I work outside, which means there are days that I spend hours upon hours in the rain. For years I had a great Columbia PVC rain suit that kept me perfectly dry, but it’s old now and beat up and smelly. After lots of research, I bought a Frogg Toggs rain suit (supposedly 100% waterproof and breathable). Initially it keeps the rain drops out, but after several hours the dampness seeps through (whether I wear it, or leave it hanging and then go to put it back on, it’s wet inside and out). This has really been my experience with anything that claims to be waterproof/breathable, so I think the PVC material is the only way for me to go. I bought a Coleman PVC rain suit this year, wore it maybe 7 times, and the crotch split completely, so I’m looking for something really WELL made, that doesn’t let ANY water through. And preferably not bright yellow, lol! Any advice?
Anything truly 100% rainproof isn’t going to breath so sweat will accumulate inside. The best rain gear I’ve ever worn was a 1000$ aerostitch riding suit and eve then you get a little wet from interior condensation.
That said, if you need truly industrial outerwear, look at someplace that sells to mariners… Landfall Navigation or similar. I’ve got 3 cheapie sets if wet gear I can switch out to when they get soaked. Cheaper than offshore foul weather gear by a long shot 
Dutch Harbor gear is cheap. Also bright yellow. You’re going to sweat inside though and get damp that way. Try Westmarine http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategories1_11151_10001_-1?cid=sc_google&creative=34896645844&adpos=1t1&device=c&network=g&matchtype=e&gclid=CNu5i9bhtbwCFSUS7AodGwUADA
ETA Dutch Harbor has expanded their line http://www.dutchharborgear.com/showcategory.aspx?categoryid=1
HA I just went through this!
My Goretex soaked through, my Columbia rain pants tore in the wind…
I bought commercial fishing gear and it is awesome (of course, it does not breathe - but I am dry in gale force wind and driving rain). http://www.grundens.com/index.php My one regret is that I bought a yellow suit, not a great match for horse-related dirt.
Thanks for the advice so far! Yes, I know I will be damp from sweat, but even so it’s drier than what I feel when the breathable material starts seeping all the rain water through. I’ll check out some of those links and see what looks good!
Helly-Hansen or Grunden’s, the heavy-duty stuff made for commercial fishermen.
Oilskin. But also not breathable.
Yeah, West Marine - inexpensive wet gear for sailors. Off shore wet gear (for blue water sailors) will be of the high quality but cost hundreds, or more. However, it will last. My step daughter’s Helly Hansen dry suit for sailing she got used online for $300.00 and had to replace the rubber cuffs, but it did the trick.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;7415427]
Helly-Hansen or Grunden’s, the heavy-duty stuff made for commercial fishermen.[/QUOTE]
Ditto.
Arc’teryx. You’ll pay for it, but it’s worth it.
Frogg Toggs! Low cost, 100% water proof, lightweight, built to go over your other clothes and not hot. What else? CHEAP! Buy the whole suit and cover your legs too. Endurance riders have discovered this brand and use them for riding during wet weather. This is not goretex or other laminated fabric, feels very different.
Chicamuxen
Last fall at WalMart I picked up a PVC jacket that was lined at the top with fleece and the bottom was quilted. I wanted it for the barn on the rainy days when it was 40 degrees. My other PVC rain coats are from Bass Pro and Land’s End that weren’t lined or large enough to put a heavy jacket under. I think I paid all of $29.95 + tax. I admit I wouldn’t wear it into town for shopping but it’s great for the barn and totally waterproof. Be aware though that PVC does NOT breathe but it does keep you dry.
As far as waterproof pants, I can’t help you with that. 
If you want waterproof AND breathable you need to look at high end Hiking clothes. Not cheap but very waterproof and most are very breathable.
For years I wore Pacific Trail Pac Tec brand jackets and pants and still do but they were bought out a few years ago and the quality is less.
Sometimes you can find Pacific Trail Pac Tec items on ebay for great prices.
If it’s not too old should still be waterproof. Their items wear like iron and I don’t even sweat here in Florida when it rains.
Carhart makes a good rainsuit that is absolutely waterproof for women and it is black. I have not worked hard in it but have hiked a fair bit where I sweated it was not at the point I was uncomfortable. I think the cost was $200 for the pants and coat.
Having been a life long back packer, mountaineer and rock climber and if you want quality “field tested” outdoor clothing nothing beats stuff made/sold by REI, Marmot, Black Diamond, Patagonia, etc IMO. Used to be a big fan of North Face but have found they have gone more towards fashion and looks over function and durability.
I first threw on a pack as a kid in the 60’s, climbed my first “big” mountain in the Canadian Rockies in the early 70’s. In those days we still wore mostly wool and if I could afford it some down stuff. Heavy not very comfortable and if it was totally water proof you ran the risk of sweating up a storm. Which in some situations could be deadly with a sudden and dramatic drop in temperature when in “thin air” and far from home. Ask me how I know.
Out door clothing has come a very long way in the last 30 years. The “weight to warmth” ratio is incredible. Goretex was the first and performed as advertised water proof with a very little “sweat factor”. I have a pull over Gortex rain shell from REI that I have worn in cold wind driven rain on mountain ridges for hours that has kept me dry and comfy. Other similar products have come on the market since.
IMO worth looking into. Here are a couple of links that might be worth checking out;
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/
[QUOTE=caevent;7413927]
I work outside, which means there are days that I spend hours upon hours in the rain. For years I had a great Columbia PVC rain suit that kept me perfectly dry, but it’s old now and beat up and smelly. After lots of research, I bought a Frogg Toggs rain suit (supposedly 100% waterproof and breathable). Initially it keeps the rain drops out, but after several hours the dampness seeps through (whether I wear it, or leave it hanging and then go to put it back on, it’s wet inside and out). This has really been my experience with anything that claims to be waterproof/breathable, so I think the PVC material is the only way for me to go. I bought a Coleman PVC rain suit this year, wore it maybe 7 times, and the crotch split completely, so I’m looking for something really WELL made, that doesn’t let ANY water through. And preferably not bright yellow, lol! Any advice?[/QUOTE]
The term “waterproof” is actually a level of water resistance.
Gore-Tex IME is the only breathable product that is truly waterproof. All others that claim to be breathable are a compromise of waterproofness.
Non-breathable stuff like PVC really are waterproof too. But that’s a given.
