Topic: The Best Rain Gear for Fishing of 2023 (Read 34 times)
previous topic - next topic
It's your post, so post it!
Key Features
Pros
Cons
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
Pros
Cons
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
Pros
Cons
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
Pros
Cons
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
Pros
Cons
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.
The best rain gear for fishing is gear you’ll have for a long time, so consider the options carefully and choose wisely. Here are some factors consider when making your choice.
Pants vs. Bibs
I strongly believe that all other things being equal, bibs will keep you drier than pants and that makes them an obvious choice for most situations. However, I also get that they’re harder to get on and off, they make it harder to relieve yourself, and they tend to be bulkier. Don’t sacrifice breathability or dryness, but figure out which you’ll want to keep on through the rain.
Jacket vs. Parka
A parka will hang lower across your back, which means your butt won’t get wet if you sit on a damp seat, but again, it’s typically heavier and a bit more restrictive.
Price Point
What can you afford to spend? Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be pennywise and pound foolish. Believe me, early in my fishing life I bought a bargain basement, untested rain suit, and quickly found out that it wasn’t much better than having nothing at all. It was a sunk cost, and it’s long been relegated to the dustbin of history and replaced by better gear.
What Features Matter
If you use a GoPro or another action camera, a proper mounting point may be critical, but if you don’t it may just get in the way. In cold weather, fleece-lined hand warming pockets are essential but maybe not so much if you live in Florida. Most of these features cannot be ordered a la carte, so find the one that has all of your “must haves” and fewer of your “don’t needs.”
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.
The post The Best Rain Gear for Fishing of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.
Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.
[/html]