 hi all, Looking at buying a set of chest waders, they need to be quite hard wearing for platform building ect. . Anyone have any knowldege of a good source. Looked at tackle shop websites, they have them, but the descriptions are really very poor and give no real idea if they would be robust enough. ta in advance .
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 would it be worth asking the environment agency what there workforce wear tom?
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 Tom. The compromise is toughness v usability. Those seriously thick things worn by some netting crews are hell to be in for more than an hour. Bog standard waders are cheap and OK. THESE are cheap as chips and being neoprene, very tough. Get hot and sweaty in summer, but the dog's credentials in winter. (note that Glasgee angling centre says the pair at the top of this page are 'insulted' I think that's 'insulated'). If you want something so cheap it's almost disposable, try THESE at £27. There's an even cheaper pair at £19 on the same website! But if you want the best for summer, get breathables and wading boots - set you back £100 - £200 depending on quality. Most are very durable and have a repair kit with them, as do the neoprenes, by the way.
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 Tom, you could also have a quick look at these Wychwood breathable waders which come with boots and wading staff at a reasonable price. Graham did a review on them here The missus bought me a set for my recent birthday but yet to give them a day out so cant give you a full recommendation yet.
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 Tom, given the fact that you are using them for work parties, I recommend a pair of Ocean rubber chest waders.I have had mine for years and my brother uses them on his fish farm so they are planty tough enough.Neoeprenes will be too warm for what you are using them for and breathables not robust enough.
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 I personally have two sets of waders, a pair of old Ron Thompson neoprenes that have held up with my diverse fishing for more than 5 years now and reasently I bought a pair of LOOP OPTi waders which are a bit expensive but on the box it says they are made for extreme anglers fishing a lot under extreme conditions so I gave it a try... They do not seem to care a lot whether I'm flyfishing in streams or setting up my box and so on at a lake, so I feel quite confiddent that they will put up with whatever I throw at them... But they retail at 400£... Neoprenes are great in winter but I really sweat it out during the summer months so that's why I bought the LOOP ones...
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 as someone who "lives" in waders most of the summer, I would say that most "breathable" types arnt up to hard work. I've had a couple of pairs of the Sierra ones, and the last set didnt last a season. This time I've gone for some cheep (£49) breathable ones off Ebay, and they look as good a quality, if not better, than the sierra ones. I also dive, and if you want something really hard wearing I'd get in touch with someone who makes drysuits (Google dive shops or drysuits) and get them to make you some waders. They are very good quality, and will probably be made to measure. Steve www.caravanonthesevern.co.uk www.midlandriveranglers.yuku.com
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 Tom, given the fact that you are using them for work parties, I recommend a pair of Ocean rubber chest waders.I have had mine for years and my brother uses them on his fish farm so they are planty tough enough.Neoeprenes will be too warm for what you are using them for and breathables not robust enough. Agree 100%.I have both a pair of rubber Oceans and a pair of Vision breathables. Breathables are much nicer to wear than rubber waders but the Oceans are the ones I wear for heavy work & they are as good an "ordinary" wader as you can get.
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