Dry Pants

Anyone have a pair of Kokatat Tempest Kayak Pants with Socks? I read some reviews and not sure if these will keep me as dry as I want if I happen to ever go over. I do not think I want to spent the $ on a full drysuit yet for if I do I have to multiple the cost 3X for the boys and I. I noticed last year when I went out fishing my 3mm wetsuit (never went in) was not enough to keep me from getting cold on a cloudy day. I believe once my feet are wet I am cold. I watched a youtube video of a guy that was just wearing a pair of waders and a drytop and only got a little wet when he jumped into his pool. Any thoughts?

I have a pair and I use them often, I also have a dry suit but find there are days when its to hot or I just want something simple. The socks help with keeping your feet dry if you have them in the water. I haven't tested the pants in full water, but they only have  a neoprene top so they will not keep you bone dry. I really like them for rivers and lakes, and tend to wear the drysuit on the ocean.

I used to wear a 3mm farmer-john, but I get cold when my legs get wet. I've been using these Tempest pants for about a year now. I find that even though they're supposed to  be waterproof, some moisture will make it's way into the feet area if you dip your feet in water. Not much, but enough that you'll feel the moisture. It's weird because if I fill the pants with water to see what it leaks, it doesn't leak. Since I can't find a leak, I can't take it back to the retailer for repair.

Anyhow, My feet also get cold when they get wet. I'm going to invest in a pair of Seal Skinz waterproof socks to see if that would help keep my feet dry.


ernest

I used to wear a 3mm farmer-john, but I get cold when my legs get wet. I've been using these Tempest pants for about a year now. I find that even though they're supposed to  be waterproof, some moisture will make it's way into the feet area if you dip your feet in water. Not much, but enough that you'll feel the moisture. It's weird because if I fill the pants with water to see what it leaks, it doesn't leak. Since I can't find a leak, I can't take it back to the retailer for repair.

Anyhow, My feet also get cold when they get wet. I'm going to invest in a pair of Seal Skinz waterproof socks to see if that would help keep my feet dry.


ernest

I have had a similar issue on some occasions, I read somewhere that someone said its your feet sweating. I wear wool socks the pants and then booties, I can imagine they do get warm.

I have the same problem with my feet (moisture) in the Tempest pants.  A good pair of mysterioso socks or Thorlo socks inside the dry socks then put the whole foot in some dive booties seems to work best at keeping my feet warmest.  I wear a paddling shirt with neoprene gaskets at all openings and the waist so you get a little more protection in case of immersion.  Still not perfect/foolproof.   Just got a dry suit but as mentioned in a previous post it has just been too warm for the dry suit----UNLESS I was going out all by myself----then I would go for the security of the dry suit.  Will keep the pants for those warmer days when I am with buddies.

I've got the tempest pants with attached socks and have experienced the wet-foot phenomenon as well. I wear them in the ocean over my Farmer John and in FW I wear them when its cold over a pair of fleece pants. I think its sweat, not water that is the cause. What works for me to minimize the wet-foot is to wear synthetic material socks, one or two pair, depending on how cold it's going to be, and DO NOT strap down the ankle cuff. I think if you don't strap it down, it lets the moisture spread out further reducing the soggy feet.  Works pretty well for me, it doesn't get rid of the wet foot, but it really minimizes it.

I have had a similar issue on some occasions, I read somewhere that someone said its your feet sweating. I wear wool socks the pants and then booties, I can imagine they do get warm.

That's what the retailer told me, but I don't think it is sweat. I normally wear a normal pair of cotton socks inside. I could feel them getting wet immediately upon submerging my feet in water while launching my kayak.
FishingAddict wears waterproof socks inside his farmer-john. He told me good things about those socks. I figure if I wear those socks inside the dry pants, it should alleviate the wet feet problem.

The only way to keep your feet warm during the winter season is Foot Warmers.  Tempest pants should keep you dry, at least for me (wool socks or without, sealskins, tempest pants, 7mm boots), unless you go overboard. 

Tempest pants are awesome. My socks get damp but it's definitely from sweat as there is no accumulation of water inside the pants. If you're getting a little puddle in there it may be from micro holes that have worn into the material. You can send them back to Kokotat and for a small fee they will repair all of the micro holes. Can't recommend these highly enough and I wear mine everytime I fish.

I've never had these before, so ignore my ignorance, but, are these not the same almost as wearing waders? I'm serious about the question. No wader of death type of question meant by this. I thought about wearing my breathables over my wetsuit in the ocean to stay dry. I would wear my paddle jacket over them just like I do over my wetsuit now. Wool socks etc.

Rob, it is typically recommended to wear a belt on your to severely restrict any flow of water into the waders. Having said that, my very first kayak ride had me in the water at Del Valle. I did not have my belt on, but wearing a jacket tightly over the waders minimized any water entry into the waders. Again, having said that, the water was calm.

Howard

I love mine and think its money well spent.  Your feet will get wet with sweat.  The solution is wear breathable under garments.
For cold situations I wear REI heavy polartec undies with Seal Skinz Socks.  For normal temperatures I wear my Columbia Fishing pants and wool or regular socks.

Great input. Thank you all! I am tempted to get a pair; however, I have neos and light weight breathable waders already I use in the lakes and work fine. I am chicken to go into the ocean in my waders, even with a belt. I have tried 2 pairs of SealSocks with my 3 mm farmerjohn wetsuit. The socks failed. Not sure how the water got in and the company did not respond to my emails My feet always sweat a little and I would like to try better wool socks. Perhaps the featherlights w/ belt with my wader liners will do just fine with my drytop and vest. We will see how much $ I can come up with or what my wife will tolerate

Dr.Dave, except summertime when I know the lake water temp is high I always wear my 3ml farmerjohn underneath the tempest pants with 7ml neoprene booties. In worst case scenario those tempest pants will be striped off before I have to swim in while ocean fishing. jim

Dr.Dave, except summertime when I know the lake water temp is high I always wear my 3ml farmerjohn underneath the tempest pants with 7ml neoprene booties. In worst case scenario those tempest pants will be striped off before I have to swim in while ocean fishing. jim

This sounds like a good plan for me. Do you end up sweating heavily? Thank you again