In reply to Post #15
the Fortis are breathable and for that fact alone they are good value. The Trakkers like all cheap waders are like wearing a plastic bag.
the Fortis are breathable and for that fact alone they are good value. The Trakkers like all cheap waders are like wearing a plastic bag.
Any other worthwhile alternatives for breathable waders (not fly fishing ones) or are these the kiddy?
In reply to Post #16
Any claim about “breathable” fabrics from any manufacturer should be taken with a pinch of salt.
“Breathable fabric” is a marketing term.
Fortis don’t state which 3 layer fabric has been used and don’t disclose the RET (Resistance to Evaporative Heat Transfer) values. They also don’t disclose MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate).
Breathable fabrics rely entirely on “passive diffusion” driven by two environmental factors:
Heat Differential: Your body heat must create a warm, high-pressure microclimate inside the garment.
Humidity Differential: The air outside the garment must be cooler and drier than the air inside.
I’m not saying they don’t work but breathability has many variables. Also the move away from fluorocarbon DWR treatments means that the new PFC-free DWR treatments wear off incredibly fast. This has lead to most outdoor clothing manufacturers putting pit zips in jackets.
I’ve not had any issue with moisture retention in the Trakker waders. If they appear to be getting clammy then I role them down for 30 seconds.
Any claim about “breathable” fabrics from any manufacturer should be taken with a pinch of salt.
“Breathable fabric” is a marketing term.
Fortis don’t state which 3 layer fabric has been used and don’t disclose the RET (Resistance to Evaporative Heat Transfer) values. They also don’t disclose MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate).
Breathable fabrics rely entirely on “passive diffusion” driven by two environmental factors:
Heat Differential: Your body heat must create a warm, high-pressure microclimate inside the garment.
Humidity Differential: The air outside the garment must be cooler and drier than the air inside.
I’m not saying they don’t work but breathability has many variables. Also the move away from fluorocarbon DWR treatments means that the new PFC-free DWR treatments wear off incredibly fast. This has lead to most outdoor clothing manufacturers putting pit zips in jackets.
I’ve not had any issue with moisture retention in the Trakker waders. If they appear to be getting clammy then I role them down for 30 seconds.
In reply to Post #16
The biggest design flaws and failure points of modern breathable waders is the internal membrane can be micro-fractured very quickly if waders are constantly rolled up, tightly packed, or compressed and also leads to delamination of the membrane.
The biggest design flaws and failure points of modern breathable waders is the internal membrane can be micro-fractured very quickly if waders are constantly rolled up, tightly packed, or compressed and also leads to delamination of the membrane.
In reply to Post #18
I agree to an extent . No fabric 'breathes' when the outer surface is soaked. The best performing fabrics are proper Gore-Tex and Patagonia's H2N0. I was sponsored by Arcteryx and Patagonia for over 20yrs and lived in shell fabrics 200days a year.
I have in the past had very expensive Simms, Patagonia and Orvis waders. All priced north of £500. For the money the Fortis are excellent value. On a trip away a couple of years ago I ripped my expensive waders and bought a cheap pair of Trakkers - they were truly awful for me. Maybe I'm just sweaty!!!!
I agree to an extent . No fabric 'breathes' when the outer surface is soaked. The best performing fabrics are proper Gore-Tex and Patagonia's H2N0. I was sponsored by Arcteryx and Patagonia for over 20yrs and lived in shell fabrics 200days a year.
I have in the past had very expensive Simms, Patagonia and Orvis waders. All priced north of £500. For the money the Fortis are excellent value. On a trip away a couple of years ago I ripped my expensive waders and bought a cheap pair of Trakkers - they were truly awful for me. Maybe I'm just sweaty!!!!
In reply to Post #20
Thanks for the comparison against the high end waders, that’s very useful.
I think it does depend very much on how much you’re moving around in the waders and for how long.
The sweat comment made me laugh. 😀
Thanks for the comparison against the high end waders, that’s very useful.
I think it does depend very much on how much you’re moving around in the waders and for how long.
The sweat comment made me laugh. 😀