November 10, 2000


Where can I get Gore-Tex waders?

I am looking for Gore-Tex waders to put over my walking boots when crossing a river. They need to be lightweight (I carry 30 kilograms) and between 75 centimeters and one meter. I can't find them in the Netherlands/Europe. Can you help me in the United States? They must be shippable to my country. Thanks,

— Ron Keulen, Arnhem, The Netherlands

The fact is, you can sometimes get by without waders -— if your boots are pretty tall. Just don waterproof pants, make sure the cuffs are low over your boots, and cross quickly. It works pretty well.

Otherwise, you're going to find that most Gore-Tex waders are wildly expensive. Simms, a U.S. supplier of fishing clothing (www.simms.com), makes a set called the Gore-Tex Guide Weight Pants. But they sell for a rather harsh $340. A cheaper alternative in a non-Gore-Tex wader is the Ronny Hydroflex Waders ($159), available from www.rei.com. But, I'm not sure how practical either of these would be, or how light. They're full, chest-high outfits with integrated socks -— you can't just slip them over your boots when you come to a stream.

There is at least one alternative that I came across just the other day while trolling a web site for another purpose. Wiggy's, a U.S. maker of clothing and sleeping bags, makes something called a Light Weight Wader. It's designed for slip-on use, and is made of simple, waterproof coated nylon with rubber soles. Best of all, they're cheap -— just $50. Order them from http://www.wiggys.com.