Professional tournament anglers must fish through inclement weather in all seasons. So that’s who Huk turned to in designing their new Pro Series foul weather gear. The resulting bib and jacket combo is a hard-core breathable shell designed to keep anglers dry and comfortable through the worst weather conditions.
I got a first look at the Pro Series jacket and bib at ICAST 2025, where representatives walked me through the technical design features that make this rain suit worth the money you’ll have to shell out to don it. Later, I got to try it out during a late-summer squall, and I’ll tell you, it’ll keep you dry, even in sideways rain, but it won’t help with the pucker factor when lightning gets a little too close for comfort. When it’s time to boogie, cinch that hood down and rip it. You’ll be protected against the stinging rain.
Extreme Foul Weather Gear
This is serious foul weather gear for serious fishermen. With a price tag of $500 for the jacket and another $500 for the bib, it’s an investment in comfort and safety for anglers who expect to fish through the worst nature has to offer—or at least those who know they’re going to get caught in it from time to time.
This suit is not just for rain. You’ll also love it for cold windy days on the water. It blocks wind well, and the soft interior is comfortable with light clothing for warm rainy days. When it’s bitter cold, there’s room to layer up beneath the shell.
Rain Suit Features
As we head into the fall and winter seasons, here’s a look at some features that make the Huk Pro Series kit an indispensable piece of gear for anglers who grind through foul weather.
Construction:
The Pro Series bib and jacket are built on a base of Toray 3-layer stretch nylon with abrasion-resistant panels at high-wear areas. When you’re wearing it, the suit feels heavy-duty—in a good way—but you’ll still have an unrestrained full range of motion for fishing, and durability against wear and tear.
Breathability and Waterproofing:
Huk succeeded in walking the tightrope between breathability and waterproofing. A totally waterproof suit makes you wet from sweat, and breathability for comfort comes at the cost of water resistance. The C-Zero Durable Water Repellent finish on the Pro Series kit provides a 30k waterproof rating, which is enough to keep you totally dry even in heavy, saturating downpours. Its 15k breathability rating keeps you dry on the inside by preventing sweat build up. All seams are sealed, and the front zippers are two-way and weatherproof.
Required maintanence might be considered a downside to breathable raingear, but occasional laundering is a small price to pay for comfort on the water. Dirt and oil cuts down on water resistance, so these garments must be washed. Also, the waterproof coating eventually loses its functionality, and the fabric must be retreated.
Other Features:
- Pockets– The jacket has two chest pockets and two hand pockets, all with waterproof zippers. There are also an interior zip pocket (think truck keys) and an interior mesh pocket on the jacket. The bib has a hand warmer pockets, two chest pockets with waterproof zippers, cargo pockets at the thighs for easy entry and a pocket for pliers. There are plenty of places to put all the stuff you want to keep on you—including the things that need to stay dry—even when you take the jacket off.
- Hood– Hood design can make or break a rain jacket, and Huk developed a good one for the Pro Series jacket. Along with three cinch points and venting to keep the hood in place, there’s a clip on the underside of the hood brim to attach to your ballcap. Adjust the hood correctly, and it’s not going anywhere, even on full plane headed into the wind.
- Cuffs– An adjustable exterior cuff combined with an internal adjustable dry cuff means water doesn’t seep in at your wrists, a common issue when casting in the rain. You can even dip your arm in the water to release a fish and stay dry.
- Straps– A strap system inside the jacket is a good design element for when the rains come and go throughout the day. If it gets a little warm, slip out of the jacket and wear it on your shoulders. It’s right there ready to slip back on when it starts drizzling again.
- Adjustable Bib– While wearing a bib can sometimes feel like you’re sporting oversized clown pants, Huk’s Pro Series bib has several adjustment points to tailor to your body—or provide more room for layering. First off, the suspenders are adjustable and feature swivel buckles for comfort and ease of use. The waist is adjustable to reduce the clown-pants effect. The leg openings are also adjustable to hug your boots and feature weatherproof zippers so you can slip them on and off without removing your boots.
- Other features: Three total D-rings for options on where you like to attach the kill switch. Reflective strips at visible locations for safety in foul weather. Crotch gusset. Fully sealed seams. Weatherproof Zippers.
Pros
- Total comfort and protection from extreme cold, wind and rain
- Equipped with numerous thoughtful features that make the suit more functional
- Versatile for changing weather on the water
Cons
- A little too technical for everyday (not on the water) wear
- Although breathable, it might be a bit too heavy in the heat of summer
- It’s pricey for the weekend warrior
FAQs
Is breathable rain gear waterproof?
No, breathable rain suits are not waterproof. They are water resistant to the point where they will keep you dry in heavy rain. Most are constructed with an inner layer that wicks moisture outward and an outer “perforated” layer with microscopic holes that allow water vapor to escape while blocking liquid water from entering.
Can I wash my rain jacket?
Yes. You should wash your breathable rain jacket to retain the functionality of its water repellent finish. Use a special technical cleaner, rather than regular laundry detergent which can damage the water-repellent coating.
Can I wash my raincoat in the washing machine?
Yes. Raincoats with breathable fabrics should be washed with a special detergent (see manufacturers guidelines) on a delicate cycle in cold water. Tumble dry on low heat. Washing your raincoat reactivates its water-repellent capabilities.
Why does my rain jacket get wet inside?
There are a couple reasons why your rain jacket might get wet on the inside. One) you’re sweating and wearing an under layer like cotton, which doesn’t wick moisture away from your skin. Wearing quick-dry or moisture-wicking fabrics under breathable rain gear allows it to function as intended. Two) Your breathable rain gear could be dirty, which reduces its water resistance, or it might be time to reapply its waterproof coating.
What’s the best rain gear for fishing?
Commercial anglers are often exposed to harshest cold and wet wind and weather as well as a lot of blood, guts and fish slime. For this reason, commercial fishermen often choose inexpensive and highly durable polyurethane slicks, which are completely wind and waterproof and clean up easily. The downsides of old-fashioned slicks is they are not at all breathable, they are heavy and can cause you to sweat even in cold weather.
Recreational anglers typically face less-challenging conditions and prefer more comfortable breathable rain gear made of high-tech fabrics. Although not totally waterproof, breathable rain gear is water resistant enough to keep you totally dry even in a downpour. It is relatively lightweight, wicks moisture from sweat away from your skin and allows water vapor to exit the suit.
