Just had another cold, wet weekend, wore my SIMMS and Grundens stuff and thought: I need to shout out everything I wear from these companies. Disclaimers: I don't have everything they make (obviously) so lots more stuff is probably good, and I'm not a big polyester T-shirt/sun shirt guy.
Overall you can't go wrong with either company. They both make really good stuff – nothing low-quality – at different price points. In my 2c, the SIMMS stuff is a little bigger per size (sometimes the L is too big for me) depending on the piece. My son, who is typically an XL, can wear a L SIMMS rainsuit no problem. He can wear a L Grundens jacket, but it's tighter on him.
The SIMMS rain jackets I think are a little warmer – just a bit – than the Grundens ones. They also have more color options, but the Grundens ones are lighter colors overall. I have both in my boat and wear them both, depending on how cold it is and how I'm dressed.
In no particular order, here we go!
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Rain gear
Challenger Jacket and Bibs – Very good, well-designed and improved for this year with: adjustable/stashable storm hood, oversized zippered chest pockets with a built-in sunglass chamois, adjustable cuffs to lock water out, reflective branding for safety.
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$460 for the whole suit and it's not their top of the line. From there it goes up: CX (that "ghost camo stone" color is 🔥), ProDry and Guide models. It's all outstanding.
Flyweight Shell Fishing Jacket – Literally everyone in my family grabs this coat when it's any kinda rain out because it's super light. I admit I got annoyed one time when I thought someone (never me lol) lost 1 of the 2 of 'em we have...and then I found it in the "dog backpack"...and I'm the only one who carries that around...😆
Colder-weather gear
Fall Run Insulated Hoody – I wear SIMMS colder-weather jackets because they work real good and look real good. The ones I wear they don't make anymore, but this one is the most like what I still wear.
PrimaLoft synthetic down is key – I love that stuff. After a lot of experimenting, I prefer high-quality synthetic insulation that stays warm and doesn't clump when it gets damp/wet.
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Wool Half-Finger Glove – For me these are the best for fishing in cold weather. If it's too cold to fish in these, then that's tellin' me "what the heck are you doing out here??" 🥶
Everyday stuff
I have a pretty good number of SIMMS T-shirts, hoodies and hats because they fit great and look bassin' cool mang! It's also like stealth cool when I'm out on the sidelines or whatever...😁
Also really like some of their dressier but still casual shirts like this real comfy camo Simms Challenger long-sleeve:
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Basically I'm a little bit dressed up/neat but not in stiff-looking/feeling stuff.
Other stuff
With warmer weather coming, here's a couple FYIs from SIMMS:
Bugstopper SolarFlex Hoody – Soft, stretchy SolarFlex fabric with Insect Shield and UPF 30+ protection. SIMMS' highest-performing solar protective knit fabric that feels smooth to the touch, stretches for comfort, dries fast and keeps you odor-free. A knit hood for solar protection, extended sleeves with envelope thumbholes and a center finger loop for back of hand sun protection. Hard to go wrong with blue:
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Guide Short – Constructed from a water-shedding Nylon-spandex blend material, the Guide Short moves with you, dries fast and protects you from the sun. 2 front drop-in hand pockets and 2 back pockets, mesh-lined for fast water drainage. A laser-cut zippered right thigh pocket to securely stash small essentials.
TW has a good amount of SIMMS stuff, but there's way more stuff on the SIMMS site.
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Grundens hasn't been in bassin' as long as SIMMS so not as much stuff overall, but with that said I find myself wearing a decent amount of Grunden's stuff like:
Footwear
Who knew Grundens made such good footwear? I didn't! But I guess it makes sense if you realize they base their footwear on what folks need on the brutal salty commercial fishing boats. Anyhow, here's a few deals I really like:
SeaKnit Boat Shoe – Yep you know this is 100% a staple for me, and the new navy blue ones look "fancy" enough for wearing to "functions": 😁
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Also now a couple models for women. Saw a gal wearin' 'em at the Grundens booth at the Classic and they looked good:
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6" Deviation Ankle Boot – Part of the "take the dogs out in bad weather" collection. 😁 We don't go for walks, we go for adventures – so sneakers on sidewalks ain't gonna do it. These are for real: dry and a little warm. Also with non-slip/for-mud sole instead of a boat tread like the Deck Boss boot:
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Women's Deck Boss Ankle Boot – My wife was skeptical because, you know, Grundens is a fishing brand and she thinks she's too cool for that most times 🙄. Well, a pair showed up in grey, she liked 'em right away, then our fashionista daughter saw 'em and took 'em to college. In other words, they're real good boots AND pass the fashion test!
Deck Boss Sandle (flip flop) – SeaDek on your feet is kinda ingenious. Plus these are comfy, they don't slip, I like 'em.
Freeboard Wool Chukka – My fam thought they were stylin' right when they saw 'em. Don't wear 'em much only because I forget I have 'em doh! Real nice....
Rain gear
Gambler Gore-Tex Jacket and Gore-Tex Bib – This their top of the line stuff and is very good. When the pros wear it all day in the rain, you know it's good! Plus Adrian Avena is a commercial fisherman too and wears it doin' that so....
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The great thing about Grundens is they have 2 lower-priced rain jackets that are light and good: the lightweight Tourney Jacket (pictured, $139.99 - $149.99) and Tourney Bibs ($124.99 - $134.99), and the more "rugged" Trident Jacket ($109.99 - $119.99) and Trident PANTS (not bibs – $109.99 - $119.99). You can read the reviews on their site (click those links):
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Other stuff
Kryall Hoodie – Fits well, comfy and a little soft inside, a little warm but not too much, and importantly water and wind resistant with a scuba-type hood too to keep 'em both out. Even the wife – who is not a fan of camo – likes the "refraction camo stone," but they also have several solid colors:
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Few things I wish they both made:
- High-quality pull-on rain pants – Because sometimes that's all you (or just me?) need, and over a long day that's way less pressure on all of our ultra-muscular traps...😁
- "Nice"-looking hoodies – "Nice" meaning no graphics and a little cooler/fancier-looking, so the wife doesn't complain as much...😝
- Longer leg length option for regular pants – because I have spider legs.
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Hope you got something outta this! Worn a bunch o' gear to get to this point with this stuff but as always, just my 2c and YMMV! You have any recommendations please lmk!
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Jay Kumar's BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best and funniest (sometimes worst) stuff in bassin', picked by me – Jay Kumar. I started BassFan.com, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a bunch more in bassin'. The Blaster is the #2 daily read on any given day in the wide world o' bass so thanks for readin'!
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