Raingear Recommendations Please

Dr Strangelove · 01-24-2002, 09:55 PM

My old Goretex jacket soaks water up like a sponge, especially in the sleeves. Tried the wash-in wax (niks?), no luck. Any recommendations on new gear? Goretex yeah/nay? Omnitech? PVC? Anybody try Frog Togs? Please help I'm getting wet. Doc

fishchaser · 01-24-2002, 10:01 PM

I was a lucky. My fishing partner quit smoking 4-5 years ago and since than he has put on some extra snow tires and couldn't fit in his Omni-Tec anymore, and he went out and bought a new one. Well He had to get something for it, so I traded him 40lbs of smelt during the dark days of "NO SMELT RUNS". I think I got the better part of the deal. But I don't know, he has pulled in quite a few nice Sturgeon with those Smelt I traded him.

Dr Strangelove · 01-24-2002, 10:03 PM

FC- does omnitech bead water or soak if it gets reaallyy wet? Any water get through?

fishchaser · 01-24-2002, 10:07 PM

The Columbia sportswear Omni-Tec does wick through at the bottom, but if you have on a pair of bib style raingear you never notice. It beads up and falls right off.

V. Green · 01-24-2002, 10:09 PM

Try washing your jacket again and then spraying it with Revivex before drying. This is the product that the WL Gore Company to get the DWR (durable water resistance) back on the surface of a garment. I have used it with success on my waders and jacket.

You might want to check the warranty of your jacket, unless you have ripped it or damaged it in some way, it miight be warrantied to be waterproof by the maker of GoreTex (WL Gore Co.) or by the brand that you purchased it from.

scrod · 01-24-2002, 10:12 PM

Frogg toggs work very well. They are sort of inexpensive and fit almost anybody although on my wife they look like ....... :grin:

Charlie · 01-24-2002, 10:21 PM

Simms gortex rain jackets are the best they do
not leak, they are spendy and you can buy them
at Kaufmann's Fly Shop.
I have gortex sleeves with rubber around the wrist
and velgroe at the top to tighten them around your
arm, we use them in the Stone/Marble trade wet polishing stone. If you are interested in a pair
e-mail me cutzc@worldstar.com the cost is $32.00
a pair.

Mike H · 01-24-2002, 11:27 PM

Here's what I was told when I purchached my Gore-Tex jacket...

When the jacket looses it's water proffness (and it undoubtly will), you can get it back by using Revivex. Machine wash the jacket without detergent. Afterwards (while the jacket is still wet), spray it with Revivex on the exterior. Finally throw it in the drier on medium heat.

It's something about those Gore-Tex pores that will sinch up tight again when they are warmed. That's why the drier is crucial. Good luck.

If you're looking for an excuse for a new jacket, let me say I got the Simms Guide Jacket for Christmas and I love it. You get all the benefits of Gore-Tex XCR fabric in a well built, roomy jacket with plenty of pocket room.

Mike

Cohodependent · 01-25-2002, 05:52 AM

When you want the best buy Filson. Their porducts not only work but should last the rest of your life. They are not cheep but you really are making a one time investment. Check out the web site and see for your self.

http://smtp2.thewwwstore.com/filson/

Lipripper · 01-25-2002, 05:54 AM

Columbia Titanium gets my vote. Have spent countless hours in the rain without getting wet. As far as Gortex goes I have Gortex Cordura coat and bibs that did start to leak. Washed them in Nik-Wax non-detergent wash and then did the Nik-Wax wash in revitalizing thing with great results. The water now beads up on the gortex. Not sure how long this treatment lasts but I was told that all gortex needs to be reconditioned this way periodically. Even the Columbia needs this treatment every few years. The fabric pores get clogged with dirt and the dirt allows the water to wicked through the gortex.

willierower · 01-25-2002, 06:17 AM

I have an Omni Tech Jacket, That thing sucks. It soaks through in a hurry.
I got some Frogg Toggs for Christmas. I wouldnt reccomend them if you are into brush busting. Blackberry vines like to grab them. Other than that they rock. Very wind proof and 100% water proof. Plus they are packable. I can stuff my jacket in the back of my vest and I donteven know its in there. For the price you cant go wrong.

smoky · 01-25-2002, 06:26 AM

If you are on a boat, Grunden's is good stuff.

I know its expensive, but you get what you pay for. I brushed up against my heater and it barely put a blemish on the material.

Pitch Pocket · 01-25-2002, 06:38 AM

Helly Hanson if it is really raining. Gore-tex is good for showery weather, but not downpours.

TH · 01-25-2002, 06:50 AM

Cabelas Guide Wear... Jacket and bibs.
My wife has the omni-tech and it is nice too, but I like the Guide wear better.

fishhead5 · 01-25-2002, 06:58 AM

TH, how do you get away from it wicking down the front? My kid has a set and so does a friend of mine. Last time out both of them were soaking wet down the fronts.

Fishhead5

bait boy · 01-25-2002, 07:08 AM

Grundens. and heres why. If you look at a picture of any commercial type fisherman or the crabbers that work in the worlds worst weather in alaska they all wear one thing. Grundens. no pores no washing, no leaks. and if by chance you do get a leak they make a patch kit for them.

If you want to keep warm put some more clothes on.

son of a New England lobsterman

chromer · 01-25-2002, 07:09 AM

I've got a set of Columbia's MaConaughy bibs and coat and rate them as axcellent. I have worn Helly Hanson and Grundens for years. They are great for keeping the rain out, but when you're humping the sticks all day, the perspiration builds up in the coat and I'm just about as wet as I would have been with no coat. Plus the coats are heavy and not real flexible when it get cold.

The MaConaughy's breath and are very comfortable to row in. I have used them on days when it poured buckets from the put-in to take-out and no problems. The bibs have a zipper and I was afraid it would leak while rowing, but so far not a drop. The coat has neopreme cuffs so no water down the sleeves while rowing and the hood design is very good. Great stuff. I understand they just improved their design so in theory they're even better now!

Recently I've been wearing a set of Columbia's Omni bibs. Excellent water proofness and they provide good warmth if its your day to be in the front seat. I also have a Widgeon Parka and love it. The only thing I don't like about it is the inner liner. It is too warm! Even over heat when wearing it up front. Replaced it with a fleece liner and works great. No neo cuffs so water will run down your arms when rowing. Better suited for the duck blind.

Columbia is tough stuff to beat!

Mr.Kitch'nPass · 01-25-2002, 07:34 AM

Chromer, I also have a pair of those Columbia bibs and jacket,they are great for rowing.Another nice thing is you can zip in a fleece lining if it gets cold. I have a short sleeve vest that works great. Never been wet yet.

Cool Texan · 01-25-2002, 07:46 AM

I recently bought a Hodgeman wading jacket from REI....$100....used it last weekend on the Wilson (a LOT of rain), worked great...I love that jacket!!

TH · 01-25-2002, 08:04 AM

fishhead5...
in a rain storm I have learned that it needs to be zipped up, it has a great hood, but you need to use it! I went with the Non-Ins. jacket and bibs and just wear a sheatshirt under it so I'm not to hot during a big rain. Seems to work well..

Dr Strangelove · 01-25-2002, 08:18 AM

MaConaughy? Can't find info on Columbia website. Where can I find the bib/jacket you refer to? May lean toward the Toggs for the money. $100 buys bib/jacket in camo. Anyone else with ideas? I really don't like rubber suits (Helly, Grunwhatever) - too heavy and sweaty.

BlindSquirrel · 01-25-2002, 08:27 AM

Hey Doc,

GoreTex and all the other membrane types (OmniTech, etc.) just don't seem to have the durability with use. They seem to be good for a while, and are nice for their breathability for active (sweating) wear. Maybe the renewal treatment works for some - but it never has worked well for me.

When it comes to use for bank or boat fishing where you are not moving around alot - nothing beats the heavy Helly Hanson (HH) rainwear in a downpour -- IMHO.

My complaints for the HH and all the other PVC/rubber gear is the fit - it's made for short/heavy-set people. The other drawback is weight, and you'll get wet from your own sweat if you are too active.

Like fishing poles, reels, or lures - I think you need a few types of rainwear for each use. I own both the membranes and the HH types, and each has its place. When it's really raining cats and dogs - I go with the HH.

Good luck!

FEAR NO FISH! · 01-25-2002, 08:39 AM

WET?
Want to be dry?
Grundens of Sweden, made in Portugal! This is raingear on steroids. Best bang for your buck. Word!

Hey I'm a fisherman, would I lie to you!

mike5097 · 01-25-2002, 08:59 AM

I exclusively drift fish, so my needs may be quite different than a boaters.
I wear breathable waders with expedition weight long johns underneath. Sometimes just sweats under.
For the top it is polyproplyene thermal underwear,
t-shirt, a light wool sweater, or fleece pullover.
For the raingear, I have a Cabela's Babine river wading jacket that my wife bought me for Christmas.
It's a great jacket, not insulated or anything, but it has four pockets, slits to get underneath (if you wear your vest under your rain Jacket), an oversized hood that fits well over your cap,
velcro cuff deals, elastic waist drawstring, and a high rise collar in front that zips up giving your face some protection from wind and rain.
It fairly good quality, light weight, and dark green in color.
Because it is a wading jacket it's on the short side, but who cares when you are wearing waders.
I have used it in some pretty cold weather this year, and it has kept me warm enough with the right clothes underneath.
I believe it cost $29.99.
Mike

rags · 01-25-2002, 09:49 AM

I'm looking for some good waterproof bibs to wear in my sled. I have tried on some and they are all to short. I'm 6'4" with a 34 inch inseam and can't find any long enough. Any suggestions?

TH · 01-25-2002, 09:56 AM

Rags.... I am 6'6" and the 2XL Tall guide wear bibs are great! nice and long, very warm and easy to wear.. I am up and down in and out of my chair all day in my boat and these bibs are great.

Fish Hunter · 01-25-2002, 10:01 AM

What's up Doc?
Bait boy and FNF got it right for boat fishing. Wear wool and/or polypro beneath if it's really cold. I've been down that Goretex road. I'll still use it hunting when I'm hiking, but not when I'm in the boat, trolling is just not enough work to break a sweat. I'm big on the Hellys too.

Rags, I have long legs and my old green Helly bibs are even longer than I really need. Might check then out. Hey after this high water I feel a few days off are in order lets talk!

[ 01-25-2002: Message edited by: Fish Hunter ]</p>

Jellyhead · 01-25-2002, 01:11 PM

Cabela's guidewear, I'd never own anything else.

60 mph. in a bassboat in a downpour, no water getting in, hood doesn't flap. Great stuff, spendy , but worth it.

Aaron

rags · 01-25-2002, 01:29 PM

Aaron,
It looks like they are replacing the Cabela Guide Wear with something new in Gortex. Are you familar with it?

Rubber Robin · 01-25-2002, 01:38 PM

Helly Hansen, Helly Hansen, Helly Hansen :grin: :grin:

About 15 years ago, I bit the bullet and bought the best Helly Hansen raingear that I could, I bought rain pants and a jacket. At that time it was over $100 which was a lot back then.

I still wear them today and they are in great shape. They do not wear out.

Also, the best rain hat that you can buy for the worst weather that mama nature throws at you is the Black Diamond rain hat. This is a Sou'wester that does not flop in the wind. It is like wearing an umbrella. Unfortunately, the company that used to make them (Kaufman Rubber) went out of business! :depressed:

fishhead5 · 01-25-2002, 04:25 PM

TH, They both had their hoods up and it still leached really bad. Oh well I've got Helly Tech.

Do you remember the 1082 you built with a few extra guides and sent to Los Gatos for Christmas?? He lost it when a fish jerked it out of his hands this last summer. Didn't ever get it back..

Fishhead5

Jellyhead · 01-25-2002, 04:33 PM

Rags,

I wasn't gonna look at the cabela's catalog until I got my tax return back. Shoot, for all the bucks I've spent with them, they ought to just send me a new rainsuit. (Like that'll happen)

I haven't seen the replacement. Is it made by cabela's? If it is, it should be good. I own they're fleece raingear for bowhunting and it's awesome too.

Aaron

TH · 01-25-2002, 05:04 PM

FISHHEAD THAT'S TERRIBLE.

TH · 01-25-2002, 05:08 PM

Fishead that's terrible about the rod.
My son lost a plug rod and a calcutta 250 one year on the Elk river (I think he was 4) It was my fault, I lost my balance and fell into him, I grabbed him and he grabbed the gunnel... no one grabbed the $400 dollar sick that went it the drink.
Anyway.. I don't have any trouble with my guide wear.. maybe the fit? Mine is just a year old maybe they fixed the problem.

Have a great weekend everyone..

fishhead5 · 01-26-2002, 10:53 AM

TH, I'm sure he'll work on grandma for another one. :grin:

Fishhead5

Ken Drifter · 01-26-2002, 07:18 PM

O.K. repeat after me.....HELLY HANSON...
HELLY HANSON...cause im not gonna get wet again.....just ask the 5 other (brand) retired wanna be rain gear outfits in my closet.
Honestly, after the pain & expense of trying out other gear I wish someone would of told me sooner. Very well made and no restrictions in movement. And you will stay dry. the wrists have velcro adjustments so rain doesnt run up your arm. Plenty of pockets, and you wont need a lot of under clothes when its freezin.

Snapshot · 01-26-2002, 09:42 PM

Hi Doc, just thought I would add in my 2 cents worth. I bought the HH bibs and they do keep the rain out. Solid and lots of room in them for even me. They are comfortable until like all bibs and chest waders, until you just gotta go.. :depressed: that's when you wished you had on something else. I also like the Froggs if fishing from the boat and light showers. They will be at the Sportsman show in early Feb. at the Expo center. Wait and buy them there and save a few dollars.. May also be the best place to shop for the rain gear, it will all be there and marked down a couple dollars too.

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

fishbait · 01-26-2002, 11:36 PM

If your gonna be out in the rain all day, and are not walking all day, then Helly Hansen or Grundens (sp) is your answer. Spend the bucks and get something that will keep you dry and will last many many years. Hate to tell you how old my bibs are.

[ 01-26-2002: Message edited by: fishbait ]</p>