I find it amusing that fishmen have to spend Simms prices for raingear just to be in the rain a bit.............

I have spent years cutting timber and Filson tin pants and a HH coat have worked for me 150+ days out of the year............


Toughen up you pansy asses!!

This pretty much shows the ideal hood/collar design to optimally redirect the flow of water from getting inside the garment. It's what you see from all the reputable mfrs of high end breathables.

Anybody know of any rubber rain gear with this design?

Thinking about it, even a detachable style hood would work as long as it overlaps a high collar.

(cricket sounds)




Agreed.





Great!

But doing physical work like logging to maintain body heat offsets the misery of any leakage you might experience……ain't the same scenario in a confined drift boat.

In my years here on the coast, I've tried just about every option in coats short of paying the $$ for a Simms jacket. I've had hooded and unhooded top of the line Grundens and HH and mid-level breathable jackets. In severe weather, in a drift boat all day, I've rarely come away "dry as a bone" in any of them.

As was stated earlier, you can repeatedly buy crap that doesn't work and shell out money that way or save yourself the grief and repeated trips to the store and just start with something upper-end…..Simms or otherwise.

Maybe the whole thing's a myth. Maybe there is no perfect coat. But there's something to be said for being warm and dry on those $hitty days. I've traveled the hard road for a lot of years in so far as coats and value my comfort enough now to look past the $$. When my current effort wears out and I buy new, cost won't necessarily be the determining factor.

There are a lot of proprietary so called "waterproof breathable" membranes out there and not all are created equal.

I have had the best results with garments utilizing Gore-Tex carrying the "Guaranteed to Keep You Dry" guarantee, which you'll see as a hang tag attached to certified garments. This guarantee applies to garment, not just the Gore Tex membrane used in it and it is a backing of the garments design and overall function by WL Gore. As per the guarantee, WL Gore will repair, replace, or refund the purchase price for any garment carrying the certification that doesn't keep you dry.

In three layer construction, Goretex products are typically only waterproof to 25psi so if you sit on them, kneel on them, or continuously apply pressure to the garment in one area, over time you'll probably get some moisture that is forced through the membrane. Five layer construction like in Simms waders is waterproof to a much higher psi.

These types of membranes of course have a maximum rate at which they can move moisture and in periods of either high activity or a high temperature gradient between the inside of the garment and the outside air temp, you can create more moisture than the membrane can effectively move and you will wet the coat out from within. This is far more noticeable, as many have pointed out, in fabrics that are not breathable. The key here is ventilation and using the garments in appropriate conditions. Though they cut wind well, using waterproof breathable garments on cold and dry conditions is a recipe for condensation/wet out and your better off with synthetic insulation with nylon/micro fiber shells that cut wind and breath much more effectively. On wet days where you are generating a fair amount of heat and perspiration, ventilating your shell is key. Pit zips make this easier and more comfortable when it is pissing sideways.

Another thing to keep in mind for all waterproof breathable membranes is that when dirt/scum clogs the microscopic pores in the membrane they will in effect be propped open and will allow water molecules to pass through, hence the need to keep these garments clean. The use of appropriate cleaning agents (Nikwax Techwash) and DWR rehabbing products (TX Direct, Revivex, etc) has been discussed here before.

For the occasional user and/or light duty use, sure it probably makes the most financial sense to get stuff that is just good enough for that application and save yourself some dough in the process. The more mileage you put on something and the harder you use it in harsh environmental conditions, the more likely you are to appreciate and even need the higher performance of the more expensive products.

I have not seen anyone say good or bad about the newer simms side drifter series. I have had my set for two years now and it has been solid. Doc, I can attest to what you speak about running the boat and not being able to hide, Many hours doing this and the simms gear brings me home dry each time. I did Have a zipper fail by pulling apart, However knowing my local dealer (3 rivers) this was taken care of on the spot. When in the drifter and or on the bank I have been using the G4 with no complaints.

+1

I have no problem shelling out the money for a Simms G3 or G4. I just didn't want to drop big money on a product I was not sure of. I fish many days a year in the rain, And getting older, I want to stay dryer. Would you go with the G3 or G4 or the Pro and why?. And who sells them in the south sound area, Sportco has the G3 and Pro, but no G4, and not many size options, need XL or 2XL depending on the fit.
Thanks for your time, Matt

1. Chevy
2. Ford
3. Dodge

That's my top three... hope that helps

Do you still have the Simms jacket for sale? If so what is the cost?

I'm surprised filson waders and wading coat hasn't been mentioned. It's what I wear in the drifter and on deluge days on the bank. In the sled it's Hercules grundens. Dry to the core always. As most of you know it's about wearing a proper base layer with an over coat that allows you to breathe when your moving about on the bank or rowing the boat. When your in the sled you typically aren't moving much. Even with a hot fish on.

Exchanged the blue pullover Grundens for their flagship commercial fishing coat… the Brigg 44. This will be my dedicated powerboat coat… gonna reserve my breathables for more active fishing in the drifter and on the bank.

You'll love the Briggs. Especially when dunking a hand in the water to get a pantented EyeFish trophy shot! I toss them in the washer once a year and they come out looking brand new.

One word of warning though. The cuffs can get caught on a high rotation knuckle buster if not careful . I found that out on day one of a three day Sitka trip when I damn near dislocated a thumb-Ouch!

Chevy,Toyota,Dodge,Ford................Just sayin......Good luck,

SZ

I cant add to much to this. Cabelas guide wear is good too. Really good stuff is expensive. Simms is imo the way to go to get to the top end. When you start talking about best bang for the buck. Thats a whole different thing. I have a ton of rain gear. Never tried the frog toggs. Hate the rubber stuff, but have plenty of it tho. The gage stuff is excellen(NOT RUBBER). Be careful with it putting it on. The coating on the in side tears when ya slide it on with boots on. Plus it melts in a hot drier. Knowing this imo makes it about the best stuff out ther for a set under 100.00. I got it for the gal too but would have went with the simms if we could have found a place were she could try it on. The web site sais they make itt but youll never find it in small, or extra small for women. Dont forget sitka gear. That stuff is awesome too when ya want to go top end. Good Luck shopping! Tons of stuff to check out.

If you still have the coat how much?

Trojan.
Do not accept substitutes.

Ribbed yes...but wear it inside out, for your pleasure.

Just being there should be pleasure enough for her.

Fish on...

Todd

Pink, I responded to your pm.

Been following the discussion and would like to add a caveat (sp?). I have also been in the market for new rain gear that will keep me dry. I need something that will fit/roll/stuff/smash into a small backpack (jacket and pants/bibs). I was using some cheap breathable stuff for pants that's last about 45 min before intrusion. Then a jacket combo of cheap breathable with cabelas dry plus over it that worked pretty good out to about 8 hours then I was just soaked through. Also temps vary from 45 during down pours to damn near 75 or better with sun in between showers (hells canyon in spring).