Be Ready for that Next Storm with Hodgman's H5 Storm Suit (continued)

Features: My favorite feature of the H5 Rainsuit by Hodgman is the well thought out placement of all the zippers. There are so many pockets and access points, it's very easy to get confused but there are conveniently place zippers in both the jacket and bib for you to access your pockets in the clothing you're wearing underneath. I don't know how many times I've had to shove my hand down the side of my bib to get out a set of keys, my wallet, or cell phone after I've put my rainsuit on. I took it for granted that was the case with this suit until I accidentally opened the wrong zipper and found I could reach the pocket in my pants underneath.

Zippered access in both the jacket and bib allow you to reach for items in your clothing beneath the storm suit

The one pet peeve I have with just about every rain bib I've worn is the need to disrobe in order to use the restroom. When you're fully layered up and snug in your suit, how inconvenient is it to have to remove your top layers so you can drop the shoulder straps on your bib to lower them far enough to use the facilities? Hodgman recognized this dilemma and designed their rain-bib to address this issue. That zipper on the front of the bib is backed up by the usual, waterproof gusset. However, that zipper works from both the top and the bottom.

No more disrobing just to use the facilities

Pull that front, waterproof zipper up from the bottom, reach down, and you'll find yet another waterproof zipper that gives you access to the front of your pants without having to take everything else off. It really is that simple. The zippers on either side of the bib also work in both directions giving you all kinds of options for taking the bibs off or putting them back on.

Sizing for Hodgman's H5 Rain Suit is true to industry standards

Design & Ergonomics: Sizing for Hodgman's H5 Rain Suit is true to industry standards. I take a medium in outerwear and the length and width of the bib fit me just fine. I can easily layer up underneath without feeling restricted. The same goes with the jacket. In fact, during the colder months, I often wore Hodgman's CoreINS jacket underneath the rain shell for extra warmth. On that front, Hodgman also makes a CoreINS liner for the bibs. I wore them once to check fit and comfort (both were very good), but removed them because I got too hot.

There are convenient D-Rings on both the bib and jacket to attach tools and your boat's kill switch

Both the jacket and bibs feature Velcro closures at the sleeve and pant legs respectively, so you can adjust the fit at these locations. I tend to keep mine rather loose unless there's a lot of rain.

If there's not a pending storm, another option for a jacket or mid-layer beneath the shell is Hodgman's CoreINS jacket

Price & Application: Given how well this suit is put together and how well thought out its design, I consider Hodgman's H5 Storm Suit is a premium offering. Its price point is somewhat reflective of that grade, but still less expensive than some of today's more well known names. Price for the suit is just under $600 with the bib and jacket retailing for just under $300 each.

Of course, the front zipper on the bib is backed up by a waterproof gusset

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