Hypothermia/ neoprene waders?

"Tom Nakashima" wrote


I was just curious, has anyone ever had or come close to Hypothermia while
fishing in their waders?


I was lucky enough to be found and rescued in Maryland while in serious
condition from hypothermia, many many years ago .... I was duck hunting,
not fishing ... when found my brain function was already well impaired (
there's a joke opportunity here folks ) and I was randomly moving decoys and
had taken off my outer layer because I thought I was too warm ( they tell
me, I have little real memory, I was that far gone ).

Since then, I have paid more than average attention to the problem and I DO
have both neoprene and breathable waders


I almost never use the neoprenes. MY opinion is that state of the art
breathables lined and layered with SOA fleece garments is the best way to
go. The only time I use neoprenes at this point is when there is a high
chance of ripping the waders and in cold, remote, conditions ( mainly duck
hunting ) .... my belief, which I hope to never test, is that wet fleece
inside neoprene would be better than wet fleece inside breathables ... more
of a wet suit deal .... if you stay basically dry you'll stay warmer in the
breathables.