with all the features I would want. Those are the three sets I would recommend looking into.
Have a set of the Frabill FXE. Loved them for about 2 years. Then they started leaking like a sieve. Disappointed considering the price they were.
Brian,
Here’s a non-traditional product that I’ve had as a staple in my boat for quite a few years. The cheap Coleman rain pants with the mesh liner. “The Jizz pants” as everyone calls them in my boat. Regardless of rain, I wear them from the start of the walleye spawn through whitebass spawn at the beginning of June. I’ve put them through hell plus thousands of squirting males and they have lasted quite well. One suggestion on them – wear suspenders to hold them up high
id say frabill, BPS, and cabelas all are comparable. I personally have a BPS un-insulated suit that is nice. I would select whichever one of these is one sale or cheapest. Simms is out of the question due to cost. PVC suits are 100% waterproof but don’t breath. If cost was not a factor I would go with cabelas guidewear personally
Look into the new Frogg Toggs stuff, way different from the stuff that they first came out with. Light, comfortable, rain proof, good craftsmanship, lots of pockets.
I have the Firebelly jacket.
http://www.froggtoggs.com/mens/mens-jackets-all-weather/firebelly-toadz-jacket.html
The Pilot II looks nice as well
On sale is the Hellbender and for 70% off is a great deal, but size is limited
For Bibs I have the Toadskinz
http://www.froggtoggs.com/mens/toadskinz-bib-pant.html
But the Pilot Bibs look really nice.
“The Jizz pants” as everyone calls them in my boat.
I know of someone looking to get rid of a brand new HUK Next Level Rainsuit size XL. $700 suit and I think he would sell it for $500 with tags still on it. I have the same suit and it is top notch. 6’2, 225# and it fits me well with room to layer if needed.
Bibs.jpg
Coat.jpg
Thanks all… I knew you guys would narrow the selections down.
$700 for a rain suit? Must come with it’s own sunshine!
I know nothing about that brand and might certainly be worth the money.
^^^
AND IT MAY BE JUST BE A BIT SNUG ON ME.
Suck it in Denny! ha
I have always worn Cabelas Guide Wear, never had any complaints
Brian what about gamehide? I thought you were a fan? Cabelas rainy river are very light but unlined so not comfortable on bare skin when wet. I have a set of guide wear and glad I do but for warm weather protection I always grab my lighter stuff. Columbia also has some nice light and affordable rain gear. Viking makes some nice stuff too. I have a couple of those.
First place I looked was Gamehide.
I don’t recall the names but one was too light and the other was PVC.
I also looked at Columbia but thought I would check in here to see what others were using.
Simms is the best rain gear I’ve used so far. And I own my third set of Cabela’s guide wear. Good discount for NPAA members too.
Well I thought this was going to narrow the selection down. LOL!
Thanks Fife and all.
Good pointer on the NPAA discount! 
I’ve had great luck with Gander Mountain Guide Series. Nice and breathable and they’ve kept me dry on 3 very wet Canadian trips. Considering the price was very reasonable, I figured even if they were good for 2 years, that would be great. This is year 4…
Grouse
Simms is more money but you get a lifetime warranty which I dont believe the other brands offer. I dont know about the new frogg toggs but my toggs suit from a few years back leaked after a few trips. Cabelas is half and half some suits last a long time but the camo duck hunter 4 in 1 jacket shell is junk. I cant speak for the guide wear. I have some gander stuff that is probably 10 years old and has a suede like shell excellent for bow hunting but a little warm even though it is uninsulated.
It boils down to super expensive and cheaper. If you dont plan on living in the rain day after day the cheaper lines are absolutely adequate. You will remain dry. Its been several years since I wore my Guide Wear.
Never been a huge fan of Gander Mtn, but I own and really like their guide series rain gear. Got a discount from a friend that worked their and have had the bibs and jacket ever since with little complaints. Cabelas and Simms are way higher quality I won’t deny that, but for the price the guide series is a good value.
The sleeve cuffs take a little getting used to but they keep rain from getting in and soaking the cuffs of your clothes under the jacket.
The suspenders aren’t the best design but they work.
They are light, breathe well for warmer weather and have even used them on pool 4 in the winter time layered right underneath with good results.
Plus they are easy to move around in vs some of the other high end rain gear that is very durable, yet also extremely stiff.
Simms is the best rain gear I’ve used so far. And I own my third set of Cabela’s guide wear. Good discount for NPAA members too.
Agreed. Simms is the best, driest, most comfortable…etc., etc., that I’ve ever worn and I’ve had suits from Frabill, Gamehide and Cabelas. I’ve had mine for 4 years now and it looks and performs like it did on day #1. Here’s come an understatement >>> The price tag is very steep. Too steep.
I have been following this thread because I too am in the market for breathable rain gear and don’t want to go high end because I’m not out there all that often in the rain.
Grouse, basseyes…is the TecH2O series that you have? I have Gander gift cards and could order them without paying anything out of pocket… 
I have been following this thread because I too am in the market for breathable rain gear and don’t want to go high end because I’m not out there all that often in the rain.
Grouse, basseyes…is the TecH2O series that you have? I have Gander gift cards and could order them without paying anything out of pocket…
Yes.
Have you looked at the new lines from Glad and Hefty?
^^ There has to be SOME fishing in Florida. 
I am sure there is 
I’m also shopping for a new rain jacket. My Gander jacket is coming apart at the seams after only six years. Being retired the price of new quality rain gear is shocking to me.
So far I’m leaning towards Cabala’s tourney brand as it is priced $100.00 less then the guide wear brand. It says 100% waterproof but doesn’t say Goretex. That has me concerned.
Does anyone have experience with the lower priced jacket.
I have some gift cards for Cabala’s so that is my only store option.
Have you looked at the new lines from Glad and Hefty?
I have looked at those and unfortunately they don’t come in my favorite color. As we all know, it’s all about how you look in it! 
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