Waders In Kayak???

[westhavendave]

I almost drowned years ago wearing waders albeit with no dry top in the yak years ago, the wading belt is no waterproof seal IMO. My waders filled with water then the bootfoots dropped below my feet stretching the suspenders. The boats acted like a drift sock catching the estuary current i was in making things even more dicey. PFD saved my butt. I currently wear a farmer john wetsuit with drytop in spring and fall but have also shortened my early season until about this time of year some sort of light splash gear over a wetsuit also helps with the cooling in the wind aspect if you get wet. I would use a drysuit if they were were more affordable.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by westhavendave

I currently wear a farmer john wetsuit with drytop in spring and fall but have also shortened my early season until about this time of year

As the saying goes, "Gear up for the water temperature, not the air temperature."

Right now, water temps are still below 55 degrees. Hypothermia sets in and you can become unconscious in as quick as 15 minutes in 50 degree water.
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hypothermia.htm

Be careful out there. One mistake is all it takes.

[Rockport24]

I wear the wader/dry top combo when the water temps are cold. The dry top is an absolute must if you are wearing waders in a yak. Some water may trickle in through the neck seal, but for the most part, it's dry and you can manuever enough to get yourself back in.

Now waders with anything other than a dry top is asking for trouble.

The issue is dry tops are uncomfortable and almost strangle you at the neck seal, so guys just wear the waders to keep their butt dry, but if you go over, it's not gonna be easy to get back in. Sure, you can seal off the waders at the waist with a belt, but the belt needs to be so tight it would be really uncomfortable.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

Sure, you can seal off the waders at the waist with a belt, but the belt needs to be so tight

it would be really uncomfortable.

what if the belt was on the outside of the dry top lower so it's not
making you gasp for air... the elastic band belt isn't (doesnt seem) stronger than the water...
gettin in... i hope -to not find out...

[Rockport24]

Originally Posted by Raven

[/B]

what if the belt was on the outside of the dry top lower so it's not
making you gasp for air... the elastic band belt isn't (doesnt seem) stronger than the water...
gettin in... i hope -to not find out...

I wear a wader belt under my dry top as a extra layer of saftey, then I ALSO have an aquaskinz belt that I put on over the dry top, but its a last line of defense in case water gets in through the dry top, the dry top has tight seals on the bottom as well.

Johnny: a wet suit is probably a better option and I would probably go that route if I already owned one, but a lot of experts have confirmed this combo works well

oh I should also note that you should also wear some kind of thermals as a base layer that work even when wet. I have mysteriosos that I wear under all of this. Believe it or not, they were designed to use as a base layer of a wet suit!

[JFigliuolo]

When the water is cold... like now, I wear waders/dry top/belt and a conventional PFD. I am confident in it's performance should I dump.

When the water gets warmer, I go over to the wetsuit... 5 Mil and a surf top. and an INFLATABLE PFD

Summer, shorts, t-shirt and the inflatable.

Do whatever YOU think is safe.

[wheresmy50]

Everyone wears waders and a dry top. Couldn't agree more with JF.

If you're really concerned, get a breathable dry suit. I can't even imagine how much a person would sweat kayaking in a wetsuit, but it would be impressive if the wind and waves weren't cooperating. Bring lots of water if you plan to go far.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by westhavendave

I almost drowned years ago wearing waders albeit with no dry top in the yak years ago, the wading belt is no waterproof seal IMO. My waders filled with water then the bootfoots dropped below my feet stretching the suspenders. The boats acted like a drift sock catching the estuary current i was in making things even more dicey. PFD saved my butt. I currently wear a farmer john wetsuit with drytop in spring and fall but have also shortened my early season until about this time of year some sort of light splash gear over a wetsuit also helps with the cooling in the wind aspect if you get wet. I would use a drysuit if they were were more affordable.

Note the highlighted phrase... no one is suggesting (or should be) waders w/o a pfd.

[Rockport24]

also note he writes "ALBEIT WITH NO DRY TOP"

it works as a system, with no dry top, the system is useless and chit like that can happen!