If you fish over rocky, slippery ground and you feel the need to wear lightweight, breathable chest waders, then I am sure you know all about how waders simply don’t last that long.
Bearing in mind that most of these breathable waders are made for the freshwater fly-fishing market though, it is perhaps understandable how they don’t tend to stand up particularly well to what we like to put them through.
Frustrating I know, but for many lure anglers especially, a pair of breathable chest waders is as important as a rod and reel – and the best ones I have used over the last couple of years are the Vision Ikon chest waders.
VALUE FOR MONEY
I wish I could tell you that they were cheap, but around £150-200 is hardly throwaway cash. When compared to top-of-the-range waders like some of the expensive Simms ones though, the Vision Ikon waders represent pretty good value for money. So far they have lasted the longest for me in and around saltwater lure fishing.
I like these Vision Ikon waders because they do what they say on the tin – they are cut pretty well, seem to ‘breathe’ fine on long walks or scrambles, they don’t fall apart the moment they see saltwater, and also seem to be fairly tough. Okay, I slipped on some sharp rocks and put a little hole in the knee area – my fault entirely – but all I did was patch it up with a bit of Aquasure and it’s been fine ever since.
I would love to be able to tell you about some miraculously cheap breathable waders that will last you forever, but the fact is that the saltwater environment trashes most things.
When you have spent a not inconsiderable amount of money as I did on a pair of Simms G3 Guide waders and all they did was leak on me again and again, then it’s rather satisfying to wear these considerably cheaper Vision Ikon waders and have no problems at all.
There are some deals to be found on the Internet, with wading boots thrown in, and all for around £200.
VITAL KIT
They will deteriorate eventually, and I am sure that I will slip again and put various holes in them, but that, I am afraid, is the nature of a lot of bass lure fishing.
Call me a drip, but for nearly the entire year I simply don’t fancy wet-wading here in the UK, and because bass fishing is so much about being right in among it, breathable chest waders are vital kit to so many of us.
The trick, for me, is to find a pair of waders that are affordable and will give me a decent amount of time in them without having to tear my hair out, and so far I can’t complain at all about these Vision Ikon waders. Long may they last.
