Our November/December Featured Sponsor is 02 Rainwear

by Pete Herbst
(Who is Pete Herbst & what else has he written?)

"Strong Design & Construction"
As bass fisherman, we’re not going to let a rainy day keep us off the water. But that doesn’t mean we enjoy getting soaked to the bone either. We all consider a reliable trolling motor, quality rods and reels essential equipment. A good rain suit is also essential equipment when the rain really starts coming down. What is also essential, is a rain suit that is lightweight, breathable, and easy to move around in.

It used to be tough to find the right combination of waterproof material that was also lightweight and breathable—at a price you could afford. Then Rain Shield, Inc. came to market with the exclusive distribution rights for an innovative new fabric from 3M™, called Propore™ and introduced O2 Sporting Series Rainwear. The suit consists of a storm jacket and bib overalls that come in their own, handy stuff sack.

Propore™ Fabric consists of 3M Microporous Film™, a soft, quiet, polypropylene film, laminated with a polypropylene nonwoven fabric. The result is a fabric ideally suited to uses where keeping dry is a requirement and comfort; breathability and quietness are definite benefits.

Praise for O2 Rainwear has been non-stop and comes from sportsmen who have really put the product to the test. USA Today writes, "Propore™ is lightweight, waterproof, breathable and affordable. The texture of the Rain Shield O2 gear is more skin-friendly than vinyl or plastic, and the jackets and pants store neatly in a small stuff sack. We tried [it] in heavy downpours, a steady drizzle and locker room showers—all without fault. We could not make it leak."

Among its many accolades, the O2 Sporting Series Rainwear won "Best in Show" in the apparel category of the American Sportfishing Association’s ICAST 2000 & BASS Masters Classic Outdoor Show. Favorable reviews have also appeared in Bassmaster magazine and Fishing Tackle Retailer.

Closer to home, Chris Poole, who is sponsored by O2 and is a Region 1 Virginia BASS Federation fisherman and Lots-A-Luck Bassmasters member, reports that he’s had very good experiences with his O2 Rainwear. "The suit I have is the model 1120 which comprises a jacket and bibs," Chris said. "I’ve had the chance to use the suit on three occasions and have been impressed by its ability to keep me dry. It is very lightweight, breathable and compact—everything we bass fishermen need."

Chris states, "For those who have worn a heavy Gore-Tex suit in the summer, they will really appreciate the comfort of this suit. It is also very affordable for the budget-minded angler. The retail cost is approximately $80," according to Chris, who was Angler of the Year for Region 1 in 2000.

Based in Minnesota and opened for business in 1997, Rain Shield, Inc. became a new Virginia BASS Federation sponsor this year. The federation receives several vouchers for O2 Rainwear suit jacket and bibs, or jacket and pants, to be awarded as tournament prizes. For more information about Rain Shield, Inc., including how to buy a suite online, visit www.rainshield.com. Rain Shield can also embroider your club's logo, your name or the Virginia federation's logo onto your jacket without affecting the jacket's water-holdout. For more information, e-mail Adziskin@rainshield.com