Kayaking pants

So where can I get a pair of those great kayaking pants I've been seeing some of the boyz wearin'? The ones that some of you got on the Islander trip last year. The one with the neoprene waist band, and gortex feet.

Mine have the rubber gaskets at the ankle.  They let in water which totally sucks.  The only thing they're good for is brutally ripping the hair off your ankles and feet when you put them on and take them off.  

Mooch has the ones with the built in socks.....I was envious.  I'm pretty sure they have them at Aquan.

Kokatat Tempest...they are absolutely sweet.  The attached foot is the way to go.

Anybody know of a local shop (Sonoma County) that carries the Tempest pants so they can be tried before you buy?

Clavey

anyone know if any shops have it in the Bay Area?

anyone know if any shops have it in the Bay Area?

It is a little drive for us South Bay folks but I think CCK in Oakland carries the new line of Kokatat gear.  I'd love to hear that it is even more local than that.

Michael

anyone know if any shops have it in the Bay Area?

It is a little drive for us South Bay folks but I think CCK in Oakland carries the new line of Kokatat gear.  I'd love to hear that it is even more local than that.

Michael

CCK in Oakland has them, but you might also want to check with Mooch at Aquan.  He said they were planning to order some.

The Tempest pants are the way to go for sure!

Clavey

Yep just got mine last week from Clavey and used them at Paradise. Way more comfy then waders (simpler to pee) and puts a wet suit to shame....I know, I know they aren't as safe. But I am gonna be hard pressed to slide into that wet suit again. The one thing I did notice is they are not as warm as waders so invest in some fleece pants or layer up the long undies!

But I am a convert! You may all see the waders up in the classified soon

I wear a variety of fleece to match the day.  Thin Mysterioso fleece or Simms Waderwick when its warm, thicker Simms fleece pants when its cold.  The versatility is the bomb.  Mysterioso socks really make the combo.  When paired with the semi-dry Tempest jacket I have no concerns with safety when I hit the salt.  I rarely wear neo anymore.

anyone know if any shops have it in the Bay Area?

Tried some on at Aquan before I made a purchase. Now looking for the jacket.

any one in the El Sobrante / Eastbay area can find them for 150.00 at Pacific River Supply(googleable)....they are a Whitewater shop, but carry more clothing/ paddle wear then REIs weak selection.  

I'm really interested in these pants as well.  I am real happy with my Kokatat full dry suit until it gets above about 75 degrees.  Then I can overheat.  Makes me actually like the somewhat colder weather.  So I'm looking for a warm weather alternative. But as you know, the key to this type of protection--insulation layering under a watertight layer--completely depends on the integrity of the watertight the top layer.  If you tear the top layer or have a significant leak, and your inner layers are fully immersed, you just about lose all protection from hypothermia, since it relies on creating an insulating layer of air between you and the ocean (unlike a wet suit, where there typically is water up against the skin but the insulation comes from the neoprene foam itself).  Your body heat will be conducted through the water in the inner layers, through the thin water seal layer and out to the ocean.

I saw, somewhere here, a video of a guy purportedly proving that waders were a safe solution because he dumped himself in a pool and immediately got out and demonstrated that only a little water leaked past his belt and into the pants.  But that hardly seemed like a legitimate test.  It might mean your waders won't turn you into a drift sock, but if your kayak is compromised (e.g. recent Shelter Cove experience) and you are left hanging on to it, and your torso is immersed, I suspect that after a fairly brief time, you will be too cold to hang on, even "for dear life".

When paired with the semi-dry Tempest jacket I have no concerns with safety when I hit the salt

What exactly does the "semi-dry" connote?  Has anyone actually floated in the water for 40 minutes or more to see how much water seeps through?  Since most body heat will be lost from the top half of the body rather than the legs and lower torso, the integrity of the jacket is critical for protection from hypothermia.

It is considered semi-dry because the neck is neo not a latex gasket.  I have swam in the combo, and if you put the jacket on and seal the waist correctly it is remarkably good, but will begin to pass small amounts of water after 10-15 minutes.  If you aren't fishing alone...which is stupid anyway...this should give you plenty of time to get back on your boat, or somebody elses boat.

Having the waist interface right isn't hard, but I have a relief zip on my pants so wizzing doesn't involve messing with the interface at all.

The sizes seem to run pretty true. But you need to factor in the insulation. I am 6'3" 200 lbs and am right on the boarder of L/XL if I use my street clothes sizing. So I opted for XL b/c of the layers. The fit has been good. Just my .02