1. Tilt your budget away from pants and more toward the jacket.  Breathablility is not a requiremnt for pants, but easy on/off is.  Side zippers to get the pants over boots is beneficial feature.

2.In addition to breathability, I have found jackets with liners VERY advantageous.  That usually comes at a cost of some added weight, but it is well worth it in keeping you feeling dry.

SD, I say the new water proof zippers work. I got new rain gear 2 years ago because my old Cabela's stuff was very heavy 4#. It had served me well for 15 years, I maintained it, but was ready for a new set. The stuff I got was pretty pricey so not what you're looking for. I've seen where the surface DWR treatment can be reactivated by a hot drier. All rain gear needs to be maintained after awhile. Check out this video and don't be afraid to follow it.
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I do use a cheaper Marmot Precip set around the cabin and like them. They're cheaper, packable, but no water proof zippers.

I bought a marmot set for last year.  It's light and has vent zips under the arm pits.  Like OS I always buy the jacket one size bigger.  Good deals to be had at Sierra Trading Post.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

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I suppose this will sound like more of a short rant than a gentle reply to a reasonable question.

“I have never met a rainsuit that I liked.”  There, I said it.

Over the years I have had many different brands and models and now days spend more on a single suit than my first car cost.

So here are a few opinions.  Just my opinions, no guaranteed facts.

Breathable rainsuits are mostly a myth. At some point I made a project out of understanding the breathable fabric water pressure rating system and bought suits accordingly.  Paddling in a drizzle on a reasonably cool day they work quite well.  Put them on a hilly portage trail on a warm humid day and you will still be as wet on the inside as you are on the outside.  No matter what the high tech rating number, the ability of the fabric to breath is still much less than my ability to sweat in grand quantities.

Rainsuits are like most things in life, a compromise.  The more breathable a suit is, the more water will “pump” inside where you do not want it.  The tractor style seats will pool just enough water between the plastic and your rump to force water through the fabric and soak you from the bottom up.

I know waterproof zippers are improving, but times gone by when I bought rainpants with convenient zippers water would pool in the folds in my lap and find its way inside from the movement.

My late 1970’s suits were horrible. Nothing breathed.  The 1980’s I danced with the early Frogg Toggs that felt like paper.  Light and comfortable, but were weak structurally and not at all forgiving of campfire sparks. The jackets were short and  the elastic waist in the pants always was just below the bottom of the jacket, so the water came in.

My current set is made by Grunden.  They are a bit bulky but durable and do a decent job except under hard physical activity.  I always buy high waist bibs to give me a second layer in my lap where I always seem to be the wettest.  The jacket has good neoprene cuffs that will snug around wrists and minimizes the water that invariable runs toward your elbows when paddling.  It has a couple of waterproof zippered pockets with weep holes that drain to the outside when water does get in, and it usually does in a soaker.

Good luck with your new choices. 

Kind Regards, and thanks for listening.

MossBack

This is great stuff, guys. Thanks!

I'll be diving deeper into some of these options over the next few days.