Columbia Steelhead waders
Brad Harris goes fishing for some budget priced breathables.
Breathable waders for under 300 bucks? Made by Columbia! You’ve gotta be kidding me! These were my initial thoughts when I heard about these waders. Having spent some time behind the counter in an outdoor equipment shop, and knowing a thing or two about breathable materials, I had some doubts about the compatibility between ‘good’ and ‘cheap’.
So, when I got hold of some Columbia Steelhead breathable waders I gave them a critical (perhaps overly-critical) look, and found that they were in fact better made than I’d anticipated, and the Omni-Tech fabric felt very good. They’re not made of the usual thick, stiff, tough-feeling fabric like other waders, but in-stead have a soft and supple outer skin of Taslon, which allows them to be very lightweight and roll up very small (think of a 1.5 litre bottle). The neoprene foot was also thinner than my other waders, and felt more comfortable in my boot, but only time will tell if gravel wears through it more quickly. The built-in gravel guards will help though.
A try-on at home showed that they were comfortable, well-fitting and the fabric was so light it didn’t feel like I was actually wearing waders. They came with an elastic belt and mesh carry-sack, and have suspenders with quick release buckles that can be clipped to each other around your waist to convert them, with a little rolling down, to waist waders.
So, with a fishing trip planned, I set off into the Western Lakes. I walked for a few days through heath, scoporia and every other type of bush in Tasmania that has spikes (which is pretty much all of them). The weather was hot, then cold, then wet. And through it all I wore those waders. They didn’t stand a chance really. I even got spiked through my thick canvas gaiters, so it was no surprise that I had a few spots of seepage while wading, although the double-layer fronts on the lower-leg helped somewhat. Still, they were comfortable, and kept me from being soaking wet while walking between lagoons.
I got back, repaired the holes, and then got realistic. These things aren’t made for bush-bashing. Then again, no waders are. So subsequent trips were more sedate— Arthurs, Penstock, meadow streams—and they performed magnificently. The light fabric breathes so much better than my heavier waders on hot days, and they feel so unrestrictive that I forget I’m wearing them. I suspect they won’t last forever, as mine are showing some rubbing-wear on the inside of the knees, but I cover a lot of ground when I’m fishing, and I’ve worn them a fair bit.
If you need some good cheap waders (I concede now that it is sometimes possible to combine the two) for a quick trip to New Zealand, or the Snowys, or you just fish lake fringes, or you just need them in and out of the boat, or . . . Look, all I really need to say is that these are a good product, at an amazing price, and will suit most people’s fishing mileage.
If you’re a serious and regular bush-basher, then I’d say spend three or four times this, and get a tough pair. If, however, you’re with the other 90% of occasional anglers, these will serve you well for several seasons.
Visit www.columbia.com.au for details and sizing. RRP is $279.95