I've got some reddington wading jackets that I bought at a close out salefor about $50.00 that looks good enough that I even will wear it up town on occasion & they work great for me . but I think all the new age fabric is good it just amounts to if your willing to spend the money for the latest trendy stuff.

 

I have not priced anything out but i own a gortex jacket and i also own a rainproof jacket that i bought from sportmans warehouse for $30. I like the jacket that i bought but i have tested the gortex in downpours and have not gotten wet at all. I would spend the extra cash for the gortex jacket if you can manage.

 

There are differences in waterproof/breathable fabrics that manufacturers make you pay money for. I don't know any other way to put it, except to say that there's probably money in R&D that they need to recoup. There's easily over a dozen w/b fabrics out there now. Every garment maker has their own proprietary fabric and of course they all make you breakfast and tuck you in at night. Here's the skinny on how this works. Gore-Tex is still the biggest name with the biggest recognition. Gore-Tex's stuff in the more expensive products (jackets about $450-500 and up) still holds a small edge in performance compared to others. Next in line, and arguably barely behind, is EVent. In the meat of the market ($150-400) things get tighter and performance becomes more equal, making decisions a little easier. Good news is that the cheapest w/b will be waterproof; breathable is the part that gets better the more you spend. More good news is that you don't need the really expensive stuff unless you're sweating up a storm while you're fishing. If you spend $150-200 or more you'll have a good jacket that should last a long time and breathe well. Any w/b fabric requires some care and feeding to keep it working the best. I suggest an easy goolge search about that because, frankly, I'm tired of typing.

 

Waders and jacket arr two thinga i would not skip on. Especially if u fish winters. You will sweat hiking you need the breathability. If not you will find your body temp dropping and can lead to bad juju

 

I'm behind in the times but my helly-hanson jackets have been flawless. Lots of great items out there.

 

I bought a upper-end rain jacket last year from Outdoor Research (the axiom) about a year ago. The only reason I went that direction was because I received a major discount because of my work otherwise, I would have go the cheap route. I have to say, so far I love the jacket. Keeps me high and dry and is breathable so I don't get clammy. As far as fishing goes, I've used it a couple of times on the water and it works well, but I have discovered two limitations:
First, limited pocket space. Not a huge issue because I usually carry a pack but going superlight would be difficult.
Second, and this is the much bigger issue, is durability. It's a very lightweight jacket so how well it would hold up in the backcountry is questionable. On a larger river (or lake) or easy access stream it wouldn't be a huge issue. But I like to fish small mountain streams which obviously entails scrambling over downed wood, sliding (falling) down steep banks. I'm not sure how much of that wear and tear this jacket could handle. If a lifetime warranty is offered (OR does) then maybe it's worth it. Otherwise, I'd try to stay on the lower end so its not heartbreaking when you rip a whole in your jacket falling over a tree.

Anyway, just my experience.

 

Thanks, good info. That confirms what I suspected. I might just opt for a cheap HH rubber with pockets; I tend to prefer too warm over too cold. Hell, I used to wear thick neoprene waders in 90+ weather and wasn't all that bothered. Used my Simms Goretex in the cedar once and nearly froze my b@lls off.

 

I woukd 100% disagree with you on ur standpoint. If you properly have base layes and appropriate gear you.can shed layers as needed dependent on conditions. The last thing u want in the winter conditons is sweat with no breathablilty not only could it ruin your day but could potentially cause hypothermia

 

No he means hypothermia. If you get all sweaty and clammy, from the non-breathables then its easy to get hypothermia. If you are one of those rare people who doesn't get all sweaty in non-breathables, then your good to go with neoprene, and cheap PVC or rubber.

 

No he means hypothermia. If you get all sweaty and clammy, from the non-breathables then its easy to get hypothermia. If you are one of those rare people who doesn't get all sweaty in non-breathables, then your good to go with neoprene, and cheap PVC or rubber.

Yeah, if you're just looking to not get wet, this is the way I'd go too. I do have a wading jacket, but its primary use is for the wind, then med to light rain. For the heavy rain, out comes the $11.99 PVC Pancho/jacket.

 

I've tried most of them all as I used to work at an outdoor store. I'd compare them to waders: don't spend a lot and replace often or spend more for something that'll last. GoreTex guarantees all their fabric, no matter who made the jacket. You can get GoreTex jackets for a couple hundred bucks, look for the Paclite fabric. It's light and extremely packable but carries all the usual GoreTex guarantees. Personally I have a Paclite jacket and can vary what I wear under it depending on temp, from a tshirt to a down jacket. It also works great at Sounders games when it's pouring rain!

With any of the waterproof/breathable fabrics, make sure to wash them often and most also recommend drying in the dryer with heat as this rejuvenates the fabric. Looks for deals at Sierra Trading Post or Backcountry.com.

 

Yeah I had plug my brain in there--trapped/cooled condensation, duh. It takes some hellish temperatures for me to sweat, so makes sense I've never had this happen.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't make my decision based on temperature. Just because expensive gore-tex jackets may be thin, that doesn't mean they have to be cold. As bass-turds mentioned, a good base layer with a gore-tex jacket can provide plenty of warmth and versatility. I should have further emphasized what an advantage (necessity?) breathability is. Fishing small, headwater streams may put you and your jacket in danger of wear and tear, but you're also very likely to be doing a lot of heavy breathing and sweating so having a rubber jacket could be pretty miserable. So it's definitely a balance. If you did go for a higher end jacket, I would maybe check something out that was reinforced in key wear areas like the elbows and shoulders. The nice thing about buying a little bit nicer jacket is that you can multi-purpose...I wear my jacket around town and on my bike all the time. It really just depends on your budget.

 

When I started fishing we didn't have all these new fangled toys to play with. A sweat shirt and a Rain coat was what was used. It kept a body warm in the coldest weather. Sure you would sweat a lot but that was one of the joys of fishing. All you had to do was stop and cool down a little and then get back to fishing.

I bugged my wife to get me a Gore-tex rain jacket one year. It hangs in my closet. It's been there for three years now. Just waiting to be used. But in my old age I've turned into a warm weather fly person. I don't go out unless the sun is shining. The rain be damned.

 

Not sure what your price point is but you might look at the Redington Stratus models.
Should be able to find them for less than $100. I've been happy with mine.

 

Thanks guys. Yeah the Stratus looks good and within my budget. Also looking at LL Beans Emerger II and Orvis. The Frogg Toggs Pilot's a possibility too. Goretex hopefully when/if I can afford it. Just need something to get me by for now.

 

But in my old age I've turned into a warm weather fly person. I don't go out unless the sun is shining. The rain be damned.

Same here. Paid my dues fishing in the rain and never really had a great time but almost always managed to get wet no matter what I was wearing.

I'll still fish for steelhead in the rain and my old Columbia Sportswear wading jacket works fine. I can't even remember how long ago I bought the thing. It isn't breathable so I spray it each year with water repellant... for the few times a year I go steelhead fishing, it is all I need.

No expensive, breathable wading jacket for this guy.

 

Cabelas goretex paclite. They are light but you can layer.

 

Another vote for gore-tex paclite. I bought super minimalist one for cycling, it's basically a shirt. It works great for "double bagging" under various gore-tex or e-vent shells. Never been wet under some hellacious conditions that eventually wetted out the outer shell.

Stopped by the thrift store last week and scored an almost new marmot waterproof breathable shell that has a carhart-ish twill outer layer with elbow patches for $20. Should be more durable than ski type shells. They also had a giant can of 13% silicone kiwi camp dry spray for $1. Not sure if treating the outside will gum up the membrane, but for $21 it's a cheap experiment.

 

I have a poncho with a print on it that is a dude magnet and while wearing it, fish are easy to catch. It's sort of the opposite of an invisibility cloak, excepting it is pretty much waterproof, you can have it, signed too, for $15

 

Shadowcast,

If price is a barrier, you have to shop shrewdly, same as the rest of the gear. I bought my first goretex rain coat through a Sierra Trading Post closeout for $65. It wasn't made by Simms, Redington, or Patagonia or any brand I'd ever heard of, but it's worked well. I got uppity cool brands now, but I still keep the old one in the car for emergency use or working in the yard.

Sg

 

Whatever the choice is..... make sure its waterproof and not water resistant. I had a friend out on Sunday, it rained hard for a solid hour. He was ok for the first 5 minutes then soaked to the bone. I was dry and comfortable, dont skimp on half ass rain gear. rubber is cheap and it may not look cool, but you will be dry. I use goretex now, only because i spent the money and upgraded from grundens to a fashionable style. DONT buy something that isnt waterproof, you will waste the money on it and have to upgrade to rubber or gortex.

 

Outside Magazine published last year an exhaustive article about Gore and its competitors, as well as a bunch of good info on breathability. Skip to halfway down page 3 if you just want the 'science' (hint: it's a misleading word when it comes to outdoor gear.)

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/Insane-in-the-Membrane.html?page=1

 

Thanks everyone! ^That's a great article. I see what you mean about the "science" of it . Interestingly, I went into REI today and saw very little Goretex (3 jackets, maybe)--everything was some new fangled rice paper tech fabric that I'd never heard of with huge sticker prices. I'm sure they work for most applications, but I have to wonder about their durability in the face of thickets, falls, rocks, etc--although I realize they weren't designed for that. The more I read, the more I'm thinking, %^&* it, shell out for Goretex or make do with my HH ruberized nylon that's kept me dry and warm. I don't see the point anymore in a mid range "waterproof breathable" when Gore can be had for another $100 bucks.

That paclite looks like a great suggestion. One question though: how does it compare to Cabela's Guidewear jacket ($229)? What's the word on Cabela's customer service reputation? (read quite a few horror stories, but not sure whether they're exceptions or the rule). LL Bean is tempting in that regard...

 

Oh, and this is a really good explanation of how breathable fabrics work and why they generally fail:

http://andrewskurka.com/2012/breathability-its-importance-mechanisms-and-limitations/

 

Cabela's GORE-TEX® PacLite® Rainy River® Parka – Regular goes on sale from time to time for under $70

it's a good light weight packable Gore-Tex rain jacket for summer and carrying with you inside your fishing vest pocket or pack.

I believe some Jacket sizes/colors are on sale right now for approx $99 and the pants are nice as well.

 

Cabela's is generally pretty good when it comes to their own brand gear. There are horror stories out there but lots of success stories too. I've had more trouble at REI than cabela's.

 

Yikes, that surprises me about REI. I wish there were a Cabela's in Seattle, or at least closer than Lacey.

 

Just a couple weeks ago I broke a fairly old cabela's rod. It took them some time to figure it out but eventually they have me store credit for the rod. It wasn't a lot, but they didn't have to do anything. No hassle, no questions asked. Others may not like them much, but they have done alright by me.

The Arlington location is a little closer, if you are in Seattle.

 

Shadowcast,

I'm not sure how the Cableas Pac Lite Rainy River Jacket compares to the exact Cabela's Guidewear jacket ($229) you are referring too in your post.

My Pac Lite is a very light no frills Jacket. Two zip pockets, a hood and some velcro on the cuffs. It keeps me dry, sheltered from the wind and pacs down small. The price was right for my as i paid between $49 and $68 for the three of them i purchased. Two were gifts. I couldn't touch that price for similar Pac Lite Goretex Jackets that other brand name retailers were offering.

I do have an older Cabela's Guidewear Goretex Jacket but i know they make a bunch of different guidewear models and they change them often. The one i have is a full length heavy duty non-insulated, fall winter spring use jacket with many pockets a very useful hood and cuff system. I do not wear it in summer due to its heavier weight and inablity to pack down small. I mostly wear for winter outdoor activities like skiing. Its been a good jacket - no complaints. It was $129 on sale.

Cabela's Warranty Return Policy Here for reference
http://www.cabelas.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=ReturnsPolicy

So far i've been happy with their customer service...