When fishing in the colder months, it's important you have the best winter fishing waterproofs you can afford, as there is nothing that ruins a fishing session or reduces enthusiasm quicker than being wet and cold. Fishing can put you as an angler in some horrendous conditions at times, so it's important you stay warm and dry to be able to fish to the best of your ability.
The best winter fishing waterproofs vary in design and how comfortable they will keep you on the bank. Some are superior in how waterproof they are, some are better insulated, others are lighter and easier to manoeuvre in, whatever your need there will be waterproof clothing to suit you and your budget.
The best winter fishing waterproofs at a glance:
• Best Value Carp Fishing Waterproofs- Trakker CR 3 Piece Suit - View offer on Angling Direct
• Best Designed Fishing Waterproofs - Preston DF Hydrotech Suit - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait
• Best Waterproof Fishing Suit - Drennan 25K Quilted Thermals - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait
• Best In Class Fishing Waterproofs - Halkon Hunt Custom Gore-Tex - View offer on Halkon Hunt
Whether you're a serious match angler willing to sit out in all weathers, or just an occasional angler who doesn't want to be uncomfortable on the bank, this guide takes a look as some of the best winter fishing clothing available to help make your fishing more enjoyable when the weather deteriorates...
Best value fishing waterproofs
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Description
The Daiwa Matchman Two-Piece Suit features a fully waterproof jacket and bib ‘n’ brace set with
Pros
- Bib 'n' Brace is comfortable to wear.
- Adjustable cuffs help keep cold air and water out.
Cons
- Not the warmest suit.
Best waterproofs for sea angling
www.gooutdoors.co.uk
Description
The Imax Oceanic Thermo Suit is a two piece suit, compromising of a fully waterproof (8000mm)
Pros
- Fully waterproof.
- Great for staying warm.
Cons
- Colour scheme might not suit everyone.
Best winter carp fishing waterproofs
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Description
Boasting a 5K waterproof and 3K breathability rating, the Daiwa Winter Carp Suit is a newly
Pros
- Well insulated suit.
- The design of the hood and neck area trap heat in.
Cons
- Not the easiest to wipe clean.
Best in class fishing waterproofs
www.halkonhunt.com
Description
Tailor-made Halkon Hunt Custom Gore-Tex clothing incorporates premium-quality three-layer Gore-Tex
Pros
- The ultimate waterproof angling clothing.
- Can be made in any size.
Cons
- A bit too extravagant if you only fish in occasional bad weather.
Best waterproofs for keeping your whole body dry
www.anglingdirect.co.uk
Description
The Matrix Tri-Layer 25k Clothing gives you a choice of jacket, salopettes and overtrousers made
Pros
- Excellent waterproof rating.
- Smart and comfortable.
Cons
- Trousers can slide when leaning over.
Best winter match fishing waterproof suit
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Description
Thick and padded, this two-piece Matrix Winter Suit has additional fleece lining in key areas in
Pros
- Very warm suit.
- Neoprene cuffs are a great addition.
Cons
- Not the most waterproof suit available.
Best designed fishing waterproofs
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Description
This new lightweight, 15K Preston DF Hydrotech Suit is designed to allow for layering and keep you
Pros
- Great waterproof properties.
- High neck provides protection from wind chill.
Cons
- Slightly better insulation properties would be great.
Best fishing waterproofs for warmth
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Description
To tackle the coldest of days, this two-piece Preston Innovations Celcius Suit set has a Hollofil
Pros
- Superior warmth.
- Great looking suit.
Cons
- Might be a little bulky for some anglers.
Best value match fishing suit
Description
The Middy MX-800 Pro Limited Edition clothing set offers superb value for money. Waterproof and
Pros
- Warm fleece lining.
- Comfortable fit tailored for active angling.
Cons
- 5,000mm material will struggle to keep you dry in torrential rain.
Best waterproofs for specimen anglers
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Description
A resilient and hard-wearing set, the Korum Neoteric Waterproofs are designed to withstand the
Pros
- Ideal for the roaming, specialist or short session opportunist angler.
- Packs up small.
Cons
- No XXXL sizes for larger anglers.
Best match waterproofs for all seasons
www.ebay.co.uk
Description
A classy addition for match anglers are the Maver MV-R 25 Waterproofs. Made from heavy-duty
Pros
- Tough zips with oversized pullers and strong buckles.
- A longer designed jacket is great for taller anglers.
Cons
- Matching overtrousers for summer would be good.
Best waterproof fishing suit
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Description
With an impressive 25K waterproofing and 10K breathability, the Drennan 25K Quilted Thermals
Pros
- As good a waterproof rating as you will get outside of Gore-Tex.
- Comfortable, well insulated suit.
Cons
- Hood/neck area could offer more protection.
Best value carp fishing waterproofs
www.anglingdirect.co.uk
Description
The Trakker CR 3 Piece Winter suit is arguably the best carp suit out there for the money, a 3
Pros
- Three piece suit, fleece, jacket and bib 'n' brace included.
- Good quality.
Cons
- Not designed for really wet conditions.
What to look for in fishing waterproof clothing
When deciding on the best winter fishing waterproofs, the material needs to be your first port of call – 5,000mm fabric will keep you dry in moderate rain, while 10,000mm to 15,000mm will withstand heavy storms. But 20,000-plus is the gold standard, and is the only choice if you are planning on sitting out in a downpour all day without a brolly.
Breathability is also worth looking at. A plastic bag is 100 per cent waterproof, but sit outside in one and you’ll soon end up soaked in condensation and sweat! The winner in both water resistance and breathability categories is Gore-Tex – the ultimate all-weather material.
The best winter fishing waterproofs have an adjustable hood, won’t restrict movement when casting and will have a good seal on the cuffs to prevent water soaking the sleeves of the clothing underneath. Also look at the insulation properties, as whilst the main job of waterproof clothing is to keep you dry, its nice if they keep you warm in the winter too!
Glossary
Hydrostatic head: Hydrostatic head (HH) is a way of measuring how waterproof a piece of fabric is.
MM rating: Measured in millimetres (mm), this is a measure of how waterproof a fabric is. In the case of a 10,000mm fabric, if you put a cylinder with inner dimensions of 1" x 1" over a piece of said fabric, you could fill it with water to a height of 10,000 mm (10m) before water would begin to leak through. The higher the rating, the more waterproof it is.
Neoprene: A robust and stretchy fabric that is also waterproof and provides good heat insulation properties.
Gore-Tex: Gore-Tex is a waterproof, breathable fabric membrane and registered trademark of W. L. Gore & Associates. Invented in 1969, Gore-Tex can repel liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through and is designed to be a lightweight, waterproof fabric for all-weather use.
Frequently asked questions of fishing waterproofs
How often can I wash Gore-Tex clothing?
As with all things in angling, clothing can become pretty disgusting quite quickly and Gore-Tex is no different. Thankfully you can wash your garments as often as you need to remove such impurities as dirt, slime and bait. Washing, drying and reheating your garment helps restore the durable water repellent (DWR) that is important to the performance of a GORE‑TEX garment.
How often should I re-proof my waterproof clothing?
As a guide, we would recommend doing it at the start of the season, that way it will remain waterproof when you begin to use them again. Use a dedicated clothing waterproof agent, as this will provide the best protection and won't deteriorate the material.
Author Mark Sawyer holds the position of Tackle Editor at Angling Times, boasting more than thirty years of experience working within different fields of the angling industry.