My ol lady has a pair of Loc, and used them this season. In the start of season we were in a glacial river in western Norway, and she used only a Arcteryx thights as layer. I was wearing my G4 + bace and midweight fleece. She was warm and toasty, but i was freezing like crazy after we fished down a run. I had to return to camp and change to the heavyweight Fjord pants. Usually she is the one that gets cold, but the Loc was a gamechanger.
I will defo get me a pair when my current G3+G4s crap out.

 

The Loc waders are interesting. I haven’t worn a pair, so keep that in mind. The wader material is made in such a way that it acts as insulation rather than just a waterproof layer. The neoprene booties they use are thinner than other brands (they claim stronger) and as such loses insulation qualities. I fished with a guide on the OP in winter who had a pair. I was wearing a pair of bootfoot waders and asked him if he liked his locs. If I remember correctly, he liked them, but he said he was jealous of my bootfoots because with his locs his feet would get very cold!

For me, if I’m fishing in winter with water temps in the 30’s or very low 40’s, there’s no substitute for bootfoot waders. My feet are always my limiting factor in cold water. If my feet are cold, I’m struggling. If my feet are comfy, Im good. I actually think Loc will be my next pair of stocking foot waders, but I don’t plan on using them in winter.

Jake

 

I have a pair and wore them all last winter. They are amazing. I wear their thin layer of wool, or any other very thin wool layer that I have around the house. You really don't need anything else.

I also hike a lot. The best part is the inner fabric wicks away the sweat and while I am usually very sweaty in my breathables after a long hike and then get cold once I wade into the river, that is not the case with Loc.

I know they are spendy, but I won't go back to "breathable" waders.

In regard to the feet, they are compressed neoprene. So they are thinner. I don't get cold feet in winter. But if you do, just wear an extra sock layer -- like a liner. The nice part is they are already compressed and the layers are stitched together so they don't pull apart like the taped seams on the breathable waders.

 

Thanks.

i so get the idea of wicking and air isolation. What still escapes me is how this actually works once I’m standing in the river and water pressure presses the wader against my skin. How is the water temperature not cooling down the outer layer all the way to the skin?

 

So those don’t breath?

 

No. They are made out of nylon dry-suit material.

That said, their inner wicking layer works better than any breathable wader I've used. I sweat like a dog walking in breathable waders and then get cold when I wade into the river. That doesn't happen with Loc.

 

Where does the moisture wick to?

 

I was looking into these, but at $1650, wowzer... and we haven't even slapped a tariff on Norway yet!

LOC WADERS — LOC: WADERS

LOC Waders. Waders like no other. LOC Waders is a new breed of waders designed and developed in Sweden. LOC waders are probably the toughest and most durable waders on the market.

www.locwading.com

 

I guess when a place sells a cotton shirt for $80+ CAD I shouldn’t be shocked at 2250 for waders..

 

Just make sure you can fit big socks. The neoprene booties are pre-compressed so you'll have lots of space vs simms. It's the only cold part of the wader.
I wear them with a pair of merino long underwear and a pair of gym shorts. They fit snug and sit on the hips. So far so good. Coldest day out was around 5 degrees C in the morning. 0 issues so far.

 

Thanks.

I am a big fan of net/mesh insulation for wicking and trapping air (Brynje, Aclima, Svala or Finetrack net baselayers are amazing), which is one of the reasons I bought the waders.

Great to hear that it apparently works even as a “mid-layer” between the wader shell and the baselayer, and despite the water pressure.

If you add a wicking mid-layer, lets say Alpaca or Fleece, does it get too hot, or is it just not necessary (but also not a problem)?

 

I have usually used woolpower 200 or 400 under my breathables. In Loc, even 200 is too warm for PNW winter. I use a very very thin wool layer from Loc. In spring/summer, you can get away with just a wicking non-insulated bottom.

So they can get too hot if you layer too much.

That is one reason to make sure and get just the right size. You won't need any extra space for thick layers.

 

appreciate the feedback @steelheadman

The price tag is hard to swallow, but going through 2+ pairs of simms or patagonia waders every other season isn't any cheaper and less sustainable in the long run. With most high end breathable waders lasting about 30 fishing days for me before leaking, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze anymore.

 

appreciate the feedback @steelheadman

The price tag is hard to swallow, but going through 2+ pairs of simms or patagonia waders every other season isn't any cheaper and less sustainable in the long run. With most high end breathable waders lasting about 30 fishing days for me before leaking, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze anymore.

Yeah, that is how I arrived at the choice. The breathable waders just aren't durable enough and they don't breathe well when I'm hiking anyway.

To each their own of course, but I'm a fan of these waders.

 

Ditto on the feedback 👍

 

Just ordered a pair, will report back!
I’m sick of going through waders, plain and simple. I’m sick of being wet and uncomfortable, and cold, most of the time in breathable gortex waders.
Some people may think it’s nuts, but if they are warmer and more durable, then they are worth it, no question. They can actually repair them too at any time. 5 year warranty, facility in California does it.
Imagine getting 10 years plus out of a pair of waders that are warmer and more comfortable yet easy to Wade and hike in? We spend so much money of reels, lines, rods, is it really that crazy? And most people get 2 years out of waders on average. Even if you push it longer, you are dealing with leaks and tears etc etc. let’s say you get a smoking deal and get them for $400 a pair (most people are spending $600-$800).
I’m sold, I’m ready to be comfy, warm, and have the most reliable waders in the planet!
#locwaders

 

Just ordered a pair, will report back!
I’m sick of going through waders, plain and simple. I’m sick of being wet and uncomfortable, and cold, most of the time in breathable gortex waders.
Some people may think it’s nuts, but if they are warmer and more durable, then they are worth it, no question. They can actually repair them too at any time. 5 year warranty, facility in California does it.
Imagine getting 10 years plus out of a pair of waders that are warmer and more comfortable yet easy to Wade and hike in? We spend so much money of reels, lines, rods, is it really that crazy? And most people get 2 years out of waders on average. Even if you push it longer, you are dealing with leaks and tears etc etc. let’s say you get a smoking deal and get them for $400 a pair (most people are spending $600-$800).
I’m sold, I’m ready to be comfy, warm, and have the most reliable waders in the planet!
#locwaders

I'm with you man. Mine lasted winter/spring and now I"m into fall.

I wore one small hole on inside of leg. I bought a size that was a bit too large and that rubbed. I fixed it with the material they provide. That is one reason to make sure and get the smallest size possible.

Interestingly, I couldn't even tell they leaked because the wicking layer kept me super warm. Another bonus!

 

Looks Emerald Waters in Seattle will be carrying these.

 

I couldn’t really figure out if that announcement also meant that Bend would be dropping them? I recall seeing something like exclusive in the announcement.

 

Looking closer at the announcement does leave open what the actual relationship will be. 🤷

 

I talked with the Bend store 3 days ago about these waders and the said nothing about the waders going away from there shop ,hopefully they stay long enough for me to go check them out in person

 

Assume USA shipping/fee is a lot less from Bend vs Sweden?

 

First day testing the Loc waders.
They truly are unlike any wader I’ve ever tried. Superb stuff! Warmest I’ve ever been, ultra comfortable to wade in. Not sure what else to say, but when you hold a pair and feel them, you know these are a totally different design than any other wader on the market.
Couldn’t be more pleased with my purchase. I’ll check back in 10 years and give you guys an update 👍😎

 

Any more reports on the Loc waders??

 

Still pure awesomeness

 

https://www.speypages.com/posts/2719895/

 

I recently bought a pair of LOC waders and have been using them for a month or so, on fairly cold days, and up into the 50s. My reason for buying these was mainly warmth; I get cold easier than I used to, and I have to say for this purpose they are fantastic. I had 180 merino undies on which would have been too cold with gortex waders, they were just right with the LOCS. Interestingly, not much pocket space, not that you don’t need much anyway for steelheading, but my Skwalas have tons of nooks and crannies to put necessities. These waders aren’t that much heavier than gortex ones; in appearance you think they would be. They are quite durable and thorn and abrasion resistant having trapezed around the North Umpqua for a number of days in them, even taking a spill on some rocks with no damage. The booties are really thin, you need heavy socks to fill your boots out but because of the thin booties,therefore your feet don’t compress and get cold.
Loc says these should fit snugly for optimal efficiency. Problem is, one man’s snug is another mans tourniquet. There still has to be room for layers and a jacket; it’s not like they insulate your upper torso that effectively, and I think Loc’s suggestion of a baselayer and a thin jacket being adequate on a cold day is a huge stretch.
As far as fitment goes, I am 6’2” 235 and generally wear an XL. My waders are usually XXL to accommodate gear. The XL that I tried on at Bend Fly Shop was so small I thought my nuts were gonna squeeze into my abdomen let alone I hadn’t worn a girdle since Halloween in “74. They didn’t have the XL King, and couldn’t get it, so I ordered it off their website. Good news, it was here in a week. Bad news, there was $80 customs duty plus $60 shipping charge.
I think overall these are very effective and an excellent wading tool, and I want to believe they will outlast at least 2 pairs of Skwalas or Simms. I think they will. Except, I’m not sure yet, but I believe they might turn into a sauna in warmer weather.
My.02

Kurt