I've only owned one pair of waders (Orvis Clearwaters) and haven't had any problems with leaks. I purchased them because of the relatively cheap price and the Orvis guarantee. I really don't have high expectations that these will last more than another season or two. I'm glad to hear that they stand behind their products when they do fail.
During the warm weather months I usually just wear shorts and wading shoes. If I'm doing some serious wading then I'll switch over to the waders. When belly boating I'll wear the waders with a pair of long johns made out of synthetic material and wool socks. When the weather gets cold I really start to layer (two pairs of regular long johns plus one pair that's quilted) especially if I plan to use the float tube for extended periods. I do have problems keeping my feet warm. My wading boots are loose when I wade (minus the waders) in summer. However, when I wear the waders with more than one pair of thick socks it's tough to get the boots on. Maybe adding polypropylene socks will add warmth without the bulk. (I bought the boots one size larger than normal...next time I may go for two) Don (Spokane) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kent Lufkin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 10:06 AM Subject: Waders > There've been several posts the past week or so regarding equipment. > Since we've already beat the subject of inexpensive reels nearly to > death, I thought a conversation on a less popular subject might be > interesting, namely waders. To start the ball rolling, here's my 3 or > 4� worth: > > I've had three pairs of breathable waders. My first pair (two pair, > actually) were Orvis Clearweaters that leaked like a sieve from day > one from dozens of tiny pinholes in the fabric. I'd bought 'em on > sale at an Orvis store in Boise and ended up returning 'em a couple > outings later for another set at the Bellevue store. (BTW, they're > not the cheapest line you can find, but Orvis' service is first > rate.) Unfortunately, the second set also leaked, so I tested their > service once again, this time requesting, and getting a full refund. > > Deciding to try something different (and not wanting to take out a > home equity loan to buy a pair of Simms ;-), I tried a pair of > Canadian-made Ronnys from Swede's in Woodinville. I'm finishing my > third season with them and they've been excellent. I virtually lived > in 'em for a week in Alaska. > > I've got smallish feet and the Ronny's neoprene feet fit mine much > better than the swim-fin sized feet in the Orvis and Hodgman models. > However, that means that they're a little bit tougher to get off > without putting too much stress on the seams. Once or twice a season, > the Ronnys develop pinhole leaks along the seams in the feet. A drop > or two of Aqua Seal easily takes care of the problem. > > In the summer, I get clammy and damp above the waterline, even in the > breathable Ronnys. So I found a pair of Hodgman waist-high 'guide > pants' waders at Gart in Bellevue on sale for $69, (or with a 'free' > pair of $39 Hodgman 300-wt Polartec fleece pants for $89. I got the > fleece pants for the extra $20.) I use them with my pontoon boat > since I'm only in the water from the knees down. > > It's easy to forget that I'm not wearing my chest-high Ronnys though. > This fall on a float trip down the N Fork of the Stilly with Sean > Ranson, I waded in right up past my waist before remembering I was > wearing the guide pants. I've only had the Hodgmans this year and > have worn 'em less than a dozen times. Aside from the monster feet, > they've performed just as well as the Ronny's. > > Finally, I've got an older pair of Hodgman 3.5mm neoprenes for cold > water wear. Like the guide pants, they've got monster feet but > they've been tough and durable. But after a day in them, I climb out > feeling like I've been in a sauna with my clothes on. > > My personal thermostat seems to be set lower than most, so sweat > condensation is an issue for me, even wearing breathables. After > trying several combinations of layers, I've settled on a pair of > polypropylene socks to wick away moisture, followed by a pair of > Smartwool socks, and maybe another pair of fleece socks or neoprene > booties if it's really cold. (With the big feet in the Hodgmans, > there's plenty of room for several pairs of socks ;-) I've even tried > those crack-n-stick foot warmers from REI. They didn't seem to work > very well. > > I've ended up wearing light polypropylene long johns under the waders > in the summer, and a second layer of 100-wt or 300-wt fleece pants > when it gets colder. > > When it's really cold, I wear all the above but switch from the > breathables to the neoprene waders. > > Wonder what's worked for other subscribers? > > Kent Lufkin >
