Fishing Victoria Forum

Hey all - curious on peoples approach to launching their kayak in situations where you have to enter the water and how you manage your feet (winter specific).

I've tried two different methods so far:

1) barefoot launch, pants rolled up then put on my 5mm neoprene socks. Was a nightmare to put these on with moisture on feet and balancing in a kayak

2) wore gumboots on launch (with neoprene socks already on) , took them off in kayak. Much easier but then have to store the gumboots on the kayak.

Am considering a set of neoprene based gumboots - does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for or alternative methods to consider?

https://slhobie.com.au/gear/kayak-acces ... hing-pants


Pair of shoes of your liking 2 sizes larger than you usually wear over the top.

Drypants or a fitted set of neoprene waders with a belt to seal them.

Brett wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:04 am

https://slhobie.com.au/gear/kayak-acces ... hing-pants


Pair of shoes of your liking 2 sizes larger than you usually wear over the top.

Cheers Brett, is this what you use? If so what style of shoes do you find best, imagine something basically fabric based with minimal padding (so they don't hold as much water)?

4liters wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:37 am

Drypants or a fitted set of neoprene waders with a belt to seal them.

Do you mean the neoprene waders/boots commonly used in trout streams?

I use.

I bought a pair of waterproof socks on ebay ~40$, go up to knee length. Wear those, and , just normal running shoes or whatever you normally have on your feet - the waterproof socks are a miracle. Feet are warm , legs are dry and warm, they're super safe if you fall in they dont waterlog.

Dont need any other waterproof gear - just those and you're warm and dry. I thought they couldnt really work - but my god they're gods own creation

I wear it all shoes + all, Kayak into the water, Step into water/into kayak, and off you go. Everything is dry on inside and warm

happyfriggincamper wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:10 am

Brett wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:04 am

https://slhobie.com.au/gear/kayak-acces ... hing-pants


Pair of shoes of your liking 2 sizes larger than you usually wear over the top.

Cheers Brett, is this what you use? If so what style of shoes do you find best, imagine something basically fabric based with minimal padding (so they don't hold as much water)?

A lot of ppl use crocs or the shimano Evair shoes. I just grabbed a pair of aqua socks from kmart for $8, they seem ok, but aren't as free draining as the others.

happyfriggincamper wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:12 am

4liters wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:37 am

Drypants or a fitted set of neoprene waders with a belt to seal them.

Do you mean the neoprene waders/boots commonly used in trout streams?

Nah they look a bit different to those. I don't think they have boots, just a bit of rubber sewn to the sole to stop the neoprene wearing through so you can still swim in them.


Cheater has a pair, I imagine he'll pop in at some stage to explain the details far better than I can.

They do look good though, I think I might get a set made up if there's any tax return money left over from some other more essential **** I need to get done.

McDuff wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:44 am

I bought a pair of waterproof socks on ebay ~40$, go up to knee length. Wear those, and , just normal running shoes or whatever you normally have on your feet - the waterproof socks are a miracle. Feet are warm , legs are dry and warm, they're super safe if you fall in they dont waterlog.

Dont need any other waterproof gear - just those and you're warm and dry. I thought they couldnt really work - but my god they're gods own creation

I wear it all shoes + all, Kayak into the water, Step into water/into kayak, and off you go. Everything is dry on inside and warm

Got any links or the name of it?