Original Article: Best Rain Suit for Fishing – Top 5 of 2020
Fishing takes you outside and outside brings you turbulent weather. It is safe to say that you are going to get wet out there. The best fishing rain suits are going to keep you dry while still allowing you to be mobile.
I grew up in the pacific northwest and rain was a part of our everyday life. We used secondhand rain suits that were from a commercial fishing company and they were not comfortable at all.
They felt like they weighed about 40-pounds apiece and they were usually very unfashionable. In today’s world, there are many varieties of fishing rain suits that can tailor to a style of fishing and be extremely comfortable at the same time.
While the simplistic design of a rain suit is a jacket that is waterproof and a pair of pants that are the same, there are some other features that you may want to look for as well. These features are things like pockets, zippers, drawstrings, and an enclosed hood.
Many fishing rain suits are also able to be folded to a small size and packed making them great for other applications as well such as camping and backpacking.
Some button, zip, or both making them customizable for your environment. Back home where I was raised the rain was serious business so ours were as waterproof as we could get them. Where you live, however, you may not need them to be that waterproof.
There are two types of pants that come with a rain suit that are each great, but they also have their drawbacks as well. Waistband pants utilize a drawstring to hold the pants in place while still being packable.
The other type of rain suit pants is held up by suspenders which offer superior fitting but are bulkier and more difficult to pack. But this larger size is very minimal and generally, most outfitters and charter companies utilize suspender rain suits.
With all of these styles and features, it can seem a little overwhelming to pick a rain suit out for you or a loved one but the general philosophy is that it has to keep you dry first and foremost. There are quite a few brands that offer great products worth mentioning so let us have a look at what is out there.
SWISSWELL Men’s Rain suit
While this brand is simplistic in design it offers great moisture resistance and can really enhance your next fishing trip. The SWISSWELL Men’s Rain suit is 100% polyester and as with most rain suits, this suit also serves as a great windbreaker as well.
One thing that we like about this suit is that it is light and simplistic making for easy packing. The sizes run a little large to accommodate what you will be wearing underneath so read the size chart carefully when shopping for this brand.
This suit is available from small to XXL which is a good spectrum of sizes to match with any body type. This model of suit is available in five color patterns that are all flat colors such as grey, black, and blue. The sixth color option is called A-Black and it is a different style hood that fits more loosely than the rest.
This also offers a good waterproof chest zipper that is rubber sealed to prevent moisture penetrating the zipper. This chest pocket is large enough to accommodate a mobile phone and other gear as well as it is quite large.
FEATURES
- Waterproof chest zipper
- 6 color options
- 100% polyester material
- Large chest pocket
- Very packable
- Hood can cover face as well
Frogg Toggs Men’s Classic All-Sport
The Frogg Togg Men’s line is a great all-around waterproof fishing rain suit that is designed to be used in multiple situations. This rain suit is designed to have a good fit and more importantly, easy to put on.
This model has adjustable legs holes for getting the pants around boot and shoes easily. Once the pants are on, simply cinch the leg holes again for a tight seal around your ankles. As we discussed previously, many brands both zip and snap. This model zips and then it has a storm flap that snaps.
This model is available in a large variety of sizes ranging from small to XXXL which is great for those who are big and tall. This rain suit is also made from 100% polyester for maximum waterproofing. The torso of the raincoat itself is longer than other brands and has a waist drawstring.
The waist drawstring is great for preventing cold air from entering the suit as well as moisture. The color options for this suit are very abundant and can match any style you are looking for. For fishing it may not matter as much but for hunting there are a few camouflage patterns as well.
FEATURES
- 100% Polyester
- Parka waist drawstring
- Multiple colors and patterns
- Adjustable leg holes
- Adjustable leg holes for ease
- Waist drawstring keeps air out
- Zipper and button design
- Different feeling material compared to other brands
TideWe Rain Suit
While most rain suits are waterproof or water-resistant, they are often not very breathable. The TideWe rain suit offers good moisture protection while being breathable. This is great for situations where you are going to be wearing the suit for extended periods of time.
The TideWe rain suit is available in 5 different colors and patterns to better match your gear or style. Try the camouflage patter for hunting early season in wet areas as well as fishing. The sizes available for this model range from small to XXXL making it a great fit for most everyone.
Due to the non-woven design of the polyester of this rain suit, it allows sweat and interior moisture to leave the suit while keeping the rain out. This breathability is great for those who are often moving such as hiking to a fishing spot.
The only issue that can be found with this rain suit is that the leg holes are elastic which are not as adjustable as other brands and will wear down over time. However, this is a minor issue and the suit will still last an exceedingly long time and serve its purpose well.
FEATURES
- Non-woven polyester material
- Breathable design
- Zipper and door flap
- Stows easily
- Breathable design for extended wear
- Lightweight
- Easily stows due to small size
- Leg holes are not as adjustable as other brands
NAVIS Marine Rain Suit for Men and Woman
The nice thing about a fishing rain suit is that they are generally unisex and can be worn by anyone. The NAVIS Marine Rain Suit is a great example of this. If buying for the whole family, you might want to start here to get yourself an idea.
This suit is designed for more of a commercial application and because of that, it is made from high-quality materials and is designed to take a beating where other brands are not. This suit is made from high-quality PVC for superior waterproofing and durability.
The sealing feature on this suit is zipper and Velcro for a superior seal and easily secures. This suit is also ready to be pulled over boots with its larger leg hole. Try this for areas that have severe rain and humidity for a great, dry fishing experience.
This model is also available in multiple patterns and some of those patterns offer suspenders rather than cinchable waistbands. The difference between waistband and suspenders is primarily a matter of preference but we recommend you consider how it packs when thinking of suspenders.
FEATURES
- Made from PVC material
- Suspender and waistband options
- Durable commercial design
- Roll up hood
- Exceptionally durable
- Completely waterproof
- Suspender and waistband design
- Not very breathable
Norfin Light Shell
The NORFIN LIGHT SHELL is a great product that offers a good lightweight experience for your next fishing trip. This fishing rain suit is very lightweight as the name suggests making it great for fishing retrieval fishing.
Because of this suit’s lightweight nature, it is very packable and easy to take along when it is not being worn. Ready to deploy at a moment’s notice it can be a great asset to have in your bag.
This rain suit is very breathable and can be worn for a long period of time comfortably. The material that makes this suit, so light is called Nor-Flex and it is a very waterproof material at a fraction of the weight of other materials.
Even though this suit has limited pockets available, this is a great suit for the everyday fishing trip when the weather turns for the worse. This product only comes in one pattern however which limits any matching to your gear.
FEATURES
- Nor-Flex materials
- Lightweight design
- Drawstring waist and hood
- Smooth material lining
- Extremely lightweight
- Packs small and light
- Nor-Flex breathable material
- Only one pattern available
What to Consider
When determining what you will need in a fishing rain suit, you need to look at a few things. What you want is a purposeful product that performs and is easy to use but you also need to keep in mind things like waterproofing and that material it is made from.
Here are a few things you should consider before you decide on any rain suit. These things may or may not apply entirely to your needs or environments, but they are a good set of issues that will help you decide the right rain suit.
Water Resistance
All fishing rain suit manufacturers are going to advertise that their product is waterproof, and they usually are when you buy them. However, waterproofness is a fragile terminology.
You may find yourself waterproofing your suit yourself over time. This does not mean you bought a bad product, just simply that nothing lasts forever. Consider this when you look at a rain suit and keep in mind that different materials last longer.
Breathability
Just because it is going to rain all day and be cold does not mean that you will be warm and comfortable in your rain suit. In fact, I have found that you end up sweating often. If your environment is demanding that you live in your rain suit, consider a lightweight and breathable option.
Different materials offer different levels of airflow with PVC being the most sealed and woven materials being the most breathable. However, the more breathable the material, the lighter and less durable it will likely be.
Why is Having a Rain Suit Important?
Fishing rain suits allow you to enjoy your favorite pastime regardless of weather and some of the best fishing can be found in the rain. When boating in bad weather, the waterproofness of a rain suit also serves as a windbreaker to keep you warm in the wind.
These brands mentioned above are a few examples of great products that you can use to enhance your fishing experience and enjoy what you love. Look at what the environment demands of you where you fish and use that information to decide on a product.
Try to think of situations that are outside the box as well when buying any outdoor product. “This product is great for keeping me dry, but will it keep the wind off of me when boating?” for example. Overall, just have fun with shopping for a fishing rain suit and above all else, enjoy your time on the water.