7 minutes ago, FishTank said:

 

I have the shoe stuff as well. If you have suede boots, make sure get the stuff made for suede and the shoe cleaner.  This stuff also really stinks. I always spay it outside in an old box. 

Thanks for the tip!

@FishTank and @woolleyfooley, great friend of mine worked as a buyer for Cabela's for many years. He has since left the company, once BPS bought them out. 

 

Many moons ago he tried to explain Gore-Tex, how it works, why you feel wet when the fabric sits against your skin. This was well before all the cool rankings and tests they do now. 

 

It was a long, long time ago...but I do remember him saying a good DWR helps water bead up and run off the fabric, instead of getting soaked in to it. Helps keep you dry. He said if you are kneeling or sitting in water...you may force water through the membrane. 

 

I remember when my Brother and I got our first gore-tex gloves for Christmas. Late 80's, early 90's(?). We spent hours filling the sink, holding our hands under water in amazement(!)

Columbia has some jackets on sale:

• Omni-Tech Ampi-Dry II jacket on sale $160 --> $96 
  • Pit-zips
• Omni-Tech Mackenzie River Jacket $140 --> $70
  • A "fishing" jacket...others are hiking
• Omni-Tech Hikebound II jacket $80 --> $60
  • Have a "tall" version

I have some old Omni-tech stuff. Seems good. 

 

Thoughts?

7 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Thoughts?

 

Just my personal preference, but I insist to trying on anything like this ahead of time before buying.  Some may disagree with that notion.  Shoes and clothes are not something I buy without trying on.

43 minutes ago, gim said:

 

Just my personal preference, but I insist to trying on anything like this ahead of time before buying.  Some may disagree with that notion.  Shoes and clothes are not something I buy without trying on.

 

Agree 100%.

 

I often order various sizes, and then ship back the items that don't fit. Most places will cover shipping back on returns...but even it if costs me a little $$, it's worth the price to get the right fit. 

 

23 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

@FishTank and @woolleyfooley, great friend of mine worked as a buyer for Cabela's for many years. He has since left the company, once BPS bought them out. 

 

Many moons ago he tried to explain Gore-Tex, how it works, why you feel wet when the fabric sits against your skin. This was well before all the cool rankings and tests they do now. 

 

It was a long, long time ago...but I do remember him saying a good DWR helps water bead up and run off the fabric, instead of getting soaked in to it. Helps keep you dry. He said if you are kneeling or sitting in water...you may force water through the membrane. 

 

I remember when my Brother and I got our first gore-tex gloves for Christmas. Late 80's, early 90's(?). We spent hours filling the sink, holding our hands under water in amazement(!)

Interesting. Forgive my ignorance but what is a “DWR”?

Good question.  

 

Durable Water Repellent. 

 

It's the stuff that makes water bead up on fabric. Instead of soaking in to the material. 

Is this the correct cabelas jacket? I can’t tell if it’s lightweight like I want or not. Also I don’t understand the sizes.

 

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/guidewear-rainy-river-parka-with-gore-tex-paclite-for-men

@woolleyfooley Cabela's jackets tend to run a little large. Give it a shot...you can always return them if the size is not right. Or if it's not light weight enough. 

 

I think we are going to start seeing lots of Gore-Tex on clearance. Some states have banned certain chemicals that are used to make Gore-Tex. Manufacturers are rolling out different products. 

4 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Is this the correct cabelas jacket? I can’t tell if it’s lightweight like I want or not. Also I don’t understand the sizes.

 

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/guidewear-rainy-river-parka-with-gore-tex-paclite-for-men

That’s the one I have. I’m actually wearing it in my profile photo. I bought that jacket and matching pants March 2023. It’s lightweight and uninsulated. Good for summer rain gear.

 

I can’t really help you with the sizing though. I tried mine on at the store before purchasing. I’ll be honest, I had to try on 3 different sizes before I found the one I liked too.

 

If it were me I’d go to the store and try it on first.

Lots of sales right now. I'm ordering up a few different sizes of the following.

 

Simms Challenger Bibs (Black, Gray, Tan), $229 --> (25% off) = $173

Mustang Survival Callan Jacket (Black) $249 --> (30% off) = $174

REI Co-op Teris GTX Jacket (Black, Tall w/ pit zips) $249 --> (40% off) = $149

 

I have an older version REI Gore-Tex jacket without pit-zips. It's pretty light weight and seems good quality. I like the tall version...extra few inches of back length.

 

 

Does anyone have an opinion on these?
 

Magellan Outdoors Men's Pro Angler Rain Breaker Fishing Jacket 

@woolleyfooley that coat should keep you dry. Poly coating is not going to "breathe" at all...so you might get sweaty underneath. 

 

 

Decision has been made...I am going with the REI Teris GTX Jacket in Large-Tall ($174), and the Simms Challenger bibs for $173, both in black. 

 

I already have an REI Gore-Tex jacket in Large-Tall I picked up on sale a while back. It's very light weight and packable. The GTX is heavier and seems to be made of more durable material. I really like the fit of the REI jackets, and the added body length with the tall version. 

 

The Challenger bibs are what I would call middle weight...not as light as my old REI, and not as heavy as the GTX. The Large fit, but were a little snug around the middle. I went with XL to have room to layer up should the weather turn. 

 

I really liked the Callan Jacket for $149. Very light weight like my original REI jacket, hood fit better than the others. But the sizing was not as good. Large was a bit snug, and XL just a bit big in the body. And not as long in the back.

 

My brother has been looking for new rainwear, and stopped by to try on a few sizes. Worked out well for him (and me)...he's keeping a set of bibs and the Callan jacket. The rest are getting shipped back. 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

@woolleyfooley that coat should keep you dry. Poly coating is not going to "breathe" at all...so you might get sweaty underneath. 

 

 

Decision has been made...I am going with the REI Teris GTX Jacket in Large-Tall ($174), and the Simms Challenger bibs for $173, both in black. 

 

I already have an REI Gore-Tex jacket in Large-Tall I picked up on sale a while back. It's very light weight and packable. The GTX is heavier and seems to be made of more durable material. I really like the fit of the REI jackets, and the added body length with the tall version. 

 

The Challenger bibs are what I would call middle weight...not as light as my old REI, and not as heavy as the GTX. The Large fit, but were a little snug around the middle. I went with XL to have room to layer up should the weather turn. 

 

I really liked the Callan Jacket for $149. Very light weight like my original REI jacket, hood fit better than the others. But the sizing was not as good. Large was a bit snug, and XL just a bit big in the body. And not as long in the back.

 

My brother has been looking for new rainwear, and stopped by to try on a few sizes. Worked out well for him (and me)...he's keeping a set of bibs and the Callan jacket. The rest are getting shipped back. 

 

 

 

I wanted the Callan bibs. On paper they looked perfect.  Only xxxxxl is available.  Haha. 
 

I do think their Taku dry bib is a kayakers dream, for the ocean.   My Challengers are still en route,   I’m happy you chose them.  Make me feel better for my Hail Mary purchase.  

18 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

@woolleyfooley that coat should keep you dry. Poly coating is not going to "breathe" at all...so you might get sweaty underneath. 

 

 

Decision has been made...I am going with the REI Teris GTX Jacket in Large-Tall ($174), and the Simms Challenger bibs for $173, both in black. 

 

I already have an REI Gore-Tex jacket in Large-Tall I picked up on sale a while back. It's very light weight and packable. The GTX is heavier and seems to be made of more durable material. I really like the fit of the REI jackets, and the added body length with the tall version. 

 

The Challenger bibs are what I would call middle weight...not as light as my old REI, and not as heavy as the GTX. The Large fit, but were a little snug around the middle. I went with XL to have room to layer up should the weather turn. 

 

I really liked the Callan Jacket for $149. Very light weight like my original REI jacket, hood fit better than the others. But the sizing was not as good. Large was a bit snug, and XL just a bit big in the body. And not as long in the back.

 

My brother has been looking for new rainwear, and stopped by to try on a few sizes. Worked out well for him (and me)...he's keeping a set of bibs and the Callan jacket. The rest are getting shipped back. 

 

 

 

Thanks. Crap. I don’t want to be sweaty. I wish I could find a breathable waterproof jacket.

2 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Thanks. Crap. I don’t want to be sweaty. I wish I could find a breathable waterproof jacket.

I've got the prior model of this, Columbia Glennaker Lake II Rain Jacket, and it's not only kept me dry in downpours, but it's lightweight and I don't get overheated even on warm, rainy days.

On 5/26/2025 at 6:21 PM, MN Fisher said:

I've got the prior model of this, Columbia Glennaker Lake II Rain Jacket, and it's not only kept me dry in downpours, but it's lightweight and I don't get overheated even on warm, rainy days.

I’ll definitely look into that. I love my Columbia shirts and shorts so I’m sure their jackets are great as well. Thanks!

@DaubsNU1  i received my Challenger bibs.  bought them from Sportsman Warehouse and had them delivered to the store.   i had the opportunity to try them on ASAP in their fitting room.   i bought size large in Black.  $170 something.  they fit awesome on me.  roomy.  i could have gone with a medium i think, but the L allows room for my hoodie.  i love how the fabric is a bit on the stiff side.  lets you stuff your legs thru easily.   i can squat down deep and nothing blew out.   no more butt-crack-mindeffing my fishing partners.  

 

waterproofness is a mystery.  they feel okay.  my brother has the Challenger Jacket and he stays dry even tho the fabric feels like it soaked thru.  dunno.   my jacket is a KUIU i bought for bowhunting.  it is okay as well.    now to put it all away for my droughty summer.  hehe..