Rain bibs for short inseam...

[GANGGREEN]

I'm due to replace my 25 year old Columbia rain pants and want to do quality bibs this time.  The problem that I've got is that I have a very short inseam (I wear 29" inseam jeans and less than that for dress slacks) and most of the rain gear I'm seeing online are a universal length (typically 31").  I don't want the bibs to bunch up at my ankle and even if I was willing to tailor them, I'd think a zipper or a Velcro closure would almost make that impossible.  I'm looking at the Simms Challengers, which claim an adjustable hem, but I'm guessing that means that they'll be rolled up and cinched with a Velcro strap, thereby making me look like a kid wearing his big brother's hand me downs.  Any input or suggestions?

[Wizzlebiz]

Learn to hem. That would be easiest imo. 

[5/0]

Did you try them on? I also have a 29 inseam. I just bought a pair of fishing pants at 32. They are a tad bunched up at the ankle, but I’m not stepping all over them.

[GANGGREEN]

Hemming won't work well for any pants with a zipper and it would even become problematic for those with a velco closure (although you could just move the Velcro strap as well).  I haven't been able to try them on because I don't have anywhere nearby that sells Simms raingear (or really any other high end stuff).  If anyone has any recommendations for bibs that tend to run short, I'm all ears.  For what it's worth, I'm not a tiny little elf, I'm 5'7" or 5'8" but I do have a short inseam.

 

[MickD]

Long rain pants are good.  Keeps the water out of your shoes.

[GANGGREEN]

Just now, MickD said:

Long rain pants are good.  Keeps the water out of your shoes.

True, but coming from a guy who's used to it, stepping on your own pants constantly is no fun, in a boat or elsewhere.  As a guy that's typically only purchased stuff that was on closeout or something, I'm finally prepared to purchase myself a decent set of rain gear and I'd like for it to fit properly.

[NHBull]

Look at motorcycle rain gear.

I know HD made bottoms with shorter inseams.

Ladies rain gear also is usually shorter and I haven’t seen them in pink for years?

[Fishes in trees]

Seems like back in the day, Cabelas Guide Wear came in shorts, longs, stouts, etc.   My set of Guide Wear fits me great, I'm roughly your size - 5'7" with a shorter inseam - 29", 30" or even a 31" on some brands, but I bought it back in 2000 or 2001.  My set is old enough that they still offered the shorter bomber style jacket or a longer parka.  I don't wear it all that often, so it is still in great shape.   My suggestion would be to get a set of Guide Wear that fits everywhere except the length and then go to a good tailor.  I think that rain suits that go for $400 more or less for a set of jacket/parka & bibs need to be tried on prior to purchase

 

Tailors can move zippers, and do lots of other things to get stuff to fit better.   Can't hurt to ask

[Catt]

I have a couple buddys with the same problem, they shop women's apparel.

[RichF]

I found the Frogg Togg Pilot guide bibs to be pretty short on the inseam. I'm 5'9 and they didn't bunch at my ankles in the slightest.  If you can find them (think they're discontinued) the Mustang Taku bibs fit pretty great too. They were a little longer than the Toggs but still didn't drag on the ground.

[GANGGREEN]

Just now, RichF said:

I found the Frogg Togg Pilot guide bibs to be pretty short on the inseam. I'm 5'9 and they didn't bunch at my ankles in the slightest.  If you can find them (think they're discontinued) the Mustang Taku bibs fit pretty great too. They were a little longer than the Toggs but still didn't drag on the ground.

 

You happy enough with the Frogg Toggs?  I've never had them, but I purchased a pair for my wife years ago.  They've been waterproof, but the surface of the fabric has roughed up for lack of a better term.

 

[RichF]

Just now, GANGGREEN said:

 

You happy enough with the Frogg Toggs?  I've never had them, but I purchased a pair for my wife years ago.  They've been waterproof, but the surface of the fabric has roughed up for lack of a better term.

 

I actually didn't keep the bibs. I got them to see if they would match my old Simms Contender jacket. The Pilot Guides are very nice though. They're actually a 3 layer construction with a smooth face, similar to any hard shell rain fabric. They aren't like the cheap, burlap sack type Toggs. 

[GANGGREEN]

5 hours ago, RichF said:

I actually didn't keep the bibs. I got them to see if they would match my old Simms Contender jacket. The Pilot Guides are very nice though. They're actually a 3 layer construction with a smooth face, similar to any hard shell rain fabric. They aren't like the cheap, burlap sack type Toggs. 

OK, got it, the wife's were that burlap type stuff, which worked and was light, but it was odd.

[RichF]

53 minutes ago, GANGGREEN said:

OK, got it, the wife's were that burlap type stuff, which worked and was light, but it was odd.

My dad loves those suits. He keeps a set in the boat and his truck for spares.  He says they keep him drier than our $$$$ UA goretex suits, haha. Definitely don't breathe though.