Waders VS Neoprene Pants

[steveooo]

Jim Sammons made a nice video a few years back regarding the "waders of death" myth.

[alanw]

I use neoprene shorts under my board shorts sometimes in summer, and waders when it's colder (wintertime). Get breathable waders, they aren't hot at all. It's amazing how comfortable you can be all day while staying dry with waders. Neoprene.. different story. Not uncomfortable, and better than sitting in a puddle all day, but you are always wet inside... like kaya said, Monkey Butt. But they give some nice warmth that lets me stay out for hours comfortably all day and into the evenings.

[pbb]

The potential problem with wader is not so much that they will pull you to the bottom, but that they make it hard to get back aboard.

Has anyone tried waterproof pants that don't seal at the bottom to prevent wet butt? I'm thinking along the lines of Grundens. Seems like the biggest issue might be getting water inside during a surf launch, that would then pool in your seat and give you the same problem.

[old_rookie]

I started wearing waders - but when it was time to empty the bladder - it was a pain. Someone told me about watching someone trying to launch at LJ. It was a bigger surf day and the story teller said her and her friend had decided not to go. The guy trying to launch flipped, was wearing waders, and had a hard time getting out of the surf. They noticed him having so much trouble and went in to pull him out. After that I decided to get the Kokatat pants. I've wiped out a number of times with them and it is way easier when nature calls. I wear them all year - yeah, even when it is hot because I don't want to get fried by the sun, and in cooler temps, I get cold easy once I get wet from launching. Underneath I'll either have swim shorts, or warm up pants.

[wade]

Originally Posted by old_rookie

I started wearing waders - but when it was time to empty the bladder - it was a pain. Someone told me about watching someone trying to launch at LJ. It was a bigger surf day and the story teller said her and her friend had decided not to go. The guy trying to launch flipped, was wearing waders, and had a hard time getting out of the surf. They noticed him having so much trouble and went in to pull him out. After that I decided to get the Kokatat pants. I've wiped out a number of times with them and it is way easier when nature calls. I wear them all year - yeah, even when it is hot because I don't want to get fried by the sun, and in cooler temps, I get cold easy once I get wet from launching. Underneath I'll either have swim shorts, or warm up pants.

I believe that faithful day your referring to that resonates in my mind like yesterday, was almost my last..If indeed it was the same story, Sharon & Steve saved my life. (I am an excellent swimmer, surfer, diver, spearo, ect & I wear waders on my yak 365 & my PFD on about 80% of the time.Still..) Those are controlled situations, as I have mentioned before. The myth has not been debunked IMHO.
Real world situation: It was a huge cold winter morning, but I was competing in the WCW, and no day was going to stop me from getting out, or so I thought.
I had pierced through overhead waves countless times before with my old Prowler, and came out the victor. Although this day dealt me a different set. Literally. I probably couldn’t see the roller building outside on account of all the other ones firing and trying to get my timing to charge over the impact zone. Either way those facts of the story are insignificant to the OP question, so when it rains it pours, & when the sheet hits the fan…Look out!
It was cold winter water & after getting slammed solid, scorpion flipped to the bottom, I took in a small breath of water directly into my lungs right as I finally came to the surface, and got hammered by a few more forcing a hundred extra pounds of saltwater down into my stocking feet & going through the washing machine. (For those of you that haven’t experienced this, it is painful, and extremely scary as you try your best to get just one tiny bit of oxygen before you feel yourself slowly pass out and eventually drown.) It was really early in the morning and I didn’t think anyone would even see me, much less come to help, because I couldn’t even yell 1 single word. Waiting to die. The cold water had already shocked my system, and getting slammed held down for multiple waves wasn’t fun..Not thinking straight at this critical point, I couldn’t get my bearings to realize my feet felt like I was given Jimmy Hoffa’s shoes. I flailed my arms in a last ditch attempt & somehow two angels were soon hauling me off the ‘football field’ in fine BWE fashion. (Important detail to note: My nasal passageways are almost completely blocked due to a completely smashed septum. I have to breath out of my mouth, making air while surfing, diving, swimming a little difficult for me sometimes.)
When, and I do mean “WHEN” you crash, it will not be the most practical of situations. In fact ,it is going to be the worst case in point. I am sorry to be the bearer of this news, but it is reality, and everyone should be prepared. Launchings & landings are going to be the most challenging situations while wearing waders of course.
This could have easily been avoided, had I just put my tail between my legs and headed home with the heater running, as a few kayakers did that dreaded morning…
Thank you again Steve & Sharon for running into the chilly surf, to drag my lifeless body adorned with three mill cinderblock shoes from out of the relentless assault..








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[FISH11]

I think the important thing to remember, whether you want to use waders or kayak pants. Safety is the most important thing, it's #1. From what I have seen is a lot of the people using waders don't use the chest "safety belt", without that any fall in the water is instantly going to fill it up or close to it with water. That makes it very dangerous. You won't sink, but you will have a very hard time standing up if you are in shallow water. If you are in open water there is no way you are getting back in your ride without taking them off. I have some neoprene waders I use when duck hunting and I would never enter any water deeper than 2 feet without using the "safety chest belt". That is why they make it, to slow down the amount of water that can get inside if you end up in the water with the level above the chest opening. If you use wader don't forget the SAFETY CHEST BELT, they cost like $10. Isn't your life worth more than that.

[chris138]

I wear waders every sesh, no matter what. Trunks under when its warm, thermals under when its cold.

The trick is, don't fall off your kayak into the dangerous shark infested waters of la jolla.

Somewhat related side-note: It seems that fishing from a proangler is much more risky than any choice of pants you can make. Never have I seen such an UNWORTHY ocean going vessel. You catch the smallest wave and flip the thing instantly. Sitting at the launch I've watched 5 for 5 yardsale landing in the PA, and in meager conditions.

1. it cant surf for shit
2. apparently it fills with water as soon as it flips.
3. you cant re-mount it once your in the drink
4. you cant lift it or move it unless you are a gorilla or have a team with you
5. if your drive breaks, it's too wide to paddle

So other than having an old man's chase-lounge seat, and being able to mount a $5000 sonar onto it (which you will destroy as soon as you flip, which is apparently inevitable) whats so "PRO" about it anyway?

[EastLosYaker]

Neoprene shorts with booties get the job done when its chilly out there. Farmer John wetsuit is the way to go when its that cold.