Os Systems Waders are a chest wader made by an Oregon based drysuit maker. These
are known by the steelhead and salmon community as "ballistic" waders with ultra
comfort. I would suggest you ask the Swallows Nest in Seattle to ship you a pair,
or if you are a common Cape Codder during the season I'd be happy to show you a five
year old pair that is still going strong. You might ask Sean Fields at Goose
Hummock if he got a pair yet, he mentioned a strong interest in them last fall.
They are a great price performance value.
As far as rocky conditions, I enjoy the fleetness of foot in sand and pebbly
bottoms on the cape. You can actually swim in them if needed. I also have no
problem on jetties, these treads are made to be somewhat good on wet slimy rocks.
Where I do not recommend them are where the bottom is rocks upon rocks upon
rocks like some North Shore areas, the point off Westport comes to mind, parts
of the RI shore, etc. Here you don't hike real far anyway (if you're like me)
and you need rigidity in the sole of the boot to keep the sides from crushing
your foot when you step between two stones.
In any case, you can use the same OS Systems or Gore-tex stocking foot wader
with either shoe style on any given day - which is why I always buy stocking
foot waders... except for those rubber hippers I keep in the truck for emergency
fishing situations! ;)
Regards,
Juro Mukai
Cap Cod Wading Guide
Blue Northern Trading Co.