Best Waders

[hunt-4-life21]

I'll never go back to neoprene. Ever. They suck. They freeze and you can't move. I had a pair of Rogers insulated breathables for a year. They were comfortable and warm. They didn't leak but I hated the boots and the bulkiness. I think you could put some soles in the boots and make them better. That same summer, I had someone sell me some used Sitka zips. They had been wore a season and was shipped back to Sitka for maintenance. I paid about half of regular price but they were used. I've worn them for a season and a half and I love em. Its super easy to layer under them and I've yet to get cold. They are much more slim fitting than my Rogers. I haven't had a leak yet but its probably coming. If that happens, I'll send them back to Sitka for repairs. I don't think I would buy them brand new at retail price because that's a huge chunk of change. But I'd probably pay $6-700 when you find them on sale. The boot is what makes them great. Very comfortable.

 

[OHRIVERHUNTER]

I have the Banded breathable and I have done a lot of walking and wading in them and the crotch is still dry. boot fits my foot so walking in them is awesome. I bought them 2 years ago on sale after season from Rogers. I have a half dozen pairs of the lacrosse in my shed and that's were they will stay till I throw them in the trash. By the way I need to clean out my shed!

 

[Brsutton86]

USIA Best money spent for a duck hunter

 

[HuntressOfLight]

Just read this thread for the first time, causing me curiosity over whether manufacturers of hunting waders may possibly design all with the intent of repetitive purchases. Purchases are how they cover their overhead and hope to profit, afterall. I know that I never once experienced leaks nor tears wearing my dry suit within cold surf, while operating equipment and consistantly banging into it as well as submerging, but I did not wear it much before it was stolen by evil-minded thieves. I did pay top dollar for it, and it was custom made for me, thereby far from cheap with perfect fit. It was a GoreTex, but I am unaware of it having been made with camouflage patterns, lol. It might be worth considering and then simply layering over it with lightweight camouflage hunting gear.

 

[HuntressOfLight]

Found it, the Meridian, but mine was for ladies, of course, and I purchased through NRS, instead, being that I like many products they carry. Price looks to be around the same. The lifetime warranty is nice. Such does not cover all parts, but reduced prices for repairs are offered. I was utilizing it over on the West Coast where winter elements can become extreme, and I was not operating a kayak... i would wear wool beneath it.

There is most certainly a trick to getting out of one. First time that I tried it on within the living room, it took 30-45 minutes of exhaustion trying to figure out my exit, down upon all fours with my butt hiked into the air and my cats constantly meowing while meandering beneath me. Was quite humorous, causing me to roll over in laughter at one point, lol. It became easier after that. I highly recommend it.

https://www.olympicoutdoorcenter.com/products/kokatat-gore-tex-meridian-mens-dry-suit

 

[HuntressOfLight]

I notice NRS is selling used, resulting in quite a savings. No idea how such may possibly impact manufacturer warranty, and Cali has labeled it with health warnings, but those wacked Commies label almost all products with such...

https://www.nrs.com/used/kokatat-mens-gore-tex-meridian-drysuit/uedi

 

[HeadedWest]

Drysuits leak like everything else.

I’d also be willing to bet that the the same folks that neglect their waders would neglect the dry suit. Interesting idea and probably the safest option for big water hunting in the cold, but probably not practical for most hunters.

 

[HuntressOfLight]

Drysuits leak like everything else.

I’d also be willing to bet that the the same folks that neglect their waders would neglect the dry suit. Interesting idea and probably the safest option for big water hunting in the cold, but probably not practical for most hunters.

Interesting feedback, thank you. I imagine that it is true, most dry suits leaking. I know that this particular one came highly recommended to me via quite a few professionals within my venue, which was my reasoning for opting for it over many others. That is about all I know, other than I shall always do whatever necessary to protect myself to the fullest from cold waters; one being such is mandatory and two being that I simply hate them. I do not give a rat's behind what I end up looking like, from the Pillsbury Dough Boy to the Michelin Tire thingie, either, provided I remain warmly safe, lol.

 

[Capttrae]

I’m in the market for a new pair. Had a pair of drake breathables last year, first time I used them this year was a couple days ago, got soaked from the cods down. Put on my old neoprene, quickly remembered why I went to breathables. Looked at the frog togs at Rogers, would love the Sitka but dadgum the price though.

 

[Mossy Oak Boykins]

capt. did you register them if so they should be under warranty i bought a pair of the 4in1 drake breathable start of last season have gotten 2 seasons out of them so far so good have wore them at least 20 to 25 days ea. season i put in and take out decoys each hunt

 

[HuntressOfLight]

I’m in the market for a new pair. Had a pair of drake breathables last year, first time I used them this year was a couple days ago, got soaked from the cods down. Put on my old neoprene, quickly remembered why I went to breathables. Looked at the frog togs at Rogers, would love the Sitka but dadgum the price though.

Dear Captain, sorry about your mishap,... lol. Mossy has a question for you; meanwhile, I just discovered this less expensive GoreTex drysuit geared toward fishing. It is not peacock colored like the others and acorn, instead. Maybe Kotatat actually has camos or would custom make them upon request.

"...The suit features military-grade 330D Gore-Tex Cordura reinforcements in the lap, knees, seat, and elbows for added longevity and adaptability, so you can depend on the SuperNova to withstand the gear-testing pursuits you prefer. The reinforcements aren't simply plastered atop the existing Gore-Tex—instead,..."

https://www.backcountry.com/kokatat-gore-tex-supernova-angler-paddlingsuit

 

[Capttrae]

Dear Captain, sorry about your mishap,... lol. Mossy has a question for you; meanwhile, I just discovered this less expensive GoreTex drysuit geared toward fishing. It is not peacock colored like the others and acorn, instead. Maybe Kotatat actually has camos or would custom make them upon request.

"...The suit features military-grade 330D Gore-Tex Cordura reinforcements in the lap, knees, seat, and elbows for added longevity and adaptability, so you can depend on the SuperNova to withstand the gear-testing pursuits you prefer. The reinforcements aren't simply plastered atop the existing Gore-Tex—instead,..."

https://www.backcountry.com/kokatat-gore-tex-supernova-angler-paddlingsuit

If I’m paying that much I’m buying Sitka waders

 

[Capttrae]

capt. did you register them if so they should be under warranty i bought a pair of the 4in1 drake breathable start of last season have gotten 2 seasons out of them so far so good have wore them at least 20 to 25 days ea. season i put in and take out decoys each hunt

That’s where I messed up. I sure didn’t

 

[HuntressOfLight]

If I’m paying that much I’m buying Sitka waders

I have seen that brand name tossed about so often here and finally looked at it this morning. One thing having stood out as crucial was the thorough thought they put behind actually getting to a desired spot on foot, without snags/tears. I will have to further look into them.

I did visit Kotatat's actual website for the first time and was extremely impressed. You can custom design your own drysuit through their Gizmo program, based upon specific needs. Various suits exist to initiate the buildout and tailoring begins from there. As for colors, stock and custom exist. While I do see a variety of natural colors, I do not see any camos, but I would tend to believe such not to be an issue, and especially if waterfowl hunters began ordering specifically for such. Kotatat is going to tap a new to itself market, no doubt.

My perspective is simple; do not become wet within extremely cold waters/temperatures..., being the possible quick difference between injury or even life and death. Comfort is merely secondary. Accidents are never planned but can and should be carefully planned for, indeed. I have done enough rapid cold water rescues in big surf to know. I think a drysuit is better than mere waders, for it all, regardless of which type of cold waters.

I would actually become hot within my drysuit while within extremely cold surf, but that was due to constant activity (working it hard). They will keep you warm, when properly layered beneath them, even while being still for a while. That is important, and especially if injured; even more so, if you unexpectedly find yourself alone on top of it all. Maybe Sitka offers a drysuit. I do not know.

[...select "Start Customizing"...]

https://kokatat.com/custom​