looking to purchase a new fishing jacket, fed up with all the rubbish in the £50-£100 bracket that only lasts a few seasons. simms and patagonia seem good but are pretty cha ching. should i just go for these or are there any others worth buying?

Loop Opti 3L is a belter and you can often get them at a discount. Mine looks like new after 2 years (so far) of heavy use.

Had a look at the Simms and Patagonia ones at Sportfish the other week and they didn;t look or feel as hardwearing as the Loop does. The Loop's tool arrangements are also better than any other jacket under £300 IMHO.

Best value for the money IMO is the Cabela's Gore-tex Wading Jacket. A real Gore-tex tacket for less than others are charging for generictex knockoffs. Well made and I'm now into about the 5th season with mine.

Grouse

Totally agree with Loop opti, had mine nearly two years, great jacket, then again so is all Loop gear, ck

I agree with you Grouse, i spend a huge amount of time on the river or by a reservoir in all weathers, i bought the Cabelas gore-tex wading jacket last year, perfect! you can't beat gore-tex.
cheers
Richard

__________________
Richard Jackson
Fly fishing instruction and guiding in the heart of Devon
www.devonflyfisher.com

i forgot to mention its a jacket for mostly boat fishing im after.

Maybe a bit bulkier than you need but the Musto Highlander is quite superb, as it should be for £300.Had my first one for 12 years and fished - coarse and game- shot, walked , rallied and just about everything else in it.Totally windproof , ditto waterprooof, lightweight and washable .A revelation after years of Barbour waxed cottons !

For me you just can't beat a Barbour jacket. Classic Northumbria

Why don't you get yourself to an outdoor clothing shop. Look at stuff like Helly Hansen, Berghaus (?sp), karrimoor etc. They all do 3/4 length walking coats in green/olive. You could walk out with a top quality coat for less than 200 notes.

you'll also find a few of these shops at factory outlet places like Mcarthur Glen / Chesire Oaks etc. I picked up a Helly hansen Wading jacket a few years ago for 30 quid!!

__________________
If a man speaks in the woods and no woman is there to hear him............is he still wrong????

I just bought two in the Cabelas sales...class jacket..even wearing one to work when its cats and dogs outside
No better value for money out there imo