Rain Gear/cold weather gear

[Bluebasser86]

Looking to buy a new set, in the mid-weight range so I could wear it in the summer but still layer up in the winter and be okay. Not set on any brand, main thing is staying dry which my current set doesn't do well.

[Jig Man]

Clayton BPS 100 mph is the only ones I have ever had that kept me dry but they aren’t for summer days.

[gimruis]

I purchased a new set of Cabela's Guidewear Lite in March and used it about a dozen times this past season.  It worked fine, and I stayed dry.  I was in the same situation you were last winter, looking for a new set of rain gear to use in summer time when its warm/humid out.   Insulated is not an option.  If I want to use it in colder temps, I simply layer properly underneath.  I'll be honest though, I don't do a lot of fishing in cold temps.

 

I tried the normal Guidewear (uninsulated) and even thought that was too heavy which is why I went with the Lite version.  I also looked at the Simms rain gear which is higher quality, but they didn't have my size and I wasn't about to buy something like that online.

[MN Fisher]

I'm looking at Blackfish myself...local place out of Maple Grove, but well rated by a number of people.

[GaryH]

Simms challenger jacket and Simms rain paints. The quality is outstanding.

[Deephaven]

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I'm looking at Blackfish myself...local place out of Maple Grove, but well rated by a number of people.

10k/10k isn't so great for breathability or waterproofing.  For the same price the Eddie Bauer is 20k/20k.  Jackets with eVent or Gore also will outperform them,but for more dough.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

5 minutes ago, GaryH said:

Simms challenger jacket and Simms rain paints. The quality is outstanding.

my friend has this one.  I stare longingly at him when I am shivering in my deer hunting clothing.  hahah..

[Jar11591]

Carhartt Rain Defender. My year round rain coat, including summer. Also my cold weather jacket when layered with a Cabelas Guidewear hoodie. 
 

https://www.carhartt.com/product/103829/rain-defender-relaxed-fit-midweight-softshell-hooded-jacket?colorCode=undefined_SW

[volzfan59]

I've got a BPS 100 mph set of rain gear. Like @Jig Man said, not for the summer. Used to have some Frog Toggs for summer, they were great but I have no idea where they are now. Probably need to buy some more.

[r83srock]

I have had great luck with my Gill set. I bought it based on cost (half off) and I don’t regret it. It’s still expensive to me but no different than a good rod and reel, so I bit the bullet. I see gill is on sale a few places online again, pretty steep! I would go one size bigger than normal though. I typically wear large and ended up with XL.

[webertime]

Another Simms fan.  ProDry jacket with Transom bibs.  Wore in 80s down to high 30s with no issue.  You can find the ProDry and CX stuff on sale now.

[Woody B]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

...........main thing is staying dry which my current set doesn't do well.

 

Get some waterproofing treatment and spray on what you've got.  I've got a spray bottle of stuff.  The brand name is "Starbrite" or something like that.  I don't remember where I got it.  It turned my somewhat leaky light rain clothes into waterproof clothes.  I spray them every 3 months.   

[casts_by_fly]

I went frog toggs and have two seasons on them now. The jacket is the original pilot and it is great. The pants are discontinued and were a convertible bib/pant. I wear the pants year round if I’m going to get wet and it’s less than 75 degrees.  They are great for kayak spray even in the summer.  They are the unlined frog toggs variety. I’d get another pair if I could and put them aside.

 

i love the jacket. It’s super wind and water proof-never let in a drop. It’s right on the edge of what I’d wear on an 80+ degree hot day but I do it.  It has the ability to zip in liners and frog toggs sells them. I just layer in a comfy hoodie.

 

frog toggs also has a clearance section and you can get some great deals. 
 

just checked - the pilot pro is the upgraded version of what I have and is on clearance right now for $129.

[A-Jay]

I haven't been able to find a "Do It All" set of gear yet.

The temp extremes are too much.

Layering under lighter gear works OK for me until it doesn't. 

So I have three sets.

HUK jacket & Bibbs for late spring into summer warm lite rain.

Guidewear Gortex pants and jacket for Total keep me dry in heavy rain and cooler temps.

And the newest and warmest gear is a Simms challenger insulated jacket & Bibb.

Best set I've own so far; light super warm & dry and very comfy.

NOT for warm weather though. 

I wear a single insulated layer under that Simms gear and I'm all kinds of toasty even in the coldest of temps and wind.

A-Jay

 

[Scott F]

3 things I have to have in a rain suit.

1. Gore Tex. It keeps the water out and breathes

2. Bibs. Waist high rain pants always let water in when I was sitting or bending over.

3. Neoprene cuffs on the jacket. Keeps water from running up my arm when casting.

[txchaser]

https://www.gore-tex.com/technologies/outerwear

While there are plenty of competitors to Gore now, gore-tex is likely still the standard. But the line has split a lot in terms of the breathability<>waterproofness spectrum, as well as how durable the fabric is. I'd bet if you picked which of the gore approaches work for you, it would help you narrow it down. 

 

For what it's worth, here's how I do it:

Summer - Patagonia Houdini Jacket ($100)- it's really lightweight, more of a running jacket, and packs so small it'll fit in a pocket. I actually carry it because it is small. It won't save me from a four inch downpour, but summer rain here is usually fast and it is no biggie if I end up a little damp. Better than sweating my tail off. No rain pants in the summer, I wear superlight pants and they dry fast. 

 

Spring/Fall - Simms Rogue Hoody, got it for something like half price. ($59) Windproof and gets at least an hour of rainproofness. If I sealed the shoulder seams it would probably get two. Little bit of insulation is perfect for brisk mornings. It is quiet, which matters a lot - I'm not a fan of crinkly nylon. Random rain pants to go with it if needed. 

 

Winter - Gill OS3 - got it for half off ($150?)- it is very heavy fabric, has wrist seals, etc. I think it's sailing jacket or something like that, as it is nearly overkill for everything but some nutty offshore squall. But totally wind and waterproof, and I've done cold and hungry and I don't need anymore of that in my days  Huk rain bib pants to go with it. Be forewarned, the XL in those pants feels like a XXL and I had to go down a size. 

 

 

 

[FishTank]

NRS dry bibs, thermals from Under Armor, wool baselayer top, pullover and a Stormr Strykr for winter.  Heavy rain but cold, I go with the NRS Dry bibs, a fleece pullover, and Arcteryx Beta AR. For Summer I use to use some REI rain pants but they are now shot and I have replaced them with a pair from Stormr. I use an Outdoor Research Foray rain jacket during warm days.  Awesome jacket. Holds up great and breathes well but not made for layering. 

[roadwarrior]

Under Armour long johns

 

 Cabela's Guideware