wading jackets

[Jamie M]

I'm looking for a good-quality wading jacket. There are 2 things I'm really looking for - a waterproof pocket where I can keep a camera, and sleeves that absolutely will not leak.

Any suggestions?

[JohnR]

You might want to try <a href="http://www.easternmountainsports.com/" target="_blank"><!--auto-->http://www.easternmountainsports.com/</a><!--auto-->

I recently purchased a rain jacket from cabelas, I believe it is their Guidewear Lite model. The jacket is gore-tex with lycra cuffs which help keep the rain from creeping up your sleeves. The best feature is the fact that the jacket is lightweight and breathable so that you dont bake in the summer months. I recommend this jacket over a wading style jacket because it is more utilitarian. I can use mine as a regular jacket in the spring and fall, since it is waist length and not cut high like wading jackets typically are. I think I paid about $160. Its a great all around wet weather top which I can use in the river, in the surf, or from a boat. If you want a PVC foul weather jacket from someone like Grundens, those are great for keeping you dry, but are heavy. Stay away from the cheaper PVC wading jackets in the 60-80 dollar range. <a href="http://www.cabelas.com/texis/scripts/store/+/CatalogDisplay/displayPOD/CabFALL1998/CabFALL1998AnAFAG/IA100A" target="_blank"><!--auto-->http://www.cabelas.com/texis/scripts/store/+/CatalogDisplay/displayPOD/CabFALL1998/CabFALL1998AnAFAG/IA100A</a><!--auto-->

Damon -

I like the Cabelas Gore-Tex stuff, but I've heard that Gore-Tex is not made for salt water use. Can you (or anyone) comment on that. I'd hate to plunk down $160 for a jacket and have to get a new one next year.

I havent heard about any problems with gore-tex and salt water, but I can imagine that any wading style jacket will probably require more care than a parka or jacket made for marine use. I havent had a problem with my gore-tex stuff yet. I would just take a little extra care to rinse off the jacket after use. You can buy a product called Revivex, which is a waterproofing spray that makes older gore-tex just like new.

[Cap't seaweed]

I recently purchased the Cabela's goretex wading jacket ($160.00) and I have been very happy with it. It does need to be kept fairly clean but I have just been rinsing the crud off when I rinse off all of my other equipment and it has been holding up fine. The price may seem to be steep until you start pricing out the jackets made by some of the other manufacturers and then it will be a bargain! My .02