Yeah, waders are a hazard. So are the bibs worn without a top. In Alaska we called it rowing at "half mast." The Kokatat bibs, at least the Gore-Tex ones, are a great system if worn correctly and in the proper conditions. You MUST don your drytop and roll it together with the bibs before any significant rapid or you would get destroyed if you fell in.
I've moved to one piece suits for most purposes--they are drier. But if I'm doing multi-day foul weather boating the bibs were awesome. I can put them on straight out of the tent and be comfortable. I can wear them with a rain jacket all morning long through breakfast and rigging. Then I put the drytop on before we launch. The top can come off at lunch and comes off quick at camp. I can wear the bibs all evening--comfortably. They pack well in a drybag with no zipper to kink and break. I sorta miss them now.
But I can't even imagine trying to swim with them full of water or stuck around my ankles and a log or something. Do yourself a favor and wear your drytop in rapids....
I've moved to one piece suits for most purposes--they are drier. But if I'm doing multi-day foul weather boating the bibs were awesome. I can put them on straight out of the tent and be comfortable. I can wear them with a rain jacket all morning long through breakfast and rigging. Then I put the drytop on before we launch. The top can come off at lunch and comes off quick at camp. I can wear the bibs all evening--comfortably. They pack well in a drybag with no zipper to kink and break. I sorta miss them now.
But I can't even imagine trying to swim with them full of water or stuck around my ankles and a log or something. Do yourself a favor and wear your drytop in rapids....
