This rain gear will keep you dry when the weather is wet and the bite is hot

By Mark Modoski | Published May 3, 2018 12:19 AM

It’s no secret that some of the best fishing hits when the weather is volatile. Hardcore fishermen aren’t going to let a little rain and wind stop us, but we do need gear that’s going to keep us comfortable for hours in it. When it comes to rain gear for fishing, certain factors take on paramount importance. Anglers need clothing that allows them to move freely while casting and releases body heat generated by constant motion. It’s a tough task for manufacturers to make the perfect fishing rain gear, and the best suits are typically pretty spendy. I checked out 10 of the best sets on the market and scored them on every factor that matters to an angler.

Each set of rain gear was tested and rated on the nine categories that matter most to anglers. At the top of the list is dry factor, which I tested by donning each set and standing in my shower for 10 minutes to simulate a downpour. Any leaks or seepage cost points. I scored breathability and movability by wearing the suits while casting heavy baits and noting how easily they allowed me to move, and their ability to release body heat. Construction was rated for how well built the gear was and how well they could stand up to the general scrapes and scratches that come with a hard day of fishing. Fit, comfort, and adjustability were judged for how well the suit fit and how easily it could be adjusted to fit different anglers. The aesthetics score is simple: how cool does each suit look? Packability was judged on how well each suit compacted to take up as little space as possible. The features score took into account added extras, such as waterproof zippers, number of pockets, removable hoods, D-rings, and the like. Finally, the value score covers how much bang you get for your buck. The highest scoring suit won the Editor’s Choice. The suit with the highest value score won the Great Buy award.

The Grundens brand is known for conquering nasty weather. The company’s Dark and Stormy rain gear is one reason they’ve earned that elite reputation. It’s obvious that attention was paid to every detail of the Dark and Stormy, but the eVent fabric is what really makes this gear. It has superior water resistance while staying breathable and providing excellent mobility. I could cast wearing this gear with no restrictions. The suit has no shortage of features with numerous pockets and high-quality waterproof zippers. The price tag is among the highest in our test, but if you want to own the best fishing rain gear on the market, this is it.

While some may consider $400 steep for a set of rain gear, the Simms Challenger Jacket and Bibs pack in the most value compared to the rest of the test field. Costing half as much as the most expensive sets, the Challenger suit earned top marks in both movability and comfort. The liner on the jacket is soft yet durable, and moved fluidly during the cast testing. It’s one of the more packable suits in the bunch, so it won’t take up much space in the boat, your truck, or luggage. Simms didn’t skimp on features with the Challenger either; it features fleece-lined pockets and water-resistant zippers.

HUK’s All Weather jacket and bibs was a close second-place finisher in this test. The combo is nearly perfect. As far as aesthetics, the black jacket and bibs I tested were the sharpest looking in the field test. The All Weather is 100 percent waterproof and wind proof, is exceptionally comfortable, and offers a full range of motion. The hinged Velcro cuffs upped the adjustability score, and the removable hood was another quality feature. The price point on All Weather is high, but looking good and staying dry ain’t cheap.

Hodgman’s All-Weather lost points in comfort and movability, but made up points with construction, breathability, and dry factor. The internal relief zipper in the bibs does more harm than good as it’s a bit tight and necessitates additional work when nature calls. I can see this being especially troublesome in a windy downpour. The V-TecH breathable fabric was stiff during the casting trials, but earned a perfect score on construction. The easy-stow nose and face guard were top features because they allowed me to breath easily while being completely covered and stored away nicely when not needed.

STORMR’s Aero Jacket and Bibs bring solid performance and a reasonable price point. The mid-weight system has the protection of heavyweight gear, while providing a full range of motion without bulk. I had no movability issues while test casting and found the suit to be among the easiest to wear in the test. STORMR’s three-layer VAPR Tech material has a great dry factor and breathes well. The Aero Jacket and Bibs are also loaded with features including YKK AquaGuard zippers, internal neoprene wrist seals and numerous pockets with ample storage. The jacket is available in steel blue and black, both of which scored well in aesthetics.

Cabelas Guidewear Advance Parka and Bibs

Cabelas Advance Guidewear was the priciest and most high-tech rain gear of the test, but it lost points on movability and packability. GORE-TEX lamination and membrane and neoprene cuffs make the jacket impervious to water, but I found it bulky and restrictive while taking repeated casts. The added bulk also detracts from the packability score, as this gear took up the most storage space of any in the test. But if you’re not worried about bulk, this is absolutely the finest rain gear money can buy. The fabric is durable and breathable, and both bibs and jacket can be adjusted for a perfect fit. Added D-rings, a tool pocket with added protective overlay, and reflective details are just a few of this suit’s many features.

Bass Pro Shops’ 200mph Parka and Bibs are a step up from their hugely popular 100mph line. The 200mph is another high-end set that slipped in a couple places for less-than-perfect movability and packability. When compared to the range of motion of other sets during the test casting, the 200mph came up short compared with top-scoring options. On the upside, the fabric is superbly durable and is both abrasion resistant and snag resistant. The jacket has an internal draw cord hem that allows it to fit securely, and the X-style suspender system on the bibs offer tailored comfort and fit. If you need to throw on a rain suit to run your boat through a hurricane, this gear is designed perfectly.

Shimano PUR Jacket and Bib

While they don’t have all the bells and whistles of other high-end rain gear, Shimano’s PUR jacket and bib bring all the essentials at a great price point. The suit is lightweight, packable, breathable, and has excellent movability for casting. The welded polyurethane material is completely waterproof and has no additional weight or bulk. In turn, the slimmer package takes up minimal room in the boat or a tackle bag. On the downside, there are only four pockets between the jacket and bibs, so you’re limited on storage. In terms of looks, although not overly sophisticated, the grey/black color scheme is attractive and would look sharp on any angler.

Frogg Toggs Pilot II Guide Series jacket and bibs were solid overall, especially for the price. Compared to the other rain gear in the test, I found the bibs to be baggy and not very comfortable. Aside from that, the suit was well-made and durable. Multiple D-rings, water-resistant zippers, plenty of pockets, and sealed seams were all quality features. The jacket had better fit and comfort than the bibs. The hood is both easily adjustable and removable, and there’s plenty of pocket storage. Another plus is that the set is available in five different colors.

Columbia’s PFG Terminal Outdry Hybrid jacket and bibs shined in some areas and came up short in others. The set passed the dry factor test, and offers a nice range of motion and can be easily stowed. On the downside, the material seems a little flimsy and not as durable as others in the test. Although adjustable, the cuffs were not very comfortable, and the jacket was less breathable compared to others I tested. I liked the features, including the chest pockets on the bibs. Another personal drawback was aesthetics; I was not a fan of the gray digi-scale print. Overall though, the set is a very solid value at $300 for both bibs and jacket.

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