flow like a winding stream: My Rapid River Waders

I finally got tired of my ever leaking Patagonia's wader, so I got a new one from L.L.Bean at the same time I ordered wading boots from them.

I have gone through several pairs of waders from Patagonia in the past, and every one of them started to leak along seams within the first season or so (8 to 14 months, I would say). The waterproof fabric also began to delaminate around a crotch area at the same time. It then became a matter of constant repair jobs with Aquaseal. I could have kept gluing to fix leaks on my last pair as I did in the past, however, this time, I had enough.

パタゴニアのウェーダーの水漏れには正直がっかりです。早い時には半年、一年も経つとシームの所から水がジワジワと漏れ始めます。そうこうしている内に、股の付け根の所が引っぱられるストレスで防水層が剥がれて、その後は、水漏れが発生する度に接着剤を塗って直す作業の繰り返しです。

これまで使ってきたパタゴニアのウェーダーの数着が全て同じ様な結末でした。そういうことで、もうパタゴニアのウェーダーには見切りをつける事にしました。

Repair jobs on my Water Master Waders

All waders fail soon or later, but for the high price of US$300 (plus $60 shipping to Australia), Patagonia can do a better job to design their waders along their wading boots, I think.

I am not using my waders to climb up the north face of the Eiger. It is just something to keeps me dry while I am fishing. I have used other breathable waders in the past which were cheaper but lasted bit longer. They were better on my pocket and on the planet.

Anyway, a new pair of waders that I got is called Rapid River Waders from L.L.Bean, and it was US$180 plus shipping. I am very interested to find out how it is compared against Patagonia's waders.

どんなウェーダーでも遅かれ早かれ水漏れが発生します。もちろん使い方にもよります。でも、アメリカドルで$３００、その上に、送料が＄６０もします。こんな大金を一年ちょっとしか持たないパタゴニアの水漏れウェーダーに払うのはもう嫌です。

ということで、前回L.L.Beanのウェーディングブーツをオーダーした時に、ウェーダーも買いました。＄１８０ドルのウェーダーが＄３００ドルのウェーダーと比べてどうなのか？　とても興味のある所です。