Rain bibs or rain pants

[skeeter200tzx2005]

I am thinking about buying the xps stretch extreme performance series rain jacket and don't know wheter to buy the rain bib or rain pants. What is the advantage of the bib over the pants? I am planning to use this as my cold weather gear. Or is there another brand or set I should consider buying? I also looked at the bps 100 mph set. I fish primarily the Delta, foothills, and northern California. Money isn't an issue just care about the right product.
Thanks in advance,
CHRIS

[Jason C.]

Well Frog Toggs work wonders. They just slip on over every thing that you wear. They are very comfortable, and most improtant keep the heat in and the wet out. Plus I'm not sure but I think that they are only like 80$. Hope this helps.

[OREGON SMALLIES]

I have never owned any bps just cabelas I like their quality in general. Bought some snowmobile extreme weather bibs made of gortex and stay dry and warm in the worst weather, it was seasonal sale saved a lot. They have some sales going right now. Might go with the bps Columbia ROL bibs brand in the $70 range add some long jons and sweat pants and probably cover most except freezing weather. I defintely like bibs better when running and moving around in a boat. Unless you get a fish head face sheild make sure your'e happy with the face flap on whatever you get or you will never like them. I just got some rain gear on e=bay made by Stormhide gameHide the lighter set. It has a great hood no hat needed and the main reason I got them is the sleeve has an extra rubber inner cuff that you tighten to keep water from running down the arms and the usual soaked inside problems, also sleeves designed for casting can't wait to try them. Goggle stormhide gameHide and check it out on the fishing section

[ash]

If quality is your concern then the Cabelas guidwear is the way to go. I recommend the bibs and Parka, without the insulation. I prefer the bibs because they keep your upper body heat and wont slip down on you when you are active.

Guidewear bibs and parka will run you about $500.00 and will last you. I have been down this road with sub product rain gear and broke down and got the guidwear this year I have used them twice so far and LOVE them! not a drop of water on me, all of the inquiries I made when I was shopping around as you are was to go with the guidwear and dont look back.

PS the only other thing I want to get now are the gortex socks

HH

[SteveH]

Bibs stay up & have a zipper fly, so that's not an issue. get non-insulated that's loose enough to layer plenty underneath, unless you buy both insulated and none.
my partner has insulated & has been overheated & sweaty plenty of times in the rain.
i also carry frogg-toggs. good for a temp fix, but i wouldn't rely on them full time. they don't last forever.
Just a thought...
SteveH

[Jeff Jewell]

I have the Guide wear from Cabellas. It keeps me warm and dry in the worst of conditions. A friend of mine has the 100mph BPS suit and it leaks around the coller and wrists.

[troymaggy]

One of my customers just dropped off a set of Cabelas Gore Tex Guide wear XL Grey and Black. Used twice. He paid almost $400. wants to sell for $175 Bib and Parka has a tiny burn hole in the left knee from a campfire ember. If your interested give me a call I can hold them till you see it. Troy (916)373-1290.

[basshunter4u]

I have the xps rain jacket and I use the bibs with them and love them. I have been in some prety heavy downfall with rain blowing sideways and I never got wet. Remember with the bibs you need to invest seriously in a good pair of gortex boots. if you are going to use top of the line jacket and bibs you need good boots. Having cold wet feet is a bummer

[MrSkeeter]

... I fish primarily the Delta, foothills, and northern California. Money isn't an issue ...

If money is no object, I'd buy the Cabelas Guidewear. They've proven themselves as some of the best rain gear around. Get the un-insolated ones though, the insolates ones are too heavy and stiff to wear all day.

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates ... id=0031148

If you want to go to the other extreme, I really like the Stearns BREATHABLE & WATERPROOF rain wear that Walmart sells ... they're only ~$60 for the jacket and pants. I wear them quite a lot in windy conditions w/ a fleese jacket underneath. That combo is quite comfortable all day.

When the weather gets nasty, then I'll break out my serious rain gear ...

Oh BTW, to answer your question on the Subject line, I'd get the BIBs for the serious rain gear ... and the long jacket, the PARKA and not the waiste length one!!

Other than above, here's an interesting alternative ... Frog Togs Elite!

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpage ... T-FTE.html#

[FSHRFWL]

Guidewear for sure and go with bibs. I have the insulated and love them. I have the parka with the removable liner.

[Devcon]

Figure I'll toss my 2 cents in. I actually just got a set of the XPS stretch rain gear from BPS. They were on sale so it was hard to beat $220 for a full Gore-Tex suit. I went with the bibs since if you bend over, you won't have rain running down your back. They also won't slip down when bending over or kneeling.

Nice suit especially for the money. Got some Frogg Toggs for my kids. They work but they feel like they'll fly apart if I go to fast in my boat.

[mark poulson]

Figure I'll toss my 2 cents in. I actually just got a set of the XPS stretch rain gear from BPS. They were on sale so it was hard to beat $220 for a full Gore-Tex suit. I went with the bibs since if you bend over, you won't have rain running down your back. They also won't slip down when bending over or kneeling.

Nice suit especially for the money. Got some Frogg Toggs for my kids. They work but they feel like they'll fly apart if I go to fast in my boat.

[Calistar]

Spent Saturday on the Delta chasing Stripers. It rained most of the time from about 11am on. I had on my Guidewear (uninsulated) and stayed completely dry and warm the entire time (three layers). I chose the pants over the bibs and it works for me.

[sactomark]

Greg,

Bibs, man. I did pants at first. They worked fine as long as the wind didn't blow my jacket up, which happened as soon as we made a run across the lake. Anyway, just my opinion. Besides, I'm so late on this that you've probably already bought something.

BTW, are you doing the Bass Wranglers in '06?

[sactomark]

I guess I should read more than the first two messages in the thread before posting. Oh well, hope you like your pants, Greg!