The TideWe Rain Suit saves the day in stormy weather and challenging weather conditions, and it costs only $49.99! This review will show how well this breathable rain jacket keeps you dry from head to toe. Actual functional rain jackets are not expensive these days. Nor does it have to be considered an ultra specialty item reserved only for the serious outdoor types. Let’s look at its design, comfort, and how it performs in real rain. If you need reliable waterproof rain gear, this guide will help you decide if TideWe is the right choice.
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A 100% waterproof rain suit made of high density polyester. Waterproof, windproof and breathable. With 2 pockets, hood, and elastic cuffs. Comes with its own stuff sac and priced very afforadable.
Get 15% off any TideWe product using code 'AFF15'
- Very affordable
- Good value for money
- Excellent waterproofing
- Excellent use of elastic cuffs
- Includes stuff sac
- Pants are really baggy
- Material feels thick
- Could use more pockets
TideWe Rain Suit Specifications
Specs are the boring bits so let’s get them out of the way. And in this case it won’t take long as there really are no specs.
I’m dead serious, TideWe’s site provides very little in the specs department. Nor are there actual water ratings, and so on. What is said is that the material is a "high-density polyester, non-woven fabric and sealed seams". Some people will take that at face value, while for others that can be scary when faced with a purchasing decision.
What there is are claims of being 100% waterproof, 100% breathable and windproof, so we will test it thoroughly in this TideWe hunting rain gear review and dispel any doubts about what the product is or isn't.
Lightweight Rain Jacket and Pant Features: Built for Protection
Quick and dirty, let's just list these:
- Concealed adjustable hood
- Adjustable waist cord for pants
- Elastic drawstring cuffs
- Large external pockets (jacket only)
- Portable lightweight package
Now we can begin the good stuff... reviewing the packable rain gear!!
Fit and Finish: How the TideWe Rain Gear Feels
I'm 6' 2.5" tall and around 185 pounds. In other words, tall and slim, It's also very difficult to find clothes that fit well thanks to my inspector gadgetly long arms. The TideWe hunting rain suit for men fits like a glove and it's fairly comfortable.
When I say fairly, the material is a bit on the dense side, Ie. it doesn't drape as easily and has some bulk to it. I'd compare the fabric to Tyvek building wrap if that makes any sense.
The TideWe rain pants are simple and have no pockets. They are very comfy around the waist thanks to the elastic straps but are very baggy and not stylish. Ie. I don't look very skinny in them... But who cares, it's more about staying dry than looking cool.
The TideWe waterproof jacket covers the baggy pant part as well. I don't consider this a bad thing, as there's enough room for layering, without restricting movement.
For the TideWe rain suit size information and to find the correct size for you, click here to get to TideWe's sizing chart.
The men's rain jacket is also fairly simple but with 2 outside pockets, a concealable waterproof hood, and overlapping elastic cuffs. The TideWe rain jacket is far more stylish than the pants, in fact it looks really nice.
Portable Lightweight Package
TideWe doesn't market this next bit enough and let's think of it as a nice "bonus". The TideWe jacket and pants arrive in packaging, obviously. But more importantly, they are rolled up in their own stuff sac made of the same material as the rain suit.
In other words, the packable rain suit can be conveniently tossed into a backpack, car, boat, atv, or wherever it's convenient. I absolutely love that it comes with its own little stuff sac and it's an undersold feature.
Function: Does the TideWe Rain Gear Protect You From Getting Wet?
Here's the meat and potatoes. The waterproof breathable lightweight rain suit works! I wore it on multiple occasions before writing the post and as you'll see in our YouTube video, I wore it fishing in quite the heavy downpour! Not one drop has ever come through, which attests to its waterproof performance.
No, it's not fancy hunting or fishing rain gear for men, nor are you getting crazy specs like 5000 mm hydrostatic water ratings or whatever they call it. But for $49.99, you are getting a basic rain suit that's outstanding in function. See the full TideWe rain gear product details here.
Yes, the TideWe rain suit is breathable, and yes, it's also windproof as well. I honestly can't complain about function whatsoever. The waterproof, breathable, lightweight design truly delivers on its promise!
TideWe Rain Suit: It's ALL in the Details
The 2 external pockets of the TideWe jacket do keep water out with the overlapping flap. It's surprising how well it does that even without the use of zippers.
My favourite part of the rainsuit is the jacket's elastic cuffs. I generally HATE elastic bands on certain things, like around my wrists, ankles and so on:) With elastic wristbands, I find the cuffs ride up and get stuck or they generally don't work unless they are uncomfortably tight.
The TideWe jacket is the opposite on both fronts. You don't notice that the cuffs are even there! They also work perfectly in keeping water out and I tested that thoroughly while fishing over the course of hours - when your arms are generally angled up as you hold the rod and reel to fish. This detail is not good, it's amazing and I would say it's the best cheap rain jacket for the price.
Pitfalls of the Classic Rain Suit
Anyone who grew up in the ’80s (zip it, I already know I’m getting old) will remember those hideous yellow ducky suits. We’re talking about a heavy plastic jacket and pants, with a hi-vis yellow you can spot from a mile away. Hotter than hell on a summer day but it was that or getting wet. But hang on a minute, after a while we used to say it “soaked through” and would call it a day. A miserable day.
But did plastic actually soak through? The answer is a big no. We were drenched in our own sweat! Yeah, no thank you! But things have changed these days and there are so many fabrics that breathe and keep you dry while repelling water on the outside. It seems magical to have fabric with water only going one way, but it's not a big deal to achieve these days with modern breathable fabric design.
The classic rain suits were probably $40 or more in the '80s, and while they were technically waterproof, they failed in every possible way. I'm shocked that TideWe can deliver a functional rainsuit at this price point.
Check out our review of TideWe's FlipGuard 270 hunting blind.
Alternatives to the TideWe Rain Suit
I happen to have several rain jackets, maybe even a dozen. One of them is a US Military surplus jacket that was $100 cash in a surplus store for the jacket alone.
Another is a (albeit beautiful) Gill sailing jacket that commands $260 these days. Take a SIMMS fishing jacket and I think they are around $400-$600. In other words, a "rain suit" is a sort of specialty in itself, and the more you can market that specialty, the more you can charge.
Are there nicer rain suits on the market than the TideWe? Absolutely. For instance, a Gore-tex rain jacket offers superior breathability, but at a much higher price point. But at this price point, it's hard to beat and TideWe is a frontrunner. In its basic form and regardless of price, a rain suit really has one job - and the TideWe rain suit is no exception.
What About Hunting?
Hunting is a perfect example of an outdoor activity where you find yourself outdoors for several hours - during a time of year when the weather just isn't very nice.
So in comes the multi-hundred dollar garments from brands like Sitka, Kuiu and so on. Again, specialty if not double specialty. But there are infinitely more hunting grounds that could destroy WHATEVER it is you're wearing.
I've bushwhacked those types of woods before and would cringe if I were wearing anything that costs so much in such a harsh environment.
At $49.99, it's nice to have an almost "disposable" (though I hate to use those words) hunting rain suit for hunting. More eloquently put, it's nice to enjoy your adventure without overly worrying about potentially damaging your hunting rain gear. This allows you to focus on why you are out there in the first place. Plus, TideWe comes in a cool camo rain jacket and pant too.
TideWe Rain Suit F.A.Qs
Yes, I tested the packable, waterproof TideWe Rain Suit in heavy rains and can confirm that I was left dry and comfortable even in challenging weather conditions.
To keep your TideWe Rain Suit in great condition, it's recommended to hand wash it with mild detergent and hang it to dry. Or launder using specialized outdoor garment detergents. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners!
Made for comfort, it features 2 large external pockets for storing small items, making it both functional and practical for hunting, fishing, off-roading and hiking.
Yes, the packable rain gear is available in multiple sizes to ensure a good fit for everyone. Be sure to check the TideWe sizing chart before ordering as it does run a little large!
Absolutely! Not only is the hunting rain suit material quiet, it's ultra lightweight and comes in camo, making it suitable for hunting and as UTV rain gear.
Is It the Best Rain Gear? - The Verdict
I wish the TideWe rain suit had a softer hand to it, and I wish there were more pockets, especially on the pants. Granted my army surplus jacket has no pockets at all. Is it the best rain gear for men? No, not exactly, but for $49.99, it’s an affordable rain suit under $100 - it's an insanely good value and the bottom line is that it really does work! Not only is it a breathable rainsuit, but it's lightweight and 100% waterproof and can handle maximum moisture levels!
Longevity may be a different story as we can't speak to it. Only time will tell and we make a point of mentioning that in our BushLife reviews. Personally, I've had really bad luck when dropping a lot cash on a high-end purchases. So price is never a guarantee of anything, rather it's a suggestion of what you might be getting. For now, the TideWe waterproof suit looks like a winner in terms of reliable rain gear.
TideWe Rain Suit For Hunting
We reviewed the TideWe rain suit in black. But the TideWe hunting rain suit also comes in camouflage, and that choice can add a whole lot of function for anyone who hunts. Or simply just to look cool, because this is BushLife and I don't care who you are, camo is the new black:)
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