STAYING DRY QUESTION?

[silvereagle]

I was wondering if anybody uses say neoprene chest waders for beach/river or creek hunting? what is the best to keep you dry?how about easy to put on? versus wet suit- dry suit?I have seen waders that you can get the boots separate? please all recommendations are appreciated,thanks for the input.

 

[seeker41]

how do wetsuits work? cold water would get in at the openings, ankles, wrists, neck. etc:

 

[otlew]

Below is my opinion on this subject.

1. I prefer the chest waders over the wet suit. Easier on and off.

2. I prefer the breathable waders with neoprene booties over the all neoprene with booties. A breathable wader is more comfortable, light and can be used in summer as well as winter. In winter just use fleece or thermal underwear. In summer use shorts and a T-shirt. I prefer to use waders in the summer to protect against jelly fish stings and nasty things that might be floating in the surf. All neoprene waders or a wet suit can make you feel clammy since all perspiration is trapped in. Breathers do just that, they allow moisture out but none in.

3. I prefer the wading boots as opposed to the attached boots. The wading boots do get wet and have to be rinsed and dried between uses. I find the wading boots give more support when laced up than a slip on boot, attached boots fits a range of about 2 sizes.

4. Since waders are made to fit a range of sizes, you may have difficult time buying ones that fit you well. For instance I am 5'-8" but I am barrel chested. To get waders that fit me in the chest and the inseam is only possible if I buy from Cabela's Outfitters. They sell what is called the Stout Version, (a nice way of saying short and fat). At other sporting goods stores, I tried on four different types and 2 different sizes in each type, if it fit my chest I had about 4 to 5 inches in extra leg length to deal with in the water.

 

[pamlicopanther]

I have no experience with wet suits. I did recently purchase some neoprene chest waders. These work great for me. I wear sweat pants under them and this makes it easy to slip on and off. They keep me warm and are quite comfortable. It has been cold where I live since I have had them, so I am not sure how they would working warmer weather.

 

[kaptainkosmic]

I use a farmer john wetsuit top over the top of neopreme waders. It is not completely water proof but is very water resistant. If I step into water that is deeper than the top of the waders and then quickly step back to shallower water very seldom does any water get into the waders.

Steve

 

[kmandiver]

Wetsuits are just that. They allow water into the suit. Your body temp warms up the water and they keep you warm. However, Your muscles act like a pump. The more you move, the more you pump cold water into and warm water out of the wetsuit. This is a slow process, but over time you will become chilled. Especially in waters with temps below 50 degrees. There are different thicknesses of wet suits depending on the water temp, but if you really want to work in winter waters, waders or (alot more expensive) a drysuit would be your best bet.

 

[acasto]

I use a pair of Hodgman waders I bought at Academy. Also picked up a pair of stingray boots. Makes you feel kinda indestructible.
Found out this past weekend I need a hooded, lightweight rain jacket also.

Get the lightweight waders and adjust what you wear for the weather.
If you don't have them, get a pair of fingerless weight lifting gloves to keep a good grip on wet equipment. Helps on blisters also.

 

[grumpyolman]

I have both breathable and neoprene waders. Both have their places. Both have the rubber footed sock attached. That allows me to put on any shoe I want over the rubber sock. I usually use a regular felt soled wading boot. I never slip on the rocks or anything while in the water. However, going to and from the water be careful of sloping wet grass. There's no lugged sole on the felt shoes and they are pretty slippery unless in the water. jim

 

[synthnut]

Just remember one thing ....If you are doing this hunting in the Winter time , and you slip on a rock or a wave knocks you down , waders will fill with water if you are in fairly deep water , and at the temps that the water is now , you're not gonna want to deal with it, IF you're able to deal with it at all !! .... A Dry suit , which is a total PITA , is a LOT safer in the Winter months !!..... NOBODY plans on falling, but if you do , at least you have a fighting chance !!..... I don't mean to alarm you .... Merely stating the posibilities ...Jim

 

[Cupajo]

Jim,

I've been wearing a water-proof hooded rain parka top such as worn be kayakers with weather tight seals at arms and neck over my waders. It is cinched snugly with a belt around my middle has kept me dry in two such dunkings over the years.

I'm told a farmer john wet suit works well inside waders too, but in my case I don't think waders are made that large!!

I'm carefull to release any trapped air so the air filled legs don't float above my head in a dunking.

I prefer a dry suit, but haven't had problems with waders yet.

Leaking waders have gotten more water in my waders than any dunking ever has,

CJ

 

[synthnut]

CJ
I'm pretty sizable myself !!.....Some call it "Portly " ....I call it FAT !!....LOL !!!..... Cinching the waders at the mid section helps. but how many people do this ? .....Comfort is the name of the game, and it's really pretty hard to be comfortable when waterproofing yourself ... especially for big guys like us .....

" but haven't had problems with waders yet." ......."YET" is the operative word here !!....... All it takes is one rogue wave to knock you down , your waders fill with water, and down you go like a lead balloon !!..... It's even worse with us big guys ....You know what it's like to just get up off the floor ....put even more weight on you in a panic situation .....Whatever does it for you .... I use to paddle my kayak with waders on until I saw a guy go in the drink with waders on .....Luckily there were others around him to assist him ....He was wearing a dry suit the next time I saw him !!!......It only takes once !!..... Jim

 

[bcoop]

n/t

 

[kaptainkosmic]

Jim,

If you can't swim without waders then you can't swim with em either & vice versa.

Neopreme waders float just like a neopreme wetsuit! And even if your waders are not neopreme you can still easily swim with them flooded. I have intentionally flooded my waders in waves in Lake Michigan with absolutely no ill effects, with the exception that you get wet & when you reach shallow water you feel kind of like the Michelin Man. As stated below I wear a farmer john wetsuit over the top of my waders and they have never flooded even though I have stepped into water deeper than the top of the waders on many occassions. I believe a kayak top would provide very similiar results.

Here are a couple you tube videos to prove the point. I'm not trying to convince anyone to use waders, just don't eliminate them as an option. They are warm, dry most of time, affordable and safe as long as you don't exceed your own ability to swim!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJR1hZbzXk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYwG52p4yjs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg08KmaD-E4&feature=related


Of course this is my opinion.

Steve

quote=synthnut]
CJ
I'm pretty sizable myself !!.....Some call it "Portly " ....I call it FAT !!....LOL !!!..... Cinching the waders at the mid section helps. but how many people do this ? .....Comfort is the name of the game, and it's really pretty hard to be comfortable when waterproofing yourself ... especially for big guys like us .....

" but haven't had problems with waders yet." ......."YET" is the operative word here !!....... All it takes is one rogue wave to knock you down , your waders fill with water, and down you go like a lead balloon !!..... It's even worse with us big guys ....You know what it's like to just get up off the floor ....put even more weight on you in a panic situation .....Whatever does it for you .... I use to paddle my kayak with waders on until I saw a guy go in the drink with waders on .....Luckily there were others around him to assist him ....He was wearing a dry suit the next time I saw him !!!......It only takes once !!..... Jim[/quote]