Probably the best jackets out there are the Patagonia SST and the Simms G3/G4 IMO. Those are the most popular top of the line jackets. The Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket is quite a bit cheaper and more bare bones, which isn't a bad thing in my books. My G3 jacket, while it performs well, has so many pockets that I tend to misplace things (ie: camera, while landing a good fish). Simms cuffs are decent and they keep most of the water out, but Patagonia jackets look like they have perhaps even better cuffs, which is very nice to have fishing in complete downpours, when drifting in rafts, landing fish, or taking a spill in the river. I'm not sure the extra price of the G4 gets you much more in terms of function, but then again, I don't own a G4, so perhaps someone who has experience with both will chime in. Outside of fit, which is a matter of personal taste, I haven't heard anyone not like the aforementioned jackets.
Of those jackets, I can only give a personal recommendation on the G3 jacket, which I've worn maybe 20 days on the water. Its performed to my expectations. Areas where it could be improved, would be to related to fit (Simms cut fits larger wait people better IMO), slightly better cuffs wouldn't hurt, and a lining in the hood so that it it didn't make so much noise wearing the hood up. All these issues are relatively minor and I am able to spend a day floating rapids in a deluge without getting wet.
Author
Topic: $400 dollar fishing jacket (Read 14480 times)