Wading jacket?

[Shad]

...or something else?

I'm ready to invest in a new rain jacket, specifically for fishing. Up until now, I've used a PVC Grundens Brigg rain jacket for the real downpours. It still works pretty well, but years of heavy rain and sweating inside it have rendered it moldy and somewhat less effective at keeping me dry. Every light rain jacket I have tried gets soaked through in a couple hours in a persistent PNW rain, to where they are completely useless after just a few trips.

I'm ready to invest in a balance of reasonable comfort and solid dryness. Is there a wading jacket that costs less than $500 and works pretty well? Something completely different that works well for you?

 

[Matt B]

I got the Grundens Buoy X with a discount code and after one winter of not a ton of use I am really happy with it for a stout but comfortable and very functional fishing rain jacket. It's got real Gore Tex.

 

[Paige]

Simms Slick jacket was the best rain jacket I've ever had, such a shame they discontinued it!

 

[Buzzy]

I bought a Simms "M's Guide Classic" two years ago for a trip to Alaska. It rained and it poured and it felt at times like a fire hose was spraying us; I kept nice and dry. I wore it up to BC this past May/June and endured some hard rain; stayed dry.

 

[Zak]

Someday when I get a bonus I plan to get a Patagucci SST ($400):

Patagonia Men's SST Wading Jacket

Fish longer—our Patagonia® Men’s SST Jacket is a short fishing jacket for deep wading that’s rugged, lightweight, breathable and waterproof.

www.patagonia.com

 

[O' Clarkii Lewisi]

While I've got a Simms G4 for the all day rain events, I carry my Simms flyweight jacket with me most of the time. Lightweight, compact, and breathes very well.

 

[Zak]

While I've got a Simms G4 for the all day rain events, I carry my Simms flyweight jacket with me most of the time. Lightweight, compact, and breathes very well.

I currently have an LLBean light gortex wedding jacket that fits easily in the back pocket of my vest.

 

[offensivename]

Someday when I get a bonus I plan to get a Patagucci SST ($400):

Patagonia Men's SST Wading Jacket

Fish longer—our Patagonia® Men’s SST Jacket is a short fishing jacket for deep wading that’s rugged, lightweight, breathable and waterproof.

www.patagonia.com

I splurged on this jacket when I got my bonus last year and can confirm its awesome. It does sting more when you hook it (and the nice Orvis hoodie underneath) when casting though.

 

[Josh]

Someday when I get a bonus I plan to get a Patagucci SST ($400):

Patagonia Men's SST Wading Jacket

Fish longer—our Patagonia® Men’s SST Jacket is a short fishing jacket for deep wading that’s rugged, lightweight, breathable and waterproof.

www.patagonia.com

I had an older generation of one of these that I loved. Sadly, some meth head loved it more than me and stole it out of my car.

 

[Josh]

I carry my Simms flyweight jacket with me most of the time. Lightweight, compact, and breathes very well.

I keep being tempted by these but never enough to pull the trigger on the price tag. I should probably look for an REI version since there doesn't seem to be many (any?) fishing specific features on the Simms one. Or am I missing something?

 

[Buzzy]

I currently have an LLBean light gortex wedding jacket that fits easily in the back pocket of my vest.

Are you and your wife planning to renew your wedding vows? ;-)

 

[rattlesnake]

Big fan f the simms guide jacket. The cuffs keep my wrists dry. others without the neoprene inner cuff and an overcuff let water in at the wrist, drives me nuts.

 

[Buzzy]

Big fan f the simms guide jacket. The cuffs keep my wrists dry. others without the neoprene inner cuff and an overcuff let water in at the wrist, drives me nuts.

Good point, Simms has also figured out how to hide their cuff adjustment tab (inside the sleeve): Genius. One less thing to get a fly line hung up on.

 

[Matt B]

Good point, Simms has also figured out how to hide their cuff adjustment tab (inside the sleeve): Genius. One less thing to get a fly line hung up on.

The Grundens Buoy X has all these features and more...
It's worth a look. I just support having another primo option out there besides just Simms.

 

[Sam Roffe]

I've been using Simms for my wading jacket. Recently I bought a Filson rain jacket. Was up in Ketchikan during one of their mild rains, it kept me really dry. They do have a wading jacket to the Skagit. 455 retail.

 

[Bruce Baker]

I have heard good things about Dryft and their wading jacket is currently on sale:
Dryft primo wading jacket

Orvis sells three wading jackets (I currently use one that is no longer made)
1. Men's ultralight wading jacket - $298
2. Men's pro fishing jacket - $449
3. Men's clearwater wading jacket - $229

 

[Zak]

My rain jacket was decaying, so I just bought this at 50% off ($125 with tax):

Patagonia Men's Boulder Fork Waterproof Rain Jacket

Low-profile and waterproof, our Patagonia® Men's Boulder Fork Rain Jacket has a 3-layer shell construction for exceptional waterproof/breathable protection.

www.patagonia.com

 

[troutstalker]

My rain jacket was decaying, so I just bought this at 50% off ($125 with tax):

Patagonia Men's Boulder Fork Waterproof Rain Jacket

Low-profile and waterproof, our Patagonia® Men's Boulder Fork Rain Jacket has a 3-layer shell construction for exceptional waterproof/breathable protection.

www.patagonia.com

So did I. Thanks Zak

 

[O' Clarkii Lewisi]

I keep being tempted by these but never enough to pull the trigger on the price tag. I should probably look for an REI version since there doesn't seem to be many (any?) fishing specific features on the Simms one. Or am I missing something?

What specific fishing features do you need? The simplicity and Gore Tex Paclite fabric is what I like.

 

[Mukman]

I find that I no longer do wading over my waist, so I just wear my lightweight Arcteryx rain jacket that for the last seven or eight seasons as kept me perfectly dry. Good wrist seals (not neoprene, tho). Gear goes in sling pack.