Rain Gear Question

[Lunch_Box]

I need to buy new rain gear. I typically try to buy quality when I buy most things so I don't have to buy them again. However, I'm having trouble spending $400 on a set of Cabela's XCR Guidewear.

I was at Gander Mountain the other day and saw some stuff called TECH which the sales person said was made by Stearns. It was simiar looking but probably not the exact same qaulity as the guidewear as it was only $200 for the parka and bibs. They also had the Columbia Titanium parka and bibs for about $229. Does anyone have any experience with either of these?

The sales person at Cabela's said he would get Cabela's signature series rainwear rather then the guidewear. Anyone have any opinions on this stuff?

Thanks.

[chadk66]

I have the cabela's signature series raingear (parka and bibs). It's the dryplus stuff. I absolutely love it. I wear it even when it's not raining because it doesn't make you sweat. I believe there are some great sales on it at cabela's right now. You should be able to suit up for under 200$.

[mich_fisherman]

The Pro Bass shops are having their spring fishing sale this weekend. Their Gore-Tex rain gear and Extreme rain gear is on sale right now. Check it out. They are very good prices. Gore-Tex is Gore-tex whether it's Cabelas, Bass Pro........

Good luck.

[TK_551]

A few years ago, I bought that Sterns set from Gander and I do not have any complaints. Bibs and Parka combined was around $250. The Parka has a zip out polartech lining as well. I am pretty happy with it.

Tom
#551

[Red Ruffandsore]

I bring a plastic garbage bag and a towel. Strip down at the first sign of rain...bundle everything up in the bag....towel off and dress when the rains past. That's how I found out that walleye like four inch light coloured worms with two round trailing baits :0)


Stay off the pipe...and don't forget to wipe.

Red

[Winner Z880]

Campmor has some rain parkas on sale right now at a nice price.
www.campmor.com

[JAK]

Spend the money!!! I too hated to dollar up and spend the money for Guideware. I finnally took the plunge last year. This stuff is everything that you can expect and more! 70 days on the water, most of which I wore at least the bibs for part of the day. They are so comfortable that it is hard to over heat in them. It sure looks like this set of Guideware will out last my previous rainware by a 3-1 margin. Only time will tell for sure.

My previous set was the Gander Guideware which included the fleece and the bibs. There was nothing wrong with this stuff, but it is NOT EVEN close to the quality of the Cabela's Guideware! The new stuff at Gander that is made by Stearns is not quite as nice as the previous Gander Guideware.

Someone else posted that "Gortex is Gortex". That is not the whole story! It all depends on if the seams are sealed, are they hot taped, is the garment rated for "Extreme Wet Weather" by GORE? What type of material is the Gortex bonded/mated with? All of these things have an impact on the performance AND duribility of any given garment.

I have found that if you look at the care instructions on the garment, that you can tell a lot about the quality of manufacturing and of the materials used.

All of the better garments state to wash with a powdered non-detergent and to dry the garment in the dryer! This helps to reactivate the DWR that was used in manufacturing. If the garment is well made the heat from the dryer is not an issue.

If you plan on using the rainware for a long time and want it to be almost indestructible, buy the Guideware. If durability is not of primary concern buy the XCR. It will keep you dry and will be more comfortable.

Again, spend the money on either one, you will NOT regret it!!!

[CORNY]

Frogg Toggs $80.00 www.froggtoggs.com



CORNY
TAKE A KID FISHING

[Full Choke]

Hey Red I like your style!!!

Channel Clear

[Lunch_Box]

Thanks for the tip on the sale at BPS. With just a visual in-store comparison, it doesn't look as good as Guidewear but that was when I was comparing the two items which were priced about the same. With the sale, the Xtreme stuff is about $240 for parka and bibs. That's about $170 less then Guidewear. Does anyone have any gripes with the BPS Xtreme gear? Thanks.

[Jim Carroll]

Are the BPS 100 MPH suits on sale also? Thanks...

[lindyrigger]

I have heard of foggtogg. Is it durable. Do you own a set. I am looking for something that i can take backpacking/hunting/fishing. The guidewear is too heavy plus expensive. is foggtogg packable.

LindyRigger

[RonandReel]

You might wait an look a Scheels Rainware if you have a store near you. There big 100th bash and sale is comming in May 5 to 11. I have a set and works fine for me. Its not as heave as Cabela's.

[JImFish]

I own froggtoggs that I got lst year Less that $100 for a set with bibs. Very very light weight and very breathable.

I also didn't want to spend big bucks and the Froggtoggs fill the bill for me.
JimFish

[srj]

Raingear is something we all need and use so I thought this would be a good spot to post this. No matter how much I have paid, my raingear sooner or later (generally about 3 years) will start leaking. A place in Washington called Rainy Pass Repair can re-waterproof most any type of raingear at a modest cost. And it works. I have had them do coated fabrics and gore-tex and they perform like new. Something to think about as an alternative to new.

[Capt Doug Schreiber]

Spend the money! I tried the signature set and I traded it up within a couple of months. I practically live in the guidewear and its worth every cent.
Capt. Doug Schreiber, Hot Jigs Guide & Charter Service

[Construction Worker]

If you want to make a fashion statement and are rich you can go out and spend the considerable amount on the high end stuff. If you want a functional tough rainsuit go to a constuction products store and get what they use. These guys live in those suits day in and day out. Commercial Fisherman use the same type of suits. You can get them for under $75 and will last for years.

[eyeD]

I bought the Cabela's gear and it was the best $400 I've spent on fishing gear! I wouldn't want to chance comfort and getting wet and cold, it's not fun having to quit early because to miserable. Invest the extra money, I think you'll be glad you did! eyeD(Denny Sharrone)

[Jim Ordway]

If you can, buy the guidewear. GoreTex is still the best out there. There are lots of "waterproof" suits available, but one important difference is that many of them, other than the guideware, will give you a wet rear end when sitting in pooling water on a seat or deck. The guideware is still waterproof under compression. Whatever you buy, ask them if it is dry under compression and try it out as soon as you get them.
Good luck,