Battle The Elements: 6 Best High-Performance Fishing Jackets & Suits Reviewed

If you’re addicted to fishing, you’re not what some anglers call a “fair-weather fisherman”; you’re the guy out there no matter what the weather brings!

Wind and rain are the two elements that we fishermen experience the most, and there is nothing worse than walking up a river or sitting by a lake soaking wet and cold due to the wind chill. 

No one lasts too long in these conditions, and packing up and going home becomes more pleasant with every raindrop. But it doesn’t have to be this way if equipped with a quality fishing jacket or suit. 

The 6 Best Jackets And Suits For Fishing 

When you’re wearing great fishing clothing, you’re dry, warm, and impervious to the elements as you continue hunting your catch. Choosing the right waterproof fishing suits and jackets to wear is not easy; there are so many options and prices depending on the quality you can afford.

Join me as we review the best options for anglers in 2024. My reviews cover waterproof and practical lightweight jackets for all types of fishing. 

HUK Gunwale Rain Water & Windproof Jacket – My Best Lightweight Jacket Pick!

The HUK Gunwale Rain Water & Windproof Jacket is one of the best lightweight rain jackets for fishing you might find on the market. 

While I am flats fishing or out fly fishing, this is the jacket I wear, especially during the warmer climates. While being a professional fishing guide, this jacket keeps me dry, allows me to move freely, and teach beginners much more easily. 

The Gunwale jacket is built from a 100% nylon shell with a DWR (durable water-repellent) finish for excellent wind and waterproofing. This jacket is built to keep you dry and comfortable, and it delivers every time, shedding water no matter how heavy the rain gets. 

Beneath the wind/waterproof outer layer are two further layers designed for moisture-wicking and breathability. The design lets hot air escape by being breathable, so you don’t overheat while being active in the rain. 

The moisture-wicking layer actively picks up sweat and transfers it to the surface where it leaves the jacket. This ensures you aren’t getting wet from the inside and thus stay warm, but it also means you won’t overheat either. 

Huk incorporates a fully adjustable storm hood and zipper hand pockets for placing small accessories and warming your hands, and there are even pit zips in case you need to dump heat quickly. 

Another great thing about the Gunwhale is how light and packable it is. You can fold it into its own pocket, and it just weighs 1 lb, so taking it around the world is easy. 

Overall, this is a durable, lightweight jacket that will keep you warm and dry while you’re fishing. The only negative is that it can be quite noisy when you move around. 

Pros 

• Very affordable for the quality 
• Breathable to ensure you don’t overheat 
• Excellent waterproofing and well-sealed seams 
• Moisture-wicking inner layer to remove sweat 
• Durable build that lasts 
• Light and packs into itself for portability 
• Pit zips so you can dump heat quickly 
• Hood and zipper pockets for extra protection 

Cons 

• It can be noisy to move around in 

Specs 

Type: Jacket 

Material: 100% 3-layer nylon shell with DWR finish

Waterproofing: 10K/15K waterproof/breathability rating

Packed Weight: 1 lb 

Hood: Yes, adjustable with storm flap 

Simms Freestone Jacket – My Best Waterproof Rain Jacket Pick!

The Simms Freestone Jacket is one of the best heavy rain gear fishing jackets you can find on the planet! Simms’ quality cannot be denied as when they make something, it does what it’s meant to and lasts, plus it comes with a lifetime warranty! 

This Freestone jacket is built from a 3-layer Toray laminate with a full DWR Coating. It is built to handle the most torrential rain and wind and keep you warm and dry. It’s excellently sealed to stop any leaks, the zippers are top quality, and the DWR coating lasts and works. 

The two inner layers actively help the fabric breathe and wick moisture, letting hot air out without breaking the waterproof membrane and moving sweat from your body to the atmosphere to keep you dry and warm. 

While this is an expensive rain jacket, it does come with some extras like fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, large chest pockets with built-in tool retractors, and a storm hood with a brim. The hood provides amazing coverage, and the brim holds up so that your sunglasses, such as the Smith Basecamp, stay dry and you can fish through the rain. 

Overall, this is one of the most durable and best waterproof rain jackets for fishing around, and while it is expensive, you will probably have it for life and never be wet next to the water again. 

Pros 

• Excellent pockets for fishing gear 
• Super durable build 
• Built-in tool retractors 
• Exceptionally waterproof and windproof 
• Fleece-lined handwarmer pockets
• Breathable to keep you cool & dry 
• Storm hood with a brim for fishing in the rain
• It comes with a lifetime warranty 

Cons 

• A little bulky to carry around 
• Quite expensive 

Specs 

Type: Jacket 

Material: 3-layer Toray laminate

Waterproofing: Full DWR Coating 

Packed Weight: 1.5 lbs 

Hood: Yes, Adjustable 

Riverruns Fishing Wading Jacket – My Best Budget Jacket Pick!

The Riverruns Fishing Wading Jacket is a solid budget option for anyone looking for some semi-decent rain gear for fishing that is still affordable. 

This rain jacket is built with triple-layer nylon and has a waterproof rating of 8000 mm, the same as a tent!

It handles a solid downfall of rain, but there are complaints about it not being waterproof on day two of solid rain, and it takes a while to dry – but this is what you get when shopping on a budget. The sleeves tend to absorb water, so be sure not to put them too deep into the river. 

It’s also a breathable jacket that allows heat to leave so you stay comfortable, and it’s also windproof to keep you warm when a stiff, cold breeze comes across you. 

It’s loaded with nine pockets, including one waterproof internal pocket for your valuables. You’ll also find tool attachment points, fly patches on the two main gear pockets, and a large back pocket for maps or your lunch! 

Overall, this jacket does the job for a day of wet fishing and has great pockets, but it doesn’t handle extended fishing trips in the rain. It is also quite heavy and bulky to carry around while waiting for the bad weather to arrive. 

Pros 

• Very affordable for all budgets
• Nine pockets for all your fishing accessories 
• Internal waterproof pocket for valuables 
• Fly patches & tool attachments 
• Good waterproofing for a day of hard rain 
• Breathable to keep you from overheating

Cons 

• Heavy and bulky 
• It doesn’t stay waterproof for extended days in the rain 
• Sleeves seem to absorb water 

Specs 

Type: Jacket 

Material: Triple layer nylon

Waterproofing: > 8000mm

Packed Weight: 2.5 lbs 

Hood: Yes, Adjustable 

WindRider Ice Fishing Suit – My Best Ice Fishing Suit Pick!

If you plan to go ice fishing at Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, or in areas with extreme cold, such as winter in Washington and Oregon, you will need a serious suit to keep you warm. 

The WindRider Ice Fishing Suit is built to keep fishermen warm while you are out on the ice, dropping baits in the snow and dealing with frosty wind chill. It’s built with 3M insulation to keep you warm no matter the weather, and it will even keep you afloat if you fall into the icy cold water. 

The outside of the suit is incredibly waterproof and windproof, with dual zippers that allow you to dump heat when needed and special zippers so you can pee without stripping down and getting cold in the process. 

You’ll find fleece-lined hand warmer pockets on this jacket, large chest and thigh pockets for any small fishing gear items, and internal insulated chest pockets that you can access from the outside. 

The built quality of the Windrider is also excellent, and it comes with reinforced knee pads, so they last no matter how much ice you need to kneel on. 

Overall, this is an amazing suit for cold-weather fishing, particularly if you plan to go on an ice-fishing trip this winter. However, it is probably too warm to use outside of these freezing temperatures, plus it is bulky and heavy, making it hard to store and travel with. 

Pros 

• Durably built to last 
• 3M layer of insulation for warmth
• Excellent waterproofing 
• Double zippers for breathability 
• Built-in floatation for any accidents 
• Lots of pockets for fishing gear 
• Handwarmer pockets 

Cons 

• Too warm for non-ice fishing trips 
• Quite expensive 
• Super heavy and bulky to store/pack 

Specs 

Type: Suit 

Material: Nylon

Waterproofing: Full 

Packed Weight: 9.7 lbs 

Hood: Removable & insulated 

Town & Field Fishing Rain Suits – My Best Lightweight Rain Suit Pick!

If you’re looking for a lightweight rain gear suit for fishing that is also affordable, then the Town & Field Rain Suits for Fishing might be right up your alley. 

The Town and Field suits are made from polyurethane and finished with a DWR coating, making them both extremely light and effective in miserable weather. 

Being light means you can store it in your backpack, ready in case of serious wind and rain, and when you put it on, it’s super comfortable and easy to move around in, too. 

Its main flaw is how waterproof it is. Being so light, this rain suit holds up well in bursts of rain, but if you’re fishing in torrential rain all day, you will likely get wet. On the plus side, though, it blocks the wind and dries quickly. The hood and collar are also great for giving you more protection. 

While this is both light and affordable, you might not think it would be durable, but it is, so this is an excellent choice for those anglers who are out fishing often. It does have some sizing issues, so be sure to read the size guides and act accordingly. 

Pros 

• Lightweight and super packable 
• Very affordable for the quality 
• Durable and will last 
• Super comfortable to wear
• Excellent for high winds 
• Good waterproofing for short bursts of rain 

Cons 

• Choosing the right size requires some advice from the manufacturer
• Light and not great in several hours of heavy rain 

Specs 

Type: Suit 

Material: Polyurethane

Waterproofing: DWR 

Packed Weight: 2 lbs 

Hood: Yes, Adjustable 

Navis Marine Bass Fishing Rain Gear Suits – My Best Overall Fishing Suit Pick!

The Navis Marine Bass Fishing Rain Gear Suits are a great middle-ground for price while delivering excellent weather protection for anglers fishing in most environments. 

The jacket and the bib are made from nylon and polyester with a DWR coating that provides a waterproof rating of 20,000 mm – more than most tents. This kind of rating keeps you dry in heavy rain that just won’t quit and blocks extreme winds simultaneously.

The Navis Marine is light and super comfortable to wear, making it easy to move around while you’re fishing, and it won’t overload your backpack either, which is ideal as you can take it anywhere. 

Its large hideable hood gives excellent protection from the elements, and the adjustable velcro cuffs ensure you can lock in your dryness. There are also some very well-placed pockets and gear attachment points on the suit, so you can always access the things you need quickly. 

Overall, this is a solid rain suit, and with its separate bib and jacket, it’s a great option for bass anglers who often move about. Some users have experienced them tearing quickly, but this is very rare. 

Pros 

• Excellent waterproofing so you stay dry 
• Ideal for mobile bass anglers 
• Adjustable cuffs and hood for good coverage
• Comfortable to wear 
• Quite durable to handle lots of fishing 
• Great pockets and placement for gear 
• Blocks strong winds well 

Cons 

• In rare occasions, its quality can be hit and miss 

Specs 

Type: Suit 

Material: Nylon/Polyester

Waterproofing: 20,000 mm 

Packed Weight: 1.85 lbs  

Hood: Yes, Adjustable 

Drying Out 

Thanks very much for reading my article. I hope you enjoyed it and now know which bit of rain gear will be best for you. Nothing is worse than being wet and cold on the bank or in a boat; all these options will ensure it never happens. 

If you’re still wondering which jacket to opt for in heavier wet conditions, I suggest the HUK Gunwale Rain Water & Windproof Jacket. This is also great for fly and flats fishermen in warmer climates, making it adaptable.

The Simms Freestone Jacket is perfect for anyone planning wading or fishing in cooler climates. 

As far as the suits go, the Navis Marine Bass Fishing Rain Gear Suit is a great all-rounder, but you’ll need the WindRider Ice Fishing Suit for extreme cold weather. 

For more information and guides on fishing clothing, such as socks, hats, shirts, and base layers, check out these in-depth articles that cover all types of weather and every style of fishing.