Rain Gear for Kayak??? What's The Plan?

[Porkrind]

I do most of my fishing from the kayak and want to get some decent rain gear. I have around a $200 budget but can’t decide if I should go insulated or not, should I do the jacket and bibs or just the jacket since I have both uninsulated and insulated waders. Should I buy insulated rain gear or uninsulated rain gear. I am leaning towards insulated since it seems that is what I’ll be using it for more. I always wear my PFD but should I wear it under or over the rain gear? It seams like some trivial questions but what has worked best for you guys? I’ve always bought the inexpensive rain suits when fishing but they seam to rip and tear easily when kayaking. I’m open to ANY suggestions on this topic as staying dry and SAFE in the cooler months are my priority. Thanks everyone.

[68camaro]

I am in central va and use Marmot Precip for jacket and lightweight rain pants from GoLite, both are breathable and don't hold heat so I am comfortable peddaling with them in yak. When cold I can layer underneathg them with flleece zipup and/or light, med or heavy longjohns. If super duper cold with rain I use a pair of insulated waterproof overpants, if super duper cold without rain I have a pair of very warm fleece overpants.

 

Depending on conditions I just may wear my Simms waisthigh waders as rain pants.

 

Also I keep spare clothes in waterproof sack in yaks storage compartment in case all elese fails.

[MassYak85]

I've got a Marmot rain jacket and rain pants. Neither are insulated as I like to use them both in the summer and the dead of winter as a shell. I just add appropriate layers underneath. As far as life jacket goes I wear it over right now simply because it's too bulky to wear under it. Oh, and boots I just have some old rain boots that are somewhat high so I can stand in the water getting my kayak setup without getting wet. I usually don't use those though until the temps drop into the low 50's. 

[Crow Horse]

In warmer weather I use a USMC APECS light exposure suit (Gore-Tex). When temps drop  I'll use a ABU APECS Parka (Gore-Tex) or USMC APECS parka with Gore-Tex pants and layer to suit comfort. PDF is worn over whatever I  choose so I have access to all pockets and gear on my Chinook.....

 

If you search hard, you can get some good deals on EBay.....

 

Footwear- warm weather - NRS paddleshoe.... cold weather NRS Boundry boot......

[Crow Horse]

Some features.....

 

The APECS parka and trousers are made of Gore-tex material with Gore-seam tape sealed seams. APECS is lighter in weight, lower in bulk, has lower noise generation, is moisture vapor permeable and has an improved water repellency when compared to the ECWCS parka and trousers. NIR technology resists detection by night vision equipment. APECS displays MARPAT camouflage (Woodland or Desert) for the Marine Corps and the "tiger stripe" ABU pattern for the USAF.

APECS Parka features:

• A collar with a draw cord for adjustment and a stowed hood
• Water-resistant slide fasteners are used in the front closure
• Underarm openings
• Two concealed upper chest pockets
• Two lower pockets with flaps
• Concealed hand warmer pockets
• Two upper sleeve pockets with flaps
• Adjustable wrist tabs
• An insignia tab on the left front
• Draw cord adjustment for the waist and hem concealed inside the lower pockets
• Reinforcement patches on the elbows

APECS Trousers features:

• An elastic draw cord at the waist
• A slide fastener front fly
• Slide fastener ankle openings
• Lower leg adjustment tabs
• Two front hip pass-thru openings with flaps
• Two leg cargo pockets with elasticized openings and buttoned flaps
• Reinforcement patches at the seat and knees

[faygo1979]

You are going to want bibs, you will be sitting and regular pants will just allow you to get soaked.   I normally go non-insulated for the gear,  I will wear fleece under them when it is cold and will give you more options.  I wear my PFD over my rain gear.  it is easier and less bulky that way.    I just wear the standard bass pro options.

[fishwizzard]

If it is cold enough to want insulation, I will be in a drysuit, so all I need is a big floppy rain hat.  I looked around for a standalone rain hood, but they are not common and the one I found would not fit my fat head.  I am looking at getting a PFD with a built in hood for next season as the hat is annoying and I still get water on my neck if I wiggle around much.

 

In the summer I just wear a rain hat and let myself get soaked if it is hot out or waders and a light hiking raincoat under the PFD if it is cooler, but that gets really hot and is never much fun. 

[Porkrind]

Anyone with experience with the BPS Pro Qualifier gear? Thanks for the responses. There are some really good options out there.

[wet_dream]

I live in the Northeast and was finally able to find a Kokatat drysuit (2nd hand) that I could afford this season. It has allowed me to fish in the snow and in subfreezing air temps, extending my season. It would probably be too hot to wear in the summer though. As far as my PFD, I wear it over my drysuit.

 

[fishwizzard]

8 hours ago, wet_dream said:

 It would probably be too hot to wear in the summer though. 

 

Oh god, that sounds like the most unpleasant thing ever.  

 

Actually, no, the most unpleasant thing ever would be the car ride home with the guy who wore his drysuit in the summer.  

[wet_dream]

39 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

Actually, no, the most unpleasant thing ever would be the car ride home with the guy who wore his drysuit in the summer.  

 

So I guess the real question is, would it still be called a drysuit in the summer? I think it would have the opposite effect.

[fishwizzard]

Hah, honestly I have never managed to get my layering game right enough that I am not covered in sweat by the time I get my yak squared away and the drysuit off.  

[flyfisher]

I rarely wear rain pants in the warmer months but i may occasionally go with my rain jacket which is an Arcteryx goretex pac light 3layer combination.  What i will say is that if yo are in an area that is humid you will want the best breathability you can afford as it makes a huge difference.  In a less humid area, breathability in the less expensive models will be fine.  

As far as cold weather goes, I prepare for immersion so I wear chest high breathable waders with the appropriate insulation underneath and then a rain jacket with my PFD over top of everything.  I have tested it out and it keeps water out very well.

Personally with a $200 budget i'd spend more on the jacket than the pants unless you plan on wearing them both pretty often.  Keep an eye on sierra trading post as well as they have deals on gear all the time and it is easy to get a 25% off coupon as well.  

[Alan Reed]

I fish out of a kayak and bought the Columbia rain jacket and pants. The jacket works well in the warmer months at keeping the water away without being to hot. The pants are easy to put on and take off if needed while in the kayak.

i wear an auto inflate PFD and I wear mine outside the jacket.

[IgotWood]

I don't like insulated gear. I normally dress in layers as the weather requires. And I am very picky about the materials I layer with. 

[buzzed bait]

i've got a light set from cabela's that i have packed in the kayak.  i just wear the appropriate clothes for the day and put the rain gear on if needed.

as far as the PFD goes, ALWAYS wear it above/outside the last piece of clothing.  it may not properly inflate/keep your head out of the water if you've got it stuff inside clothing!!!

[Choporoz]

I'm with @IgotWood and @buzzed bait.  Insulated rarely gets me right temp.  I layer carefully and use light, Frog Toggs for rain as required.  PFD is always on the outside.

[Porkrind]

I found a good deal on the BPS Pro Qualifier bibs so I pulled the trigger. They looked to be good quality and to go with it I purchased the Frabill F3 rain jacket. I think those two together will do the trick. 

[fishwizzard]

On 12/30/2017 at 7:23 PM, flyfisher said:

 Keep an eye on sierra trading post as well as they have deals on gear all the time and it is easy to get a 25% off coupon as well.  

This is for real.  I own some pretty high end hiking clothing that I picked up for 50-70% off.  If you don't have strong feelings about color, hiking-deal sites can be amazing.  

 

I also own some very nice, but ill-fitting sunglasses acquired the same way, so for some stuff it's a good idea to make sure you have a good sense of how a specific brand runs on sizings before buying from a no-returns site.  

[RPreeb]

When you're built like me, trying to find a rain suit that fits is an exercise in futility.  I'm 6'2" but my inseam is only 30".  Too many suits have a jacket that's too short and pants that are too long when I get anything that fits my girth (280 lbs).  I refuse to pay a small fortune for something that isn't really going to fit properly anyway.  All my outdoor life I have used a poncho.  I had one made from a kit that I used for 30 years, but it got moldy when we lived in the Bahamas and I couldn't get rid of the stink, so I had to toss it out.  I am buying one from Amazon that is very similar for $22.  I know from experience that there are situations when it isn't the perfect solution, but it's very functional, and I know how to get around it's shortcomings. 

 

I can use it in the canoe or on shore and stay quite dry from the calves up (when seated in the canoe it even keeps my feet dry).  I've paddled and hiked and backpacked with just the poncho for raingear.  No worries about breathability, it has unlimited airflow.  I can wear anything necessary underneath it to suit the temperature.  It packs away in a 9 x 12 bag.  In a pinch, it can also double as a leanto shelter or a ground cloth.  In the past I've pulled my head inside and eaten my lunch while reading a book in the rain.  For me, it's the solution that works best for the greatest variety of uses.

[thinkingredneck]

If you don't mind the price, Simms rain jacket. Waders