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brdubya69

06/27/2011 01:09PM

I apologize if this has been asked before. Can anyone recommend decent but inexpensive rain gear that is BWCA worthy?

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scotts

Guest Paddler

06/27/2011 01:31PM

A simple plastic poncho will work, but of course you can spend much more. I choose to wear some Columbia swim/ hiking shorts so it doesnt matter if I get wet from the waist down.

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Chilly

06/27/2011 01:39PM

You can buy cheap crap every year or buy quality once a lifetime. Quality in my book is cheap because it saves me money in the long run. I like the older Eddie Bauer weather edge rain suit. I looked at their newer ones and they don't seam to be as tuff. The material is unrippable and it has many useful pockets. I even wear the jacket many days it's not raining around town. Just my 2 cents.

"Now days these kids take out everything: radar, sonar, electric toothbrushs" Quint

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naturboy12

06/27/2011 01:47PM

If you do decide to go cheap, my Dri Ducks have held up for two 1 week canoe trips and a few odds and ends camping trips (probably worn on and off for 20 days total). I paid $12 for them, and would have no issue doing that again. They breath well, pack small, and have had no issue in keeping me dry. I ripped a much more expensive "rip proof" rain pants, and won't go that direction again, I'm just not careful enough to avoid the occassional oops.

Proud member of the B.I.G. L.I.A.R.S since 2008

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TwoByGreenCanoe

06/27/2011 03:03PM

If you go too cheap it might blow a seam on the first day or you may have to get a new set for every trip.

There are a few sales going on now for Marmot precip jackets for $69.

For frogg toggs, I have their firebelly jacket that is good. Lot stronger than the regular frogg toggs but do not pack as small. Firebelly Frogg Toggs

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KevinL

06/27/2011 03:05PM

I like my frog toggs. I got them from Serra Trading Post for less than $30. They pack down small and I don’t feel like I have to be extra careful with them. Have used them for a couple of trips now and they are holding up well. Guess I figure if I do rip them I’ll throw on some duct tape.

Mine look just like these, but are all green with reflective tape on them.

Frogg Toggs

They did get a lot of use during our 10 days this year the last week of May and the first three days of June.

I do own a gore tex rain coat, but opt for the frog toggs.

Last time I look, Mills Fleet Farm had the same 2pc set for over $50.

KevinL

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AndySG

06/27/2011 03:18PM

For the money, Frogg Toggs work well. Like Chilly, I prefer a high quality longer lasting rain gear. One of my tripping buddies has the Froggs and likes them. Just don't stand too close to the fire. Those things will melt at at a fairly low heat.

Sincerely yours, Andy

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boonie

06/27/2011 04:23PM

A poncho could be a real liability if you dump.

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serenityseeker

06/27/2011 04:26PM

quote boonie: "A poncho could be a real liability if you dump."

and worthless and a possible liability in wind. blowing everywhere if you are not sitting directly on the edges.

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BigZig

06/27/2011 08:45PM

Just got back from EP 23. First two days was rain and the only one to stay completely dry was the 8 year old in his Frogg Toggs.

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kanoes

06/27/2011 08:49PM

frogg toggs endorsement here too.

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg)

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Savage Voyageur

06/27/2011 09:08PM

Over the years I have had many types of rain gear from plastic poncho's to a Cagoule, Frogg Toggs to Gortec. I would say to get something that can withstand the trials of a trip and not let you down. Also buy the best you can afford. Rain gear is one of those things that you get what you pay for. Remember that you might have to live in the stuff for days, does that change your choice?

"So many lakes, so little time."

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Canardly

06/27/2011 10:02PM

This seems like a good deal.

Helly Hanson on sale at Bass Pro

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nofish

06/27/2011 10:59PM

I've had the Eddie Bauer rain suit you can get at Target for several years. I believe its usually found with the camping stuff. I think its right around $30 for the full suit.

I wear it a lot when hiking the river banks for some spring fishing. I usually only head out when its raining because it keeps the crowds away and I know my suit will hold up to it. It has held up great and I think I've had it at least 8 years now.

If its a really warm rain it can get a little warm but not too bad, it does have some ventilation. So far I haven't ever been uncomfortable it in. It works very well in a cold rain even in the snow. I bought it one size to big so that it has more room to breathe when its hot out and also so I can wear several layers underneath if its really cold.

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Whichwaysnorth

06/27/2011 11:30PM

don't be afraid to mix and match. I have gortex pants which do saturate, I wear it with my cabalas rain jacket that I got on sale. overall I'm happy with my rain... outfit.

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Frenchy

06/28/2011 05:52AM

I agree with the Frogg Toggs. I have used my set for two years and have found them to be a perfect match for BWCAW weather.
Cabela's has them on sale often for around $25.00.

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ozarkpaddler

06/28/2011 06:34AM

Another place to check is Cabela's "Bargain Cave." A few years back I got a steal on a Browning rain parka that's the best I've ever worn. TW Bargain Cave Rainwear

"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain

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Sparetime

06/28/2011 10:05AM

Just my $0.02

I have several cheap rain coats and no rain bottoms to go with them anymore. It seems the pants are the first to get destroyed/ripped. Make sure the pants are well constructed, have enough room to go over the boots, yet don't flop around and catch on every branch around.

The more you know, the less you need

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Amok

06/28/2011 11:24AM

Cheap rain gear may last for a canoe trip --maybe. I'd crack open the wallet a tiny bit and spend at least $50-$60 bucks for the next step up. The $15 K-mart specials are hot, tend to split at the crotch, and are no fun. The even cheaper crud may as well be made out of garbage bags.

Not a big fan of Frogg Toggs here. I think they are too expensive (not to mention kinda *blah*), but I've never seen them on sale.

I've got my Bass Pro Shops Redhead Thunderlight. Too bad they are discontinued. Pants/coat for $60 bucks at the time, I'd see what's on that links from Canardly and Ozarkpaddler. You can almost always find some raingear that's being clearanced /discontinued that you can get for at least 40-50% off :)

Trust, but verify. The Lord will provide !!!!

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Jackfish

Moderator

06/28/2011 11:47AM

Cabelas packable nylon rain gear is proven to be good. My son and I each owned a set for many years and always felt it was a very good value. You can get a jacket for around $40 and pants for around $20. A $60 rain suit isn't too bad. Often times, it's on sale for less than that.

You can also check at Gander Mountain for a similar product.

With that said, if you're not in too big of a hurry and are willing to shop for a while, you can find sales or closeouts on Marmot Precip and you'll never look back. That's what my son and I did as it came time to replace the Cabelas stuff. Jacket and pants for around $110 (regular price around $175).

It's only a spot on the map... until you go there.

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thatguyjeff

06/28/2011 12:56PM

quote Savage Voyageur: "Over the years I have had many types of rain gear from plastic poncho's to a Cagoule, Frogg Toggs to Gortec. I would say to get something that can withstand the trials of a trip and not let you down. Also buy the best you can afford. Rain gear is one of those things that you get what you pay for. Remember that you might have to live in the stuff for days, does that change your choice? "
This +1.
I have gotten by with inexpensive rain gear in the past (thinking I got a good deal on some decent outerwear) because I've been lucky weather-wise on my trips. We were on Sea Gull from 6/18-6/22 and when I really needed it, my cheap rain gear failed me.

I will not be making that mistake again and will be spending some $$$ on some quality gear (when the stuff goes on sale at the end of this season - heh).

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Spartan2

06/28/2011 02:51PM

We bought Gore-Tex Pac-Lite at Cabela's a few years ago. Bought it on sale--discontinued colors. While I wasn't really happy with the color choices in our sizes, it has been good rain gear and we saved about half the price by not being fussy. (Spartan1 has a set in royal blue and mine is charcoal pants with a black jacket.)

It has lasted well and been comfortable. Has kept us dry at many a football game as well as on canoe trips and in the Alaskan rain forest. It packs down very small; the jackets have small mesh bags that they pack into, and the pants pack into their own zipper pocket.

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mc2mens

06/28/2011 10:10PM

quote Chilly: "You can buy cheap crap every year or buy quality once a lifetime. Quality in my book is cheap because it saves me money in the long run. I like the older Eddie Bauer weather edge rain suit. I looked at their newer ones and they don't seam to be as tuff. The material is unrippable and it has many useful pockets. I even wear the jacket many days it's not raining around town. Just my 2 cents. "

Right on...buy the good stuff!

"Big fish eat little fish."

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kanoes

06/28/2011 10:12PM

you get what you can afford. been there. nothing wrong with that. froggs worked well for me....4 years. they breathed better than what i have now...just not as durable.

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg)

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Chilly

06/29/2011 12:25AM

One point I forgot to make is I wear my EB rain jacket every day as my regular jacket because of all the pockets and don't need to look for it when it starts to rain and don't have to pack an extra coat simply for the rain. Just a thought.

"Now days these kids take out everything: radar, sonar, electric toothbrushs" Quint

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maxxbhp

06/30/2011 08:27PM

This will come up again when I get around to my trip report. I ordered "name brand" raincoats from Bargain Outfitters. I figured, give it a try, at worst I can put them behind the seat of my truck for emergencies. They showed up, the "name brand" was Eddie Bauer, cool. Well, turns out there was a reason EB didn't want to sell these direct, the tape on the seams came off just about immediately. Temperatures were in the mid 50's, if not I'd have been in a lot of trouble since it rained 3 1/2 days straight. For 6 months, guys on this board beat it into my head "...get good raingear..." and I go and pull a stunt like that. Never again

"Old Nashville still has a song and dance, and the Florida girls still wear no underpants. And we all get drunk at the football game, yeh the new south, thank God is still the same" Hank Williams, jr

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Amok

07/01/2011 04:10AM

Some bargain places are hit-and-miss. Too bad the Eddie Bauer's didn't work. Sounds like a lemon from the get-go and they dumped them at a discount store.

I bet they were still better than my 10 -12 year old orange K-mart specials I wore the first time :) Rained 6 out of 8 days ... blew the crotch in two.... glad I had time and a sewing kit. hahahah

My friend paid $30 for cheapo raingear, and blew the crotch and both legs while on the way out. Used a lot of duct tape, kinda looked like the mummy. Neither one of us will ever go "cheap" again on raingear.

Trust, but verify. The Lord will provide !!!!

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SevenofNine

07/01/2011 10:13AM

quote Chilly: "One point I forgot to make is I wear my EB rain jacket every day as my regular jacket because of all the pockets and don't need to look for it when it starts to rain and don't have to pack an extra coat simply for the rain. Just a thought. "

Chilly makes a good point, if you can use something for duel purposes you can cut weight on your trips.

The amount of satisfaction you get from life depends largely on your own ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and resourcefulness. People who wait around for life to supply their satisfaction usually find boredom instead.

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