Wetsuit for the winter?

[Dave I.]

This is my first winter with my Yak, and i don't have any cold water gear. I noticed on the BWE Store that they have 3mm suits, but at the OEX store i've seen 5mm suits. Which one should i get? I have splash pants but as crappy as i am at recovery i want something more. Or should just get waders in wear thermals and splash suit?


Dave

[Billy V]

I really like the Hodgman Wadelite Breathable Waders w/Stocking Foot.

I wear an oversized pair of dive boots over the foot so I can walk to the car and back without wearing through the foot.

Lots of comfort.
-------------------------
I bought mine at the Cabelas store in Reno, so I had the chance to try on every brand of wader in the store.
Hodgman Waderlite were the most comfortable.

[FISHIONADO]

It's uncomfortable to paddle very far in a full wetsuit. I wear 1mm wetsuit pants from NRS under some splash pants, 5mm dive booties, and a breathable jacket. My legs do get wet but the 1mm wetsuit keeps them warm and the splash pants prevent evaporation cooling. I can remove layers if the sun comes out and it gets warm.

[Dan]

waders all the way. nothing like landing after a morning of fishing and being bone dry. Layer accordingly under them and you'll never be cold.

[Siebler]

If your looking at the 5mm suits we have at OEX PL forget about paddling in them. First off your going to be too restrictive and 2nd youll overheat no matter how cold it is. These are Freedive Suits and a very tight fit and very warm.

Go Mysterioso and splash gear over that. You wont regret it.

[landwhale]

Eastport paddle pants and top with warm clothes under. I have found with the neoprene and velcro straps tightened at my ankles the water keeps out of my legs, add a pair off bootie and I'm off.

[Dan W.]

I wore 3mm wetsuit bottoms for the past few winters and regret it. I just bought some breathable Hodgemans at Sports Authority for $75. The wetsuit bottoms always kept me warm but they were so damn uncomfortable after a couple hours. No more itchy wet legs for me. Being dry makes a world of difference and now I'm warm and comfy all day. I don't recommend itchy wet legs and especially not a full suit.

[THE DARKHORSE]

waders all the way. nothing like landing after a morning of fishing and being bone dry. Layer accordingly under them and you'll never be cold.

:iagree:Price of Hodgman wadelite $100, price of NRS splashjacket that velcro's at the wrists and neck $45, slipping off my waders and sitting right on the couch in dry clothes after fishing for fourteen hours, priceless :).

[Adam12]

Is it true that theres a possibility of the waders filling up with water and sinking you if you go overboard?

[esdees]

Is it true that theres a possibility of the waders filling up with water and sinking you if you go overboard?

If they fill with water it would make it nearly impossible to get out of the water unless you can get the waders off, but it won't make you sink like a rock or anything.

A few people have done tests. One of the findings was that if you have a splash jacket on when you fall in, your waders won't take on much water at all.

[dgax65]

Is it true that theres a possibility of the waders filling up with water and sinking you if you go overboard?

This should disprove that myth

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

The water inside the waders is the same weight and density as the water outside. It is not going to cause you to sink. If you are floating in still water it won't matter how much water is in your clothes. It is when trying to get out of the water that you will notice the weight. It doesn't matter if it is waders or a baggy jacket; anything that will hold a large volume of water will weight a lot when you try to remove it from the water. Loose clothing will also increase your drag and make it more difficult to swim. This is where the 'killer wader' myth comes from. Guys wearing baggy waders fall into a moving stream or river and the waders act like a drift chute. The moving water acts over a much larger surface area and carries you downstream. You don't have the strength to overcome the force of the water acting over the large sail area of the waders. If you have ever deployed a drift chute, you'll know exactly how the waders would act in moving water. Using the belt with the waders or waders that fit snug will eliminate the danger in moving water. The breathable waders, like the ones made by Hodgeman, don't hold much water. Even if they fill up, there isn't enough weight to make it hard to reenter. I've had more difficulty reentering my kayak wearing cammies than I have with my waders. Any loose or baggy clothing could cause problems in the water. That's why most paddling gear is designed to fit snug.

More important that anything else: always wear a PFD and practice reenty enough times that it becomes second nature.

[FISHIONADO]

How long before waders start leaking? Is it easy to patch holes from hooks? Are they really breathable or do they get damp inside from perspiration? Most important, how do you take a piss wearing waders on a kayak?

[Matt]

Well they start leaking when you get your sabiki stuck in them, as ghetto as it may seem I have put duct tape on the inside to seal holes, although they do make repair kits, as far as taking a piss just pull 'em down. I have the zippered fronts, the only down side is the zipper can leak a bit, but not too bad really.

[FISHIONADO]

as far as taking a piss just pull 'em down. I have the zippered fronts, the only down side is the zipper can leak a bit, but not too bad really.

I thought maybe size does matter to be able to roll the hose out of those things. A friend once asked me "have you ever seen the date code on a condom?". I said no, he laughed and said "you've never had to roll one down that far". Ha

[erinoo]

Dave, The Hodgeman breathable is the way to go, as far as I’m concerned. I've had the different dry pants and neoprene waders, but the breathable has outperformed the rest. Taking a piss, nothing to it, especially for some of us. I got a small hole in the leg, (gaff). Just applied a small amount of marine goop and fixed, still dry. They keep you warm with a good under layer and cool with only shorts....Eric <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[bajadog]

Most important, how do you take a piss wearing waders on a kayak?


Catheter bag? :eek:

[Billy V]

Most important, how do you take a piss wearing waders on a kayak?

A 20 oz. Gatoraide bottle has a wide top opening and works fine.

[bajadog]

A 20 oz. Gatoraide bottle has a wide top opening and works fine.

How in-efficient is that?
You waste all that stored thermal energy in the urine (98.6°F)
by letting back into the cold ocean. No divers here?:rolleyes:

[Quilted Germ]

Taking a piss, nothing to it, especially for some of us. I got a small hole in the leg, (gaff). " /><O:p></O:p>:confused:

That's a pretty small hole....

[forefrazier]

Here is a pretty good write up on chest waders and re-entry from TKF forum....

http://texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=108685&highlight=

[Handymansd]

I have to admit that I was pretty stuck on farmer Johns and other "wet" combos until Catapalooza '08. Putting on a dripping wet, cold, wetsuit at 4:30am in 45 degree weather is a rather exhilarating experience that I think permanently shrunk the "fellows":eek: :o!
Since then I have most assuredly been a hodgeman man! You can come off the water in your work clothes and go directly to work! Pretty handy, and a must have for lobstering with wet nets and toothy, spiney, stingy, critters in your lap all night.;)

[Dave I.]

Thanks for all the advice people.


http://www.hodgman.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STRW410

Are this the hodgmans you guys are talking about?

How is the sizing? I'm 5'9" 220lbs is the XL the right size?




Dave

[FISHIONADO]

Once MattF and I were fishing together and we both had to take a piss. I paddled away and did my business over the side of the yak and yelled, "damn this water is cold". Matt did his thing and then yelled back "and deep too".

[Handymansd]

Thanks for all the advice people.


http://www.hodgman.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STRW410

Are this the hodgmans you guys are talking about?

How is the sizing? I'm 5'9" 220lbs is the XL the right size?




Dave

I am 6'4" and about 210# this time of year, and I use the Hodgeman Wadelite breathable in a medium. The large might work for you too. Just go to sports Authority and try a couple pairs on. A little wiggle room is nice for use on a kayak!

[Holy Mackerel]

Thanks for all the advice people.
http://www.hodgman.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STRW410
Are this the hodgmans you guys are talking about?
How is the sizing? I'm 5'9" 220lbs is the XL the right size?
Dave

you better try some on in a store, as you can see the difference between different brands, etc, and between handyman and me. I am 6ft, and 200lbs... XL Hodgeman Zipper model. Fits nicely, just enough room for layers, and not too bulky in the summer with just board shorts. I wear them year round, as they keep the sun off me, or if too hot out, easy to peel off and stow.

I could have sworn I saw a stack of breathable waders at OEX Pt. Loma, maybe OEX can chime in... that would be the best place to try them on, or Sports Auth. also has breathable waders.

chris

[bajadog]

Ok, I have to ask.

Do any hobie mirage folks us waders?

I tried, and found that it was to hard to get my
water boots into the pedals.

That's why I use the dry bottoms, and split toe neoprene
booties.

[FISHIONADO]

Ok, I have to ask.

Do any hobie mirage folks us waders?

I tried, and found that it was to hard to get my
water boots into the pedals.

That's why I use the dry bottoms, and split toe neoprene
booties.

I removed the pedal straps from my Hobie drive, I didn't find them useful.

[steamroll]

I removed the pedal straps from my Hobie drive, I didn't find them useful.

Yep. Pulled mine off also and then cut off the knobs that hold the straps on.

I've been using breathable waders and a paddle jacket for a few seasons now. My next pair will have the front zip

[Rusty]

Yep. Pulled mine off also and then cut off the knobs that hold the straps on.

I've been using breathable waders and a paddle jacket for a few seasons now. My next pair will have the front zip


Pulled mine off too.... and marine gooped a weight on the back of each peddle so they stay upright.

[forefrazier]

What is the difference between these two waders besides the price?

<a href="http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/forefrazier/?action=view&current=t_350x350_25a9b925ef4fa07cf90bdc88d.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/forefrazier/t_350x350_25a9b925ef4fa07cf90bdc88d.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/forefrazier/?action=view&current=t_350x350_c50626a265867d15b9c0cf450.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/forefrazier/t_350x350_c50626a265867d15b9c0cf450.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[bellcon]

I think the grey one has "gravel guards"

[dgax65]

The W430 (grey) has reinforced 'gravel guard' knees, polyester microfiber outer shell and several pockets
http://www.hodgman.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STRW430

The W410 has double layer Taslan lower legs, but not the heavy reinforcement. List price on these is $75 less than the W430.
http://www.hodgman.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STRW410&k=76804

[T Bone]

I have been wearing my waders over my splash jacket so its easier to take a leak.You just kind of roll them down and aim for the scupper...

I have a pair of breatheable waders from Bass pro shops and love them.They were about $100