Jacket and bibs recommendation for fishing

[DaubsNU1]

Whelp, the old Cabela's gore-tex jacket and bibs have seen better days.

 

Neither is completely waterproof.

 

What are you wearing on the water? Recommendations?

 

Thanks! Doug

 

[gim]

I've experienced this problem in recent years.  My previous set lost its ability to shed moisture even though there was nothing else wrong with it.  I bought a new set March 2022 - Cabela's Guidewear Lite.  It's uninsulated and very light.  I'm satisfied with it thus far.  If I am in colder conditions, I simply layer underneath.  I don't do a lot of extreme cold fishing though.

 

I'm determined to keep this set waterproof for the long haul.  Once a year, in the off season, I re-waterproof it.  Once it loses that ability to shed water, it doesn't come back.  That's the mistake I made on my last set.

 

I should mention that the bottom portion are pants, not bibs.  I don't care for bibs.

[A-Jay]

My insulated / cold weather gear is Simms - Very Good.

My uninsulated / warm weather gear is HUK and Calelas Guide wear - both decent.

The Guidewear is gortex. 

Not the most comfortable but definitely more waterproof than the non-gortex HUK. 

Although I wear the HUK the most as it is more comfy, good wind breaker and I will layer under it if it's nippy.

A-Jay

[Scott F]

I’m using Cabelas Guideware too but I’m not a big fan of the free ad for Cabelas on the back of the jacket as is shown in A-Jay’s post above.

[OHBuckets]

I got a Scheels house set that I quite like. I was on Champlain for 8+ hrs of rain last year and it kept me dry and comfy.

[A-Jay]

25 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I’m using Cabelas Guideware too but I’m not a big fan of the free ad for Cabelas on the back of the jacket as is shown in A-Jay’s post above.

I like St Croix gear too.

A-Jay

[GaryH]

Love my Aftco insulated bibs and jacket. Warm and doesn’t leak.

[MRQturbo]

Mustang Callan bibs and jacket... If it's colder, I'll layer up underneath in the spring and fall... 

[casts_by_fly]

Frog toggs pilot for me. I started with the jacket a couple years ago and a lighter pair of bibs. I wore those bibs out and just got a pair of the pilots last season to replace them. 

[txchaser]

Rule #1 for me on this stuff is get it off-season - seasonal apparel gets huge discounts. 

 

Simms is probably the best stuff out there for heavy weather. And will have the smallest off-season discount. 

I wear a Huk bib, works just fine, wasn't that expensive. IMO bibs aren't that complicated of a product. It fits or it doesn't, leaks or it doesn't. We get a decent amount of rain in Texas but not a lot of days where it is raining and 40 degrees, so that is part of the decision. 

And a Gill heavy jacket (OS3 I think) for the nastiest of weather. My favorite part is the rubber seals on the wrists are done exactly right to keep cold water from running up the jacket.

 

Given that you are in Nebraska, listen to the Minnesota/Alaska/Canada people, they have to live in their gear. 

 

@MRQturbo Same mustang as the PFD brand? What would you compare it to in terms of quality.

[woolleyfooley]

I’d like to find something light I could pack in my bag with me and put on when rain rolls through. Something I can wear when it’s hot. Basically a shell I guess.

[MN Fisher]

32 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

I’d like to find something light I could pack in my bag with me and put on when rain rolls through. Something I can wear when it’s hot. Basically a shell I guess.

I have the predecessor to this and it was a godsend when we had a sudden downpour this past year. Packs small, very waterproof, very light and breathable.

https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-glennaker-lake-ii-rain-jacket-2089791.html?dwvar_2089791_size=L&dwvar_2089791_color=012

Columbia Men's Glennaker Lake™ II Rain Jacket

[MRQturbo]

1 hour ago, txchaser said:

Rule #1 for me on this stuff is get it off-season - seasonal apparel gets huge discounts. 

 

Simms is probably the best stuff out there for heavy weather. And will have the smallest off-season discount. 

I wear a Huk bib, works just fine, wasn't that expensive. IMO bibs aren't that complicated of a product. It fits or it doesn't, leaks or it doesn't. We get a decent amount of rain in Texas but not a lot of days where it is raining and 40 degrees, so that is part of the decision. 

And a Gill heavy jacket (OS3 I think) for the nastiest of weather. My favorite part is the rubber seals on the wrists are done exactly right to keep cold water from running up the jacket.

 

Given that you are in Nebraska, listen to the Minnesota/Alaska/Canada people, they have to live in their gear. 

 

@MRQturbo Same mustang as the PFD brand? What would you compare it to in terms of quality.

Yes.. Same mustang.. Well made quality... 100% waterproof... I've fished hours in pouring rain and it kept me bone dry... It's my 1st season with them so will have to see how well it will last over time... They go on sale in the spring and fall so wait until then to get 30% off msrp... 

[papajoe222]

5 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

I’d like to find something light I could pack in my bag with me and put on when rain rolls through. Something I can wear when it’s hot. Basically a shell I guess.

I love my Columbia rain jacket. Lightweight, easy to pack in your tackle box, cool to wear when its hot, doubles as a wind breaker and keeps me dry.  I'm sure there are others out there that'll do the same, but I like the fact that they field test all their apparel prior to putting it up for sale.

[DaubsNU1]

4 hours ago, MRQturbo said:

Yes.. Same mustang.. Well made quality... 100% waterproof... I've fished hours in pouring rain and it kept me bone dry... It's my 1st season with them so will have to see how well it will last over time... They go on sale in the spring and fall so wait until then to get 30% off msrp... 

 

@MRQturbo Hmmm....interesting. Do you know when the Spring sale will run??

 

[MRQturbo]

8 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

 

@MRQturbo Hmmm....interesting. Do you know when the Spring sale will run??

 

I'm from Canada so sales period may differ from the USA... But it's around April... And black Friday... Sign up on mustang website ava they will notify you when they have their sales.. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

I'm also advertising for Cabelas like @A-Jay  I actually got heckled at a football game this year (from a friend a few rows back)... "Nice jacket.  Where can I get one?!" 🤣

 

I did get my wife the women's version which is a couple years newer and it's more discreet.  

I go up a size and layer underneath when necessary.

 

Nikwax Tech Wash/TX.Direct Wash-In Fabric Care Hardshell DUO-Pack seems to do the trick for me to wash and restore the waterproofing.  

[woolleyfooley]

23 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I have the predecessor to this and it was a godsend when we had a sudden downpour this past year. Packs small, very waterproof, very light and breathable.

https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-glennaker-lake-ii-rain-jacket-2089791.html?dwvar_2089791_size=L&dwvar_2089791_color=012

Columbia Men's Glennaker Lake™ II Rain Jacket

Thank you! I’ll look into this!

18 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I love my Columbia rain jacket. Lightweight, easy to pack in your tackle box, cool to wear when its hot, doubles as a wind breaker and keeps me dry.  I'm sure there are others out there that'll do the same, but I like the fact that they field test all their apparel prior to putting it up for sale.

@papajoe222 Thanks! do you know which model?

[papajoe222]

6 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

 

@papajoe222 Thanks! do you know which model?

I don't recall, but I know it's lighter weight than the one pictured, maybe version one as it about ten years old.

[FishTank]

After years of trying different rain gear, I finally gave in and bought a pair of CX bibs and a CX jacket from Simms. I found them at a decent price and have not been disappointed yet. 

 

I also have a hard shell from Arcteryx and a pair of rain pance from them. I only were these when I am going for really cold weather and I am putting on lots of layers. 

 

On my kayak, I were a pair of NRS Sidewinder bibs. They have feet and are seemed sealed. It's like wearing half a dry suit. 

[FishTank]

Another suggestion before you drop a lot of money on a new set.  This stuff works.  It takes hours to use both and you will probably need both but it's worth a shot. I have used it all kinds stuff that has lost its DWR and waterproofing. Most of the time it brings it back to new.

 

[DaubsNU1]

Thanks @FishTank! I do have both products, and use them on my waterproof / Gore-Tex garments. They work well!

 

The problem with the camo coat in the picture -- the taped seams have failed. Sadness. I really cannot complain...that coat is 25+ years old.

 

[FishTank]

@DaubsNU1  Good deal. I've been using Nikwax forever. 

 

25 years. I think you got your money's worth out it. If the seams are shot, it's definitely time for new gear. I had the same issue with the stuff I got from Stomr. It only lasted two years. I've tried sets from Columbia, REI, and Huk. None of them fared well. A lot guys I know like the upper end BPS set. I hope to get several years out of the stuff from Simms.

[woolleyfooley]

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Another suggestion before you drop a lot of money on a new set.  This stuff works.  It takes hours to use both and you will probably need both but it's worth a shot. I have used it all kinds stuff that has lost its DWR and waterproofing. Most of the time it brings it back to new.

 

Interesting. I have some gore Tex boots that are no longer water proof. I might have to try this.

[FishTank]

4 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Interesting. I have some gore Tex boots that are no longer water proof. I might have to try this.

 

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.