Waterproof fishing clothing and is just as essential for fishing as proper gear and tackle. You don’t just need waterproof clothing for wading and crossing the river. As an angler, you are going to find yourself fishing in the most unpleasant weather conditions consistently. That leaves you with two options: you either give up on fishing until the sky clears or you find a way to protect yourself from the rain while you’re fishing.
A plastic one-piece raincoat can do the job, but it’s hardly a real solution. It will protect you from water, true, but it throws in a bunch of other problems for you to face. For instance, waterproof non-breathable raincoats keep the sweat inside, as they can hardly be called moisture wicking. It’s going to get quite uncomfortable in a brief time, perhaps more so than getting caught in the rain unprotected: the greenhouse effect at it’s finest. I’m not saying that plastic raincoats don’t have their own niche, but that niche does not cover fishing.
Top 5 Best Rain Suits in 2019
1Navis Marine Rain Suit for Me — Most Basic Rainsuit
This industrial grade rain suit is more than enough to keep all the rain away. It’s mainly PVC, so it’s not going to be quite as good for a prolonged summertime rain, but for shorter rains and for colder weather it’s going to do fine.
The pants run a little small, so I would advise sizing up if you want to buy this set.
On the plus side, it’s not just PVC that this rain suit is made of, it’s also polyurethane known for its lightweight and durability. While a straight PVC suit would not last for very long, a blend of two fabric is going to be a pleasant surprise.
Tricot weave is just what you need to get that fabric feel without losing on waterproofing while keeping the price low. Unlike typical PVC suits, this one has a more pleasant feel to the bare skin.
You get every essential feature that is really required in a rain suit: a storm flap, elastic cuffs, a hood, drawcord at the bottom. It even has both a zipper and Velcro on the front for double security and waterproofing.
It is also windproof.
- Heavy duty rain suit. It’s designed for the kind of stress industrial grade rain suits have to handle. Anything you do when fishing, it can tank nicely.
- Lasting. Uncharacteristically for PVC blends, this suit is going to last you a few seasons at least.
- Nice to the touch. It doesn’t really feel very plasticky, unlike many straight PVC suits.
- Hot. The suit can be too hot to wear in warm weather.
2Coleman PVC/Nylon Rain Suit — Packs Smallest
The description for this product is undoubtedly lacking virtually everywhere I managed to find it. For some inexplicable reason, folks are driven to assume this rain suit is 20 mm thick. To which I only have one thing to say: that’s roughly an inch, people. Usually, clothing that thick is called armor, not a rain suit. I could imagine someone disarming a bomb wearing an inch thick jacket and pants, for fishing that seems a little bit of a stretch.
Alright, jokes aside, this rain suit is actually .20mm thick, and it’s like 20,000 mm waterproof. Effectively, if nothing else. I guess 20 mm waterproof clothes also exist, but that is the level of regular clothing, and even lower than average. Hardly something to call a rain suit, while the Coleman rain suit can handle a heavy rain for an extended period, so even logic itself dictates that we assume it’s a 20,000 mm waterproof rain suit. Which it surely feels like.
Aside from more than adequate water protection, the suit is extremely durable thanks to the nylon construction. Nylon is pretty strong as fabrics go, and that shows.
The pants have a zipper closure, which is a must for getting the suit on without taking the boots off.
The suit also packed very small.
The storm flaps add extra security, while the front back vents will prevent you from overheating if caught in a summertime rain.
Reportedly, this particular rain suit tends to come with somewhat weak seams, but the complaints are not consistent. In case something is wrong with yours, I advise contacting the vendor.
- Lasting. Since this suit is mainly nylon, that’s only to be expected.
- Super thin. Again, thanks to the nylon construction, a higher thickness is simply not needed.
- Vents. Crucial for any waterproof rain suit with any PVC in it, the Coleman rain suit comes with two large vents, on the front, and on the back.
- Zippered gussets at the bottom of the pants. A must for getting the rain suit on and off quickly.
- Carry bag included. In addition to its small size when packed, the suit comes with a bag to carry it in.
- Open pockets. Something tells me it’s a terrible design flaw.
- 2 mm thick. Some may call it cool, but a suit this thick may be torn by accident even if it's woven of steel wire. Well, maybe not, but you could tear it on something sharp, no matter the durability.
3Stansport Commercial Rainsuit — Best for Fishing in the Open Sea
The word “strong” doesn’t even begin to describe this rain suit. First, it’s made of PE and heavy-duty PVC. Second, that laminate construction is actually 0.42 mm thick. That doesn’t sound like much, but considering how most rain suits tend to run quite think, this one is a rhino among rain suits.
As expected from a commercial grade industrial rain suit, it has some cargo pockets and almost impregnable water protection. The set features a pretty durable jacket and overalls with suspenders.
Is it suitable for fishing? Oh yes, it is, but only if you really need something industrial grade. If you’re fishing in the open sea, then, perhaps, wearing this rain suit would be the best idea.
At the same time, throwing trials at this rain suit just to test how much abuse it can take may be far from the best one, it just might not be able to handle that.
It’s still not the best rain suit for fishing in my opinion, but it’s found its way into my top 5 list, as you can see.
- Lasting. At .42 mm thick, there are very few things that can hurt it without hurting you.
- Suspenders. Quite neat for when you don’t want your pants sliding down.
- Velcro adjustable closures on pants. Not as convenient as zippers, but reliable.
- Bib overalls as pants. Since they go all the way up to your chest, you won't get wet down the waistline quickly.
- Velcro adjustable cuffs. They are better than nothing but aren’t nearly as convenient as elastic cuffs.
- Packs somewhat large. Due to the thickness, it takes more space folded than sports rain suits.
4Rain Suit Gear Coat for Men — Best for Active Fishing and Hiking
Now, this rain suit is a little bit more interesting. It’s not just anglers whose attention it may catch. It is also pretty good for almost everyone, including bikers and cyclists.
Industrial commercial-grade suits and nice and everything, but they are simply not designed for any sort of activity. Granted, when you’re fishing, you’re not moving around too much, but every angler has his own preferences and habits. Besides, if you’re using a bike to get to the place you want to fish, then you need something like this product, while an industrial rain suit is not going to work for you, no matter how durable and expensive.
The rain suit is already sized to accommodate your clothes, as it runs a size larger.
While the rain suit is 3,000 mm waterproof and windproof, it’s breathable and comes with a mesh lining to make it even more comfortable to wear. You won’t get overheated wearing the suit. It also packs small.
- Packs small. As a sports rain suit, this gear coat takes up very little room.
- Mesh lining. Getting all hot and sweaty is rarely fun when not intended. The breathable construction and the mesh lining prevent that from happening.
- Designed for activities. Most rain suits that are good for anything at all are also good for fishing, depending on the style. This rain suit is also suitable for cycling and hiking.
- Adjustable pants openings. Not gusseted, regrettably, but works well enough.
- Not the highest waterproofing score. 3,000 mm is enough for many things, but it's not enough to protect you from heavy rain for an extended period.
5Frogg Toggs All Sport Rain Suit — Best Rain Suit Overall
If you already had a few rain suits in mind, I’m 80% sure a Frogg Toggs suit was among the options. Why eighty percent? The Pareto principle, of course, although I can’t explain the connection.
It’s made from polypropylene, and that means the suit is super light. Given that polypropylene is lighter than water, that’s not a surprise. It also packs very small thanks to the density and thickness.
A hood, a storm flap, elastic openings, even a rear cape, this rain suit’s got everything.
The rain suit runs a size bigger, so you can just take your standard size and use that so that the suit would fit over your existing clothing. Perfect for fishing.
- Super light. Much like any polypropylene rain suit, this one is extremely lightweight.
- Adjustable leg openings. Depending on the size, you may be able to fit your boots through.
- Designed for activities. It’s a very decent rain suit that can be used in just about any situation.
- It will fit over your existing clothes. Designed for that and does it nicely.
- Stylish. While hardly a requirement, this rain suit looks pretty cool.
- Noisy. Surprisingly, this rain suit is very noisy. It doesn’t matter when you’re cycling, I guess, but if you want to hunt wearing it, it might be a little problematic.
Buyer’s Guide
Waterproof Fishing Clothing
First of all, fishing clothing should protect the user from rain and wind, as well as retain heat. If the clothes are light and comfortable, that’s even better. Fortunately, waterproof clothing manufacturers utilize sophisticated durable and lightweight materials in their products, and rain suits made with them have impressive breathability because of that. Particularly high-quality rain suits have their seams reliably taped, while zippers and fasteners are likewise protected from the elements. Not just strong wind and cold, but also rain and water. Waterproof clothing is not limited to rain suits and raincoats, although raincoats can hardly be called clothing when made out of pure PVC and other similar compounds. Waterproof fishing clothes also include waders, jackets, pants, flotation suits, fishing vests, raincoats, gloves, hats, and many other items of clothing. Flotations suits are fascinating, the most interesting, in my opinion, even though they have a minimal application. Still, they can replace a life jacket pretty well, since they are both buoyant and waterproof. While a life jacket can’t save you from hyperthermia, a flotation suit is definitely capable of that.Back to the topic at hand, though.Materials
Before you even get to make a choice, you need to know what kind of climate to expect and how often you plan actually to use your rain suit. All that usually depends on where you live, but it might be different if you happen to fish elsewhere.There are quite a few types of two-piece rain suits alone, but most of them use three-four different materials.PVC
The price of any rain suit made of PVC is going to be somewhat low, and that’s one of the main advantages of this material. They hardly ever cost even as much as $40, and it’s quite easy to find a rain suit as low as $20 or even $10, although the quality is going to be just as low. But no matter the quality, PVC rain suits tend to be disposable, depending on how aggressively you use them.Usually, the seams in PVC rain suits are welded, which is excellent for waterproofing. PVC rain suits also pack really small.Weak to Heat and Tear
This material is too easy to tear. Also, I don’t recommend using PVC rain suits when sailing if you are sitting next to an overboard motor. PVC is extremely susceptible to heat, and even the temperatures that our skin can handle may be disastrous for a rain suit made of PVC. And it’s not just the suit that’s going to bear the consequences of you accidentally touching a relatively hot motor, it’s going to melt, and you’re going to have to deal with an engine with some PVC melted on it.Waterproof and Windproof
PVC rain suits don’t really last long even without the possibility of touching something hot, but they are quite cheap, and replacing them is not usually a problem. PVC is 100% waterproof, and it’s actually better at blocking water and wind than the other materials typically used in the construction of rain suits.Heat Retaining
A PVC rain suit is actually going to be your best bet if it’s cold out there because it’s capable of retaining body heat and is best at doing so. Now, it’s not just an advantage but also a very extreme disadvantage. It doesn’t allow any form of temperature control, and wearing a PVC suit during a summer storm is the best way to get yourself wet like a pig because of your own sweat.PVC is not breathable at all.Bottom Line
PVC rain suits are hardly among the best waterproof fishing clothes, but they are cheap and don’t take up too much space. That’s why you probably should purchase one to carry it with you every time you’re going fishing. Even if you’re caught in the rain unexpectedly, you still have our backup rain suit. But you still need a better rainproof outfit for when you know you’re going to be fishing, and the weather forecast doesn’t look right.Nylon
Nylon two-piece rain suits are a little bit more comfortable than PVC since they flow on the body a little bit better and they’re not quite as plasticky as a straight PVC suit. You’re not going to be sweating like a pig because they breathe a little bit better and are not be quite as hot to wear if it’s a summertime thunderstorm.Pilling
Nylon is more prone to pilling than some other synthetic fabrics. That doesn’t, however, affect its performance, but the looks may suffer because of that.Water Wicking
Nylon is naturally hydrophobic. However, that doesn’t prevent is from absorbing some water. As you can guess, that makes pure nylon a less than optimal choice for rain suits. That said, nylon suits are often layered, and even when they are not, the nylon is explicitly treated to make it more water-resistant.Higher Price
While not bank breaking, the price of a nylon rain suit is going to be quite a bit higher than the price of a generic PVC suit. It’s also more expensive than polyester, all other factors held equal.Bottom Line
Nylon is a very soft material and somewhat fabric-like. Since it was designed as a synthetic replacement for silk, that’s hardly a surprise. Like silk, it is quite strong, and it’s also very stretchy, which is essential since you want the jacket to snug to your body as much as possible.The higher price makes it less desirable, but otherwise, nylon rain suits are pretty good.Polyester
Polyester makes excellent material for two-piece rain suits. It may not be as comfortable to wear like nylon, but then again, rain suits are worn over your existing clothing, and unless it’s summertime, you’re not going to feel the rain suit directly other than with your hands.Rough
Polyester is quite a crude material, but it’s not as durable as nylon. That said, it’s definitely more tear-resistant than PVC, and that counts for something. Like nylon, it doesn’t feel very plasticky, which is good.Breathable
Polyester is just as breathable as nylon, and even a little bit better. The reason for that is that polyester does not absorb water at all. Incidentally, that also means it’s color lasting, but that’s not really important for a fishing rain suit. Not many people around to appreciate that, usually.Lower Price
Polyester is hardly the cheapest fiber around, but it’s less expensive than the other traditional rain suit fabrics except for PVC.Bottom Line
Polyester rain suits are often the most optimal choice because of their price to quality ratio. They tend to be cheaper than nylon suits, and they are not far behind them. They are reasonably comfortable and waterproof.Polypropylene
Polypropylene feels a lot more like a woven fabric rather than nylon or polyester suits and can make the most breathable rain suits. It’s great for warmer weather, but it’s still waterproof.Lightweight
Polypropylene is lighter than water and floats, unlike polyester and nylon. It is not the most essential feature, but you have to agree that it’s neat. Although lightweight, polypropylene rain suits are somewhat bulky and do not pack small easily.Breathable
Polypropylene rain suits tend to just as breathable as polyester suits, sometimes even better. It depends on the construction design more than it does on the material used, though.Moderate Durability
While not as durable as nylon, polypropylene is stronger than PVC. It’s not very expensive either, although that depends on how exactly the rain suit has been made.Bottom Line
Polypropylene is a suitable material for a rain suit, and it definitely makes a better suit than PVC is capable of.Features
Cuffs and Closures
Elastic closures are something that you should expect from rain suits even if you’re on a tight budget. It’s probably going to be on any product you pick, except the worst ones. An elastic waist is also a must for a two-piece rain suit so that you can easily slip it on over your existing jacket. Storm flaps are not as popular, although they are often crucial for enhancing waterproof protection over the front.Gusseted or Wide Opening
Elastic cuffs and waist are not enough for a two-piece rain suit, though. The thing with a rain suit is that you may be forced to throw it on in a matter of seconds if a particularly heavy rain catches you unaware. You won’t have a problem with a jacket, but the pants may be hard to put on fast enough if they lack something as essential as an opening or a zippered entry at their bottom. You’ll have to take your boots off, put on the pants, and then put the boots back on, all while under heavy rain. Not the most pleasant experience.A considerably wide or gusseted opening with a hook and loop strap will allow you to get the pants on over your boots without having to take them off.Heat Shielding
Some rain suits are designed not just for fishers but also for bikers. The problem of heat resistance even more crucial when you’re riding a motorcycle because the hot pipes are going to melt your pants away, as most of the materials used in the construction of rain suits have a relatively low-temperature melting point.Heat shielding for your pants will prevent them from melting from all the heat from the pipes. It is very unlikely to protect your suit from the heat of an outboard motor. However, they tend to be less hot, and the user only comes into direct contact with an outboard motor accidentally.Taped Seams
That, or welded seams for more plasticky rain suits, like PVC.It is crucial that your rain suit has those. Without them, your rain pants and especially the rain jacket are not going to be watertight for all their waterproofing. The moisture will leak right through the seams.That happened to me a few times when I was wearing my seemingly waterproof jacket made in China, all because of shoddy seam work. The thing was waterproof and windproof, but if I happened to be caught in the rain for more than 10 minutes, I could feel the water in my right sleeve.When it comes to the seams, check and double-check if they are taped after the rain suit has been delivered. Defective products are a thing, and the seams are something that is not immediately obvious.When the seams are sealed with tape, it’s actually immediately apparent. Seeing that the tape prevents water from leaking in, it is paramount that no bits are missing.Mesh Lining
Rain suits are worn over your existing clothes usually, so there’s rarely any need for additional insulation. Mesh lining, on the other hand, may come in handy. It can help keep the jacket comfortable by allowing it to breathe a little more. What’s more important, it prevents the jacket from feeling like it’s sticking to you.Soft Collar
It’s not a must-have, but it’s pretty good if your rain suit comes with one. A high collar lined with soft material is an excellent addition. It’s going to keep your neck comfortable. However, there’s little good it can do if it comes without a rain hood.Rain Hood
Your rain suit should have a rain hood built into the collar. It doesn’t have to be large and thick, although that would be good. It can be tiny and made from a different material (usually PVC if your rain suit is made of something else). It doesn’t matter. If you can slide it on over your head and it’s waterproof at the back of the neck, that’s all you need from it.Being waterproof at the back of the neck is very important if you’re in the rain for an extended time. I’ve probably been there before. Rain tends to roll down the back of your head off of your hat and drip down in the back of your jacket. Even if it’s 100% waterproof, you can end up soaked anyway.That’s why having a rain hood is vital if you’re going to expect to be in the rain for an hour or longer.Suspenders
We all know waders must come with suspenders. It’s not the same for two-piece rain suits, but it’s still pretty nice if a rain suit does come with suspenders for the pants.The suspenders on the pants are going to help keep the pants up so that they’re not sliding down. It’s especially important if you’re squatting with a rod in your hands or moving around.Vents
Vents are paramount for hot climates and summertime rains.Without vents, you’re still going to be dry, but you’re also going to be sweating like no one’s business. You need ventilation to allow warm air and perspiration to escape.If you want proper ventilation, your rain suit should have at least one large vent on the back, preferably with a zippered opening.Size
Much like life jackets, rain suits are generally over your regular clothing and are sized accordingly. But you may need to get an oversized rain suit to fit over your regular clothes and fishing vest. If the gear you’re wearing is kind of bulky, you should buy the size that would fit over the top of your existing fishing gear.Questions and Answers
Waterproof clothes seem like reasonable protection against rain, but that’s just appearances. I don’t know if your jacket is waterproof and how good it is, but there’s this thing called waterproof ratings. Most of the regular clothes, even those designed for fishing, have a limit waterproof rating, often less than 5,000 mm. That may be enough for light rain for a brief time, but nothing above that. Textile waterproof gear tends to be quite low on the waterproof rating spectrum unless it’s also lined with membranes, and even the best textile clothing can only hold out for so long.
So even if your regular jacket is waterproof, I recommend having a good rain suit on hand, because if you expect to be in the rain all day long (which you will if you regularly spend your time casting the bait) or in icy conditions, you are going to want that protection. Besides, it feels quite nice to throw on that extra layer on the outside. It’s going to give you a complete blockage of water and wind. As you can guess, it will instantly make you comfortable, no matter how cold and wet it is out.