Visionary
Recently I received the opportunity to intensively test Visions brand new top notch wading outfit with an interesting outcome
The story starts that a friend got used to his highly priced XYZ waders that leaking like a noodle strainer. He also got used to the superstition that only expensive waders are high quality ones. The truth of the matter looks quite different. Waders leak or they don’t leak no matter how expensive they have been. It happened also to me that I bought me a new pair of waders, of course the “best” on the market. The most expensive ones. And lately after a week of fishing they started leaking. Factory repaired,….. and they started leaking again. Hmmm.. It is the belief that only expensive is good, that leads us to spend a high amount of money for wading cloths.
But there are other ways, too! My buddy started poaching in the less expensive fly fishing clothing segment. He end up at Vision, a rising company from Finland that had the vision of producing products for their fans around the globe who love fly fishing same as they do. He loved his new waders and so I got interested into this company and its products. Here we are…… with 2015 Visions brand new top notch Opas wader and Opas 3P Jacket.
What’s the first impression about Vision products. Firstly they look really great from the design perspective and secondly they create the impression that this is a very high quality product. Honestly everything looked like this clothes would also cost a big bunch of money. I really like the outer shell materials. It gave me instantly the confidence that they would go with me any way I need to go. I like thick waders that are durable enough to survive stupidities.
| Facts: | Opas Waders |
|---|---|
| Material: | Latest waterproof and breathable F4-fabric |
| Layers: | 5 more thinker layers in the lower rear part and inside of legs |
| Pockets: | 2 / one large pocket with two sections where one is water resistant. One additional zipper pocket inside |
| Features; | – New cut design minimizes seams in the crotch area |
| - Curved NoSeam Cut for perfect fit | |
| - Built-in gravel guards | |
| - Drying loops | |
| - D-loops | |
| - Matching color belt and braces | |
| Available sizes; | Small to XXL |
The waders, when I first slipped into them, they felt really nice. Everything felt high qualitative, all seams make an excellent impression and also the neoprene footies looked very innovative. Latter looked interesting especially because it was made with a minimum of weld overlays, This was the weakness of some of my waders I had before. Sooner or later every welding became detached and the wader leaked. In this respect Vision goes a new innovative way of building their waders.
What I mentioned already before the waders are very tough and thick, really the waders you want to have when durability is more needed then lightweight without loosing comfort. In Summer I presume that I will sweat a little bit more than with thinner waders but I prefer the confidence that this waders go with me through each adventure.
What do I like the most
1. Their thick and durable design
2. The perfect fit and freedom of movement
3. The integrated gravel guards
4. The large outer pocket that gives me enough space to store essential things I need with me
5. The new and innovative neoprene footies
What could have done better
Honestly there is only one thing that could have been done a little better. There is only strap for the belt, and this one is at the back, Two more straps for the belt would have been better. This is really just a minor drawback but worth to mention it.
The jacket, my first impression was that this is a really cool jacket. I liked it from the first minute. Vision goes with their jackets a complete new way that is different to the other competitors. The world is colorful so also this jacket is. I really got used to the big variety of gray shades all other jackets are. Its yellow and I love it. Look also on the Kura jacket from Vision which is made from a green fabric. I think this brings in a complete new style of fishing. When not catching anything, you look at least good with this stuff.
The Opas 3P jacket is made from a F4-fabric that is fully breathable and waterproof and It has already proven that it is really waterproof. I have used it in heavy rain and I stayed complete dry below. What is also new and very innovated are their sleeves. They go a complete new way, not only curved for perfect fit, but also by putting their sealed cuffs inside the sleeves which has one major advantage. When it is really cold and the cuffs got wet you don’t feel it that much. I had it very often with my other jackets that this became a pain in the ass when wet and the wind was blowing cooling down your arm-joint. A real benefit on cold days
In Addition the Opas 3P jacket offers two very big pockets that gives every angler the possibilities to carry on all flies they need inclusive every thing else needed, pliers, leader wallets, etc.. The zips are high quality made and the main zip is highly water resistant keeping you dry. Of course everything that can be adjusted on a wading jacket is adjustable with this jacket.
What do I like the most
1. The color
2. The perfect fit e.g. by the curved sleeves
3. The fabric is durable but does not shrink you in your movements
4. The two large outer pocket that gives me enough space to store essential things I need with me
5. The new sleeve design
What could have done better
1) There is one thing that I don’t like which would have made this jacket to the ultimate wading jacket so far. The two main pockets are accessible by the main front zips but also by the side zips where usually a wading jacket has space for warming up your hands. This is possible here as well but with the disadvantages that you put your hands in where all your gear is too. This doesn’t feel very cosy with the risk of loosing some things when fishing. I hope that they will close this disadvantage with their next product revision.
| Facts: | Opas 3P Jacket |
|---|---|
| Material: | Latest waterproof and breathable F4-fabric |
| Layers: | 5 more thinker layers in the lower rear part and inside of legs |
| Pockets: | Two front pockets are both equipped with dual vertical zippers on both sides of the pocket |
| Features; | – Novel innovative front pocket system for various carry systems |
| – Technical jacket with slightly slimmer fit | |
| – Riri’s Aqua Zip main zipper | |
| – YKK zippers on pockets | |
| – Strongly curved sleeves | |
| – D ring in the back for hanging a net | |
| – Fleece lined high collar for wind protection | |
| Available sizes; | Small to XXL |
| Colors available; | Yellow |
In the end my summary of all this is pretty clear. It must not always expensive to be high qualitative. Sometimes you have to deviate from your course to find something really nice and save some money better invested in the fishing instead of the fishing gear. With Vision I found the solution to all this and I feel happy with it.
Last but not least there is one recommendation from me where to get all this cool stuff. I got mine from HURCH fly fishing (www.hurch.com). Firstly a very good stocked shop and secondly fully competent in matters. A shop that offers his customers each possible service they need. Flexible and uncomplicated as fly fishing customers require. From my side many thanks for your support!
Some detail pics
tight lines
Philipp