Hello all,
In your opinion who makes the best rain gear?
Looking for something comfortable to fish in..... not to bulky.
Something I can wear year round when needed even in the summer months with out being to hot?
Mostly fish erie.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
I have the Bass Pro - Pro Qualifier coat and bibs. They keep me very dry and warm in the colder months.
When it's 90 degrees they do not keep me cool. I'm not sure they make rain gear that does. But if they do, it'll be on my Christmas list next year.
Hard to find rain gear that does both. I haven't found them either but up here going for the warm seems like a safe bet. If you do that, make sure you get bibs. I have never found a pair of rain pants that really works when the chips are down. At least for me.
My boss does a lot of fishing up north and when I needed rain gear he recommended Grundens to me. Price seems ok at half a dozen internet shops online. At some point I'm going to pick this up:
http://www.tackledirect.com/grundens-weather-watch-hooded-jacket.html
Bass Pro Shop 100 mph gear for spring, early summer, and fall. Get yourself some frog toggs for the heat of the summer. My 100 mph suit is the best rainsuit I've ever worn. Top notch. Frog Toggs are cheap and work great for a hot summer rainsuit. Plus with both pair you have an extra suit to let your brother-in-law or some other once in a great while partner who goes out fishing with you and doesn't have or doesn't bring a rainsuit. You have a backup.
Gill makes some of the best rainsuits. IMO.
I have two pair of Gander Mtn. brand (H2O) bibs and jacket. I am happy with both.
I have the Frogg Toggs also. They work pretty good if you don't sit down on a wet seat. Then it comes right through.
The other other thing I don't like about them is that I feel like I'm wearing a paper suit when I have them on.
But, they do work fairly well, they are light, and they won't break the bank getting a set.
My favorite bibs & jacket? The new Cabelas Guidewear I just bought after being featured here on Greatlakesbass.com. This sturdy set is Gore-Tex and should last for years. If big water is the destination then the weight shouldn't matter as much. If it seems too heavy while ashore you will change your mind once your boat ride gets underway. Either the air flow or water will cool you off even on a hot day.
In addition, the price for this set was a crazy deal. $100 for the parka. $90 for the bibs. When I received the items the price tags were $220 & $210, which was about the price I paid for a similar set about fifteen years ago. Plus, an outstanding heavy duty duffel bag was included free!
It can really pay to keep an eye on the ads here!
I like the Ice Armour gear. It's very warm in the early spring and great in the fall. During the summer time it's shorts and a t-shirt..
BPS pro qualifier for me. Just got them out of the boat for tomorrows fishing trip. Guess if you have some and want to test them go outside today. must be 20-25 mph winds with showers now. Although is looks to be clearing a bit.
Anyone tried the new Frabill extreme suit?
Very expensive.
Quote from: LAPORTE on October 15, 2011, 10:21:09 AM
I like the Ice Armour gear. It's very warm in the early spring and great in the fall. During the summer time it's shorts and a t-shirt..
I have been eyeing the Ice Armour gear...it looks like great stuff for early/late season action, not to mention the Hardwater season.
Quote from: cameraguy on October 15, 2011, 08:33:14 AM
My favorite bibs & jacket? The new Cabelas Guidewear I just bought after being featured here on Greatlakesbass.com. This sturdy set is Gore-Tex and should last for years. If big water is the destination then the weight shouldn't matter as much. If it seems too heavy while ashore you will change your mind once your boat ride gets underway. Either the air flow or water will cool you off even on a hot day.
In addition, the price for this set was a crazy deal. $100 for the parka. $90 for the bibs. When I received the items the price tags were $220 & $210, which was about the price I paid for a similar set about fifteen years ago. Plus, an outstanding heavy duty duffel bag was included free!
It can really pay to keep an eye on the ads here!
I agree Cameraguy, especially with your last line. I too noticed the post Dan made about the Cabela's on-line 50th anniversary sale. I had $400 saved up for some nice raingear and took advantage of the sale. I ordered Tall sizes but I still got it all for $250. Now I still have $150 to purchase a lake map chip. :) Thanks Dan !!!
I have the BPS Pro-Qualifer bibs and jacket. Very happy with both. Not for warm summer days though.
I have the 100 mph ones from BPS. I love it. I use it all year long and even for snowmobiling. Keeps me dry and warm.
Bass Ninja
I have been eyeing the Ice Armour gear...it looks like great stuff for early/late season action, not to mention the Hardwater season.
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I have the Ice Amour for the Early/late season it's good stuff and priced right
In the summer it's the Cabelas gortex and I have a pair of the Gill bibs
I have to say that after fishing these last couple of colder months, I am totally happy with my BPS 100mph Gore Tex suit. It definitely keeps you warm and dry. A little too warm for summer, but it is really worth the money. I heard complaints of no fly in the front of the bibs, and apparently so did BPS, because my dad bought a pair, and he has an extra fly for those emergency moments. Wish mine had that.
Just don't forget and leave it down this time of year... a little nippy!
No joke! That would not be fun.
To add to this topic, we had Christmas at my mom and dad's house tonight. Dad got me the windstopper jacket for my 100mph suit. It makes the coat feel like a winter coat. It's great. Zips in real nice and stays in place. Warm, warm, warm.
I had a zip in fleece liner for mine that was awesome for cold weather... but thanks to my worsening CRS I left it lying on my boat seat earlier this year and ran down the lake. It was no longer on the boat seat when I got to my destination. Same way a lost a nice, new life jacket earlier in the season... :'(
Quote from: LAPORTE on October 15, 2011, 10:21:09 AM
I like the Ice Armour gear. It's very warm in the early spring and great in the fall. During the summer time it's shorts and a t-shirt..
Ron, I have been looking at those...maybe this year. Beats layering under my H2O gear.
BPS ProQualifier. I wear them all winter when out with the kids sledding and stuff. They're great for cold weather when you use a liner. In the summer I haven't really found them to be a too hot personally. But in the summer I avoid the bibs and just wear the jacket unless it's a torrential downpour and I don't have spare shorts. But I have taken to keeping a small duffle in the boat with spare shorts, a swim trunks, a towel, and a t-shirt. So I don't bother with bibs on a really hot day. Besides, cooling off a little in the rain on a hot day ain't a bad thing. ;)
Bass Pro 100MPH jacket and bibs. Best rain gear I have ever owned. A little pricey but well worth the $$.
I got the 100 mph BPS set up. Went out on the nothern open on erie the first day, 3-4 footers, thank god I had that suit. Dry as a bone, worth every penny. ;)
I have the BPS 100 MPH suit with the liner and I LOVE it. You stay very warm and bone dry with it.
On a side note, I am trying to sell my suit as it no longer fits me the one I have is a 2X (red/black), and as soon as I do sell it, I will be buying a new one.