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I'm looking for input to replace my Goretex jacket that was stolen. It kept me reasonably dry with the exception of a few things...water would enter around my wrists, even though the sleeves were tightly velcro'd. If I wore it tucked into my chestwaders, water would run down the back into my waders. I'm sure these are all common experiences. So I'm looking for advice on the best raingear. I'm almost tempted to go back to wool shirts and lightly oiled wool sweaters..seems to work as well as anything. Whats your experience?
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Although tough to wear when doing significant physical excercise, nothing beats a hooded Helly Hanson jacket. Its your own personal tent. In the winter when wearing neoprene waders, you're gonna need something that is 100% waterproof. A hooded Helly is the only way to go.
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Hodgmen and others market nylon/PVC style jackets that are extremely water proof, have hoods and elastic or velcro enclosed sleeve openings. I've been using one marketed by Orvis (looks the same as my older Hodgmen that I accidentally put a big slice in while cleaning a fish in the field)that's given me about 10 years of service. Cost is about half the price of goretex.
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Do these jackets both of you mention "breathe"? I've had experience with rubberized or PVC material and didn't like it much. Maybe the better quality ones don't have those problems..I will check it out.
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You can get the whole helly hansen outfit for about 120$. Like Finaddict said nothing beats it. They don't breath that well, but nothing waterproof does.
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No they are not made of breathable naterial
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IN winter conditions, breathability isn't going to be a big concern because the neoprene waders (if that is what you're wearing) don't breathe anyway. If the rain isn't of the torrential variety, then a Fenwick coat or similar goretex coat is great, but when it comes right down to typical wetcoast November through March, PVC is the only choice. I don't and have, and have never got to use, any of the goretex waders so I can't really comment on how good they are and whether goretex waders and a goretex jacket would do the trick or not. I do know that my goretex jacket (which is 5 years old now) isn't waterproof even in a light fog let alone the monsoons.
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I got a Bare jacket this year and wish I had it sooner. It is made of the same breathable material that is used in their waders. It has neoprene cuffs and will keep you dry in a monsoon. They normally sell for close to $300 but I got a second for $180. It has a full lifetime warrenty. They have more seconds at Berry's.
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If you're fly fishing elasticised or velcro cuffs are a must.It's amazing how much water can run down your arm in a downpour.I personally chose a wetskin bomber style jacket.They're inexpensive and frankly not the finest quality.Having said that mine has stood up for two seasons now and it definitely keeps me dry,The material is not breathable butI dont perspire nearly so much as i do in my Helly Hansen rubber gear.For 70 bucks for two years of use,I don't have any trouble recomending the wetskins. ps the cuffs are elastic and really keep the water out
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Thanks for all the good advise, I will do more research on the net and see what I can find out about these various options. Anyone have any experience with the short oilskin type Hardy jacket? Cost is not really a factor, my kids are buying it for me for Xmas..hehehe. I want dry, comfort and a little style, in that order..I think the bare Neoprene jacket sounds interesting for Winter duty, Might be different in a tube in the summer though.
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The hardy jacket is an excellent choice. my husband has had one for years - holding up well. It has a warm inner lining, elastic inside cuff and snaps on outside cuff. I have a Lewis Creek which is just as nice but no heavy lining and adjustable snap & elastic cuffs. Both are about 10 years old, worn often and have never needed re-oiling. We don't carry them in our shop but I believe Michael & Youngs still does.
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Frank: For work (fisheries/forestry) we are all outfitted with HH. I highly recommend them and feel for versatility reasons they are probably the best. I like to stay dry and warm and when combined with a good wool sweater, wool gloves and a half decent toque you can't be the ole HH. Looking forward to my next issued pair.
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I have an oilskin which I like, but use rarely. If you're hiking in the rain you often wonder if it's wetter on the inside or outside of your jacket. Not really the best choice if you do a lot of walking to your fishing spots, and they are relatively heavy compared to some of the other options that others have mentioned
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While dwayne seems to have had problems with his oilskin both of ours have kept us warm and dry for 10 years. We live in Logan Lake, fish a lot and a great deal of our fishing is done in the rain. Maybe his isn't a Hardy.
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I take it that the "Hardy" Oilskin coats are what we in the UK call Waxed Cotton. Hardies of Alnwick do have a range of this type but the most popular are those made by a firm named Barbour. They keep out the rain extremely well and are to a degree breathable. The one fault I have found is that in cold weather they get very stiff,and this makes them wear more quickly where there is friction, particularly on the inner side of the sleeves. Another make I saw when in Vancouver this year is the Australian version "Driazabone". Goretex is now the most popular type over here now, but they are expensive circa £300 i.e. C$600
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Frank: I think the $180 seconds of the bare gore-tex jackets are a steal. I have the bare ultralight waders, and they stay bone dry even after standing for hours in the river. If the jacket is made of the same material, and it is, imagine the possibilities!!! Amazing how far the technology has come in just a few years. My MEC goretex 3 ply "guaranteed to keep you dry" I bought about 7 yrs ago soaks through in about 45 minutes of torrential downpour.
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