I’m a Simms guy for the most part unless it’s time fishing, then grudens. I’ve run other brands and they just don’t last. Simms also has a great warranty. Its spendy gear but well worth it in my opinion. I run all black. Simms has several lines from non insulated to insulated. I run all non insulated and layer for cold weather.

 

With Simms getting bought out by private equity, their quality and overall company trajectory is vastly different than it used to be. As someone that's been a Simms guy for 20+ years, I likely won't be getting any more of their stuff. For bibs, it's Grundens only at this point.

Grundens basically slid in to fill the void that Simms is leaving. Lots of specialty shops have shifted over to Grundens as their primary apparel company over Simms. I know a lot of shop owners/sales reps in the fishing industry from my time employed in that world, and they've basically all jumped ship from Simms.

 

Grudens are pretty much the standard. Orange seems to be the most common but the fish don't care. Mine are bright yellow so they can see me floating from the helicopter to aid in recovery.

 

Great idea Don! I choose bibs that are light so I can move around if I go overboard and that color issue is most important part of my recovery. I wear white ones when tuna fishing, They're pink when I'm done fishing but the primary reasoning for getting them was 1. they're light, easy to get around in, not heavy or confining. 2. I wanted yellow or orange but white was all they had.

 

I really like the Grundens Neptune line. Good flexibility, soft rubber, good price.

Search: 13 results found for "neptune"

Grundéns fishing apparel and footwear enable anglers and commercial fishermen around the world to brave the harshest weather in the pursuit of the perfect catch.

grundens.com

 

Take a look at Frogg Toggs web site. They almost always have quality stuff on closeout. I've picked up some great deals on bibs over the years. I had some of the other, more expensive brands and they just don't hold up to 30 trips a year. Most only have short warranties that don't warrant the high cost of the bibs

 

I like the light weight gortex type of rain gear when I'm up moving around like bank fishing. But the moment I get in a boat in the driving rain and sit down on a wet seat, pressure forces water through the outside of the fabric to the inside. I just bought some Grunden PVC Bibs, nice and dry could not be happier.

 

Not cheap, but grundens is top. If you want their gortex gear check out their website. They have them on sale all the time. You can also put your email in and get an extra 20% off. Great way to get top notch gear for less.

 

Great question, Greg. I've aways used Grundens, and have been very satisfied with them. Grundens are not cheap, but are worth it in my opinion. For stuff like this, I'm in favor of going to an actual marine supply store on the coast, and getting some good advice. You can get stuff cheaper online, but the advice you get from a specialty retailer is priceless.

 

Another for Frogg Toggs. Picked up some great bibs on clearance a couple years ago... Unless its tuna, then I get out the rubber bibs

 

I prefer pants instead of bibs for fishing and also for my waders. I also like Grundens and this year switched to the rubber pants instead of the Gore Tex style. Those are nice, but I find only last a couple of seasons before the inner lining sloughs off.

 

Boat or bank is a pretty key question. Pants vs. bibs tends to come down to what fisheries and weather you use them in (bibs shine for really messy stuff like tuna, really wet weather or open boats, while pants are more comfy to get on/off/wear and easier to answer calls of nature in).

For boat, you can use heavier (and tougher) PVC coated gear that isn't breathable. Grundens Herkules are the super heavy duty commercial, Grundens Clippers are cheaper/lighter and still plenty tough, and the Neptunes are lighter/stretchier/more comfortable. Carhart PVC gear can sometimes be found for less $$ and work great. Heavier PVC bibs can be hot and sweaty, but they wear like iron and withstand being snagged on crabpots/boat cleats/etc...

If you want something cooler/more breathable and comfortable for walking around in or warmer weather, Simms and Cabelas Guidewear are some great options, but be prepared to pay $$$ for good ones. If possible, you want the higher end Gore Tex units, not the cheaper membrane (don't breath nearly as well) or coated (coating wears off and so does the waterproofness) products. Downside to breathable stuff is it is more fragile and prone to tearing if snagged on something.

 

Lookig for something for the boat.

 

Have have changed to Carhartt’s… I’m an old guy that pee’s a lot… Carhartt’s front zipper goes lower than my old Grundeon’s… I’m much drier now 🙃

 

Grundens! I have a couple sets, light and heavy. Herkules for serious weather and then some lighter sets for hunting or summer fishing. The lighter sets are the Neptune Series. I've used every major brand of rain gear (simms, cabelas, carharrt, patagonia, etc.) The Grudens Herkules gear is the only one that keeps you dry from outside water and holds up for years. Sure they dont breath and you will sweat but I would rather be sweaty than soaked from rain. All of the breathable rain gear will leak eventually, the Grundens PVC gear will not.

 

Depends on your use. Streamside running and gunning a good quality gore-tex is hard to beat. When in the boat in the spring, PVC all the way. All gore-tex will leak eventually. PVC wont, but it also doesn't breathe.

 

I'm a big fan of the Guy Cotton Trapper Bibs, to me the are more comfortable than the comparable Grundens. Both are quality products and work well.

 

If you go the non-PVC route on overalls/pants, check the zipper to make sure it's waterproof. Otherwise, rain pools in your lap when driving the tiller and you get a springer season of swamp crotch.

 

Traditional Grundens are heavy and don't breathe.
They are good if you are getting a lot of fish slime on you.

Breathables can be very good depending on the grade you get.
I bought top of the line Carhartt breathables about 15 years ago primarily for work.
They were about $200 for the set at that time.
They have held up. Hose them off and drip dry.

 

Heavy weight grundens (Hercules) tops and bottomes. Neoprene cuffs and a hood. Zero water intrusion. Wore them.for construction work as a carpenter as long as I can remember also.

In the summer or on warm days, bibs only, and never really have a problem until late in the year when it's the warmest while ocean fishing for being too hot.

I recently purchased a lighter weight pull over top that will be thrown in to the mix.

Have had many sets of gortex and they just don't fir the bill for ocean fishing for me. Hunting yes not fishing in an extreme wet environment.

Lots of neat gear now days, so maybe I'm behind the times. Heavy weight grundens will last a long time if taken care of. I wash them frequently in the washing machine to keep them like new.

 

I have a variety. AFTCO, Grunden, Cabelas Guide gear, had Simms but they got destroyed. My favorite is the AFTCO. Wearing the Hydronaut set most of the time unless it gets hot out. Just got the newer Barricade but have only worn them once so far. My Grudens are the commercial PVC variety I wear for tuna and I have had them for years. The Simms I had were extremely comfortable but didn't hold up. I am pretty hard on stuff though.

 

For the coldest days, Grundens or Guy Cotton. All the other days, Water Shed made in Salem, lots of colors and options including Gortex. I like the storm Creek II, also use this when I’m rigging and working in the brush, super tough.



Owl

 

Thank you everyone!

 

I am a bit of a gearhead.
After a few years of using my Simms gear on the ocean, I bought some Grundens.
I still love my Simms for freshwater fishing. Especially winter steelhead.
The Grundens (non GoreTex) are better for crabbing and general saltwater. They don't retain the smell
and better resist the general grime that saltwater bait and fish cleaning generate.

 

Good to know.

 

If you are looking for something on the boat then PVC is the only way to go. Gore-tex is ok if you are moving around and need some breathability. I have Aftco, Cabelas guide wear, Columbia PFG, Grunden Hercules and Grunden Neptune in the arsenal right now. I wear the gore-tex type stuff if I anticipate showers or need more mobility. On the boat it is always some version of the Grundens. Hercules for the salt and crabbing and Neptune for rivers. The gore-tex is great for a year or so but ultimately you start to get damp in it. Not wet, damp. Your a** will get wet if it rains and you are sitting in a boat seat. You can wash it in whatever stuff recommended as many times as you like. It will help for a bit but it will not return to it's like new effectiveness. PVC gear will cost you half as much and last at least 3X longer.

 

Thank you for the detailed information. What you say makes a lot of sense, especially about the gore-tex.

 

Being an abnormally large human I like that I can buy Grundens in adult sizes. I get ads from AFTCO and Simms and other than AFTCO's sun shirts, they dont have (large) adult sizes.

 

Its referred to as "Samoan Petite".

 

My Grundens have lasted 25 years of abuse! I can stand in side-ways rain and fish all day with the full Grudens classic Hercules outfit with boots and be bone dry at the end of the day. Before these I used to use "breathable" bibs. My butt was always wet at the end of the day. Somebody can take a water hose to you and you will still be dry! Love them!