Simms Slick Jacket Review

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The Simms Slick Jacket is part of a series of fishing designed GORE-TEX outerwear that allows anglers to fish in all weather conditions. Over the past few months I have put the Simms Slick Jacket through the wringer, fishing in snow, wind, and rain. I have been impressed with the many fishing friendly features of this jacket as well as the jackets performance in poor weather conditions.

Simms Slick Jacket Features

Initially, what drew my attention to the Simms Slick Jacket was how much thought and detail were put into the design of the jacket.  My favorite feature of the Simms Slick Jacket are the over sized internal storage pockets.  These pockets are huge! I am even able to leave my fly vest and waist pack at home as I can keep all of gear inside the Simms Slick Jacket. It is easily possible, and comfortable, to carry 2-3 large fly boxes, tippet, pliers, leaders, extra line spools, a camera, and even have room for a snack within the pockets.

Front Internal Pockets Side View

Internal Pockets Front View

The storage pockets are accessed through waterproof  YKK Aquaguard Vislon zippers on the front of the jacket. The access zippers are placed high on the chest so that even if you have the Simms Slick Jacket tucked into your waders you can access all of your gear. Each pocket is separated into dividers to keep all of gear organized as well. As an extra bonus in one of the front internal pockets there is another small pocket that contains a lens cloth for cleaning sunglasses. Having these large pockets on the inside of the jacket gives the front of the jacket a “clean profile” so that when casting or rowing a boat there is nothing to get snagged on.

Although the internal storage pockets are the most prominent features, the Simms Slick Jacket has many other details that are worth noting. The two side pockets have a great design as well. On the inside of each pocket there is a zipper that will allow you to access your waders when you have Simms Slick Jacket over your waders. Initially this may not seem like an important feature until you have your cell phone in your wading pants under your waders and need to access it!

Side Pockets with Zipper Access to Waders

Inside the Jacket Showing the Side Pocket Zippers

The sleeves of the Jacket have waterproof cuffs that keep you dry even when your hands are wet. The waterproof sleeves prevent your wet hands from soaking the rest of the under layers by keeping the water where it should be, on the outside.

Waterproof Sleeve

The hood of the Slick Jacket is oversized and can easily fit over a ball cap or stocking cap. It is nice to have weatherproof layer of GORE-TEX over your head when the elements are especially harsh.

Simms Slick Jacket Fit and Performance

The Slick Jacket seems fairly true to size. I am 5’10″ and 180 pounds and found a medium to be the correct size for me. The medium size is not bulky on me but still allows me to add layers on cold days. The Jacket also allows for a full range of motion and does not inhibit casting.

Jacket Fit Front Profile

Jacket Fit Side Profile

The Slick Jacket is built as a GORE-TEX shell and can be used with underlayers when cold or a stand alone rain jacket in warmer conditions. The quality of the Jacket is exceptional and even in the worst rainy conditions on an early spring Canadian fishing trip, it kept me dry. Although designed as a fishing jacket I have found a double use for the jacket as a ski jacket on those especially wet powder days. The pockets will also hold a ton of snacks and a water pouch too.

Simms Slick Jacket Final Thoughts

The Simms Slick Jacket should be considered by any angler who enjoys fishing year round. The Slick Jacket gives protection from wind, rain, and snow leaving the angler able to focus on fishing and not the elements. For more information on the Slick Jacket and other Simms gear visit simmsfishing.com or www.amazon.com/simms.

Jacket Specs

Specs Taken from Simms Website

• large chest pockets
• 2 side pockets with YKK  AquaGuard VISLON zipper with pass through zipper on inside of pocket
• Watertight adjustable cuffs
• 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro Shell fabric
• Approximate weight 27 oz./ 765 g
• S, M, L, XL, XXL