Rain Jacket

[Paulson]

I'm looking for suggestions on a rain jacket. Not particularly a technical shell, but just a water proof layer over my insulating layers. I am thinking about a Patagonia Torrentshell or a Redington Stratus III. I would like to keep it at or below $150.

Thanks!

 

[pcray1231]

I got this one at Dick's sporting goods. It's simply a shell. Draw cords in all the right places. Nice, deep zippered pockets. Works fine as a wading jacket, doesn't soak up water on the inside if you wade over it. Supposed to be breathable. But I'll say I don't think the material really is. Enough vents in the torso that it doesn't matter, but on warmer days my arms get a little clammy. For the price you can't beat it!

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3034852

 

[Paulson]

hmmm, that is well under $150! I'll have to go try it on at my local store.

 

[Pontus]

I had a great Cabela's gore tex rain jacket that retailed for about $100 that I can't find on the website now. I even wore it as a winter wading jacket/windbreaker with plentiful layers under it. Sadly, a friend borrowed it and lost it, so that was the end of that.

I have the patagonia jacket you mentioned above now and have no complaints. The Cabela's jacket seemed hardier if that makes sense, but I would still recommend the patagonia.

 

[troutpoop]

I'm using the North Face packable model. Costs a bit less than the Patagonia model and appears to be very similar when I compared them a while back. It packs into its own pocket and fits into my vest rear pouch very easily.

 

[Aducker]

I use the Orvis Clearwater® Packable Wading Jacket
I was fishing this weekend in the rain and it worked great. With layering it keeps me warm also. It is breathable, so as a spring rain jaclet it works with just a t shirt under it. It is lightweight. It has 2 big pockets on the front.

$149 list price. I got it on EBAY for $120 and free shipping or you can use an Orvis coupon to save $20 in an Orvis store.
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=799E

 

[bikerfish]

I've been using an LLbean jacket for a few years now, really like it, i think its the emerger jacket, cost me around 60 bucks if i remember right. And it does work good, never got wet in it, plus the llbean warranty is the bomb.

 

[Biggie]

I bought a Frogg Toggs rain jacket this fall and it works great for under $50.........very breathable

 

[NCFlyYakker]

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men%27s-Epic%E2%84%A2-Jacket/OM3879,default,pd.html

This is a great jacket for the money I've had one for a couple of years.

 

[LBCaddis]

You may want to take a look at the Hendrix outdoors dry weld rain jacket. Sierra Trading post has them for $99 and you can usually fins a 20% discount code. This is a very no frills jacket that is lightweight. I have worn it in a good rainstorm and can attest that it is definitely waterproof. I have not yet worn in warm weather so not sure about its breathability. I was looking for a lightweight jacket that I could carry in my fishing vest back pocket to be prepared for rain on all day outings.

 

[CRB]

Get a lower price point Gortex jacket, most of the others will fail you when you need it most. At $150 a few more dollars will keep your investment in dry. Just my experience over the last 10 years.
I have a simms pack light jacket that I have used for years for all day fowl weather.

 

[pcray1231]

My experience is that GoreTex is MORE likely to fail than most.

Don't get me wrong, it's good stuff, and I own plenty. Nothing can compete with it's breathability and thus comfort. But durability is not it's strong suit.

 

[trout624]

I have a Mountain Hardware Epic rain jacket that I really like. At about $100, it has their new DryQ technology and has kept me dry throughout some very hard downpours. It is very lightweight and wicks away body moisture pretty well. Additionally, all the drawcords and hood adjustments are spot on. I'd highly recommend it.

Also got a Redington Sonic Pro Jacket, which is more heavy duty. It is basically 4 layer wader fabric or something of that nature. It is super waterproof, but I don't think I'd buy it at its retail- $300. I found it for 120ish on sierratradingpost.com. It has kept me dry thus far and seems like it will for some time to come.

 

[Paulson]

Thanks for the help, still not sure exactly what I am going to get, but still thinking about the Patagonia, Redington, or, Orvis jacket. I'll check out the MHW stuff to, I've got some gear from them in the past and I love it.

 

[geebee]

$150 is a helluva lot just for a rain jacket imho.

i have an EMS thunderhead sync - that you can snap a fleece into if you want, that i fish in and its great - $99 :

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4356559&lmdn=Category&cp=3707807.12019738

i'd definately check out EMS and REI sales that start next week ;o)

 

[DanW]

Madison River Fishing Company (http://www.mrfc.com)has a closeout special on the Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket, $149.95. I just got myself one for Christmas.