Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
This no-co*promise fishing rain gear covers up plus-size anglers while retaining a full range of motion.
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Product Description
AFTCO has a legendary history in saltwater, and they’ve made a heavy push in recent years to provide clothing aimed at freshwater anglers. This suit covers fresh and saltwater, and it’ll also cover up big guys without restricting their motion. The bibs cover your full chest, and both the bibs and the parkas provide pockets in all the right places. They’re easy-on, easy-off, and offer a full range of angler-specific options—like a place to mount your action camera and a pocket specifically made for pliers, so you don’t have to dig to find them when you need them most. co*fort shouldn’t mean that you have to sacrifice functionality, no matter your size, and guys up to 5X will appreciate that this rain suit is the best of all worlds.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Gill Women’s Coastal’s no-nonsense design means that women no longer have to suffer the inefficiency of using gear not made for them.
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Product Description
For decades women who wanted premium angling rain gear had to buy products tailored to a generic male physique. Gradually, that’s changed, and Gill has led the way with this high-quality trouser and parka set made specifically for female bodies. These aren’t just generic rain gear that fit women well, they’re one of the best rain gear for fishing—highly water-repellent, stain-resistant, and breathable. My wife, who’d worn ill-fitting male-centric gear for years, was thrilled with her Gill gear, and literally cried when it disappeared on a trip. It meant that much to her ability to withstand the elements. Fortunately, she quickly got another Gill suit, and while it’s not inexpensive, it still cost less than many co*parable suits—many of which do not block out the elements nearly as well.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The frogg toggs Ultra-Lite rain suit will keep you dry, and it’s priced so you can have one in the boat for the friend who forgot to bring their own.
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Product Description
There are inexpensive rainsuits, and there are cheap rain suits—and no one can call this offering from frogg toggs cheap. It does a fantastic job of keeping the elements out at a fraction of the co*petition’s. You may give up some features, but the price point allows you to purchase multiples, so you’ll never get caught out in the elements. Want proof that it works? Plenty of top tournament anglers I’ve interviewed and fished with can afford the pricier best rain gear for fishing, but they choose this option because it allows for great co*fort without sacrificing waterproofness. One important thing to note is that while the Ultra-Lites are one of the best rain gear fishing, they aren’t the most durable. If you’re going to be hiking through brush or are planning a trip to Alaska, invest in a more durable set of fishing rain gear.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
Ironclad means it can stand up to the harshest co*mercial fishing situations, which means that any recreational scenario you can throw at it will be a breeze
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Product Description
The Grundens name is synonymous with saltwater durability, and while they’ve been making inroads in freshwater markets in recent years, the proof of their bulletproof quality resides in their salty heritage. You see their suits on deckhands from the party boats of the northeast as well as the co*mercial crabbers off Alaska. Outdoor Life staff writer, Tyler Freel, even used Grundens Tourney rain gear while caribou hunting in Alaska.
Historically durable rain gear were bulky, non-breathable suits that could be hosed off and ready to go again. Now, the stain resistance and reinforcements persist, but with added breathability and co*fort. Grundens offers a wide range of collections and various price points, but the Ironclad set is the most feature-packed of the bunch. If you want the best rain gear for fishing in saltwater, or extreme conditions they are the ones to buy.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Simms Flyweight minimal packable size doesn’t have to mean sacrificing waterproofness, and Simms takes all levels of rain gear seriously.
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Product Description
Whether you’re traveling into the Amazon rainforest or the Alaskan bush, you may be limited on packing weight and space, but you’re nevertheless almost certainly going to be exposed to the elements. That makes premier and packable fishing rain gear a must-have. Even if you never visit either of those places, you still may not be in a position to bring a bulky suit wherever you go. Simms has sacrificed nothing in constructing their Flyweight products, yet they take up minimal space. If I’ve learned one thing over 40 years of fishing is that you never leave home without some sort of rain protection, and the diminutive size of this set means you’ll always have space to stuff it. The co*ponents fit securely and keep the rain out.
Anglers use a wide range of rain gear for fishing, but the most co*mon are bibs and jackets made from goretex or rubber. Top brands are Simms, Grundens, and frogg toggs.
Rain gear for fishing can cost between $50 to $1,000 for a bib and jacket set. More expensive rain gear fits better, keeps you dry longer, and is more durable. Inexpensive rain gear works well for emergencies or occasional use.
The best warm weather rain gear is lightweight and breathable. Consider the frogg toggs Ultra-Lite or the Grundens Tourney for warm weather rain protection.
You could send me on a fishing trip to the desert in the dry season, and I’d still take one along a rainsuit. Squalls seemingly have a way of popping up when they’re least expected, and even if it’s not cold you can quickly get unco*fortable. In a worst-case scenario, you could suffer from hypothermia. So, invest in the best rain gear for fishing and you’ll never have to worry about rain ruining your day.
I’ve worn my rain gear in snowy bass tournaments and in 98-degree temperatures in the Amazonian jungle. Most importantly, I keep at least one set in my boat at all times, ready to go. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always take the best care of my gear, crumpling them all up in a ball and putting them away wet, but the best gear is remarkably forgiving. As noted above, get the best you can afford or you’ll end up buying more in the not-too-distant future. Ideally, you should look forward to fishing in the rain and the potentially positive impacts on the bite.
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