Seeking advice/opinions on rain gear and wadders...

[MilesandMiles]

I'll be out in the PNW next week scouting moorage locations 1st hand and plan to buy some gear. For starters I'm looking for some good wadders (I see myself getting wet while lauching/recovery for a long time to come) as well as good rain gear. If you know where to buy your recommend around the Seattle/Portland area, much appreciated.

Thanks,
Brenton

[Aurelia]

Head to Cabelas in Lacy or Sportco in Fife for a decent selection of waders and for raingear they would have some options as well as any decent outdoor store like REI.

Greg

[B~C]

in the portland area it's hard to beat http://www.fishermans-marine.com/ . Their mothership is located at Delta Park which is easy to find and right next to Dick's, West Marine and Lowes.
It's like the Bermuda Triangle for cash

please tell us what you find on your moorage fact finding mission

[starcrafttom]

Breathable is the key word, followed by waterproof. Do you fish or crab? Then bibbs are better the pants. If you get hot and take off your top you will get a wet belly handleing lines and gear with just pants. We bought viking rain gear last year at the boat show and really like it. Breathable, windproof, water proof, light and well built. Buy the best you can afford

[Jazzmanic]

Outdoor Emporium near downtown Seattle has a nice selection of waders and rain gear. Up north, Holiday Sports on Hwy 20 on the way to Anacortes (and Twin Bridges) has gear as well.

Good luck in your search.

[Hunkydory]

This pair from Cabelas has been my favorite so far. Have used chest, waist and hip both breathable and non with the simple ease of use of regular rubber hip waders over pants for most endeavors being my favorite. For sure that's all I think is needed for boat launching.


Jay

[MilesandMiles]

Jay, THAT picture is what I had in mind when asking this question!! Inspire!

[20dauntless]

If you will be doing much activity or exercise in a rain jacket get something that's breathable. I do lots of skiing and hiking and if it's going to be wet I wear an Arcteryx shell made of GoreTex XCR. It always keeps me dry and breathes adequately when hiking or backcountry skiing, although proper layering is critical to prevent excessive sweating during strenuous exercise. There are lots of other fabrics which work as well or better than GoreTex (of which there are also several varieties), such as eVent and H2NO.

Among the best brands are Patagonia, Marmot, Arcteryx, Mountain Hardware, RAB, and I'm sure many more. I know REI branded gear is often less expensive than the name brands and also very good. Try on lots of options and take into account the layers that you will often wear underneath. Some jackets have water resistant zippers which are nice to have, but add cost. High quality rain gear isn't cheap; the top of the line jackets cost more than $500.

Of course, if you just need a jacket for when you leave the warm, dry cabin of the boat to tie up to a dock, there are many cheaper solutions. But if you are spending hour after hour in the rain, particularly if you are doing exercise, the higher end jackets will be much more comfortable.

[starcrafttom]

Back in 89 to 92 I had the chance to try the first camo gore tex jacket and pants for the marines. I was a coach on the rifle / pistol range at Stone bay arsenal in North Carolina. To say it rains a lot is a under statement. It rains all the time. When its not raining the sun is out and turning the standing water back into rain drops by transporting it back into the sky, you can watch it happen. This cycle takes place 4 to 8 times a day all day every day. Pre gore tex was a endless cycle of removing and donning plastic rain gear over and over. at a certain point you just gave up because it was easier and more comfortable to get rained on and let the sun dry you out then to ware the cheap rain gear while you sweated and got soaked anyhow, then remove the gear to dry out. It was like wearing a plastic bottle. you just sweated and got soaked.

Gore tex on the other had would breath and allow the moisture to pass out off the rain gear thereby keeping you dry the whole day. loved it. nothing buy breathable gear for me.

[thataway]

If you use GoreTex in salt water you do need to wash it in fresh water (either hose it off, or in a tub) after each salt water exposure. The modern GoreTex fabrics are usable with salt water, if this precaution is followed. The early fabrics were damaged by salt water.

[Hunkydory]

Sure know what Tom means about the plastic-rubber poncho used in the past by the military. During training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Benning, Georgia in 1967 on a hot day they were worthless, got just as wet with them on from sweat as without in the pouring rain, but in the field on a cold rainy night I sure appreciated them at the time. Gore Tex type material is definitely an improvement in most cases with the exception of extended use in Salt Water conditions though we have found that being about in the C-Dory and Mokai in the type of conditions encountered in Southeast Alaska never have had a need to wash the salt out yet. Do carry a Mustang jacket and bibs plus cheap rubber rain gear. The Mustang jacket and bibs for not only protection from weather but flotation and warmth if dunked or overboard from boat or kayak and the cheap rubber rain suit just as another spare if the gore tex becomes salted and the Mustang suit wet.

Jay

[Wandering Sagebrush]

What ever you end up getting, make sure that it does not have felt on the bottoms of the boots. There is a movement afoot in the western states to ban the use of felt wading shoes to prevent spreading fish diseases like whirling trout disease, plus invasive species that could harbor in the felt. At this time, I am not sure if any of the states have actually enacted the ban, but it is a hot button topic.

[breausaw]

For boots: non steal toe Extra Tuffs

Rain gear: A set of Helly Hansen slickers. You can pressure wash these guys or scrub with a deck brush, will last for years; a top choice of Commercial fisherman. Good for standing around in the cold or pulling Crab pots over the side. The set I have are like 20 years old, money well spent.

If you’re planning on going to shore for a hike the Extra Tuffs are great for this also, but breathable raingear is a must.

Believe it or not, I usually launch in my tennis shoes, and often recover in them; it’s rare that I ever get a foot wet.

[localboy]

I bought waders [like those in the pic] @ Big 5 Sporting Goods for <$50.

[NewMoon]

For launching and retrieving I use Cabela's coated nylon chest waders - I have to get in fairly deep with New Moon (heavy deep-V). These stay in the truck.

For general rain gear - walking, standing in the cockpit, etc - I like Cabela's EXV stuff (coat, but also pants if it's heavy rain, or rain and wind). Gore Tex, totally rain proof, comfortable. High quality and fairly durable. Add Gore-Tex light hikers in a chukka height and your feet will stay dry too (this is crucial).

Even when it's fairly cold (the PNW, not Duluth) the EXV jacket over a fleece vest is about all you need to stop the wind and stay warm, so we don't carry heavy coats when cruising.

For active fishing and fish cleaning, or other messy or potentially damaging work, I like West Marine's Third Reef gear, especially the chest-high pants. Tough heavier nylon, but not breathable. Combine these with Xtra-Tuf boots and you'll stay dry for sure, but you'll get warm and sweaty if it's not too cold and you're in them for a long time. Very long-lasting.

All these are moderately priced, and have proven themselves in lots of cruising.