Waders & wet launches - what's your pleasure?

[Copinsay]

Hi All

I love my chestie waters for slip launching and beach landings, but after a while the waterproofness seems to go above mid thigh.

My current neoprene Ocean Waders are good, and certainly not cheap, but it seems that water starts to come in after a year or so at the seams.

Google Image Result for http://www.johnnorris.co.uk/uploads/images/product/main/waders1_1297871866.jpg

Curious as to what other people do / wear for when you need some water ingress protection higher than wellies, but don't want to wear a dry suit.

Or is there something I can do to improve the waterproofness - or should they perform better than this?

Maybe PVC would be more waterproof, but the warmth the 5mm neoprene gives is very welcome.

Ideas welcome

Many thanks

Steve

[captnjack]

I would expect them to last longer than 2 years if stored dry and hanging. If you fold them alot the neoprene breaks down faster.

I have non-insulated shell hip waders, I got them in 1991. Only been resealed once at some wear spots around the knees.

[Ian M]

My current neoprene chest waders are 4 years old, and still totally dry, although I have to admit that they are not as well made as diving drysuits I have owned. Only paid something like £40 for mine, so I tend to think of them as consumables.
Mine usually get washed and hung up in the garage after use. Is storage your issue?

[Ribtecer]

My PVC waders are 20 years old, they offer zero thermal assistance, but I am not in them long enough for it to be a problem.

Washed every time and hung from the shoulder straps.

[treerat]

I use a set of Palm dry trousers - defo not cheap but damn good at the job - and I can use them in the rib / canoes too

[Pikey Dave]

I currently use the missus in a pair of shorts & flipflops, I've not been wet yet

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I currently use the missus in a pair of shorts & flipflops, I've not been wet yet

See!!?...Yet Another Problem solved by Pikey!

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I currently use the missus in a pair of shorts & flipflops, I've not been wet yet

Spoken like a true Yorkshire man!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I currently use the missus in a pair of shorts & flipflops, I've not been wet yet

[Copinsay]

Hello All

Many thanks for your comments.

To answer some of the questions, I don't think that storage is an issue, as they are hosed off while on me with fresh water (I do it when hosing boat down) and I've special pegs in the tractor shed (now aka boat shed) so they can be hung from the boots (see pic) as recommended (though I note someone here saying they hang theirs from the braces - I'd been told that was not desirable as the heaviest parts - boots - are pulling on the seams?)

I am disappointed given that at £100+ for the Ocean chesties, they have in around one year started to leak around the crotch (it is a leak BTW not just me keep pissing myself!).

Am toying with some cheaper PVC ones, but the neoprene insulation is actually quite handy up here, and I've never actually been too hot.

In terms of use, I guess they've been out on 40 day long trips

They get taken off on arrival on land if going walking etc.

Is there anything that can be done to improve the waterproofness? The seams look fine.

Thanks for your help

Steve

[A1an]

You want them repaired?


One of my stalking clients does Wader/dry suit repairs for a living. Ex North Sea diver, he pressure tests before repair then after to make sure it's a top job.

If you want his number PM me.