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If you’re out there fishing on a regular basis, there are going to be times when the weather is cold, wet and miserable. In those times if you’re wearing the wrong clothes you can get soaked through and ruin what could have been a great day of fishing.
Wear the right clothes though and that rain won’t bother you, as your jacket will be able to keep you dry and warm which will mean you’re able to enjoy yourself. Before you buy the best fishing jacket though, it’s important to take in some key factors such as waterproofing, pockets, zippers and hoods so you’re getting the right product for you.
Here at Globo Surf we have looked through the fishing jacket reviews to come up with a list so we can find the best fishing rain jacket on the market. Once you’ve read through this buying guide all your questions will be answered and you’ll be able to purchase your jacket with confidence.
OUR TOP PICK
Wantdo Men’s Mountain Waterproof Windproof
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Warm interior
- Completely weatherproof
- Multiple pocket options
EDITORS CHOICE
Helly Hansen Workwear Men’s Impertech Deluxe
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Stylish design
- Hood tuck into the collar
- Rain protection on the pockets
BEST VALUE
Frogg Toggs Classic Pro Action Rain
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Snap shut storm flaps
- Lightweight material
- Breathable
Helly Hansen Workwear Men’s Roan Rain
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Oil resistant
- Highly adjustable hood
- Neoprene cuffs
WindRider Pro Foul Weather
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Highly breathable
- Fleece lined color
- A number of storage options
Frogg Toggs Cascades Sportsman’s Pack
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- 25 pockets available
- Fold away hood
- Adjustable waistband
Huk Kryptek All Weather Waterproof
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Unique design
- Removable hood
- Completely water and windproof
STORMR Strykr
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Fleece line jacket
- Splash proof pockets
- Two-way adjustable hood
Frabill F3 Gale Rainsuit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Three layers
- Seam sealed
- Adjustable sleeve cuffs
Striker Ice Hardwater
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Sureflote buoyancy material
- Numerous pocket options
- Will keep you warm and dry
How To Choose The Best Fishing Jacket – Buying Guide
Waterproof
Perhaps the most important aspect of a fishing jacket is their ability to be waterproof. This is an essential quality so all fishing jackets should have this capability and all the products that we have reviewed here today have that. Furthermore than just the pure ability to keep out water though, they also need to protect against water at their weak points such as pockets, zips and seams.
There is little point in the material of a jacket being waterproof if water can seep into the zips and seams. When it comes to seams then you need to make sure that they are fully sealed with something like a welded seam as this will ensure that no water will be able to get past it. With zips, one great feature to have is to have a snap lock feature that goes over the zip to protect it from the elements.
With pockets, it’s a great idea for them to be splash and rainproof as well so you don’t have rain directly coming into them. When it comes to buying a fishing jacket you first need to double-check that it’s waterproof then after that see what additional waterproofing features that it has.
Pockets
Anglers care about pockets more than most and how many you need will often come down to a case of personal preference, as some people prefer to have everything within an easy reach, while others would prefer to simply have everything stored away in their tackle box in its own little compartment. The jackets that we have looked at here come in a wide variety of different pocket options.
It can also depend on what type of activity you are doing as those who are fly fishing will generally want to be able to have a large number of pockets so that they can keep their line in the water without having to worry about where everything is. With other types of fishing there will be less need for this and therefore less need for a large number of pockets.
Before you buy a fishing jacket you just need to remember what your preferences are as you could also prefer to use a rucksack instead of having pockets as well. When it comes to the pockets on the fish jackets as well, you want to bear in mind where they are placed and what type of protection from the weather they have.
Some jackets have inside pockets which some anglers might find very useful while other jackets will have segments inside their pockets where you can put more specific items. You also want to ensure that your pockets are protected from the elements so they should be well covered and secured, with any zips being sheltered from the water.
You might also like: Perfect Fishing Shoes
Zippers
It’s hard to have lived to an adult age and never had a problem with a zipper on a jacket. Whether it is coming off of the chains or just outright breaking, it can be the area where a jacket fails before it ever gets too worn to wear. Getting a well-made zipper then is vital as otherwise you could be left out of pocket.
A jacket could have all the waterproofing features in the world with a wide variety of pockets but if the zipper fails then you simply won’t be able to use it anymore. Using a trusted brand from a trusted source that opens itself up to reviews is a great way of making sure that you have the peace of mind required in order to know that you’re buying a quality product.
With a lot of companies they overlook the importance of the zip but when it comes to waterproof rain jackets they are extra important so are generally given a lot more attention. A zip should be wider and less flimsy so that it will be able to put up with the constant use that it will be going through. Generally, the wider the better and if you’re looking for a completely waterproof jacket then it’s also for the best that they are covered up.
Hoods
If you want a jacket that is going to protect you from the rain then you’re obviously going to need a hood. If it’s not raining though then you’re unlikely to want to have to put it up and unless there are any other options available, this will just sit there at the back of your neck, floating in the breeze. For a regular hoodie this is not an issue as it will be made of thicker material and therefore won’t flap around.
The hoods on rain jackets though obviously have to be made out of a lightweight material and there are not many more annoying things then you’re fishing than the hood of a jacket constantly hitting you in the back of the head while both of your hands are busy trying to reel in a catch.
There are two ways that companies generally deal with that situation and that is either to hide them away or give you the ability to take them off. When it comes to hiding them away they need to be easy to roll up and when they are stored away around your need you need to make sure that they are comfortable and secure so that they don’t come loose.
A detachable hood means that you don’t have to every worry about it coming loose or not sitting right on your neck. This does though, however, have the disadvantage of meaning that you now have to find somewhere to store away your hood while it’s not in use. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages so it depends on whatever is going to feel the most comfortable for you and your situation.
Sleeves
One area that a lot of waterproof jackets don’t have to worry about is the sleeves but this is crucial for fishermen as you don’t want water getting into your sleeve and trickling all the way down to your body. This would be very unpleasant but as your arms might be up in the air for significant periods of time, it can be vital.
Therefore the sleeves need to be tightened in one way or another. One of the most common ways to do this is with velcro which will help keep the jacket tight to your wrist. There are also other options as well including straps as well as cuffs which are made out of neoprene.
Perhaps the most innovative solution though is the one seen by Wantdo where they actually have an adjustable glove within the jacket which will help to keep the heat locked in and the water out. Whatever solution you use, you don’t want to pick a jacket that has open sleeves or you could find yourself quickly regretting it.
FAQs
Q: Does the length of my waterproof fishing jacket matter?
The importance of the length of your jacket varies dependent on what type of activity you’ll be doing. If you’re doing any type of stretching in order to try and make your catch or if you’re doing an activity like kayak fishing then you’ll have a much greater chance of that jacket riding up your back and cause you problems.
Most of these jackets are a very comfortable length and a huge positive is if they have the ability to be secured at this waist. This ability will ensure that the jackets don’t ride up from your waist and it also gives them a much better chance to not let any water in either.
A high quality jacket will have these design aspects in mind and they’d be tailored to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible at all times and also making sure that they allow for a full range of movement. Even if you feel sure of your size it’s always important to check the size listing and sizing chart to ensure that you’re getting the right fit. If you get a size that’s too small then the length will defiantly matter as it will easily ride up your back.
Q: Do I really need a hood when I have a solid rain hat I have used forever?
There are some people who simply prefer wearing rain hats to hoods and that’s absolutely fine, you can take your rain hat to wherever you want to go and you don’t have to worry about every fiddling with a hood or be annoyed by it blowing in the wind. One of the problems with that method though is that it is an extra item to carry and also an extra item that you might forget when you’re taking all of your things.
A hood though doesn’t just provide an extra layer of waterproofing when it is raining though, as a lined hood will also act as an extra layer of insulation from the cold which is an added bonus. That layer can be vitally important if you’re in colder climates and it also acts as an extra barrier to the rain. When you’re wearing a rain hat as well, there will be a gap between the hat and the back of your neck, the dramatically increases the chances of rain getting down your back and getting you wet.
If you’re going to buy a fishing jacket and have a rain hat then it’s best to buy one with a foldaway hood as that will always give you the added option of using it if you ever forget your rain hat or if the rain starts getting a little bit too heavy. Even if you never use it, that extra layer of adding that it will provide will give you an extra layer of insulation which will help keep you warm.
Q: Can I ever have too many pockets on my wading jacket?
This depends on the type of person you are and what you’re looking for from your jacket. If you have a couple of dozen pockets and you have a plan for them all then great, that will suit you and you’re style of fishing and you should be put off by wearing a jacket with a lot of pockets.
If you’re the type of person who likes to keep things a bit more simple, however, then having a large number of pockets would probably be confusing and would lead you to having to search around for a long time in order to find what you were looking for.
You need the right amount of pockets for your own style so if you’re the type of person who generally uses four pockets then make sure that you get a jacket with four or five pockets. There is also another consideration of waterproofing and zip failure. The more pockets that you have, the more chance you have of something going wrong.
Q: Is buoyancy important in a fishing jacket?
If you’re going to be fishing on the edge of the water then buoyancy is going to be a nice added extra to your jacket but these aren’t unsafe places and the main aim of a fishing jacket is to protect you from the elements.
If you’re going to be on a boat, fishing from a kayak or any fishing activity where you’ll be on the water then buoyancy becomes a much greater issue if you were to fall in. If this is going to be you then one great option is to buy a fishing life jacket as this will be able to act as a normal life jacket but will all the pockets and features that you’d want from a fishing jacket.
If you’re on the water though then you could simply get a normal fishing jacket and then just make sure that you have access the best life jackets possible in case of an emergency. Buoyancy in a regular fishing jacket is not that important as you should never be in life saving situations but it’s always a useful extra feature to have.
Q: What Does DWR stand for?
If you ever see DWR then looking into buying a jacket it means that it has Durable Water Repellency which is an extra level of waterproofing against the elements you’ll be facing out there in the wind and the rain. This is a coating that is added to jackets to increase their water resistance.
DWR does wear off over time though so if you have this on your jacket then it might need reapplying if you’ve had it for a long time. This is added to materials in conjunction with a breathable fabric to make sure that your jacket doesn’t let any water through but also making sure that the fabric can breathe as well.
Globo Surf Overview
The bravest fishermen will head out in any weather to do what they love and catch the fish that they are after. There can be a fine line though between bravery and stupidity and going out into the rain without the appropriate rain jacket would be a very stupid idea. That’s why it’s important to find the top rated fishing rain jacket so you can head out onto the water and do what you love without getting soaked through with rain.
A lot of focus can rightly be placed on the likes of a fishing rod or getting the right line as these are key components in your fishing trip being a success. While you do want to best equipment available to you, that isn’t confined to just your fishing gear as you want the best clothing as well and that includes getting an appropriate fishing jacket.
Having a waterproof fishing jacket is therefore essential and a vital part of your fishing rain gear. Choosing the best one is important but a lot of the consideration comes down to personal preference such as pockets. You need to make sure that you’re getting the right amount of pockets for you and your style of fishing.
One of the most obvious factors is that you need your jacket to be waterproof which all the jackets in this list are but you need to watch out for the key areas of weakness and see how they are protected. Pockets, zips and seams can be areas where water come in so having flaps over these or welded seams will let you know that you’re definitely going to be kept dry.
You also want to make sure that the zip on your jacket is going to be sturdy enough for constant use and that the sleeves and waist can be tightened to make sure that it has a secure fit at all times. This will make you feel like no water can get in and reach you.
The last thing you need to consider as well is whether or not you want a hood and if you do, whether that should be permanently attached, foldable into the jacket or detachable. If you want to stay dry then having a hood is essential and even if you have a solid rain hat, a hood can be a great back up. Whichever way you prefer it is a personal choice so you need to work out which is the best for you along with all your other options.
Hopefully by now you have a clear picture in your head of exactly what jacket will best match your requirements. When you do you’ll be able to pick your jacket in confidence and head out to the water knowing that if the rains come, you’ll be fully prepared with your fishing jackets and free to continue trying to focus on what you came for and making some great catches.