Waders in a kayak

I think it was Mooch that posted a link to a site that mentioned wearing waders in a yak.  I have gortex waders that I'm thinking of using instead of a wetsuit, but a little afraid of filling with water if I go over.  Sealing them as much as possible, wearing a PFD, and a paddling jacket are no-brainers, but I'm still a little bit leery.  Do any of you go this route?

I haven't even been in my yak yet, but I plan on hitting it hard when I start.  The surf is calling my name and hopefully practice sessions will start soon.  So what I'm really concerned about is wearing waders in the surf...sounds less appealing the more I think about it.  Anybody have any good "getting wet" stories to tell this novice?

I wear breathables frequently, the only place where I don't is saltwater.

Check out the articles page on my website, I've definitely tested the set up your talking about.
These days I'm wearing both farmers johns and waders. I wore the waders in saltwater but I worried about wear and tear from the salt. I do like the sipper on the farmerjohns

I used to only wear a wetsuit when I paddled. This last time out though it was going to be ccccold. Snow on the kayak cold.
I wore my featherlight breathable waders because I didn't want ANY moisture next to my skin with the temps being so low.
I wore a belt around the top, then a paddle jacket over that, then a pfd over that so I felt pretty comfortable if I was to go over it would take some time to get totally soaked.
I saw some kayak pants with a neoprene waistband which would fit sungly around the mid-section and keep it from filling.
I wonder if one of those neoprene wraps used to help a person slim down would work as well if worn 1/2 over the top of the waders and 1/2 against your skin? Just a thought.

I usually wear the neoprene waders when fishing the Bay - or the local lakes in cold conditions. But I've also worn the waders in the ocean on calm days at Linda Mar and HMB - only when I stay close. (always wear a belt on your waders - to keep the water from "filling in" just in case you go under)

IMO: the safer practice is to wear a farmer john wetsuit when paddling further out.

Last year, I discovered that if you cut off some seam sealed rain pants into shorts, you can wear this over your wetsuit and your butt stays dry 

My friend's dad was fishing the mouth of one of the rivers up north and one of his partners slipped, went down in the current bobbed up once or twice when he hit the ocean and that was the last they saw of him[/i] warm

Was your friends dad fishing off a kayak with a PFD over a gasketed paddle jacket?

My friend's dad was fishing the mouth of one of the rivers up north and one of his partners slipped, went down in the current bobbed up once or twice when he hit the ocean and that was the last they saw of him[/i] warm

Was your friends dad fishing off a kayak with a PFD over a gasketed paddle jacket?

What kind of jacket?

This is insert from an articles I wrote a few years ago.
I'd like to dispel and old myth. If you fall in the water with waders on, you don't sink to the bottom. The pressure from the water will make your waders cling to your body like a suction cup, climbing out of the water, a little may creep down the top of your waders as the lack of pressure loosens the waders suction. So that I would not have any doubts if a situation ever happened, such as my kayak capsizing, I gave myself a test. Attired in my Polartec long johns, my fleece sweat suit over that, my high-tec waders over that, my paddling jacket over that, and my PFD topping it all off--I jumped into a swimming pool. I didn't sink like a rock, I floated like the Pillsbury Doughboy. I swam and floated around for about a half hour, more than enough to do a self rescue, providing you know how , and you've practice doing one in the first place. I was a bit wet from water seeping in through the collar and sleeve gaskets causing some discomfort, nothing serious in moderate fresh water conditions, such as slow rivers or reservoirs. The jacket I was wearing, was a Kokatat jacket called the breeze, great jacket, although not really waterproof, it's made for the previously mentioned moderate conditions, for keeping the the water out, the wind off, and your body heat in.

Aren't those wetsuits warm enough? jeez my farmer johns keep me too warm

the wetsuit does keep me warm....but Island boys   like myself need more warmth than the average dude from Norcal - I'd rather keep my butt dry and not soggy - I just feel that having the cut-off rain pants over the wetsuit makes it even more comfortable.

paddle&flies

are you launching surf?

what you did was in pretty controlled and warm conditions. My dui drysuit was as good as they got and I had a thick pajama suit underneath and a line feeding air to the inside of the suit to regulate buoyancy The couple of times I sprung a leak it was not pleasant     sf bay can get pretty cold in the winter

If you're launching surf it's almost guaranteed that sometime you're going to come in on a bigger break than you launched in. If you go out enough once in a while you're going to find yourself looking at the back of a scary surf and the smartest thing you can do is bail and swim  Whatever you're going to wear you might want to have that in mind

But then again the way most people load up their yaks is probably more of a hazard than anything else

Actually I've grown quite fond of my Farmers Johns. and I definitely wear them when I fish in saltwater what ever the situation. 
Hey evil twin I've seen what you wear when you go fishing, I'm shocked  to read that you get cold.

My friend's dad was fishing the mouth of one of the rivers up north and one of his partners slipped, went down in the current bobbed up once or twice when he hit the ocean and that was the last they saw of him[/i] warm

Was your friends dad fishing off a kayak with a PFD over a gasketed paddle jacket?

What kind of jacket?

I was referring to a semi-dry top or splash jacket with neoprene and/or rubber gaskets.  I was trying to make a point through my question.  The guys you usually hear about drowning in waders are guys fishing in fast-flowing rivers without a PFD.  I have yet to hear of anyone wearing waders and a PFD drowning or dying from hyperthermia.

Ricky... I'm glad you helped dispell the myth.  I've read (and have even seen a video) of others practicing self rescues using waders/PFD's without incident.  I've been wearing waist-high wader pants since October and it's changed my whole outlook on kayak fishing.  It's just so much more comfortable and less hassle than a neoprene wetsuit.  Now, I usually put my waders and wading boots on before I leave the house and I don't take them off until I get home and have rinsed my tackle and put my kayak away.

Breathable waders dry so incredibly fast too.  After getting off the water, they're usually dry before I get my kayak strapped down on the rack.  There's no need to put a towel on your driver seat to keep it from getting wet.

Bob Neal and I are planning to go to his local dive shop pool to practice self-rescues in our breathable waders just to test the myth for ourselves and gain a little more confidence wearing waders.  However until then, I'll probably stick to wearing my farmer john wetsuit if I was going out ocean fishing alone in sketchy conditions or when there's a good chance of getting dumped.

BTW.... at Dana Point, I saw nearly as many guys wearing waders as I did wetsuits.  More and more kayak fishermen are turning to waders for convenience and comfort especially in the winter.

What kind of jacket?

I was referring to a semi-dry top or splash jacket with neoprene and/or rubber gaskets.  I was trying to make a point through my question.  The guys you usually hear about drowning in waders are guys fishing in fast-flowing rivers without a PFD.  I have yet to hear of anyone wearing waders and a PFD drowning.

I realized what you were talking about right after I posted.

Ricky... I'm glad you helped dispell the myth.  I've read (and have even seen a video) of others practicing self rescues using waders/PFD's without incident.  I've been wearing waist-high wader pants and it's changed my whole outlook on kayak fishing.  It's just so much more comfortable and less hassle than a neoprene wetsuit.

I have A kokatat anorak thats completly waterproof. I wear that over waders and I'mm good to go.
I plan to fish the salt a lot more this year and I'll be pedaling as well as paddling . I think the farmer johns will be staying home.

Bob Neal and I are planning to go to his local dive shop pool to practice self-rescues in our breathable waders just to test the myth for ourselves and gain a little more confidence wearing waders.  However until then, I'll probably stick to wearing my farmer john wetsuit if I was going out ocean fishing alone in sketchy conditions or when there's a good chance of getting dumped.
Practicing self rescue is the best thing you or anybody can do for them selfs. You just never know.

BTW.... at Dana Point, I saw nearly as many guys wearing waders as I did wetsuits.  More and more kayak fishermen are turning to waders for convenience and comfort especially in the winter.

Dan Bailey's makes my waders. and they make some great pants now.
Sorry I missed you and Kevin at Doheny

You guys have me thinking maybe I should get my drysuit out of the attic have a p-zipper installed and wear that The thing cost about 2k and just collects dust anyway

Blue... wanna sell your drysuit? .... just kiddin'
Put a pee-zipper in that thing and you could be paddling in total comfort!

Besides the comfort and convenience, here a few other advantages that breathable waders have over a wetsuit....

- super quick drying
- easier to clean, no lingering fishy odors
- easier to care for than a wetsuit
- more compact and easier to stow
- great for perching, flyfishing, river fishing, or walking around in flooded areas
- ability to layer and control temperature (fleece sweats for winter, light pants for spring, shorts for summer)
- total protection from rain and wind (especially if combined with a hooded paddle jacket or waterproof anorak)
- no need to bring a change of clothes
- you can walk into a bait shop or store without getting weird stares
- you won't look like a fat seal if you're overweight 

a lot of those items apply to a wetsuit too.

you can wear rainpants and paddle jacket over a wetsuit.

ultimately people swim in wetsuits they don't swim in waders. they wade.

So I'm sure they work just great but ultimately I really doubt they are as safe.