Rain Gear?

[Anylakeanytime]

I am looking at purchasing some good rain gear and do not know where to begin. Would prefer not spending 300 bucks on it, but want some good stuff... any suggestions?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Depends on the use. For warm weather, I have Frogg Toggs. They're around $75 for bibs and a jacket and very lightweight. I've only worn them once so far, but they performed well. I've heard lots of others that like them. For the price, they're hard to beat.

[Anylakeanytime]

I was thinking maybe an interchangeble set (if there is such a thing). Something with a liner for cold weather that is removeable in warm weather. What I want to steer away from is gear that doesn't breathe and makes you all "clammy-feeling" on the inside Thanks for the info.

Ben

[wild_instigator]

I own Frogg Toggs myself. I love 'em and they breath well. I haven't seen any interchangable rain gear before, but the Frogg Toggs allow enough room that you could have any amount of layers underneath that you want. With the money you'll save by buying them, you could go through a couple pairs before you reached the price of the goretex suits.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Check Cabelas. That's where I have purchased all of mine. They have many different models.

[Northlander]

I have a set of Gander Guide Series Gortex Bibs and Jacket. I really like them. I suggest you buy them a bit big and then layer up under them. I have some Raingear that has a zip out fleece lining and I wind up using my Guide series stuff much more often.

I think I got mine on clearance for like $100 or so. I think a whole set is like $200 usually but 25% off a lot of times.

Cabelas has some very nice Gortex as well but a bit more $.

Guys I know that have them swear by them though.

[Bruce Mosher]

Frog Toggs, work very well and are cheap to purchase. The next step up is going to cabela's or gander mountain and get some GoreTex that you can put layers underneath like stated above. Cabela's also has Dry Plus that I have been pleased with. It has the spandex material around the hand and wrist to help prevent rain from coming down you arm when you lift up to cast (in the rain). Bruce Mosher

[tashit]

My buddy bought some Frog Toggs this spring and used them for the first time on opener. He put them on in the cabin and didn't even get outside when he sat down and had a 10" tear at the seam. He is not a large guy and he said he ordered them a little bigger to be able to put clothes underneath. Maybe this was a fluke but that's the reason I haven't bought any Frog Toggs yet. Anybody else had this problem?

[Matt Johnson]

I bought a Columbia light-weight rain jacket this spring. It was on clearance at Gander Mountain and I really like it. Columbia makes a really nice line of light-weight rainwear, both jackets and pants. I just use a pair of water-proof windpants for rain pants during the summer. If it gets cold I have a pair of winter bibs I bought from Gander that I can throw on. I believe they are the same type as what Northlander has. A nice set of bibs.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Northlander]

I have a pair of packable Columbia pants that are good when its warm out. I wear a lightweight Helly Hanson Rain Jacket with them and its a great combo in the warmer months.

End of summer always brings some great deals on Raingear at Gander, Marine General and Reeds as well.

[Anylakeanytime]

Thanks for all the responses. I was impressed with the price that I found when I went online to check them out, but when I went to check out Frog Toggs at the local sproting goods store, I was utmost amazed at how CHEAP these things look, feel... etc. When I read ta[PoorWordUsage]'s comment about them ripping, I guess it didn't surprise me. With so many people suggesting them, I am assuming they are a good set of rain gear and I need to get past what they look and feel like and just buy a set. Any other negative encounters with Frog Toggs?

Ben

[Eastwind]

I have Stearns Walleye Wear ( or gear??). They are reasonably warm when it is cold out and I had them on last August during a rainy afternoon and was comfortable. Looking at them, I could not imagine them ripping under normal use. Fleet Farm, Sportsmans' Whse and Gander Mtn. all carry them. If you don't like the price wait a couple of weeks and one of those places will have them on sale.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Frogg Toggs are an excellent standby set of rain gear. I would highly suggest you get a decent nylon gortex suit for your primary set. All above brands work good. Columbia, Cableas, etc. You will not regret it.

[fishyguy]

I have used some Columbia gear in the past and in the 3rd wearing the seam split. I would have blamed by big butt except the same happened to my scrawny friend in the 4th or 5th time he put them on. I now own Wetskins "Docksider" rain gear. I have only been able find these in stores in Canada but they can be found online for around $150. These will not tear or wear but may be a little warm for a hot summer rain. These are as inexpensive as some others but I think a great value vs. Goretex.

[Creek Kid]

I've always wanted Frogg Toggs for fishing but I also want raingear for hunting. I've had a jacket/pants set of camo Walls raingear for about 15 years. It's starting to show some wear now but they don't make that particular model anymore. I recently bought an inexpensive jacket and pants at Fleet Farm (Mad Dog brand). I've had it turkey hunting through briars and fences and has held up well. The pants were around 45.00 and jacket around 50.00. I can't afford to buy separate raingear for fishing and some for hunting. It's been very comfortable so far. I wear it bow hunting as well. The Frogg Toggs are probably the coolest/most breathable option out there. If I only wanted something to wear while fishing in the summer, in the rain, in a boat - Frogg Toggs is the route I would go. My $0.02.

-CK

[Captain B.R.K]

Anylakeanytime - Are you looking for raingear that can double as possible winter wear as well?!?! The Columbia outfits (Titanium line) can be used as just a rain jacket/bibs or layer under it for winter use.

The frogg toggs are a great product, real lightweight and windproof. You will definately like them in the spring, summer, fall. BUT they will be useless in the winter.

Just another thing to have you consider before you pull the trigger.

[Anylakeanytime]

Captain BRK, I would like some gear that I can use for fishing and also use for late fall bow hunting. I think I will check into those and call it a day. Thanks for all the posts everyone!

Ben

[SteveWilson]

I have a set of Frog Togs that I keep in the boat and use when it's warm/hot. If I know it's going to rain and the temperature is reasonable, then I use my Filson rain jacket and bibs. I use to use Gortex jackets but I've really become of a fan of wax/oil impregnated cotton like Filson or Berber. For colder weather I use a Filson Packer jacket with a zip in wool liner. Keeps me comfy into the mid 30's.

If you're looking for something that packs very small you might want to look at some of the fly fishing rain jackets. I was looking for something that would pack small, was very light weight, funcional, and would do a decent job. I looked at products from Cabela's, Simms, Filson, and Patagonia but two stood out. One is a very light, simple, jacket from William Joseph but is too small for me and the other is from Reddington and nicely priced at $75.

[Animal]

I've used all types of rain gear over that last 30 years. My personal opinion is that if it's not made with goretex it's not going to be rain proof for long. I live in northen MN and do most of my fishing in the spring and then after labor day till freeze up and I endure a lot of adverse weather conditions. Goretex not only holds up but is plyable and comfortable. I have Cabellas Guide Wear and paid about $500 for it 8 years ago and it is still in great shape and sheds water like a new unbrella, Goretex also resists the formation of mildew which is what causes rain wear to fail. Their is a lot of Goretex rain wear that costs a lost less and performs as well, but it will more than most suits made out of alternative materials. An investment up front in good quality materials pays dividends in the future.