[GR8LAKES FLYER]

While on my annual salar hunt , I discovered that what I planned to use as a wading jacket was not very waterproof at all . While the jacket that I was wearing was extremely windproof and had some nice pockets for XL fly boxes and a great hood , it failed miserably keeping the rain out .
I don't mind spending some cash , but when I do , I would like the garment to perform .

Some features I am looking for in a wading jacket :

- waterproof
- windproof
- inner waterproof pocket (security)
- easy hood adjustment
- outer pockets for some stuff (not necessarily for fly boxes)
- hand warmer pockets would be nice
- adjustable wrist cuffs (not elastic type)
- some where for a zinger (for clippers)

I was looking at the Patagonia SST and the Simms Guide jackets .
I know Vision use to make some nice stuff too as well as Orvis .
I am really open to suggestions though , what you guys use and any good or bad comments or experiences .


Mike

 

[Marcel]

My preference is Patagonia SST. Day after day, year after year it keeps me dry. G3 & G4 Jackets are nice, lots of bells and whistle's but they do not keep me as dry as the SST.

 

[buff]

Have you considered Redington?

Redington makes some very good wading jackets. I am on my second, first one passed on to my son-in-law after six years. Ultrasonic sealed rather than sewn seams, nice assortment of pockets, good fit for sturdy fellows like myself, and at lower prices than the choices you mentioned. Cheers, Buff.

 

[twohand]

It's really hard to beat a Simms guide jacket. The one that I have now is going on its ninth year. Still dry.

 

[thunderbolt]

I've had the Simms G4 for forever and it has never let me down. I have worn it almost every time i go fishing because it is such a good wind blocker and its nice if i need to reach into the water. I bushwhack like crazy and am really really hard on my gear. All in all I am very happy with it. However, if you are using it mostly for 2 handed casting something without so many pockets on the front might be better.

 

[Hardyreels]

Still looking for something I don't like about my Simms G3 jacket, I give everything a pretty good beating here and this is a good jacket.

 

[SLSS]

I've never had a Simms because I've always been dry and happy in my Patagonia.

 

[shroon]

the simms g3 jacket paid for itself on two trips this year the guide I was with had to change twice and I was bone dry in a torrential down pour you cant go wrong with this jacket.

 

[borderfly]

I've had my SST jacket for 8 years and it still works like a charm!

 

[middlecalf]

Buy two. And rotate them through the wet weather. Same with wool gloves. And socks.

Redington and Filson. Cuz sometimes old school needs a little new school. And vice versa.

 

[Jabrowning24]

Between Simms and Gucci your gonna be dry and have feature, the big thing for me is service. I've heard others have good things to say about Patagonia but myself and many others have had some rough dealings with them... Simms on the other hand is quite different, its rare that their service isn't amazing I.e. I sent my wife's waders in (a cheaper non gor tex pair) just to have them inspected (don't know if they even leak) and not two weeks later we had a box of brand new waders on the porch...

 

[Greendrake2013]

Sst

After 8yrs, the jacket was delaminating/leaking, return to Patagonia,sent out a new one, super service, great jacket.:

 

[James C]

Patagonia SST, Simms Slick. The Simms Guide jacket keeps out the rain, but is so warm, your sweating inside. No good.

 

[Eastside]

Fished in a Simms Guide for years, but recently replaced it with a G3. Tested it on a Deschutes trip recently with a little bit of everything including an afternoon of hard rain. I was impressed! It performed well.

Mark

 

[CRspeyer]

You might want to look at a Bare, totally water and wind proof, great hood and a fraction of the cost of the big names. In B.C. it really rains and this jacket has stood the test of time for me.

 

[Matt16]

Simms jackets have too many gimmicky features (i.e. retractor clips) and cumbersome pockets that catch the rod butt while spey casting. The fit of the jackets tend to be for someone on the obese side. Simms jackets use Gore Tex. Simms appears to be more interested in making a jacket for chubby trout fishermen who carry around half a dozen fly boxes, hemostats, clippers etc... stuff one doesn't need fishing steelhead.

Patagonia's wading jackets use H2NO, which is far inferior to Gore Tex. The cut and more minimalistic front (i.e. no oversized breast pockets) on the River Salt is better for spey casting.

Arcteryx jackets are far better built than wading jackets in the same price range, but they do not offer cuffs that are watertight like on the Simms or Patagonia. Some models offer shorter cuts similar to wading jackets.

The best wading jacket made at the moment, IMO, is the Patagonia Super Alpine, an ice climbing jacket. Patagonia is allowed by Gore to make climbing jackets but not fishing jackets. Gasket cuffs, Gore Tex Pro Shell, no frilly pockets... its expensive though. http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-super-alpine-jacket-for-alpine-climbing?p=83647-0

 

[GR8LAKES FLYER]

Thanks for all the great input so far


Mike

 

[Rick J]

if you fish a lot and for multiple days - Paul's idea of needing two is great advice - I have the G4 and it has done well but is not great as my sleeves still get wet - my next jacket coming soon will be the guide - sig cost savings and based on discussions with a number of folks who fish a lot - a better all around jacket - though mainly for winter work as it can be warm in the summer/fall

 

[CastAndStep]

I would just look into a quality gore tex jacket. Then you can use it for hiking skiing ect as well, not just fishing. And it will be packable for hiking ect when it's not raining or you are heating up.

The patagonia wading jacket is on sale on patagonia online. I was tempted to get it,was a really good deal. I probably would if I was sitting in a drift boat, but I hike when I fish.

 

[ralfish]

Fishing jackets have been the biggest source of disapointment for me regarding fishing equipment and gear. I haven't owned one that has worked for more than a couple of months, basically until the DWR has worn off. I have unsucesfully tried re proofing various jackets using various methods and products. I'm reverting back to what I spent 25 years wearing as a carpenter; Halley Hanson and wool. Yes I am going to be wet, I always am already, so there is no difference. I figure with the many hundreds of dollars I will be saving on over priced seriously under performing jackets I'll be reinvesting those savings into merino base layers....seriously....