Monday, February 11, 2008

Guidewater Jacket

I wanted to post a bit more detail on this new jacket since comments have been generated. Here's copy that Dylan Tomine (pictured right) penned for this style, "Pounding into the teeth of a Nor’Easter or swinging tips through the deluge, the Guidewater Jacket keeps you fishing comfortably long after other anglers have headed for the barn. This jacket combines our best knowledge of fabrics, design and technology to create a full-featured piece of angling equipment. Waterproof/breathable, 3-layer stretch nylon along with a longer cut make this the shell of choice for skiff, bayboat and jet sled guides. The ergonomically placed pockets and custom, dual-density “fish pulls” (which vastly improve waterproof reverse-coil zipper function) put everything you need at your fingertips. Tuck-away hood won’t flap in the wind. The brushed-fleece lined collar and handwarmer pockets provide decadent comfort. More fishing-specific details include: glued-in waterproof zippers; mesh pockets, waterproof interior pocket, glued on exterior pocket, zinger/tool daisy chain; rod holder; forceps/glasses loop; modified Stretch Coat cuffs."


Topher Browne (pictured below) has been testing the piece and had this to say about the GWJ, "I tested the new Guidewater Jacket in some particularly nasty conditions during the late Fall in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (sub-freezing air temperatures, driving rain/snow while standing in a 42-degree F. river). The jacket performed flawlessly and gets a major thumbs up."

Photos courtesy of Dylan Tomine and Rene Braun

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

What didn't make the catalog copy editing process is that "the Guidewater Jacket flat-out kicks ass!" Seriously, I've been testing this jacket here in the Northwest since September in a wide range of brutal fishing conditions and it's so dry and comfortable I almost feel guilty wearing it. Especially when you put frozen wet hands into the fleece-lined pockets and they magically become warm and dry.

Of course, it works great for walk-in and driftboat fishing in serious weather, but for me, the ultimate test is keeping wind-driven moisture out when motoring upstream in a sled or (as the picture shows) cruising around on the Sound looking for sea-run cutthroat. Awesome piece of equipment.

Dylan

Anonymous said...

The new Guidewater Jacket looks fantastic, but I think that you need at least one new male model.

The Guidewater Jacket is so good that it may just put the SST out of business. It is certainly the finest wading jacket that I have ever owned. I would not hesitate to recommend it to my hardcore friends who typically go through a jacket ever year or so. I'm a lot easier on my gear, so it should last me quite a while.

Topher

Adam said...

The Guidewater Jacket looks amazing, but my SST is so good that I do not think I will give it up. I plan on getting a Guidewater Vest soon. My old Orvis is falling apart, but I may need to take out a loan to get the Patagonia ... :)

Jeff Leopold said...

The new Guidewater was tested by my brother (critical guy to say the least) on the California coast for steelhead. He was very pleased with the pockets and the internal pockets that have enough space to hold the large SA / C&F size boxes. He commented that pit-zips would be a nice addition but he thought jacket performed flawlessly. Light, comfortable, great protection and plenty of storage space where you need it.

Patagonia Community said...

Love the fish detailing on the zipper pull. If that much thought went into the zipper pull, I'm guessing that the rest of the jacket is pretty well put together.

El Pescador said...

Good to hear from you all on the GWJ. The stable of outerwear now in the fishing collection should satisfy just about everyone, and it all started with the SST. Speaking of the SST, just wait until S9 to see what we've done with that style! YC is testing the 3rd proto in S. America now.

Regarding the price comment, it's true that the Guidewater Vest is big ticket but the truth is that Patagonia fishing gear prices are very top-end competitive....but not cheap.

Anonymous said...

I got one of the very first SST's that were shipped back in 1989 (I think?). I have probably given it more consistently hard use than any piece of gear that I have ever owned. It finally bit the dust last fall when the coating began to fail. I just got a new Guidewater--can't wait to make friends with it--looks like it's going to be another long, meaningful relationship. So far it has only been boat fishing but the one design feature that I already appreciate is the hood/collar arrangement that allows the collar to be zipped up and deployed independently of the hood--also dig the hide-a-hood. This jacket rocks and like everything from Patagonia--looks to be the best of the category. When I bought my old SST, $250 seemed expensive but in the long run, cost of ownership was peanuts.

El Pescador said...

Well spoken Lilredrasta. Thank you for the preliminary feedback and perspective on cost. All the best wished with your new gear relationship. I think you and GWJ will get along well.

Anonymous said...

Just curious - will you offer the Guidewater in a different color for F08 or Sp09 and when will the redesigned SST Jacket come out? Also, what colors on the new SST?
Thanks - Brad

El Pescador said...

Brad, for S9 the GWJ will be offered in two new colors - Gravel (brownish grey) and Northern Light (rich dark blue). The new SST will come out in S9 (Sage Khaki).

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the response and the info - can hardly wait for the dark blue GWJ. Also, the pack you're wearing in Montana looks good. Will that also be new for SP09?

Brad

Anonymous said...

El Pesc....
Just wanted to let you know that thanks to this blog and your help - i bought, and just received, my Guidewater jacket. It looks great, can't wait to get it out on the water.

Starting next week, I'll be out chasing Atlantic Salmon through the end of October. I'll hook you up with some pics that show the contrast of silver against a Eucalyptus backrgound (and a big toothy grin).

Thanks for the help. Looking forward to my first real piece of Patagonia gear.

Mike

El Pescador said...

Glad to hear that you've taken the Guidewater plunge Mike. I think the jacket will serve you well. I can't wait to see the eucalyptus and silver pictures when you get back!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see them either!
A couple questions on the features.
What are the intended purposes for:
The velcro strap inside the righthand pocket?
and
the loop with button inside the left hand lower front part of the jacket?

Also - the description on this site mentions a zinger / daisy chain. Is that the elasticized band inside the right pocket with the velcro?

Just want to make sure I take full advantage of this coat!

Mike

El Pescador said...

The Velcro strap and lower hem loop are the rod holder components. The rod butt goes in the loop and the Velcro strap secures the upper portion of the rod. This is shown in the bottom photo of the post. The Velcro strap makes a nice key holder too. The zinger attachment bar is located above the Patagonia label (jacket front) under a flap. You can pin, clip or push a zinger post through the webbing.

Anonymous said...

Sweet.
Many thanks.

Mike

Anonymous said...

So, I've had a chance now to test my new Guidewater jacket in the full range of Northeast fall conditions. Me and my new jacket have made several pilgrimages fishing for fall-run Atlantic Salmon.

For all the sunny days, the jacket was comfortable, breathable and easily accomodates the range of stuff... (from big fly boxes to tailing gloves tippets and beer) required for successful salmon fishing.

On the rainy days, i didn't get wet. Wind and rain simply bounced off the jacket. Very nice.

Two minor drawbacks. The zippers are water resistant, but not water proof. Some pools require deep wading, and when submerged the zippers definitely let in water. Also, the cuffs work decently, but have to be cinched extra tight to be waterproof. While the cuffs are comfortable, i think the design could be improved.

Overall... really pleased with the coat. And, it's bringing me luck. My line has come tight to many salmon so far this season, and it looks great in the photos ;)

El Pescador said...

Thank you JockScott for the field report. I'm glad you are please with the Guidewater Jacket and noted on the drawbacks. Reverse coil zippers definitely aren't submersible, that's why there's a tunneled flap behind the center front zipper and why all the pockets have drains. A tightly closed cuff will definitely do the best job of preventing water entry but Mother Nature can usually find a way in. Look for both cuff and zipper improvements to the Guidewater Jacket in Spring 2010.

Anonymous said...

No prob. What's the best way to send you a few photos, El Pesc?

El Pescador said...

JockScott, you can send me pix via email. My address is listed with my profile.