Seeking Foul Weather Gear Rec

[Billy Bones]

Hello all,

I've concluded (for the umteenth time) that goretex is useless for all but dupont stockholders.

Who makes a decent to great set of foulies that will be waterproof when I need them, maybe tomorrow, maybe 10 years from now?

Thanks,

(soaked to the) Bones

[Billy Bones]

Hello all,

I've concluded (for the umteenth time) that goretex is useless for all but dupont stockholders.

Who makes a decent to great set of foulies that will be waterproof when I need them, maybe tomorrow, maybe 10 years from now?

Thanks,

(soaked to the) Bones

[Billy Bones]

Hello all,

I've concluded (for the umteenth time) that goretex is useless for all but dupont stockholders.

Who makes a decent to great set of foulies that will be waterproof when I need them, maybe tomorrow, maybe 10 years from now?

Thanks,

(soaked to the) Bones

[TimH]

Henry Lloyd ?

[TimH]

Henry Lloyd ?

[TimH]

Henry Lloyd ?

[Jonathan Kabak]

Before I give you my recommendation I would like to share this little anecdote, "There are two ways to get wet when it rains, inside your foulies and or out."-Capt. Don Taub

If you want to go the industrial route go for Grundens. They are a PVC coated Cloth which will last for a good long time (mine are 11 years and counting). The downside is that there are no cuff closures and then don't breath at all.

I have been happy with a Pro Rainer jacket which is a knockoff of a Henri Lloyd jacket. My current combo is that jacket with a pair of Grunden's bibs. Good compromise between comfort and durability.

If you can find your size on e-bay or some other such site, Patagonia made incredible foulies that anyone who has loves (I love my foulie jacket that I got second hand and still works great).

Most importantly top everything off with a Black Diamond Sou'Wester or Pork Pie hat, beats a hood hands down.

[Jonathan Kabak]

Before I give you my recommendation I would like to share this little anecdote, "There are two ways to get wet when it rains, inside your foulies and or out."-Capt. Don Taub

If you want to go the industrial route go for Grundens. They are a PVC coated Cloth which will last for a good long time (mine are 11 years and counting). The downside is that there are no cuff closures and then don't breath at all.

I have been happy with a Pro Rainer jacket which is a knockoff of a Henri Lloyd jacket. My current combo is that jacket with a pair of Grunden's bibs. Good compromise between comfort and durability.

If you can find your size on e-bay or some other such site, Patagonia made incredible foulies that anyone who has loves (I love my foulie jacket that I got second hand and still works great).

Most importantly top everything off with a Black Diamond Sou'Wester or Pork Pie hat, beats a hood hands down.

[Jonathan Kabak]

Before I give you my recommendation I would like to share this little anecdote, "There are two ways to get wet when it rains, inside your foulies and or out."-Capt. Don Taub

If you want to go the industrial route go for Grundens. They are a PVC coated Cloth which will last for a good long time (mine are 11 years and counting). The downside is that there are no cuff closures and then don't breath at all.

I have been happy with a Pro Rainer jacket which is a knockoff of a Henri Lloyd jacket. My current combo is that jacket with a pair of Grunden's bibs. Good compromise between comfort and durability.

If you can find your size on e-bay or some other such site, Patagonia made incredible foulies that anyone who has loves (I love my foulie jacket that I got second hand and still works great).

Most importantly top everything off with a Black Diamond Sou'Wester or Pork Pie hat, beats a hood hands down.

[Bruce Hooke]

A key question is how you plan to use the gear -- I use VERY different gear for larger boats where I'm not working that hard most of the time and smaller boats (like canoes and kayaks) where I am working hard.

For the former I've actually been quite happy with some "house brand" stuff I got at West Marine (Gasp! Shock! Horror!) back in the late 80's -- it was, as I recall, their best house brand stuff and it has served me quite well for mostly intermitent use but I have no idea if they still sell it or how good it is these days. Looking at their website the current equivalent might be the "3rd Reef" line but who knows what has or has not changed in the last 15 years or so. For more active use I am quite happy with the Marmot gear I got at REI (http://www.rei.com) a couple of years ago. I believe the model I got is what they call their "Precip" line. To go along with the Marmot gear I got a brimmed rain hat (I think it is what they call their "REI Sombrero Hat"), which I love. I've never liked rain hoods that much (they are good in high wind) so I tend to put off using them until my hair is wet (a bad idea) so the brimmed hat works MUCH better for me and actually seems to make being out in the rain almost pleasant!

[Bruce Hooke]

A key question is how you plan to use the gear -- I use VERY different gear for larger boats where I'm not working that hard most of the time and smaller boats (like canoes and kayaks) where I am working hard.

For the former I've actually been quite happy with some "house brand" stuff I got at West Marine (Gasp! Shock! Horror!) back in the late 80's -- it was, as I recall, their best house brand stuff and it has served me quite well for mostly intermitent use but I have no idea if they still sell it or how good it is these days. Looking at their website the current equivalent might be the "3rd Reef" line but who knows what has or has not changed in the last 15 years or so. For more active use I am quite happy with the Marmot gear I got at REI (http://www.rei.com) a couple of years ago. I believe the model I got is what they call their "Precip" line. To go along with the Marmot gear I got a brimmed rain hat (I think it is what they call their "REI Sombrero Hat"), which I love. I've never liked rain hoods that much (they are good in high wind) so I tend to put off using them until my hair is wet (a bad idea) so the brimmed hat works MUCH better for me and actually seems to make being out in the rain almost pleasant!

[Bruce Hooke]

A key question is how you plan to use the gear -- I use VERY different gear for larger boats where I'm not working that hard most of the time and smaller boats (like canoes and kayaks) where I am working hard.

For the former I've actually been quite happy with some "house brand" stuff I got at West Marine (Gasp! Shock! Horror!) back in the late 80's -- it was, as I recall, their best house brand stuff and it has served me quite well for mostly intermitent use but I have no idea if they still sell it or how good it is these days. Looking at their website the current equivalent might be the "3rd Reef" line but who knows what has or has not changed in the last 15 years or so. For more active use I am quite happy with the Marmot gear I got at REI (http://www.rei.com) a couple of years ago. I believe the model I got is what they call their "Precip" line. To go along with the Marmot gear I got a brimmed rain hat (I think it is what they call their "REI Sombrero Hat"), which I love. I've never liked rain hoods that much (they are good in high wind) so I tend to put off using them until my hair is wet (a bad idea) so the brimmed hat works MUCH better for me and actually seems to make being out in the rain almost pleasant!

[Popeye]

These are 'waterproof', you mentioned other criteria ...

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/prodimg/STE-I590.JPG

[Popeye]

These are 'waterproof', you mentioned other criteria ...

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/prodimg/STE-I590.JPG

[Popeye]

These are 'waterproof', you mentioned other criteria ...

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/prodimg/STE-I590.JPG

[NormMessinger]

Todd used to sell the stuff and made a very complete analysis of rain gear in a thread a year or so ago. Perhaps the search thingy will turn it up.

[NormMessinger]

Todd used to sell the stuff and made a very complete analysis of rain gear in a thread a year or so ago. Perhaps the search thingy will turn it up.

[NormMessinger]

Todd used to sell the stuff and made a very complete analysis of rain gear in a thread a year or so ago. Perhaps the search thingy will turn it up.

[Jim Budde]

Like others have said .. depends on what you will be doing in em'. Having made my disclaimer ... if you have a real farm supply store nearby, go buy a rain suit sold to farmers. Mine's a heavy green synthetic coated canvas. Bib overalls and a coat with hood and elastic wrist bands that drops well below my hips. Use it when fishing up north (South Dakota / Missouri River in late fall, early winter). Stay warm and dry. This is my second set .. must be almost 15 years old now.

[Jim Budde]

Like others have said .. depends on what you will be doing in em'. Having made my disclaimer ... if you have a real farm supply store nearby, go buy a rain suit sold to farmers. Mine's a heavy green synthetic coated canvas. Bib overalls and a coat with hood and elastic wrist bands that drops well below my hips. Use it when fishing up north (South Dakota / Missouri River in late fall, early winter). Stay warm and dry. This is my second set .. must be almost 15 years old now.

[Jim Budde]

Like others have said .. depends on what you will be doing in em'. Having made my disclaimer ... if you have a real farm supply store nearby, go buy a rain suit sold to farmers. Mine's a heavy green synthetic coated canvas. Bib overalls and a coat with hood and elastic wrist bands that drops well below my hips. Use it when fishing up north (South Dakota / Missouri River in late fall, early winter). Stay warm and dry. This is my second set .. must be almost 15 years old now.

[Donn]

In relatively warm weather (over 50°F) I use 10 year old Patagonia bibs, and an 8 year old StreamLite fly fishing jacket. Lightweight, breatheable and still completely waterproof after all these years.

In cooler weather, and for dirty-work like gardening, I use Grunden-type rip-offs called IronMan. No breathing, but warm, dry and tough.

In the dead of winter, I use GoreTex/fleece hunting bibs and a Barbour Ventile Arctic Endurance Parka. Warm as toast and completely dry, but they breathe.

For fall surf fishing, I use Gralite waders with a custom neoprene surf-top. Absolutely bulletproof, and not a drop of water gets either in or out. Extremely bouyant, too. This is probably what I would wear in a storm like you just had.

[Donn]

In relatively warm weather (over 50°F) I use 10 year old Patagonia bibs, and an 8 year old StreamLite fly fishing jacket. Lightweight, breatheable and still completely waterproof after all these years.

In cooler weather, and for dirty-work like gardening, I use Grunden-type rip-offs called IronMan. No breathing, but warm, dry and tough.

In the dead of winter, I use GoreTex/fleece hunting bibs and a Barbour Ventile Arctic Endurance Parka. Warm as toast and completely dry, but they breathe.

For fall surf fishing, I use Gralite waders with a custom neoprene surf-top. Absolutely bulletproof, and not a drop of water gets either in or out. Extremely bouyant, too. This is probably what I would wear in a storm like you just had.

[Donn]

In relatively warm weather (over 50°F) I use 10 year old Patagonia bibs, and an 8 year old StreamLite fly fishing jacket. Lightweight, breatheable and still completely waterproof after all these years.

In cooler weather, and for dirty-work like gardening, I use Grunden-type rip-offs called IronMan. No breathing, but warm, dry and tough.

In the dead of winter, I use GoreTex/fleece hunting bibs and a Barbour Ventile Arctic Endurance Parka. Warm as toast and completely dry, but they breathe.

For fall surf fishing, I use Gralite waders with a custom neoprene surf-top. Absolutely bulletproof, and not a drop of water gets either in or out. Extremely bouyant, too. This is probably what I would wear in a storm like you just had.

[sbsbw]

Amen to the quote about getting wet! I have my own quote "No sense in staying dry" as long as you are dry, you can only get wet, and in my opinion it is much worse to be damp then soaked (plus if you are soaked you can only get dryer).

Anyways I have found that Gortex keeps you from getting soaked, but the air inside of the jacket gets insufferably humid. the only jacket which I found that actually worked was a Gil jacket that somebody loned me for a day, I don't know what it was made out of, but it cept me dry for the day.

I have been looking for commersial quality rain gear.

SBSBW

[sbsbw]

Amen to the quote about getting wet! I have my own quote "No sense in staying dry" as long as you are dry, you can only get wet, and in my opinion it is much worse to be damp then soaked (plus if you are soaked you can only get dryer).

Anyways I have found that Gortex keeps you from getting soaked, but the air inside of the jacket gets insufferably humid. the only jacket which I found that actually worked was a Gil jacket that somebody loned me for a day, I don't know what it was made out of, but it cept me dry for the day.

I have been looking for commersial quality rain gear.

SBSBW

[sbsbw]

Amen to the quote about getting wet! I have my own quote "No sense in staying dry" as long as you are dry, you can only get wet, and in my opinion it is much worse to be damp then soaked (plus if you are soaked you can only get dryer).

Anyways I have found that Gortex keeps you from getting soaked, but the air inside of the jacket gets insufferably humid. the only jacket which I found that actually worked was a Gil jacket that somebody loned me for a day, I don't know what it was made out of, but it cept me dry for the day.

I have been looking for commersial quality rain gear.

SBSBW

[imported_Dutch]

this is it- accept no substitute. had mine for at least 10 years and still going strong

http://www.grundens.se/sv/katalog/produkt_skepp.jpg

[imported_Dutch]

this is it- accept no substitute. had mine for at least 10 years and still going strong

http://www.grundens.se/sv/katalog/produkt_skepp.jpg

[imported_Dutch]

this is it- accept no substitute. had mine for at least 10 years and still going strong

http://www.grundens.se/sv/katalog/produkt_skepp.jpg

[mmd]

I have liked Helly-Hansen Offshore gear for a long time, but it may be a bit heavy for a warm climate like the Caribbean. Great when the air and water temps are both around 15C (55F), though. My first suit lasted fifteen years (high-bib pants are still in fine shape).

http://www.redskyatnight.com/custom/Product/31028large.jpg

[mmd]

I have liked Helly-Hansen Offshore gear for a long time, but it may be a bit heavy for a warm climate like the Caribbean. Great when the air and water temps are both around 15C (55F), though. My first suit lasted fifteen years (high-bib pants are still in fine shape).

http://www.redskyatnight.com/custom/Product/31028large.jpg

[mmd]

I have liked Helly-Hansen Offshore gear for a long time, but it may be a bit heavy for a warm climate like the Caribbean. Great when the air and water temps are both around 15C (55F), though. My first suit lasted fifteen years (high-bib pants are still in fine shape).

http://www.redskyatnight.com/custom/Product/31028large.jpg

[cdragon]

Boy this is a loaded question-are you racing offshore?digging clams?strolling down the lane?looking cool at the yacht club?etc?
I've spent the past 20 plus years in foul weather gear of various shapes and sizes and short of having three sets of gear-light for warm weather, heavy for cold/offshore, and rubber for dirty work-here is my solution: I wear an old pair of rubber Line 7 bib pants-they are pushing 20 years old (like the Grundens etc, old fashioned pvc/rubber)and always work and even come clean(sorta)they keep your butt dry no matter how much water you sit in and are sometimes a little warm but pretty versatile. The high tech pants Henri Lloyd, Musto, Gill etc can work very well but do not last, eventually they leak or get worn out.
Jackets-best piece of gear I've ever owned is an old Patagonia Smock-looks like a crazy red dress but I love it so well that I keep wearing it and telling mysefl it doesn't leak-even tho it does now...just tried some hi tech new wash/coating to restore it-we'll see. No one makes a smock like this anymore (some are similar) but they are great, work with pants for heavy duty conditions or with shorts-which because of their mength they keep dry-for summer stuff. The best. Otherwise, dig deep and buy a top quality heavy duty jacket-they work and have all the good stuff like fuzzy pocket liners (nice!) and fleece collars so your face doesn't get trashed after being zipped in for three days. I've worn the "regular" stuff and the goretex-take your pic, but goretex has to be kept clean-lots of offshore sailors swear by the Musto goretex stuff-I wore it this last Bermuda race and liked it alot. Costs a fortune.
That's my 9 cents-none of it lasts forever save the rubber pants-the other critical item is Boots-I used the Muston tall rubber ones for years and loved em, but the rubber falls apart eventually so I sprung for the fancy Dubarrys and am a believer! I second the black diamond souwester too, tho a good hat and a hood can't be neat when it is cold and rotten out...

[cdragon]

Boy this is a loaded question-are you racing offshore?digging clams?strolling down the lane?looking cool at the yacht club?etc?
I've spent the past 20 plus years in foul weather gear of various shapes and sizes and short of having three sets of gear-light for warm weather, heavy for cold/offshore, and rubber for dirty work-here is my solution: I wear an old pair of rubber Line 7 bib pants-they are pushing 20 years old (like the Grundens etc, old fashioned pvc/rubber)and always work and even come clean(sorta)they keep your butt dry no matter how much water you sit in and are sometimes a little warm but pretty versatile. The high tech pants Henri Lloyd, Musto, Gill etc can work very well but do not last, eventually they leak or get worn out.
Jackets-best piece of gear I've ever owned is an old Patagonia Smock-looks like a crazy red dress but I love it so well that I keep wearing it and telling mysefl it doesn't leak-even tho it does now...just tried some hi tech new wash/coating to restore it-we'll see. No one makes a smock like this anymore (some are similar) but they are great, work with pants for heavy duty conditions or with shorts-which because of their mength they keep dry-for summer stuff. The best. Otherwise, dig deep and buy a top quality heavy duty jacket-they work and have all the good stuff like fuzzy pocket liners (nice!) and fleece collars so your face doesn't get trashed after being zipped in for three days. I've worn the "regular" stuff and the goretex-take your pic, but goretex has to be kept clean-lots of offshore sailors swear by the Musto goretex stuff-I wore it this last Bermuda race and liked it alot. Costs a fortune.
That's my 9 cents-none of it lasts forever save the rubber pants-the other critical item is Boots-I used the Muston tall rubber ones for years and loved em, but the rubber falls apart eventually so I sprung for the fancy Dubarrys and am a believer! I second the black diamond souwester too, tho a good hat and a hood can't be neat when it is cold and rotten out...

[cdragon]

Boy this is a loaded question-are you racing offshore?digging clams?strolling down the lane?looking cool at the yacht club?etc?
I've spent the past 20 plus years in foul weather gear of various shapes and sizes and short of having three sets of gear-light for warm weather, heavy for cold/offshore, and rubber for dirty work-here is my solution: I wear an old pair of rubber Line 7 bib pants-they are pushing 20 years old (like the Grundens etc, old fashioned pvc/rubber)and always work and even come clean(sorta)they keep your butt dry no matter how much water you sit in and are sometimes a little warm but pretty versatile. The high tech pants Henri Lloyd, Musto, Gill etc can work very well but do not last, eventually they leak or get worn out.
Jackets-best piece of gear I've ever owned is an old Patagonia Smock-looks like a crazy red dress but I love it so well that I keep wearing it and telling mysefl it doesn't leak-even tho it does now...just tried some hi tech new wash/coating to restore it-we'll see. No one makes a smock like this anymore (some are similar) but they are great, work with pants for heavy duty conditions or with shorts-which because of their mength they keep dry-for summer stuff. The best. Otherwise, dig deep and buy a top quality heavy duty jacket-they work and have all the good stuff like fuzzy pocket liners (nice!) and fleece collars so your face doesn't get trashed after being zipped in for three days. I've worn the "regular" stuff and the goretex-take your pic, but goretex has to be kept clean-lots of offshore sailors swear by the Musto goretex stuff-I wore it this last Bermuda race and liked it alot. Costs a fortune.
That's my 9 cents-none of it lasts forever save the rubber pants-the other critical item is Boots-I used the Muston tall rubber ones for years and loved em, but the rubber falls apart eventually so I sprung for the fancy Dubarrys and am a believer! I second the black diamond souwester too, tho a good hat and a hood can't be neat when it is cold and rotten out...

[Nightmoves]

Billy, WWW.Cabelas.com, (http://WWW.Cabelas,) has got it all. Whatever you get, make sure it breathes or you'll burn up down there (and stay dry at the same time).

[ 09-17-2004, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: Nightmoves ]

[Nightmoves]

Billy, WWW.Cabelas.com, (http://WWW.Cabelas,) has got it all. Whatever you get, make sure it breathes or you'll burn up down there (and stay dry at the same time).

[ 09-17-2004, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: Nightmoves ]

[Nightmoves]

Billy, WWW.Cabelas.com, (http://WWW.Cabelas,) has got it all. Whatever you get, make sure it breathes or you'll burn up down there (and stay dry at the same time).

[ 09-17-2004, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: Nightmoves ]