Guidewear Question

[Turk]

I am in the market for some good rain gear, but the prices on the Guidewear are very, very expensive. It's rather hard to justify spending over $400 for a parka and bibs.

What are my other options for good quality rain gear under $400?

[TBO/MN]

The "Guideware" series is fantastic stuff, but the "Signature Series" rain gear is also great stuff. The cost difference is about $125 but I don't think there is that much difference in gear. Check out the Signature stuff.

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[stewart]

I have a Helly Hanson coat that I like and think was a good buy. It's nice and light. A bit over 100$ Canadian.After three years(serious use though) it doesn't seem to shed the water as well, even with treatment.

[FEAR NO FISH]

Grundens of Sweden, made in Portugal. Do a search for GRUNDENS Extreme gear. The best rain gear for your buck.

[Grey Wolf]

Guidewear is awsome but spendy. Call Reeds in Walker, they have or recently had the Stearns parka and Bibs normally about $200 for $99. Their number is 1-800-346-0019. They will ship it to you. For Christmas I bought 4 sets, 1 each for me, my dad, my brother and my girl. Unfortunately they only had 1 colors so I told all of them that they couldn't wear their set whenthey were in my boat. Yeah right!!!

[mossboss]

I ordered the Rainy River guide wear from Cabela's but just the parka, and then ordered the dry plus bibs and I think I spent about $250. My buddy had a set of sterns but did'nt keep him very dry.

[Rookie-Wis]

Turk,

I too had a hard time taking some of those prices seriously. So in the meantime a screwed around with two or three different sets of rain gear and was never satisfied. I finally broke down and ordered that 100 MPH jacket from BP. Then got the goretex pants from Cabelas. So I think I have 340 350 invested and couldn't be happier. I would say go for it and buy what you feel will work the best for you because it seems that in the area of rain gear, you get what you pay for.

Rookie

[Fred_G]

Guidewear may seem expensive, but it could very well be the last set of rain gear you'll ever have to buy. If you look at it over the long term it's really no more costly than some of the cheaper sets. I bought mine four years ago and it looks like new yet. I wash it once a year with the detergent that Gore recommends. I will be very surprised if I don't get another 10 - 15 years out of it. Even if it only last 10 years total that's only $40/ year. I've spent more than that on things I don't even use.

Fred

[Smitty]

One other option is to go to Cabela's on-line (web) bargain cave. I got a brand new set of Guidewear that was in a discontinued color and saved a ton of money. Unlike their in-store bargain caves, the web version is all new stuff that has either been discontinued or they are selling out at a discount.

Worth a try anyway.

Good luck.

[Jbob]

Spend the money for the guide wear. You can't beat the warrenty that they have. I had my set for 3 years and ripped the inside liner out. I took it to Cabela's and asked them if it could be fixed, they gave me a new pair with no questions asked. This is also some of the best rain wear that you can buy. Spend the extra money.

[Larry]

Here's another vote for the Guidwear. As others have mentioned, be sure to keep checking the closeouts and bargin cave at Cabela's. I to saved a ton last fall...just in time for the Huron outing...and boy, did I need it on Saturday !!

[REW]

I do agree that the guidewear is great rainware.

However, if you check around, you can find some of the salt water gear at a much more reasonable price.

I do like the idea of the goretex for the parka for the breating qualities in some of the less inclement weather, and particularly when it is warm out.

However, I generally prefer the bibs that don't breath. There are quite a few different ones out there that are made of a nylon coated cordura - that are really tough. With the bending, fish slime etc. that happen to bibs, I found that continued imersion in met and gore - over the long term always ended up with wet trousers.

However, with the nylon coated cordura - there is never anything that gets through.

I use the guide wear and other gortex for those warmer days, and or when it is not raining continuously. However, for those cold spring or fall days, I also prefer the coated nylon cordura - parka - for their total immunity to the rain, and to let absolutely no moisture inside the parka. With the ventilated sleeves - the problem of being too hot or sweaty is a non issue.

Take care

REW

[scoty]

>I am in the market for some good rain gear, but the prices
>on the Guidewear are very, very expensive. It's rather hard
>to justify spending over $400 for a parka and bibs.
>
>What are my other options for good quality rain gear under
>$400?

I feel it all depends on how often you are out in the elements using rainwear, if you are in it only a couple time a year you can get buy with about anything. If you are an avid hard core guy then it is well worth the money to buy Cablea's Guidwear as it is the most durable and waterproof garment out there for the hard core guy, you pay for it but I have never heard anyone complain how dry they were after 8 hours of solid rain in a tournament. Another good alternative that is not quite as expensive is the Cabela's Dry-Plus products, not quite as durable in fabric but still a very good waterproof garment.

[Mhumpal]

Guide wear is for real. Going on five years dry day after day 90 days a year. I am going to buy insulated for ice fishing, just great wind protection to.

[Phil T.]

A few years ago, I balked at the price of Guidewear like you are now doing. I couldn't justify the expense for a fishing-only suit. I ended up buying a Columbia waterfowler's parka (removable lining) and bibs, with an uninsulated pair of camo pants from Cabela's. I wear the parka as a rain coat, add the insulation layer in early spring and during the hunting season. The uninsulated pants are worn as rain gear and during the spring turkey season. The insulated bibs get used during waterfowling and early spring fishing. Total expense was around $500.
Cabela's has similar clothing in their own brand. In fact they have a waterfowling parka/bib combo whose description is very similar to the Guidewear. In the catalog, Bud Grant may be the male model wearing that suit.