Simms Challenger Jacket & Bib: The Ultimate Wet Weather Outerwear
There’s nothing worse than being a long way from home when the weather properly packs it in and realising your wet-weather gear isn’t quite up to the job. A bit of drizzle is one thing. Driving rain, wind and a decent boat ride is another story altogether.
That’s where the new Simms Challenger Jacket and Bib come in.
The Challenger series has been around for a while now and has always been a solid option for anglers wanting proper wet-weather protection without stepping right up into Simms’ top-end outerwear. For the latest version, Simms have given both the Jacket and Bib a very decent overhaul, with a new stretch 3-layer waterproof fabric that makes the whole setup noticeably more comfortable to fish in.
And that stretch makes a difference. Good wet-weather gear needs to keep you dry, obviously, but it also needs to be something you’re happy wearing all day. Whether you’re casting, driving the boat, crouching down to deal with a fish or just climbing in and out of the thing, the new Challenger moves with you rather than feeling stiff and restrictive.
The Bib is particularly well sorted. You’ve got stretch panels where you need them, reinforced hems for a bit of extra durability and knee-length leg zips, which make getting them on and off over boots a whole lot easier. There’s also plenty of useful storage, a relief zipper and drop-down suspenders. It’s clear Simms have put plenty of thought into how these are actually going to be used on the water, with a bunch of smart upgrades that add up to a much more comfortable and capable bib.
The Jacket follows the same thinking. The adjustable hood gives you plenty of protection without killing your peripheral vision, which is particularly handy when you’re hooning across the lake in sideways rain. The adjustment cords are tucked away internally so there’s nothing flapping around your face, and fully taped seams help keep the wet stuff firmly on the outside.
That’s probably what we like most about the new Challenger. It feels like a proper evolution of an already proven bit of fishing kit. The new fabric, added stretch and smart design changes all make a noticeable difference, resulting in a wet-weather system that’s tougher, more comfortable and simply better to fish in.
If you spend plenty of time fishing from a boat, chasing fish in exposed places, or you’re simply not the type to let a dodgy forecast ruin a day on the water, the new Challenger Jacket and Bib is well worth a look.
Because the fish don’t care if it’s raining.