So after this past tournament on St. Clair where in typical Michigan fashion, the rain never let up and we had real low air temps, I confirmed my need for a full suit bib/Jacket combo.
What are your guys' favorite rain gear? I am looking for one that is warm and keeps me dry.
I have heard the Simms gear is the best, but that is slightly out of the price point I'm looking for. I have ben looking at the 100 mph and Pro Qualifier suits from BPS, what are your guys' experiences with them? and what else would you suggest, thanks!
I like my Cabelas guide select bibs better than the bass pro ones but I like the 100mph jacket best. Simms makes good stuff but the price point is rediculous. They have been that way for as long as I can remember. I used to fly fish a lot and simms was popular back then and still charging double.
Lots of people here give raving reviews of Cabela's Guidewear rain gear. I have no experience with any rain gear, and am thinking about purchasing some, so I'm interested to hear what others say in this thread.
A WIDE brim hat
thats all I need
Arc'teryx, Norrona and Patagonia.
My ski shell jackets make great rainwear in the summer.
Was literally thinking of posting this topic also today, as we've been getting pounded with rain in the NE for a few weeks now. In my case, price point doesn't matter so much, I'd like to get one heavier duty suit for the cold months and a light suit for summer.
On 7/1/2015 at 12:27 AM, bradc36 said:Was literally thinking of posting this topic also today, as we've been getting pounded with rain in the NE for a few weeks now. In my case, price point doesn't matter so much, I'd like to get one heavier duty suit for the cold months and a light suit for summer.
Get a light goretex shell- the best you can afford. Just layer in the winter. I spend days and days out in the cold on windy mountaintops and never have an issue with proper layering. Avoid cotton under the shell though- it will trap moisture. Go wicking synthetic ALWAYS- like a fleece or something along those lines. Even one layer of cotton can ruin your whole deal. Maybe I'm nitpicking because I sweat a lot (especially when it's cold) but it makes a huge difference.
I have & really like Cabelas Guide wear line of outer wear.
Both the cold weather & the lighter version (non-insulated) bibs & parker perform as advertised.
I've had them for a few years and they are durable as well.
However for whatever reason the price on this stuff has gone up considerably making if close to or the same as some of the other brands mentioned routinely. The Cabelas stuff is still a good buy, just not as much now.
If I were shopping now, I'd take a hard look at the Simms stuff - they been around a while and have been successful in an assortment of fishing environments - quality stuff.
A-Jay
I have and really like the Frogg Toggs.
I have the bibs and jacket.
They're not restrictive in any way, light weight, fit good and cheap.
Mike
On 7/1/2015 at 12:24 AM, einscodek said:A WIDE brim hat
thats all I need
x2....mid-summer, anyway.....WIDE enough to keep my cigar dry.
But, from late Sep to mid May, I do tend to wimp out and put on a rain jacket occasionally
Early spring & fall I have a set of Cabelas Guide Wear that I got in 2000 and it still works great. Late spring & summer I've found that Frog Toggs work good. I have both a bibs set and a pants set and I prefer the bibs.
Another vote for Cabela's Guidewear. I've had mine going on 15 years and it will probably outlast me, lol. One thing I did was buy the Men's Tall size jacket and bibs, not just because I have "basketball" length arms but because I wanted to make sure my wrists and ankles had total coverage when casting and seated. Plus I wear the gear in the colder months and it does a fantastic job keeping me warm. I agree with the others that investing in a quality set of rain bibs and parka will last forever.
During the warm months I just wear a lightweight rain jacket and hat since the temps are usually high enough that I don't mind. Unless it's a driving rain or hailstorm as can happen in Michigan summers.
I have the BPS 100mph rainsuit, and it keeps me warm in the cold but still comfortable in some warmer weather (up to about 75 degrees). Most importantly it keeps me bone dry.
For the hotter summer days I use a Frogg Toggs rain suit.
On 7/1/2015 at 12:52 AM, Mike L said:I have and really like the Frogg Toggs.
I have the bibs and jacket.
They're not restrictive in any way, light weight, fit good and cheap.
Mike
X2
I got mine a size larger than normal so i could add layers in colder weather. Ive been very pleased with mine and bibs and parka together were cheaper than either one alone on bps gear.
You guys would love my winter storm day onezie haha
have some buddies that swear by the 100mph suit
Academy Sports has a really good suit that will only run you around $140 for the jacket and bibs. I love mine! And I especially love that they were roughly 1/2 the price of the BPS versions.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-153-men-39-s-fishing-parka/pid-134525?N=4294940663+119191402
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-men-s-fishing-bib/pid-134531?N=4294940663+119191402
I purchased my son's the Swiss army ponchos.
I have a 100mph suit, but it's not worth the money IMO. It's nice don't get me wrong, but the seams are coming undone around the cuffs, the zipper sucks, the hood constantly wants to come unzipped (it's removable). This is the second one as I had to return the first one for the same issues. If I had to do it over again I would probably just buy the suit from Academy and save myself a big chunk of money.
I highly recommend frog toggs, specifically the Pilot line. Awesome suit.
This Spring I purchased the Frabill F4 suit and love it. Keeps me dry even in all day rain (as to be expected). Light weight enough for all year use - obviously I layer like crazy in late fall and early spring. Time will tell how it holds up but so far very please with the purchase.
Matt
Gander Mt Guide Series. $10 for lifetime replacement plan. Anything happens and Gander replaces them.
On 7/3/2015 at 1:48 AM, PAGreg said:Gander Mt Guide Series. $10 for lifetime replacement plan. Anything happens and Gander replaces them.
good luck with that. GM used to have lifetime warranties on some of their rods and they no longer honor that warranty
This is an additional replacement warranty that you purchase. Not the standard lifetime warranty that comes with the product.
I have the Frogg Toggs Toad Rage jacket and the regular Frogg Toggs rain pants. So far the jacket works well. I bought it big so in the cooler months I can wear warmer clothes under it.
Spend the money and get the guideswear. I've owned Simms, Guideswear, and BPS 100MPH and my personal favorite was the guideswear. Simms is not in any way worth the cost, and i'd take guideswear or 100MPH over it. I didn't have bad luck with the 100MPH, the guideswear just fit me better.
I have a Marmot Oracle jacket and a pair of Field and Stream Gore Tex pants. The jacket has taken a beating and has held up like gore tex but is more breathable. My advice though on anything you buy would be to make sure it has a good water proof to breathability ratio, seemed zippers and pockets, and pit zips on the jacket.
Another option is West Marine. I just use West Marine brand made for sailing. Keeps me plenty dry. West Marine also sells many other good brands. Stuff that is much better than what is offered to the fishing market IMO.