From under-wader pants, to jackets to keep you warm and protect you from the rain, we showcase options that worked for us. There are many good choices within this category.
Best jackets and pants for Alaska anglers in 2021
 Grundéns Downrigger GORE-TEX Jacket and Bibgrundens.com Grundéns continues to introduce products made from GORE-TEX fabric and this set is a winner. We wore it all over Alaska in 2020 and stayed dry. Features that we especially appreciate include fleece-lined handwarmer pockets and extended leg zippers in the bib, double storm-flap construction for zippers in both the jacket and bib, and an oversized hood that offers excellent protection when it’s really raining and blowing. The set is rugged, but comfortable. |
 Columbia Sportswear Men’s PFG Force XII Heat Seal Puffy Jacketcolumbia.com Puffy jackets are a great insulating layer and Columbia’s features Omni-Shield water repellency, elastic cuffs, Heat Seal construction which eliminates baffled stitches and keeps the insulation in place, and a drawcord-adjustable hem. Our tester wore this jacket in temperatures from below freezing up to the low 50s, often as a mid-layer under rain gear, and sometimes by itself in dry weather. Puffy jackets with synthetic insulation should be mandatory in Alaska. This is a good one. |
 Columbia Sportswear Men’s PFG Force XII OutDry Extreme Jacket and Bibcolumbia.com This jacket and bib are well designed and feature rich. Columbia pulled out all the stops to deliver a set of rain gear that performs well in Alaska’s often-wet environment. Technology includes Columbia’s OutDry waterproof, breathable construction, with lots of pockets to ensure you have a place for everything. Key features of the jacket include a drawcord-adjustable hood, really nice adjustable cuffs, abrasion-resistant overlays in key places, and reflective material to help make you visible in low light. The bibs feature the same waterproof, breathable construction, abrasion-resistant overlays on the seat and knees, reflective material, bottom leg zippers, and a partial, elastic waist to improve fit. |
 Carhartt Storm Defender Hooded Jacketcarhartt.com The jacket lived up to its name and kept our tester dry in some snotty weather. Seams are sealed, the zipper is waterproof, and the oversized hood gives you plenty of room to wear a hat and keep your head protected. The jacket is long, which we appreciated as it gave us more protection from the rain. The nylon jacket is treated with durable water repellent. There are many sizes available in both regular and big & tall. |
 Under Armour GORE-TEX Shoreman Pantunderarmour.com Fully waterproof, packable, lightweight, windproof and breathable, we liked the performance and fit of these rain pants when wearing them in 2020. The pants are soft on the inside, have 21-inch leg zips so you can put these on and take them off without removing your shoes, and feature multiple pockets. |
 Grundéns Women’s Storm Seeker Jacket and Pantsgrundens.com To some of our apparel testers, comfort is equally as important as performance. It was certainly matched in this Grundéns rain set with fully taped and sealed seams and adjustable hood, hem, and cuffs. Lightweight and spacious, this set allowed for easy layering on the saltwater this summer and it measured up in the various Alaska weather scenarios our tester experienced from Kodiak to Yakutat in 2020. |
 Patagonia Women’s Macro Puff Jacketpatagonia.com Patagonia clothing and wading apparel often fit our testers comfortably. This is a great piece for layering up on the water while still providing the ample upper-body movement needed for fishing. A good puffy coat is an Alaska standard. |
 Simms Bulkley Insulated Jacket simmsfishing.com Spring and fall temperatures in Alaska can be quite chilly as well as wet, so an insulating layer plus a waterproof shell are essential. The Bulkley Jacket combines both into one piece of apparel. We’ve tested this jacket in temperatures below freezing, in rain, sleet and snow and it’s a winner. The GORE-TEX shell sheds precipitation while the PrimaLoft Silver insulation keeps you toasty. Other features include Shingle Cuffs to prevent water from migrating up the sleeves, a 3-point adjustable Storm Hood, fleece-lined hand-warming pockets, and two fly-box compatible pockets. This jacket has GORE-TEX both on the outside and the inside to keep you drier in deep-wading situations. |
 Under Armour Storm Rain Jacketunderarmour.com Lightweight, but offering full, waterproof protection in inclement weather, this jacket is packable, windproof and ready to do battle with the elements. An ample hood, hand pockets, and adjustable cuffs round out the features. Multiple colors and a wide range of sizes are available. |
 Under Armour Hustle Fleece Pantunderarmour.com These pants are warm, soft, comfortable and offer excellent warmth, especially when worn underneath rain gear or waders. The cotton/fleece blend wicks moisture efficiently. They sport an elastic waistband with a draw cord, as well as hand pockets. This pant is part of UA’s Cold Gear collection. |
 Grundéns Children’s Weather Watch Sport Fishing Jacket and Pants Hi-Vis Yellowgrundens.com In Alaska fishing is a family affair. Keep your little ones warm, dry and safe in this top-quality rain suit in a hi-vis yellow fabric that helps you keep an eye on them, and protects them from the elements. Safety and quality are common focuses of Grundéns products. |