my wife has offered to buy me some raingear as a late christmas kind of thing and i am looking for suggestions.  i used the search and found some stuff but still had a few questions.

first off, how tough are frog toggs.  ive generally heard good things about them but i spend a lot of time walking in woods etc. and want something that will not tear easily.  im concerned that this will not be the case with frog toggs.

i would like gore tex but its so expensive.  does anyone have any suggestions on what route is best in that range.

there is a supercheap columbia setup at cabelas right now and im wondering if anyone know anything about that.

i also hear a lot of good things about the guidewear.  is that only the gore tex version or are the other ones nice as well.

any other tips are also appreciated

thx

matt

Well, Cabela's Guidewear is the bomb! Before I bought mine I asked a few guides why they bought theirs when there are so many less expensive options. They told me they couldn't remember "why", they bought them ten years ago!

I have matching bibs and jacket, unlined. Look for them to be on sale later this month or in the near future, they are often on sale. I think I paid around $300 for the package (both pieces). I consider this "the best" investment in fishing equipment I have ever made.

BTW, That's what I'm wearing in my avatar.

** UPDATE **

I just checked the website. They're on sale NOW! Parka & bibs ~$319.

Get the Gore-tex its great.  I bought twice.  I got the cheap stuff (nylon), the first time.  The Gore-tex really holds up.  I also walk threw brush, and jump fences sometimes to get to a spot.  It kept me dry for almost 6hrs under a nasty Florida Thunderstorm.

I know its pricy but I find its nice.  I cant say anything about frogg toggs.  Never seen them or tried them.   But some folks here love them.  I was going to get some for my uncle.

Later

Go with the Cabela's Guidewear.  Great stuff.   Like RW said it on sale now.

I bought the Cabels's Dry Plus signiture series rain gear.  They are great and not quite as expensive as the gortex.  I have some Frogtogs I keep in the boat just is case I get caught without my other gear.  The Frogtogs will keep you dry but IMO can't compete with the real deal.

This is what I use, ITs awsome.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/clothing/detail.asp?value=002A&cat_id=304&type_id=671

Btw I've used it during turkey season.  Although I think any raingear will tear easier then other gear.

Not happy with my Frogg Toggs.

Not happy with my Frogg Toggs.

hmm... 4Bizz, thats interesting. Ide like to hear the reason(s) of why your unsatisfied with your Toggs. Ive had some Toggs for a couple months now and have been VERY happy with the dryness factor. One thing that i DONT like is the hood. Its way too big, and doesnt stay on my head if the least bit of wind comes by. As far as the toughness goes, i think that Toggs are ALOT more tear-resistant than they look. Just my .02

Dryness-excellent. It feels like you are in your pajamas even in a downpour. But after less than ten trips, I have two tears, that I can't even account for. The tear easily enough, that you don't even realize that it happened. They are more tear resistant than they look, but then again, they look like tissue paper ;). I even bought their higher end model. I'm just not ahppy, but its alot better than a plastic poncho. I think I'm just going to buy a light pair of grundens and a Cabelas parka.

I am not sure if I am calling it the right thing, but I think mine are the Frogg Togg pros. I looked it up on the site and they still look like the "tissue paper" bizzle is referring to.

The ones I bought are more like a wind breaker material and the bibs are reinforced with gore tex type material from the bottom up to above the knee. I think they are very durable, much more so than the regular Toggs.

Wayne

Are you sure yours aren't the elites? i think mine are the pro anglers. but im not certain

Maybe that is what they are called. I got them at Gander Mountain and they have the Frogg Togg and GM logos on the front. Like I said, they are awesome.

I think I paid $100 for the jacket and bibs, on sale from 169.

Wayne

Bizzle, you are correct. I just looked up the "elite" and that black suit is the exact one I have.

I have the Frogg Toggs and they absolutely keep me dry.  I can't say as to their durability though, I only wear them in the boat or when launching/retrieving.  If put to the test in the woods, I'm not sure how well they would hold up.   I have the original Frogg Toggs, not the later upgraded versions.

I can say that I was helping work a national tournament in October during a several-day downpour.  I didn't pay attention to brands, but others went through 2-3 rainsuits per day, as the suits eventually gave up and leaked, soaking the wearer. In the same weather, my Frogg Toggs kept me dry and comfortable and never leaked the first time.

Hillbilly

I gree woth RW, the Cabela's Guidewear is the best. I bought jacket (w/insulation) & bibs. You'll never regret it.

When I need to be WARM and dry, I have a one-piece insulated waterproof riding suit made for motorcycling. It does a great job at both keep me warm and keeping my dry.

i read an experiment where some guy turned gore tex suits as well as frog toggs inside out, tied up the sleaves, fille dthem with water and let them soak over night.  both performed well but the frog togs did better with absolutely no penetration.  unfortunately the tester said they ripped easier.  i guess i need to spring for the guidewear.  

is everyone prefering the goretex?  i guess thats the way i need to go.  how is the waterproofing on the regular version.

matt

Goretex for sure. The decision is insulated or not. I have the uninsulated which are good-to-go (with long underwear) down to forty degrees or so. If its colder than that you'll need an additional jacket over the Guideware. Topside is in the 70's if you plan to wear them all day. If you buy the insulated version you will need something lighter for the summer.

thx rw,

im definitely going uninsulated.  i want something i can throw on in rainshowers as year round as possible.  ive always preffered layering to keep warm anyways.

matt

I had a set of Frog's and hated them. Actually I had 2 sets. The first set I wore on a trip to Alaska and I got soaked the first day I wore them. I bought them because I needed to limit my baggage. I left my Cabelas Guide Wear at home. What a bonehead move that was. It rained 8 straight days and I was soaked every day. When I came back I returned them for another set. First day hunting with them and they came apart at the seams under the arm. For me it's Cabelas Guide Wear only. I have had mine for 3 years and are excellent. Warm,Waterproof and Windproof. Invest it the best you can afford. Having the right stuff . I would have a much better trip to Alaska. Next time less underwear and my Guide Wear  ;D

How do the Guidewear compare in weight to the Frog Toggs.  The super light weight is what I really like about the Toggs.

I went with the BPS HPR series bibs and jacket.  Gore-Tex, uninsulated.  Not too hot in the warmer months, layer in the colder months.  Have a friend who uses the high-end BPS sets (100 MPH).  I've never been wet or uncomfortable in these.  Not a dissenting voice against the GuideWear--good stuff for sure---just another option to think about.

I have used the 2 peice Bib and Parka Frogg Toggs for 4yrs but only used them when it's raining and have no porblems with them. They do feel a little different and to this day after numerus washing still feel stiff and somewhat like tissue paper. Rain has never soaked through and mine are uninsulated. I have never had anything else so I can't compare them to anything.

Chow

I have a set of the original Frogg Toggs that I have used for about 4 years now.  I also deer hunt in them and they now leak below the knee as a result of me walking through briars.  I bought them because I felt they would be cooler in the summertime.  I've never owned gore-tex, but the stuff I have seen in the stores looks heavy and hot to me.  The Toggs are cool in the summer time and they kept me dry in the worst downpours until I wore them through a briar patch.  I now have a new set.  My preference would be gore-tex for winter wear, frogg toggs for summer wear, but who can afford both?

How do the Guidewear compare in weight to the Frog Toggs.  The super light weight is what I really like about the Toggs.

Its Heavy Duty Polyester as opposed to treated paper like material.  Its pretty heavy, you can't roll it up and put it in a hip pack.  I can put my parka and pants into a small jansport backpack w/ 2 3700 planos and a small binder.  Its a bulky pack but not heavy.

I'd compare in size & weight to a light winter jacket.  Its not the "packable" stuff by any means.  I got it only because it had the coolmax lining.  And its always hot down here.  Its 80 today and its Dec 30.  I would but it all over again.

Now if you want really "packable" stuff.  I guess the frogg toggs would win.  You can stash those anywhere.

Al