By Karen Robes Meeks
karen@maritimepublishing.com
To wrangle catch in conditions that can sometimes be harsh, unpredictable and unwieldy, West Coast commercial fishers often turn to specialized brands for personal gear that must work as hard as they do to get the job done.
Whether it’s rain gear or footwear, many companies are developing new models of gear or improving upon current versions to keep commercial fishers warm, comfortable and dry.
Here is a look at the new personal gear these companies are bringing to the market.
XTRATUF
XTRATUF, founded in the 1950s and a member of the Rocky Brands family since 2021, has been outfitting commercial fishermen and women in Alaska for more than six decades.
The company’s best known for its Legacy Boot product, known as the “Alaskan Sneaker” for its flexibility and durability in tough fishing conditions.
Its latest Fall 2024 offering, the Men’s Legacy Altitude Low, is an all-terrain version of its original Legacy model.
“Built on a new outsole with multi-traction lugs designed for all terrain adventures while still maintaining SRA (slip resistance) when you find yourself back on wet and slippery decks,” according to the company.
Priced at $165 with sizes ranging from a men’s 7 to 14, the new boot features outsole lugs made specifically “to flex and shed debris as you move.” It is completely waterproof and built with its “signature triple-dipping technique” of latex neoprene rubber, giving the boot a flexible barrier that protects against various chemicals, acids and contaminants, according to
the company.
“As fishing has evolved over the years so have the fishermen’s needs, therefore we continue to innovate and solve for how our boots can help our users stay safe, feel confident and remain comfortable,” the company said in a statement.
Helly Hansen Workwear
The global outerwear company, which has a U.S. office in Sumner, Wash., has long been a provider of rain gear such as base layers, bibs and rain jackets to those who work in commercial fishing.
The fishing gear features LIFA Stay Warm material to wick away moisture, Helly Tech waterproof outer layers and fleece mid-layers. It been designed to keep workers warm, protected and comfortable, according to the company.
Helly Hansen’s main commercial fishing assortment, the Storm collection, recently introduced a full revamp designed specifically to take outerwear comfort and performance to another level with two new pieces. The Storm Rain Jacket and the Storm Rain Bib, both feature phthalate-free fabrics to reduce environmental impact.
Priced at $185, the M/W Storm Waterproof Rain Jacket features highly durable, flexible material that offers water protection and allows workers to move with ease around a vessel. It also has neoprene cuffs and a double storm flap over the front zipper to keep workers dry.
The storm flap hides an inner zippered pocket for keeping valuables protected and the jacket has a headphone opening to allow users to listen to music and keep electronic devices dry.
“Our goal for Helly Hansen Workwear’s Storm collection is to set the bar for premium durability and mobility in commercial fishing outerwear,” company spokesman Mike Misselwitz said. “The Storm Waterproof Rain Jacket gives fishermen and women comfort and freedom of movement on the job without sacrificing durability, allowing them to stay out longer and bring home a bigger catch.”
The M/W Storm Waterproof Rain Bib Pant, priced at $130, is built to protect workers in foul weather and features durable, waterproof shell fabric with stretch fabric, elastic adjustable suspenders, an adjustable snap at the waist and zippered internal chest pocket.
“The Storm Waterproof Bib Pant is designed to keep both men and women in commercial fishing dry, protected and comfortable,” Misselwitz said. “It takes the premium standard of Helly Hansen’s Workwear collection and applies it to rugged jobs out at sea for premium performance in the wettest environments.”
Grundéns
Grundéns—started about a century ago in Sweden where Carl A. Grundén developed water-resistant oilskins to shield North Sea fishermen from extreme conditions—continues the company’s tradition in dressing fishermen and women across the world in warm, protective outerwear.
The company recently introduced a number of new arrivals, including commercial grade gear such as the Neptune Armored Bib and the Neptune Armored Anorak, the latest addition to Grundens’ series of Neptune waterproof outerwear.
Retailing at $179.99, the Neptune Armored Bib is waterproof with PU-coated (polyurethane) stretch polyester and overlay panels in areas that get the most wear, as well as an interior knee pad pocket with an articulated neoprene knee guard, according to the company.
Priced at $159.99, the Neptune Armored Anorak is also waterproof, has overlays, neoprene cuffs that integrate with gloves to prevent the entry of water and a “fully gusseted, water-draining neck zipper entry with additional venting position snap.”
“Offering burly overlay panels in high-wear zones combined with our classic Neptune material for high-mobility and stretch performance, Neptune Armored Jackets and Bibs provide 100% waterproof and stain-repelling confidence while boosting overall durability with its strategically placed ‘armored’ areas,” the company said.
Grundéns has also introduced its Dreadnought Jacket, a product created to handle very cold conditions, whether those conditions are in the Bering Sea or Bristol Bay, the company said.
Priced between $109.99 and $114.99, the jacket’s built with an ultra-durable nylon ripstop fabric and water-repelling Teflon shield and features integrated neoprene cuffs and heavy-duty lower sleeve reinforcements.
“For the commercial fisherman that demands rugged and tough, yet breathable waterproof protection, the Dreadnought Jacket was built as a tool to combat the extreme elements of the marine environment,” the company said.
Stormline
Founded in 1966, family-owned, New Zealand-based Stormline has been outfitting the global commercial fishing community with wet weather gear for nearly 60 years.
Stormline’s latest products include its Stormtex 248O Midweight PVC Commercial Rain Gear Jacket. Retailing between $145 and $165, the jacket features a heavy duty YKK zipper and Velcro storm flap, elastic cuffs, interior chest pocket to hold a phone, raglan sleeves and 480- grams-per-square-meter (gsm) oil resistant PVC, which is “supple and designed to be hardwearing to withstand the elements,” according to the company.
The jacket, which is offered in sizes ranging from small to 4XL, can be worn with the company’s Stormtex 669O bib and brace, which is loose-fitted to allow fishers to clothe in layers for added warmth, with 38mm elastic straps and a back divider. It is fully reversible, which extends the use of the gear, according to Stormline.
Priced from $120 to $140, the product also features 500 gsm of oil resistant PVC and stainless-steel snaps on ankles so the bottom of the pants can be secured against rubber boots.
“They are designed to be comfortable and durable for all types of outdoor work such as commercial fishing, farming, construction, power washing (and) angling and to keep you dry in all conditions,” according to the company.
Other products include the Nelson 656HVY PVC Hi-Vis Commercial Rain Gear Bib Pants—ANSI Class E / EN 20471. Retailing at $150, the medium-weight bib pants meet ANSI Class E and Class 1, EN 20471 specifications and are made with a single piece of 500 gsm PVC. That eliminates “the need for a side seam and (enhances) the lifespan of the garment,” according to the company.
The product is lightweight for all-day wear but tough enough to keep users dry in any conditions, Stormline has said.
Dexter Outdoors
For more than 200 years, Dexter Outdoors has been in the business of providing knives to fishers and has been manufacturing its blades in Southbridge, Mass. since 1818.
Two of the company’s newest products in its Dextreme line are the DX10TE, a 10-inch Tiger Edge knife and the DX8MF, an 8-inch Max Flex filet knife.
At $52.95, the Dextreme Tiger Edge 10-inch scalloped filet/utility knife with sheath can cut the toughest fish, according to the company.
“This blade cuts through scales, cartilage and is sharp enough to give you clean filets without tearing,” the company said in a statement, adding that the large blade is good for fileting cobia, tuna, swordfish and more. The knife also features a nonslip handle for better control.
Priced at $49.65, the Dextreme Single Edge 8-inch Max Flex Fillet knife features a blade with non-slip grip that gives knife users better hand control and “the perfect flex to glide over bones resulting in better yield of the meat.” In addition, “the wide profile blade flexes in just the right spot for cleaner skinning of the filet,” according to the company.
KAREN ROBES MEEKS, a Southern California native, is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years’ writing experience. Her articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Orange County Register and Long Beach Press-Telegram, where she worked as a reporter for nearly 14 years. Her work has been recognized by the California News Publishers Association, the Associated Press News Executives Council and the Los Angeles Press Club.