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Rain Gear, Waterproof Shell or Jacket?

I've got some Orvis fly fishing waders they don't suck. I like this, it's about double what I wanted to spend. Sportsman's Warehouse has it for just barely under $200.

www.orvis.com

Men’s Clearwater Wading Jacket

We made this sturdy jacket using three-layer fabric with 20K waterproofness and 15K breathability—a fantastic value.
www.orvis.com www.orvis.com
 
I used the Orvis for about a week in Ketchikan, it rained most of the time I was there. 40 MPH gusts and rain when we left. I spent more than what I planed, but it did its job, and is more or less what I had in mind to replace the Cabela's jacket. I expect it to last at least as long, hopefully longer, than the Cabela's jacket it replaced.

I noticed the outfitter shops there are mostly Grundens, actually found one of the Grundens jackets that was on my short list, but out of stock online, at a brick and mortar in Ketchikan. Also discovered Guy Cotten while up there. Seemed about as popular with the locals as the Grundens. Jewels got a pair of Guy Cotten rain pants while we were up there, soft lined, warm, rain proof. I think she may just live in them in perpetuity. :laughing:
 
I have a hellyhanson Norwegian Sun Suit. Keeps me dry from wind rain snow etc. wear light weight wool underneath it because you will sweat because it’s waterproof. If your looking for better mobility you are going to sacrifice waterproofness unless you shell out big $$$.
 
Lee said:
Taking Jewels to SE AK this fall. My ~10 year old Cabela's Gore Tex PacLite shell is pretty well done. It's served me well, but it's time to replace it. I cleaned and reconditioned it with some Nikwax last year, it helped, but the shoulders still wet out pretty quick. The "welded" glued seam across the back that reinforces the hang tag is coming off too.

I got Jewels a Marmot Gore Tex shell a few years ago, it's nice, but I don't think I want to spend Marmot money. I've really liked that Cabela's jacket, but they don't seem to have anything quite like it anymore. I got it back when Cabela's was still Cabela's pre Johnny Morris.

Any suggestions? Gore Tex alternatives? I don't want to look like a Trapper Keeper or Culture Club band member. I just want earth tones in solid colors with zip up pockets and reasonably priced.
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Columbia. Their stuff is really affordable, solid, and holds up well. I used to be a North Face, Marmot and Mountain Hardware guy and would spend a lot on high end gear. Seriously, Columbia stuff is 1/4 the price and 90% as good, which is fine for me.

There are a ton of Columbia Outlets around and the prices are great. If you find something you like, but they don't have your size, go ask for a manager, tell them you want to buy it online where they have more sizes and ask for an online coupon. I'm a big guy and they don't always have my size in the outlet, but you can get stuff up to 3x-5x online in a lot of their gear.

I bought some Columbia snow pants a few years back, fully expecting them to be trashed halfway through the season and they have lasted 4 years of snowboarding, with only one cuff snap failing at the bottom edge, and they're still warm and holding together like new. That's unbelievable for a pair of snow pants I payed $60 for. I've shredded hard and taken some horrendous wrecks with those snow pants and they've held up great.
Same with their rain jackets. Besides, Gore Tex wears out at the same rate on a $500 North Face jacket as it does on a $200 Columbia jacket. The difference is that when the Columbia jacket finally wears out from hard use, you don't feel bad about chucking it and getting a new one. I also buy a ton of their UV proof fishing shirts for summer work and they're been great too.
 
Make sure you wash all that synthetic shit way more than you think you'd need to. Had a conversation with a gear guy a while ago and he told me not washing it is way worse than washing it every time you use it.
 
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