Yawn! I know this has been discussed ad nauseam...
![Huh ???](http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/Smileys/default/huh.gif)
But what the hell I'll throw it out there anyway. I've had the same gortex wading jacket since I got into river fishing 6 or so years ago. It's a Cabela's whatver. Not the guide jacket, it's cheaper. Got in one sale for $100 bucks or so. It's done well but despite trying to revive the water repellant finish with Nikwax etc, it beads water quite poorly and gets soaked in heavy downpour. I'll still be dryish inside as the gortex membrane is impermeable, but with the outer shell soaked the jacket does not breath, and ill get sweaty/wet/cold from the inside. Time to upgrade!
I'm generally a fan of Simms, but I am not stuck on just their jackets. The G3 jacket is what I'm leaning towards. It is at the top of my price range, I think it goes for around $400 after taxes. I'm sure the G4 is fantastic but I am not looking to spend that much.
My wife has the Cabela's guide jacket from a few years back and it's pretty solid. I almost bought one from Cabela's in Tulallip a month or so ago they were on sale for $189 I think down from $300ish. I decided against it as the new design seemed like they cheaped out a bit. The chest pockets didn't have a big flap fold over like my wife's, but rather a small flap like my crappy jacket! If you don't velcro it over well water gets it. And the quality of the outer nylon seemed not as good. Thinner, cheaper.
I deided not to buy it as if I'm going to upgrade I don't want to bother with something a bit better that I will want to replce in a year or two. I'm looking for a solid jacket to get 10+ years out of.
If anyone has another jacket(s) idea in this 300-400ish price range please chime in. I love Patagonia, but the price is a bit steep!
http://www.patagonia.com/ca/shop/jackets-waterproof-hard-shell-fly-fishing?k=6z-bb-3g