Preston Innovations DF Ultra 25K Bib & Brace

How well is it built?

The DF Ultra 25K is built from a premium three-layer waterproof fabric, made for serious protection in extreme conditions.

In a three-layer laminate the membrane is protected on both sides, which helps it cope with the rubbing and flexing of a long session, and every seam is taped.

The key detail for me is the reinforced panels on the knees and seat. A match angler sits on a seatbox for five hours or more, and a carp angler kneels on a mat every time a fish comes in, so those two areas take the most wear on any bib and brace.

Reinforcing them should keep the fabric going for many more seasons than an unreinforced shell would manage.

The Nash ZT Helluva Waterproof Bib and Brace Camo goes a step further with neoprene cushioning at the knees and seat, but for a three-layer 25K shell, I think a 9.0 is well earned.

Weather Protection

A 25,000mm hydrostatic head is very high, and it should keep you dry through prolonged downpours and while you sit on a wet seatbox, where your weight presses water against the fabric.

Taped seams throughout stop leaks at the stitching, and the high front and back of a bib and brace stop rain running in at the waist when you lean forward over a side tray or net a fish.

The Teflon EcoElite DWR finish makes rain bead up and roll off the face fabric, which helps the membrane keep breathing in a long shower.

So, why not higher? Breathability is 5,000 grams per square metre over 24 hours, which is modest. It's fine for sitting still, but on a long walk to a far peg you should expect more condensation than in the Fortis Tundra Salopette DPM, which goes past 25,000.

For a static angler, it's still excellent protection and a solid 9.0.

Comfort & Fit Rating

The adjustable elasticated shoulder straps give a secure, comfortable fit, and the elastic should let the bib move with you as you reach for a feeder or lean over to net a fish.

Velcro fasteners let you fine-tune the garment, so you can tighten it over a thin base layer in autumn or loosen it off over thermals in winter, which makes it a genuine year-round garment.

The bib and brace cut is the real comfort feature for match and feeder anglers. It covers the small of your back when you're hunched over a side tray, and the reinforced seat should cope with hours on a hard seatbox, which is where match anglers spend most of their day.

For bitter winter nights, the Fortis Tundra Salopette DPM is the warmer choice, with 200 grams per square metre of Primaloft built in. The DF Ultra's lower breathability also counts against it when you're on the move, and that's why it scores 8.5 for comfort.

Is it good value for money?

Is it good value? It's a mid-priced bib and brace, a little cheaper than the Fortis Tundra Salopette DPM and a bit dearer than the Fox RS25K Salopettes Khaki.

Against the Fox, which has the same 25,000mm head, the Preston breathes better, at 5,000 against 3,000 grams per square metre, which is a real difference on warm, muggy days.

Against the Tundra, you give up its Primaloft and much higher breathability, but you save some money, and that makes sense if you fish mostly through spring, summer and autumn and only add thermals underneath on colder days.

I think the 8.5 is a fair reflection of that balance between protection, durability and cost.

Overall, I'd recommend the DF Ultra 25K to match and feeder anglers who sit on a seatbox through wet days, and to carp anglers who kneel on mats in heavy rain and want a high back to keep them dry.