Cabela's Guidewear vs. XCR Gold Series

[Mattman]

I was all set to order a set of Guidewear before the ice left the lakes but after seeing their new XCR Gold Series, I'm torn. Anyone out there gotten a Gold Series set yet? Likes/dislikes? Anyone see anything they don't like about it? I'm not sure I like where the arm vents are on the jacket. They seem too high on they arm. Seems like they should be around more towards the armpit. Please comment.

[steve(IL)]

I can only comment on the vents - I had a jacket w/ armpit zips and the lumps caused by the zippers would sometimes block circulation of the blood in my arms. My hands would get cold easier than w/ other jackets. I think the chest zips make much more sense. I'm considering the new ones myself.

[Mattman]

Sorry guys. I'm gonna keep this one alive until I get to talk to someone who has handled the new rain gear or until I have to make a decision.

[Mattman]

Anyone yet?

[Backwater Eddy]

Matt you may wish to talk to a Cabela's rep for some info on the new gear. I don't think there is a lot of the new series in the field yet?

I use Guide Wear and it is great, best gear I ever owned hands down!

The better question is what is your needs? If you fish mostly warm weather maybe the extra ventilation is a good deal for you?

Your call, your dollar.

BE...

{Patience is said to be a virtue, so lets all hurry up and find some!}

[Mattman]

I always hesitate taking too much stock in salesmen, its their job to sell. You just never know. I'd really like to hear from someone who has seen them, or preferably used them. I'm a ways from Grand or Owatonna. I like and dislike a few things about each set of rainwear. With all the glowing reviews of Guidewear on this site I thought if someone who loved their Guidewear liked the Gold Series even better.....WOW, can't go wrong. I'm getting some raingear in month or so, period. Maybe I'll have to order both and return the set I like the least.

Do they feel as durable as the Guidewear? Does it seem as though zipper placement and covers will keep out water OK? How does the detachable hood feel? Is the new more breatheable Gore-Tex all its cracked up to be? How about the stretch panels? Just some of the thoughts I'm having and can't really be answered until its in your hands. And some answers can't come until its been used.

[Rick-Wy.]

Mattman, I have found the technical reps at Cabelas very accurate and not what you call a "salesman".

Many times I have called in on their 800 number for a technical rep. for a product I was interested in. I have always felt I received an accurate impartial view.

[Mattman]

Do they have their own 800 or can you get transferred from the order line?

[James R Nell]

I have a set of the Guidewear and it is the best investment I have ever made bar nun. They are worth ever penny. We were out in 20 degree weather with wind and it was like setting in you living room. Best thing I ever done. My partner got him a set also. It is like RED GREEN when you see us in the boat together. Good luck and keep your line tight......

[Keef]

Love my old Guidewear set, still going strong.

The new stuff looks interesting, but I cant really see the point of putting ventilation zips in Goretex. If its raining you are not going to have them open anyway, same if you are wearing the top as a windproof shell. If its warm and dry, chances are the jacket will be in your bag.

I got an extra Guidewear Lite jacket for warmer weather. Nice, and quite a bit lighter than the standard parka.

Keef

[Bob G2]

Consider me another vote for Guidewear. I know, I know, you want to get a comparison opinion, but hey, take what you get. Besides it's superior watershedding abilities (Mine is 6 years old and going strong), a big plus, for me anyways, is it's tough exterior. I have the jacket model that I use for river fishing
and it sees extremely tough duty. For 8 months out of the year, that includes bushwacking through brambles, thorns, shrubs, crawling over barbed wire fences, sliding down (intentionally and unintentionally) river banks, etc. You get the picture. Alot of my buds have real nice rain jackets that probably cost almost 2x's as much (Simms, Patagonia, etc). While they also do good
in the rain department, they eventually get torn to shreds when bushwacking.

No, there is not ventilation flaps on mine.

But, if durability is an issue, that is my experience with Guidewear. Thumbs up!