If you’re kitting out your commercial fishing crew with new gear, it’s important to shop carefully. Every dollar you spend needs to be an investment in the comfort and safety of your team, as well as in the kit itself.
Buy high quality commercial fishing bibs and other gear, and you won’t need to buy them again for years.
Here, we’ll walk you through the essential deck-ready specs and features to look out for, so you can source new gear in complete confidence.
What are the most important specs for commercial fishing bibs?
Material durability
Commercial bib and brace overalls must withstand a huge amount of daily wear and tear, not to mention repeated exposure to salt water, oil and chemicals. Ordinary fabrics aren’t up to the challenge, and will simply corrode after a few weeks.
To make sure your new gear is truly up to standard – look out for the following:
Heavy-duty PVC
PVC is the ideal material for commercial fishing, as it’s famously strong, durable and completely waterproof.
GSM of at least 320-650
GSM stands for grams per square metres, and it’s a way of measuring the density and weight of the PVC material. Choose the highest GSM number you can find, ideally between 500 and 700 GSM.
The higher the GSM, the thicker, heavier and more robust the material – which makes it more resistant to tears, punctures and the corrosive effects of salt water and chemicals.
Reinforced wear points
As well as choosing a heavy-duty PVC with a high GSM rating, it’s also a good idea to look for bibs which are reinforced at high-stress points. For example, garments with double or triple layers of material at the knees, legs or chest, or integrated knee pads.
Waterproofing and oil resistance
In this line of work, waterproofing is absolutely critical. It’s not only important for the morale of your team (no one likes to work in wet clothing), but for health and safety purposes too. Here’s what to look out for:
100% waterproofing
When choosing commercial fishing bibs, accept nothing less than a guarantee of 100% waterproofing. Avoid garments which are described as “showerproof” or “water resistant”.
Double-welded seams
Unless all seams are fully sealed and reinforced, water will find a way in. So, look out for bib and brace overalls which have double-welded seams – these offer more protection compared to stitching alone.
PU coating
Bibs which have a PU (polyurethane) coating typically offer far better resistance against oil, chemicals and water. This helps to protect the wearer, and make the garment last longer.
FAQs
What materials are best for commercial fishing bibs?
PVC is considered the gold standard for commercial fishing gear, as it’s strong, durable and completely waterproof.
Are foul weather bibs completely waterproof?
Yes, but only if you choose high quality PVC bibs from a specialist commercial supplier, which promise 100% waterproofing.
How should commercial fishing bibs fit?
Your commercial fishing bibs should fit snugly enough to prevent water entry but allow enough room for layering underneath. Adjustable suspenders and waist straps help you achieve the perfect fit for comfort and movement on deck.
What features should I look for when buying foul weather bibs?
Ideally, your foul weather fishing bibs should offer the following features:
- Heavy duty PVC material – at least 500-700 GSM
- Oil resistant PU coating
- Welded or reinforced seams
- Reinforced wear points, such as integrated knee pads and double layers
- High visibility neon design
- Adjustable straps
- Non corrosive hardware
- Quick-dry linings.
If you need more help finding the right gear for your crew, get in touch with our friendly team here at Stormline. We’re specialists in commercial fishing gear and can offer expert advice to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.