rain/wading jacket

[NattyBumppo]

So after my soaking experience out in central PA I realize the need for a good rain/wading jacket. I think I would prefer a shorty version and one with a removeable hood or at least a hood that rolls up and secures under the collar. Also something fairly lightweight as I do have a very good heavyweight jacket I use in the late season/winter months. Lastly, It must be able to pack into a small enough size to keep in the back pocket on my vest.

Initial search turned up the Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket. It seems to meet all my requirements. I stopped by Ramsey in Ledgewood last night and got to see it first hand. Nicely made, has what I'm looking for BUT;

1. when zipped all the way up the jacket/collar is annoying to me. It extends up to my mouth and if I try to scrunch it down under my chin it gets all bunchy and bulky.

2. It is pretty expensive for a raincoat ($185.00).

I'm heading to a local Redington dealer at lunch today to check out the Redington line.

Anyone have a suggestion based on the features I mentioned? Also, anyone ever seen or used the Cabelas Dry Plus Packable Wading Jacket? Looks awful good for $99.00.

 

[njflyguy]

Look at the sierra traders website....nice goretex browning jacket for 99.99.....I will be orderin g mine soon.www.sierratraders.com

 

[Unregistered]

I own a Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket.
In 2 years, I don't recall ever zipping it all the way up, and have therefore never had the "chin problem." Instead, I use the velcro to ensure quicker, easier access to my vest. I'm pleased with it, and I do believe Sierra Trading Post is currently selling them as discounted closeouts.
TL

 

[Scott]

I bought a PacTech Performance Hydro-Vent rain coat last week up at Ramsey, it was $70. Waterproof & breathable. I like it, it's a little longer than a wading jacket, but I can wear it anywhere for anything, not just fishing.

Just remember to put the raincoat on OVER your waders. Otherwise the rain runs inside, and you get wet!

 

[NattyBumppo]

IJust remember to put the raincoat on OVER your waders. Otherwise the rain runs inside, and you get wet!

LOL...been there, done that .

Thanks for the suggestions gang. I checked out Sierra Trading post and that Browning jacket looks pretyt good. I just am not crazy about buying stuff like this without seeing it first hand and trying it on.

Sierra does have an awesome deal on the Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket. I think it was $99.00....only problem is they only have sizes up to medium. Ol' Natty is getting a bit round at the seems and I'm solidly up into the XL territory.

I went and saw the Redington Status wading jacket at lunch. Pretty nice jacket but bit heavier weight than what I'm looking for. If I don't find something else by the end of the week I'll probably just go back and buy the Redington.

 

[njflyguy]

Campmor also has some waterproof breatheable raingear in their super special deals section...I think it is columbia venturae or varius or something like that ....Pretty sure the price was 79.00.....they also have red ledge raingear which scored well in Backpacker magazines ratings of raingear as far as performance and value...their jackets are 49.00 .. all at campmor

 

[JasonM]

I have a Pacific Fly wading jacket and I have not had any problems with it. Here is the link for the coat. The zipper when up all the way does come up to your chin like a winter coat though. It is breathable also. The link is posted below. I bought it from a local fly shop.

http://www.pacificfly.com/drj.htm

 

[NattyBumppo]

I have a Pacific Fly wading jacket and I have not had any problems with it. Here is the link for the coat. The zipper when up all the way does come up to your chin like a winter coat though. It is breathable also. The link is posted below. I bought it from a local fly shop.

http://www.pacificfly.com/drj.htm

The shop out in PA where I was last weekend had those Pac Fly jackets on the shelf for $125.00. I was seriously considering picking one up. THe only reason I hesitated was that they are a medium weight jacket and I wanted to try and find a light weight one. The day after I was there the two XL sizes he had were gone so that was the end of that. It is a very nice and well made jacket. When one compares offerings from Simms and Patagonia at more than double the price you gotta wonder who is pulling who's leg? I mean, that Pac Fly jacket seemed every bit as well made as any other one I've seen.

 

[beeber]

LLBean has a lightweight, breathable, packable jacket (Double L® Rain Jacket, Gore-Tex) on sale for 69 bucks. I just ordered one!

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...langId=-1&categoryId=35537&sc1=Search&feat=sr

Beeber

 

[JasonM]

I was mistaken on which one that I have. I have the all weather jacket by pac-fly. It's listed at:

http://www.pacificfly.com/awj.htm


I have worn it in both the winter and summer with no problems. Winter I wear more layers underneath of course. I paid $159 at Delaware River Outfitters.

 

[JOE.T]

Try the sst Patagonia its very expensive but well woth the money.

You get use to the collar and that collar will be very beneficial to you in a severe rain and wind.The jacket is light weight,has water proof pockets,and is breathable of course.

The Simms is right there as far as quality and price,You cant go wrong with either one.

I use a lot of patagonia products very very fine quality and very very expensive.

Last year I ripped My sst jacket.I walked into a patagonia dealer and they took it back and gave me a brand new one no questions asked.They will actually take stuff from back from years ago.

I use it in place of my vest from late fall thru early spring.

Which patagonia jacket was 185$?Thats actually very cheap.Was it an sst? Or a cheaper model.

 

[NattyBumppo]

Which patagonia jacket was 185$?Thats actually very cheap.Was it an sst? Or a cheaper model.

The Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket. It must be their lowest priced model....is very lightweight. It seems very well made and the customer service points you made about Patagonia are a very strong attraction. Still, the $185.00 Patagonia seems to be lacking in all but the very basics. Two deep/large chest pockets and two slash hadwarmer pockets and that is it. Nothing inside, no method of entry to underlying layers...just a very basic jacket. I'm sure a very fine and waterproof basic jacket. If I fished as often as you do I would definetely go with the SST or a Simms.

Actually, the customer service aspect you mention is why I'm strongly considering one of the LLBean offerings. While I've not owned a Patagonia product, I have owned some Bean products and on the rare occassion that I've needed it their customer service has been so good it's scary. In fact they recently replaced a 1 1/2 year old pair of Gore Tex mid-height hiking boots free of charge and also re-imbursed me for return shipping on my old ones. All because one of the boots had a tear on the small patch of cordura nylon that is on both sides.

Last night I did a lot of surfing and reading of reviews. Here are my picks now;

Redington Stratus (found on closeout for 74.99)
Cabelas Dry Plus Packable 99.00
Cabelas Gore Tex Wading Jacket 149.00
Orvis Tailwaters No-Sweat $179.00
Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket 185.00 (lightest weight of all)
LLBean Emerger 99.00
LLbean Gore Tex Stowaway 169.00

I'm probably overly scrutinizing this purchase desicion but I really don't want to end up doing it again in a year or two. What's worse is I don't want to find out on a stream somewhere that the jacket is uncomfortable or not truly waterproof or that there isn't enough room to stow the stuff I need withouth having to get at my vest underneath.

 

[tommye]

orvis breathable

Hey Natty,

I have the Orvis jacket. Very Nice, All the pockets have a very large flap to prevent water entering into them.

This site has it for 135 if you’re interested...

http://www.nwoutfitters.com/html/currentspecials.shtml

Just one thing, I gave it to my brother. I decided I wanted an all purpose jacket. I wanted something I can wear all the time (especially with all the rain). I'm not very fond of the cut and looks. I ended up purchasing a Columbia Omni-Tech.

Just my 1 cent (the market has killed my value)

 

[NattyBumppo]

Re: orvis breathable

Just my 1 cent (the market has killed my value)

LOL...good one.

THanks for the info and especially the link. That is a killer price on that jacket!


Update: bummer...they only XXL at that price

 

[Harry]

Natty;
I have had a Hodgman Wadelite for about 3yr's .It has held up pretty good & has some of the features you are looking for. Although the neck does come up high it is an advantage at times. However I dont know what the cost is now. Every year I treat it with a waterproofer when we do our ski jackets & pants at the begining of the season... www.hogeman.com
Harry

 

[NattyBumppo]

Well it looks as though my search is finally over. I spoke (actually used live chat) with a CS rep at LLBean and they gave the the skinny on all the features of the coat. Strange that the web site description doesn't mention any of the nicest features.

For $99.00 you get the Emerger Wading Jacket. 100% waterproof (we'll see about that) in a breathable fabric. Two large velcro secured bellows pockets on front, two fleece lined slash handwarmer pockets, D ring on back, two zip closed security pockets on the inside, sewn in drawcord hood, velcro sleeve cuffs. No D rings on the front however the picture shows nylon loop straps sewn onto the each bellows pocket where I imagine one could attach a D ring or keychain type loop/clasp.

No way to know just how "packable" it is but if I can't comfortably fit it in the back vest pocket then I guess it'll have to go back.

Lastly, the LLBean service rep. for me is a huge factor. I've purchased plenty of stuff from Cabelas and Bean and as good as Cabelas is, Bean is the yardstick by which all others will be measured.

I'll let you all know how it is when it arrives and how it does astream...especially in some wet weather.

Thanks again to all who offered their advice and experiences.

 

[Rich T]

Natty,
I have the LL Bean Emerger wading jacket, and I think that it is a very good value, like most LL Bean products. I used it today while fishing the Flat Brook, and it kept me dry. Fishing was pretty good for a miserable rainy day. There was plenty of bug activity, and some rising fish. A March Brown/ Grey Fox imitation seemed to be what they wanted.
Regards,
Rich T

 

[NattyBumppo]

Thx RT. Glad to hear about a happy camper with the jacket.

Funny....my friend and I almost went up to twin bridges but given the weather we stayed close by...just in case the lightning/thunder started early.

Natty