waders

will a pair of chest waders with a wading belt/ good rain coat be safe to wear while kayaking or should i get a wetsuit? if so on the wetsuit what thicknesses are best? thanks for feedback

Could you get away with it, sure.  I have with less.  Would I recommend it.  Not really.  Only if you are VERY comfortable in your ability to self rescue, you wear a good PFD at all times, you are familiar with the area, the weather is really nice, you go out with a buddy....yada, yada, yada, would I say you might be able to get away with it.  It's all about mitigating risk my friend.  A wetsuit on the other hand would work well.  However, you may find they are not the most comfortable thing to wear out on a kayak. 

My best recommendation is that if you have the waders already and are considering the option of a wetsuit,  look into a nice semi-dry paddling top to pair with your waders.  It doesn't have to be $300.  Many in the $100 range will work great.

 i was looking at the dry tops they look cool and dry  does it matter if the waters are breathable or not?

i was looking at the dry tops they look cool and dry  does it matter if the waters are breathable or not?

I have a pair of neoprene Hodgman chest waders and they hit the spot for cold water.  I've waded in 32 degree water in those things and have been fine.  Of course I had some long underwear and extra socks!  The really cool thing about the neoprenes is the extra buoyancy factor they give you.  You feel like a cork top in those things while in the water!  You can go either way though.  I think the best way to go and also what most people do would be breathable as you have a better ability to layer underneath to adjust for different seasons. 

you can look here to start too...  http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=941

i am probably gonna go with a pair of neoprene waders and a semi dry top sounds like a good bet to me.

lots of us go like that.  soon as you can, upgrade. you wont regret it.

i am probably gonna go with a pair of neoprene waders and a semi dry top sounds like a good bet to me.

I have a pair of hodgeman neo chest waders with a cheap splash top. You can layer under chest waders to keep plenty warm on cold days, there just a bit warm on nicer days.

I use some heavy duty work socks under and a pair of these nepoleon boots over and my feet which tend to get cold easy stay nice and toasty

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/CAMOmnifindQueryCmd?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&searchCategory=&ip_state=&ip_constrain=&ip_navtype=search&pageSize=24&currentPage=&ip_sortBy=&searchKeywords=neosport+explorer

If i could afford the 4 bills for just a decent dry suit i guess i would do it but that's alot of cash...You do what you can and just try to be as safe as possible. If you get back on your boat fast it's not as crucial..

Check out Outdoorplays web page....they have a limited size selection of kayak outer wear at 40% off right now.
You won't regret having a good semi or dry suit if you end up in the drink!

When I looked at CBY's link for boots I noticed this:  http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___76062
Cheapest I have seen them.  If you already own neoprene waders, then it may not make sense to buy pants and the money would be better spent on a dry top.  However, If you have to buy waders at $50 or more, then the price difference for something more comfortable (breathable for warmer days) may be worth it.

For the water up there I would not choose breathable waders. If they are over topped while swimming (a very likely condition), you would, at best, be wet and chilled  until you got out of them.
On the other hand, neoprene waders and a paddle top will keep most of the water out. When you get some water inside, it will warm up even though you'll still be wet.

If you get hot in neoprene, put your legs in the water or go for a swim. You need to practice your deep water re-entry anyway. 

I like these from Frogg Toggs as they are essentially a loose farmer john with neoprene covering your your chest and back and with booties attached. It also does not hurt that you can get them for $58.50 from the Frogg Toggg outlet.

http://www.froggtoggsoutlet.com/frtoamstfowa.html


Breathable dry pants are a different matter and would make a fine or better combination with a dry top. (NRS Black Rock pants come to mind).

A good breathable top is kinda spendy but worth it. If your in PDX and you don't mind used, it's most definitely worth looking in the basement at Next Adventure.

Why don't guys roll up the top of their breathable waders with the inner tunnel of a dry top? Much like the way a dry top mates with kokatat bibs.
After a brush with hypothermia, wearing a 3/2 wet suit while kiteboarding in Puget Sound, I don't mess around. I got myself a drysuit.

i found a dry top for 150 new i just cant find the website again ugh  i am probably gonna use neoprene/dry top  or possibly a wet suit dry suits are a little bit to spendy.

I'll have to give my waders another go after my experience monday with my Kokatat temptest pants/stohlquidst dry top combo.

After getting bucked off by a breaker, I ended up swimming back to the beach at Pacific City.  On my way in I could feel my clothing wicking up some water.  It started at the small of my back, and before long, all the way down the back of my legs.  Never did it feel cold, but I could feel the wet.

When all was said and done, I figure about a quart of water had been soaked up by all the fleece and wool I was wearing.  I was able to wring out water from the socks I was wearing. Even with the pants off, I still hadn't gotten cold, but I was wet.  If I was wearing cotton, i'm sure I would have been cold.

In the end, the combo isn't a bad way to go.  I was in the water quite awhile.  I had enough time to have re-entered my kayak a dozen times if I wasn't in the surf zone.

After all the videos lately, I'm gonna give wader/dry top another go...