rain gear

What's the best rain gear to buy?

The best rain gear for you is the best you can afford, then upgrade one notch over that. If you don't get Gore-Tex, you're going to be very disappointed. I have Cabela's Guidewear X300 Gore-Tex and absolutely love it. For those in the market for rain gear, it's half off right now. Great for spring, fall and even ice fishing use if you layer under it. During the summer, I use Cabela's Gore-Tex PacLite. Have had that for going on 4 seasons and am very pleased. Extremely light weight, keeps you totally dry yet you don't roast like you do in the summertime with heavier gear and packs up extremely small for easy storage in the boat.

There are several sets of great rain gear out there...I have the Simms stuff and love it, but its not cheap. Bass Pro 100mph, Pro Qualifier, and Cabelas Guide Gear are very good suits. Rain gear is an investment you'll have to make every 5-10 years depending on quality. A good set of rain gear will keep you warm and dry in miserable weather. I don't just wear mine in the rain, I wear it if its cold out to break the wind and keep me warm over fleece or sweatshirts.

Lizard Man: My experience has been quite different. SR

First off, the Frogg Toggz are crap. They feel very stiff and uncomfortable, and they are not 100% waterproof so they will eventually soak through. Gander Mountain had a sale a few years back for their portable rain gear 2-pc set. $50. It's super light and oversized so that you can pull it over what you're currently wearing. Plus, both jacket and pants roll up into their own storage pack and can fit in your tackle box. This is my preference.

Certainly, you can spend a bundle, or you can get the Frogg Toggs, which have worked great for me. They now have the Toadz version that seem to be an upgrade from the original. SR

Keep in mind that if you use the raingear during warm weather to stay away from thick or insulated stuff. Cabelas has some great low weight and packable Gore-Tex shells that work well. Expect to spend $200 unless you can get it on sale at end of season.

I have 2 sets frog togg camo bibs & jacket they work great jacket is not full length and pulls up keep me dry all day also G. mountian H2o jacket & bibs great comfert all day but it will leak in around zippers and seams after awhile.

Took Fishermandan's advice and bought a Frabill Storm Suit this spring. Very happy with the purchase! Highly recommend that one.

I have the Frabill Stormsuit as well. I really like it, a well thought out, well made design. For those 80 degree days, I have a lightweight breathable Cabelas jacket and pants to keep me dry yet I won't cook. To cover spring-fall, you almost need 2 sets to be comfortable all the time

I have the Frabill FXE Stormsuit, it has been flawless so far. Have fished for several hours in torrential rain and never gotten wet. I have recommended it to several friends and they have been happy with it as well.

I bought cabelas MTO 50 raingear for bowhunting elk a few years back because it packs very small and is light weight. I now use it for both hunting and fishing because it's 100% water proof as I stood in a downpoor this past opener for a couple hours and it performed great. You can pick up the set for between $200-$300 and it comes in a couple camo patterns so it can double for fishing or hunting if you do both... two birds one stone approach for this guy! Adubs

I recently upgraded my raingear to the BPS 100 mph suit. It was pricey but worth every penny if you're hardcore and want to fish no matter the weather.

I have a under armour storm suit and for $600 it pretty much sucks if you want the best go with the simms that's what I'm picking up. If you want to be dry all day in rain plus a 30 mile run in 4-6ft waves in a bass boat go with the simmer! Plus it also acts as a floatation device.

I have a pair of Stormhide bibs and a Stearns jacket from Fleet Farm. I have been out in some pretty extreme rain in these and stayed completely dry. I wanted something that was lightweight and I wasn't going to sweat in during summer, so this was perfect for me. A lot of the bass pros are now wearing Simms ProDry Gore-Tex suit. If I had $900 laying around or someone wanted to give it to me I would probably go this route.

The Bass Pro Gor-tex 100mph bibs and jacket are ok till you try them on,they don't fit the best. The Bass Pro,...pro qualifier gore-tex parka/jacket,& bibs are better. After four years of use,I bought another set of the navy just the other day. I wish they still made the pro qualifier pants. I had to buy the BPS pro light pants instead. cant go wrong with gore-tex.