Raingear

[afendrbass]

So, i will be competatively tourny fishing this year and i need some raingear.

I have been told that gore tex is the way to go.

What is good, what is not? What else is out there? What do you use/recommend?

Thanks all,

Andrew

[jdw174]

GoreTex is fine, but it's not the end-all.  There are less expensive alternatives that are just as comfortable.  Cabelas makes some fine rainwear.  I have a set of their "Dry-Plus"  (keeps you dry, plus it breathes).  I have been out in a torrential downpour or two and stayed totally dry the whole time.

[afendrbass]

Thanks for the heads up, i'll check it out now.

andrew

[Isaiah527]

I do a lot of camping, hiking, mt climbing on top of fishing, so my rain gear is pretty heavy duty. I use The North Face and Marmot. Both have lasted me several years of several usage.

PM me for a website that you can get some pretty nice discounts. I dont want to post for fear of "advertising"

[afendrbass]

any other people where raingear?  :

[Triton21]

I use Cabelas Guidewear.  A am on my second set and got 12 years hard use out of the first set.  As long as this raingear is being maid I will wear it.

Kelley

[roadwarrior]

I use Cabelas Guidewear. A am on my second set and got 12 years hard use out of the first set. As long as this raingear is being maid I will wear it.

Kelley

Cabela's Guidewear is The Bomb!

[ga_hawghauler]

I got a set up frogg toggs and i also picked up a set of flw gear from walmart both has done the job for me.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

The 4 big things I look for in raingear are

1. GORE-TEX!!!!!

2. Fitted cuts and added wear protection in key areas (knees, butt)

3. Bibs, not pants for back draft protection (How zipper functions is big for "relieving" yourself. I like bibs that you don't need to remove shoulder straps to unzip)(Has seperate zipper "down there")

4. GORE-TEX!!

With these factors in mind, I only use North Face.

Past findings:

Frogg toggs- way too bulky, not fitted at all (but very "stow-able" & affordable)

Cabelas-Great value. Quality construction and materials (guide wear series)

BPS extreme 100mph- way too stiff, no thought to cuts and fitability yet very durable. For the same price point here, it's Cabela's hands down)

North Face- Has it all, somewhat pricey but you get what you pay for.

*Avoid all plastic or rubber rain gear. On any day, you can end up just as wet from sweat not being able to escape. In cold weather, it can actually be dangerous

** Many brands offer a mid level garment. Things like Hyvent and dry plus work great for awhile but break down rather quickly once the outer "scotch guard" type application starts wearing off. Upkeep is neccessary with these. Bi annual "treatments" are reccommended. Added protection on all seams is a must when re-treating.

Gore-tex is the only way to go for me. However, even GT needs minor "special care". For years it was believed that GT breaks down if you use a conventional dryer. Not true. The heat actually helps the molecules re-form and re-bond. Fabric softner will ruin the material however. For all the details, refer to the garments care tag but for a general GT care reference, use this link below.

GORE-TEX CARE

For other alternatives, look in some golf catalogues. They have sets that are made to pack in a bag and also include Gore-Tex. These are usually a light duty outer shell layer. Not made to be beat up but if you are a non-aggressive angler, there may be a match for you there.

[BOOYAH]

what do you guys think about frogtogs? I've been looking at them also this year, I don't know if they hold up or not.

[Jig Man]

I have found that for my purposes 1 rain suit will not do. I fish all year and want to be dry whether it is hot or cold. I have frog toggs, regular gortex, 100 mph gortex, and insulated heavy gortex.

If I were limited to only one it would be the 100 mph. That is the only suit I have ever worn that keeps me totally dry.

Also, get bibs not pants.

[trex1210]

I have a set of the Frogg Toggs.....actually it is my second set.......the first set ripped the second day out!!  The concept is good...light weight, packable, etc; however, the durability is defintely an issue.  For me the FT are something you could keep in the boat as a last second cover if an unexpected rain comes in.  

I now just use my Cabela's MT050 (?) Hunting rain gear for fishing as well.  The only thing that I don't like about them is I have pants for bottoms instead bibs!!  Bibs are definitely the way to go!!  As for keeping me dry, they do a great job of that.......unless I get a little wet around my waist do to having the pants.  I would recommend Cabela's gear (pick what works best for you), but make sure you get bibs!

Good Luck!

Trey

[JT Bagwell]

I am all about the Titanium Series from Columbia Sportswear. If it is warm you can take the liner out and in the Spring/Fall when it is cool (or Cold in my case) you can leave the fleece liner in. The pants and jackets are excellent in my opinion.

JT Bagwell

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

A big thing to remember here is CARE.  Many garments are great as long as you maintain them.  Some fail miserably when neglected.

[Guest avid]

Frogg toggs work well for me.

they are cheap, keep you dry as a bone and are light weight.

they don't add warmth which is important down here in SE Florida

They are NOT the best made product but like I said .....they are cheap enough and work well enough.

[cbfishalot]

The only advice I have is don't skimp on raingear.  Buy the best you can the first time or you'll be buying it again before long.  I use the BPS paclite goretex and the BPS 100mph.  Cabelas guidewear goretex is also very nice aswell.  Good rain and cold weather gear is a hard thing to break down and pay for but the first time you need it and don't have it you'll pay double for it.

[SimonSays]

hiya LBH, I was reading through your suggestions, which of those would be best for summer fishing? some look rather heavy and hot for a summer rain.  thanks!

[Bud]

Cabela's Guidewear

[Papa_Tom]

Use the BPS HPR series.  Gore-Tex.  Bought bibs and parka.  Lightweight, but in colder temps I layer on warmer clothes underneath.  This will be my third year with them, nothing but good things to say so far.

[afendrbass]

well...i bought the proqualifier parka from BPS and have still been digging up info for different materials. Had never imagined spending so much for rainsuits, considering my initial thought was maybe poncho...or, the classic BRIGHT YELLOW suits you see on tv, but now my tourney mentor and all of you are saying the same thing. You don't want to be wet while you fish and buy the best you can afford. Hmm...i guess i'll stick with the qualifier, and see what happens. first tourney coming up in one week, we'll see what happens

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

hiya LBH, I was reading through your suggestions, which of those would be best for summer fishing? some look rather heavy and hot for a summer rain. thanks!

I use all "lightweight" versions of everything. I want my foul weather gear to just be an outer layer. I can layer underneath according to conditions. This allows for yr round use of your choice.

Example. North face makes a "summit" series. Their best. They have the "mountain" and a "mountain light" in this series. I use the "mountain light" Same stuff minus insulation. Instead, they add an extra zipper inside so you can add a fleece or windwall layer.

Also folks, remember, Gore-tex works much better if you are wearing "wicking" type clothing underneath. "vaporwick" is the North face example of this material but many manufactures make some type of wicking, anti-microbial garments. The layer closest to your skin is the most critical.

Hope this helps.

[vaparrothead]

If you just need rain gear and it doesn't have to keep you warm then Frogg Toggs are the way to go.  However if you need/want something to keep you warm and dry then Gore-Tex suit is the best solution.  Down south in the summer you can be out in a rain storm and temp will still be 70+; if you're wearing Gore-Tex you'll sweat so much you may as well be standing in the rain.  You need to decide what the gear you're buying will be used for--- rain (stay dry) or warmth.

[roadwarrior]

Well, for emergencies and unexpected showers, I carry a cheapo poncho in my tackle bag and it works just fine. However, if you are going to be "out in the elements" for extended periods of time throughout the year, you really need to kick it up a notch. Cabela's Guidewear can be worn all day, everyday and will last for years.

[T_Dot]

frog toggs

i use them for work and for fishing.  i put them through alot of abuse, and they are on my 2nd season.  i picked up a set for $50, which includes top and bottom.

im often outside in the rain for 8+ hours, in the cold and in the heat.  if you wear the proper clothing under the gear you will stay dry, but you will also stay warm in the cold, and stay cool in the heat.  frog toggs allow me to stay dry in the winter and summer months.

they are easy to pack, and you can carry a set all the time.