Breathables are the way to go. When layered proprerly I never get cold not even in January. My first breathables were a brand named Tail Water that went out of business as soon as I bought them. I could understand why, they leaked with in a month of use(about ten times of use). Now I have a pair of Dan Bailys guide waders and they have been leak proof thus far and I have fished at least 75 full days in them this year. In both hot desert weather and cold winter river water they are comfortable and dry. I just learned about a cleaning solution that should be applied periodically to kep the pores from clogging with grime. It helps maintain the breathability after several uses. Because of my bad memory I cant remember the name of the product but it is available at fly shops like Teds in Lynnwood. The best advantage to breathables verses neoprene is the fact they dry much faster and are easier to get off and on when wet.
> [Original Message] > From: Kent Lufkin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: 11/15/2001 10:22:45 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 --- PATRICK PETERSEN --- [EMAIL PROTECTED]
