Rain Gear

[Dan Brelje]

Interested in some opinions on decent rain gear for the open water season. $100 or less please. I'm looking for decent set and wondering what some opinions are around the state, thanks in advance.

[harvey lee]

I bought a set of pants and jacket from gander about 4 years ago.I dont remember the name and I just looked at them and really no-name.It says PELLA on the tag on the jacket.

They are made of a real soft cloth,breathe very nice,no sweating inside if you are wearing in warmer weather.

They seem very durable and comfortable to wear and easy to use while bow hunting and very quiet.

All of this for approx 80 dollrs,remember 4 years ago,so I would assume approx 100 today.

I have used this set for turkey hunting,fishing,bow hunting and around the yard.It gets a A++++ from me.I dont know what could be better.

[Captain B.R.K]

I know that if you are looking for a rain suit specifically for fishing, then go with a Gander Mountain H20 Tech or H20 Tech 2 combo. I know that these suits are normally on sale, but you might be over the $100 a tad bit.

Raingear is like anything else, the more $$ you spend the quality just gets better. Top of the line stuff like Gore-tex will run you $200-300 but you'll get a long life span out of the stuff.

Good Luck.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Frogg Toggs are a great, inexpensive option for summer. They're very lightweight and waterproof. They're usually $60-$80 a suit depending upon what type you get (bibs vs. regular pants).

[mamohr686]

Fleetfarm has the sterns walleye hunter rainsuit on sale right now. It's not gore-tex but it is very sturdy, waterproof and breathable. It the parka was on sale for $59 and the bibs for $69. ( you could also get pants for cheaper) It's a little over your budget but last year I saw them at scheels for $180 for the same set so it's a good buy.

[Dan Brelje]

Thanks for the help, the shopping will be starting soon

[Northlander]

Find a Gander running the H2O stuff on sale. It will be over $100 but its worth it. In rain gear you get what you pay for. Try the bargain cave at Cabelas. Sometimes people order the wrong size and they sell it in the cave for big savings.

I had Frog Togs and they didnt stand up to the abuse my gear goes threw. Its just to light weight and the leg zippers dont go up the legs far enough to get bigger boats threw.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Dan,

If you spend a lot of time outdoors and fishing I would go with a GoreTex suit.

I have spent up to 10 hours in pouring rain in my Cabela's suit and the only thing that got wet was my shirt cuffs!

As stated, you get what you pay for!

Cabelas has some great deals in their Bargain Barn at times.

Cliff

[cold one sd]

I just bought a new Lund boat and am getting a foul weather suit with it. Anyone know anything about this gear?

[vikingmeatwad]

Quote:

---

Find a Gander running the H2O stuff on sale. It will be over $100 but its worth it. In rain gear you get what you pay for. Try the bargain cave at Cabelas. Sometimes people order the wrong size and they sell it in the cave for big savings.

I had Frog Togs and they didnt stand up to the abuse my gear goes threw. Its just to light weight and the leg zippers dont go up the legs far enough to get bigger boats threw.

---

I also got the guide series h20 at gander, they should have coupons coming out soon just check the store and stuff. however sitting in POURING rain in canada for about 9 hrs I did get drenched as water was everywhere. I think it came through the zippers but do you guys have the same problems? Everyone in the boat was drenched with all different suits.

I checked out the frogg togs but for the money they charge I thought they were very cheap feeling and would rip, etc.

Hope this helps but in pouring rain for multiple hours I think anyone gets drenched but let me knwo what you think guys.

[Joe's Kid]

I've used Helly Hansen gear for 30 years and used it hard. It's always been good stuff in my opinion.

Look for sales,though. It can be spendy if you buy this years model.

[DEADhead]

I'm afraid the only thing that will keep you dry for under $100 would be a pvc based rain suit. Only problem with that is they don't allow for good transfer of perspiration and evaporation, so you will be wet inside no matter what.

Breatheable membrane fabrics will cost much more, but are worth the money. You definitely get what you pay for. I've got $300 Patagonia jackets that I was so reluctant to use for fishing, but why else have them. They work great and I haven't looked back since.

Some key points to keeping dry with any breatheable membrane jackets are to look at the seams and zippers. Many of the high end outdoor apparel companies, like Patagonia, are using welded seams, barely detectable, and avoiding high wear areas that tends to rub and degrade the membrane. Also, look for a good zipper that will have ample waterproof protection, such as storm flaps, or impervious materials stitched to the zipper seam. Nothing worse than having a leaky zipper on your jacket or pants and getting soaked....

[ejj]

No need to spend the money for Gore-tex--you can spend much less for stuff that works just as well. Repeat, it is a rip-off. It doesn't work. I used to work for a company that sold high-end outdoor clothing. The only reason we used Gore-tex was because the consumers demanded it. Again, the stuff is not comfortable and doesn't work as it is designed to in the real world. Don't get the Stearns dump either. It's fine, but you can do much better for 100-150.

[ChuckN]

Just before Christmas I was in Scheels and found a set of rain gear that was not Gore-Tex, but looked comfortable, warm and breatheable. I was very skepical, but the checkout woman assured me her husband had it and he was very happy with it. Normal price was $160 for the bibs and jacket, but I got mine clearanced for $89 for the set.

I've worn the pants ice fishing several times this season and I have kneeled in inches of water (slush) for long periods of time. Completely dry and pretty warm.

[castindad]

WALLS IS A VERY GOOD PRODUCT OUT OF TEXAS VERY EXPENSIVE BUT VERY RELIABLE AND DRY CASTINDAD

[delcecchi]

I have used gore tex for years and love it. What is it that you would recommend that is better and cheaper? It seems like most of the Goretex competitors are only a little cheaper, probably because they only have to be.

I know Goretex will stand up. The reliability of the competitive materials is unknown to me. What is "dry plus" for example?

[DEADhead]

Quote:

---

Repeat, it is a rip-off. It doesn't work.

---

Just curious why you think it doesn't work? do you mean that the perspiration never gets back through the membrane?

Quote:

---

The only reason we used Gore-tex was because the consumers demanded it

---

I think the reason gore-tex and its counterparts exist, is because people were tired of having to wear heavy rubberized canvas or pvc rainsuits where you would get more drenched from your sweat than the rain itself. Breatheable membranes were designed as a lightweight drywear alternative for techinical activities like mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, etc.

You may think the stuff doesn't work, but I'll stick to mine. I've worn all types of different "waterproof" clothing, and the driest stuff I've worn were the breatheable membranes from Patagonia. Plus they were the least buky.

Oh yeah, they also have a lifetime warranty!

my 2 cents

[delcecchi]

Now that I think about it, the first generation goretex had problems with oil and oil like substances getting on it and causing leaks. Or something like that. Today's Goretex is great.

[ejj]

I worked for Patagonia! And I still love the company and their gear. Would still be there, but I met this girl...

Gore-Tex has to be protected to work well--otherwise it clogs easily with dirt and sweat. The stuff that works best for protection is....polyurethane! Which doesn't breath all that well. Also, the fabric still ends up getting wet because the membrane (Gore-Tex) is under the outer fabric. We found that the world really likes good DWR coatings that make the water bead on the outside and run-off the fabric. These coatings are better than ever, and breath better, as you have fewer layers to breathe through. Follow your DWR (Durable Waterproof Coating) directions closely, as they can be maintained and reapplied, and even "revitalized" with a light iron.

Most Gore-Tex garments are superior to rubberized nylon NOT because of Gore-Tex (which does breath LIGHTLY), but due to the construction of the garment. That being said, no fabric could be worse than rubberized junk.

Most mountaineers these days require stuff that breathes and moves with their body better. thus the birth of the soft-shell. Windproof, very water-resistant, and super breathable. Dries as you wear it. I use soft-shells all the time, even in the rain. I got a top-set on my boat, and I no longer sit in the rain for long days.

[FRESHWATER PETIE]

A few years ago I was up in Canada, with one of those $5 rainsuits from Wal-Mart. The rainsuit was just like wearing a garbage bag!! It was terrible!! On a fishing trip of maybe a life time, with only the protection a "garbage bag". The suit ripped in several places and I got very wet! and COLD!!

When I got back home, I went to Gander and Bought a nice suit. Never had that problem again. I learned the hard way, "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR".