Gear reviews

EZ-P Zipper provides an answer to nature's call

It is an immutable fact that when you are out in nature, sometimes nature calls. It is also an undeniable fact that removing multiple layers of sling packs, vests, jackets, belts and waders in order to answer nature’s call is both inconvenient and can be detrimental to speedy relief. 

This is especially true if an angler has woken up early and consumed gallons of coffee on the way to the river, or takes medications which make relief an imperative and not a suggestion. 

The answer to this dilemma, of course, is to find a way to keep one’s waders on while answering nature’s call. Bill Anderson and his EZ-P Zipper provide just such a solution. 

The EZ-P Zipper is exactly that: A zipper installed across and just under the waistline of your waders. For a reasonable price you send a pair of waders to Bill Anderson, and normally within two days, he installs the zipper and sends your waders back.   

The system is permanent — and exceptionally well installed. In a true leap of faith, I turned over a pair of my favorite Simms waders and received them back in two days. The system does exactly what it says it does, and it works well. 

In addition to being perhaps one of the most straightforward products I’ve ever reviewed, it’s one of the sturdiest. The zipper system is significant and strong, and mine was completely waterproof. The process used to install the EZ-P Zipper appears to directly bond it to wader material, and I have seen absolutely no indication that mine will ever pull free or come loose.   

The zipper matches the color of my waders’ gravel guards, and is installed in such a professional manner that it appears to be original to my waders.  This is not a fly-by-night installation, and the only real concern is making sure that you close your barn door before wading back into a deep run. 

I once heard the Gallatin River referred to as the most honest river in the west because it does what it’s supposed to do, and the fish are where they are supposed to be. The EZ-P Zipper is a honest product. It does exactly what it says it does, and it provides exactly the relief and ease that it says it will. It’s not a gimmick — it’s a solid product that makes fishing trips better, and that’s high praise from this reviewer.         

By Chris Hunt.