Waders or drysuit?

Waders or a drysuit,

Both

Drysuit.

I'm currently using waders with a dry top.  It works great but I'd really like the relief zipper of a drysuit.

From the "King of Cheap", Waders work fine if you are on a budget, only place I might waver is ocean trips, if you can get to shore in an hour or less easily and the temps are spring like or better you'll be fine with waders.  I fished one fall day without a dry top, just a sweater and waders actually fell off my kayak goofing off while heading out, paddled and fished for 4 hours, (air temps low 50's, water high 40s') and never was uncomfortable.  Keep in mind I was mostly paddling, not drifting much that day.  But Waders and drytop or semi dry top work fine for about a $120.00 new.  Neoprene adds major insulation too and adds floatation.

I started with waders and then switched to a 3mm farmer john + semidry top or sometimes just a rain coat. That was going to be my salt water outfit but I have reservations about that saving my butt in a real emergency and am now thinking dry suit. I have been testing the fj out on some days lately in the 40's with various layers and it is just great. I prefer it to the waders for comfort and mobility. I used it last summer on some lakes with a t-shirt and it liked it for that , too. I'll probably invest in the dry suit some day for salt water use.

very cheap (~$150 total)/very safe/a bit uncomfortable = wet suit with a splash top
fairly cheap(~$250 total)/fairly safe/comfortable = waders with a dry top
Expensive(~$500)/very safe/very comfortable = dry suit

If you already own waders or a wet suit for other activities that will change the coast analysis for you a bit.

what category do these sort of 'splash' pants fall into?  semi-dry wear?  thanks, roger

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=25853&pdeptid=1152

what category do these sort of 'splash' pants fall into?  semi-dry wear?  thanks, roger

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=25853&pdeptid=1152

No.  "Semi-dry" is the term for what would otherwise be a dry-garment except that it has neoprene rather than latex for the gasket materials (neoprene doesn't give quite as good of a seal and will usually let a tiny trickle get in where latex won't).  That has no ankle gasket at all, and while it has better than just an elastic waist band it's still not a "dry" or really even "semi-dry" gasket.  Those are more like glorified rain pants.

For kayaking you want something that will keep out water if you find yourself off the kayak and immersed in the water. 

If you're using a wetsuit for immersion protection, however, and want that to keep the wind off, and reduce the chill from splashes, it would work great.

what category do these sort of 'splash' pants fall into?  semi-dry wear?  thanks, roger

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=25853&pdeptid=1152

No.  "Semi-dry" is the term for what would otherwise be a dry-garment except that it has neoprene rather than latex for the gasket materials (neoprene doesn't give quite as good of a seal and will usually let a tiny trickle get in where latex won't).  That has no ankle gasket at all, and while it has better than just an elastic waist band it's still not a "dry" or really even "semi-dry" gasket.  Those are more like glorified rain pants.

For kayaking you want something that will keep out water if you find yourself off the kayak and immersed in the water. 

If you're using a wetsuit for immersion protection, however, and want that to keep the wind off, and reduce the chill from splashes, it would work great.

thanks, that makes sense.   (note:  those pants do have a sort of velcro ankle gasket under the bottom cuff,  but you need to look at the detailed images to see them, not a 'seal' for sure but I think intended to keep water from splashing up the legs).

Started with dry bottoms and semi dry top and went to full semi dry suit (Kokatat angler). 

A lot of these suggestions are good. My only add on to the waders plus dry top is to make sure you wear at least one wading belt to help keep them tight. two are better. One high, one lower. If you have a very good wading belt, such as the Fishpond with back support, use it low and use the single strap el cheapo up around the chest.

Here's something you should consider a must read, from OG member, Kallitype;
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=3276.msg77487#msg77487