07-12-2006, 10:46 AM
[cool][#0000ff]The only reasons to wear waders...neoprene or lights...are to keep warm and/or dry when the water temps are cold enough that you don't want to expose your tender body to the elements. Actually, there are a couple of other reasons. First would be when there are nasty organisms in the water...like "swimmers' itch". Second would be when the water is used as a drinking water supply and there are restrictions against swimming and bare skin.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have been tubing both wadered and wet for a lot of years. Like most tubers, I have tried going afloat in plain old denim jeans. They work but they soak up a lot of water and they tend to bunch up and wrinkle...causing chafing in tender places. I have also given up on wearing shorts. They do not provide protection for the lower extremities when you go through weeds or brush, and they leave the knees exposed to sunburn.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]For about the last three years, I have been wearing nylon doubleknit "coaches' pants" for tubing wet. They are lightweight, but provide plenty of skin protection. And, they stretch to eliminate uncomfortable wrinkles next to the skin. And, when it comes to water absorption, they drain and dry much more quickly than cotton pants. On warm dry days my pants are almost dry by the time I finish packing up my gear for the trip home. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Even though the pants do dry quickly, I still carry a change...either denim or cotton pants, or shorts on hot days. It is more comfortable (and better for your skin) if you are able to remove the damp britches, towel off and wear clean dry pants on the ride home. Most areas have restrooms you can use for changing, or you can drive to a reststop on the highway. If you are in a remote area, just moon the wildlife and go for it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been tubing both wadered and wet for a lot of years. Like most tubers, I have tried going afloat in plain old denim jeans. They work but they soak up a lot of water and they tend to bunch up and wrinkle...causing chafing in tender places. I have also given up on wearing shorts. They do not provide protection for the lower extremities when you go through weeds or brush, and they leave the knees exposed to sunburn.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]For about the last three years, I have been wearing nylon doubleknit "coaches' pants" for tubing wet. They are lightweight, but provide plenty of skin protection. And, they stretch to eliminate uncomfortable wrinkles next to the skin. And, when it comes to water absorption, they drain and dry much more quickly than cotton pants. On warm dry days my pants are almost dry by the time I finish packing up my gear for the trip home. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Even though the pants do dry quickly, I still carry a change...either denim or cotton pants, or shorts on hot days. It is more comfortable (and better for your skin) if you are able to remove the damp britches, towel off and wear clean dry pants on the ride home. Most areas have restrooms you can use for changing, or you can drive to a reststop on the highway. If you are in a remote area, just moon the wildlife and go for it.[/#0000ff]
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