This is the first Traveling Angler Tuesday gear review.
For any self-respecting Traveling Angler, packing and traveling light should be a major part of the process.
Of course, anglers with their rod tips pointed south have it made: quick-dry pants & shirt, hat, sunglasses, Buff and suitable flats boots. That, in a nutshell, is it.
Anglers traveling to points north (well, typically northwest and maybe northeast) might have to bring some waders along. Waders are bulky and add weight to your luggage, but water temperatures and general climate patterns in some destinations may require them. Hypothermia isn't all that fun, and can definitely occur in year-round.
There exists a wader that packs nicely without taking up too much space and without adding too much dreaded weight to your luggage: Redington's Sonic-Pro Wading Pant.
Waist-high and lightweight, the wading pants use Redington's sonic construction to weld the seams together, resulting in no stitching along the seams. No stitching means no holes. No holes means a better chance of no leaks. These are good things.
I have been using (and traveling with) the Sonic-Pro Wading Pant for the past few months; my review is as follows:
Note: I also have a pair of Redington's Sonic-Pro Zip-Front chest waders, which I have been using (& abusing) for the past two seasons without any issues whatsoever. For comparison with the Sonic-Pro Wading Pants, I have added some notes about the Zip-Fronts as well.
Fit - 3.5 / 5
I am wearing the wading pants in a size large. For the record, I find it difficult to find clothes, fishing-related or not, that fit me well; I am 5'8" and 195lbs, with a 34" (sometimes 36") waist and take a size 9 shoe. I always seem to be on the cusp between medium and large for most clothing. Waders included.
The wading pants fit me comfortably, and their adjustable waist strap & suspenders do what they're supposed to do. The large size would definitely fit a taller man than I, and the neoprene wading booties could easily fit a person with size 11 feet. I wear two pairs of socks when wading (I'm susceptible to cold in the feet due to a minor experience with frostbite) so the roominess of the booties works out well for me.
If I was 5'10" or so, the wading pants would definitely be getting a 4.5 out of 5. In fairness, the same issue came up trying on Patagonia and Simms waders prior to purchasing the Zip-Front chest waders. I'm just an odd-shaped fellow. It's a rugby thing, I'm sure.
Zip-Fronts: Same deal; size large. Definitely made for someone a little taller than me, but they fit comfortably. Neoprene wading booties are also a little big, but a non-issue due to my wearing two pairs of socks.
Mobility - 4.5 / 5
When walking to and from the river, I hardly notice the Sonic-Pro Wading Pant. They feel as light as some of the technical rain pants one can buy at REI or MEC.
For bending over to put on my wading boots, I do have to keep the adjustable waist strap loose until my boots are done up.
There are no issues with kneeling, squatting, climbing over things, etc., while wearing the wading pants.
Zip-Fronts: I have to keep the waders unzipped and the wading belt undone while putting on my wading boots in the zip-fronts, but I've haven't any mobility issues with them, either. However, you definitely notice you're wearing waders when you have them on; though lightweight, they're still chest waders.
Style - wtf? / 5
Who gives a flying rat's ass about style? It's fishing, damn it. If you're worried about style, the figure skating club is probably looking for new members.
Zip-Fronts: Ditto. But they definitely make me feel like a pro. Except when my casting falls apart five hours into a tough day of fishing. Then I feel like a chump in nice waders.
Packability - 5 / 5
This is where Redington's Sonic-Pro Wading Pant shines. These things pack up smaller than your typical hoodie or bath towel, taking up hardly any space at all in my duffel bag. These things are damn-near perfect for traveling.
In fact, do you think this review would make it as a Traveling Angler Tuesday post if I didn't think the wading pants were worthy? Damn straight.
Zip-Fronts: Due to being chest waders and of heavier construction, the zip-fronts take up 2-3 times more space and I'd say weigh about twice as much as the wading pants (estimated). I have, however, taken the zip-fronts on a few trips, without any regrets. They pack smaller than boot-foot waders, after all.
Durability - 3.5 / 5
To be clear: I have had zero issues with the wading pants with regards to durability. The work like they're supposed to: they keep me dry.
That being said, I wouldn't want to take them bushwhacking through a heavy alders or thorn bushes for any great distance. The thought of sliding down a riverbank in them caused me to walk the extra hundred or so yards to a gentler slope down to the water.
Bushwhacking through alders & thorn bushes and sliding down riverbanks, however, is not what they're designed for; used within their limitations and with a little bit of care, the Sonic-Pro Wading Pant should last the angler a very long time. They are extremely well-made.
And they handled an errant size 6 Clouser minnow fairly well. No worse for wear it seems.
Zip-Fronts: Bulletproof. I feel like Iron Man in them, that's how heavy-duty they seem (without sacrificing the lightness & breathability of modern waders). If I was to give the zip-fronts a score out of 5 for durability, it'd be 5.5. Seriously.
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So, needless to say, I'm a pretty big fan of the wading pants from Redington (and the Sonic-Pro Zip-Front waders, too).
Are wading pants for everybody?
Definitely not.
But if you're a small-stream fisherman, fishing from a boat or canoe, fishing cold spring creeks on warm days, or a Traveling Angler, I think you could put the Sonic-Pro Wading Pant to pretty good use. I know I have.
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Product Information:
Redington Sonic-Pro Wading Pants
MSRP:
$229.95
Colour:
Driftwood
Manufacturer's Description:
Ideal waders to fish in when the weather is warm, but the water is still cold or between seasons. Offering Redington's premier Sonic-Pro technology, these wading pants will keep you dry and comfortable. The adjustable waist and optional suspenders make these waders the perfect option for the angler looking for an alternative to a chest wader.
Manufacturer's Website:
www.redington.com
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Disclaimer:
I received the Sonic-Pro Wading Pants from Redington to provide a review on mattrevors.com.
I'm not entirely sure if I have to return them or not; if I am told to return them, I might just try to buy them instead of shipping them back. If I can keep them free of charge, well, that's pretty friggin' awesome.
Either way, the preceding review is my honest opinion. This review was not, under any circumstances, biased for or against the waders and/or Redington. I do try to maintain some credibility and professionalism in this whole Writer/Angler thing I'm doing.
The Redington Sonic-Pro Zip-Front Waders also mentioned in this article were bought and paid for by the author, Mat Trevors, via Redington's Guide Staff Program and Fredericton Outfitters & Anglers in the spring of 2011.
I, Mat Trevors, am not sponsored by or associated with Redington or its parent company Farbank Enterprises, and is accepting no other compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.
My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.
Companies wishing to hire a Writer-Not-In-Residence-But-On-Water can definitely buy my allegiance; however, those companies must be upstanding members of the fly fishing community and produce gear of high quality. I can be reached through the Contact Page.
1 comment:
I've always worn chest waders (Simms)but I've been thinking that I need to switch to wading pants. The only problem is I usually only wear waders once to twice a year. The rest of the time it's wet wading. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to see the Sonic Pros.
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