The Right Way to Buy Waders

If you've never been surfcasting, fished for trout in a river, or had to launch a boat in the frigid waters of early spring then you might be unaware of the true benefits a good pair of waders can deliver. But perhaps this is finally the year you're looking to buy waders. Perhaps you realize it's time to invest a bit of money in staying dry. Maybe you've sold the boat and you're ready to take up river and stream fishing. Whatever your motivation might be, here are a few quick things to know about buying waders.

Neoprene Or Breathable?

Early waders were made from vulcanized rubber. They were heavy, hot, and prone to cracking after use in the sun or cold. In 1930, neoprene, the first mass-produced synthetic rubber compound was invented. By the 1950s, it was being used for bodysuits for surfers and was incorporated into waders a few years after that. Neoprene waders are still on the market—duck hunters tend to love them—and if you're looking for an inexpensive pair that you're likely to use only in cold water, neoprene waders remain a viable option. But beware: They're heavy, bulky and neoprene doesn't breathe at all. On warm days, or in warm water, you will sweat in neoprene, sometimes to the point where it defeats the purpose of even wearing waders at all.

Enter breathable waders, which burst onto the flyfishing scene in the early 1990s. First introduced by Simms Fishing using Gore-Tex membranes, breathable waders allow the moisture created by the sweat from your body to escape while at the same time keeping the water you are wading in from soaking through. For anybody who wants to fish in a wide variety of conditions, breathable waders – made by companies Simms, Patagonia, Skwala, LL Bean, Orvis, Cabela's, Frogg Toggs, Hodgman, and others – are the way to go.

You'll see the term "Gore-Tex" waders thrown around a lot, but Gore-Tex is a trademarked brand name of just one waterproof, breathable fabric. It's made by the W.L. Gore company. Not all breathable waders use Gore-Tex fabric, and that's OK. Several other wader companies use something like Toray fabrics or utilize their own proprietary waterproof, breathable membranes.

A Word About Hip Boots

Some anglers may never need full chest waders. Maybe you're one of them. If you're absolutely, positively sure you'll never wade in anything more than knee-deep water, you could consider a pair of hip boots. Rubber hip boots have been around since the 1950s and don't offer the benefits of neoprene or breathable waders. Regardless, there are some practical applications for hip boots in the 21st century. You can still find them, offered by companies including Lacrosse, White River (Cabela's), and Le Chameau.

Make Sure You Can Move

Regardless of where you wade to fish (saltwater, say, or a big river of the west), you're going to be moving around. When trying on a pair of waders, ensure that they're comfortable and fit well with the length of your legs, your waist, your belly, and your chest. Can you walk from the truck to the shore? Bend down to release a fish? Sit on a rock for a break? Can you hop in and out of a boat without much effort? Improperly sized waders can be restrictive and a safety hazard, so take time to make sure they fit.

"The most important feature I look for in a pair of waders is range of motion," said Rich Hohne, Chief Marketing Officer for Skwala, a relatively new wader manufacturer based in Montana. "Can the wader move with me without being restrictive and disappear when I am on the water? Many waders are too stiff, or too heavy, or not designed to move with the angler."

Boots Or Stocking

When looking at waterproof, breathable waders, consider that there are two types of footwear to choose from: Bootfoot or stockingfoot.

Ideal for surfcasters and saltwater anglers, bootfoot waders have heavy-duty rubber boots permanently connected to them. There's no need to buy another pair of boots. In general, bootfoot waders allow you to get in and out of the water quickly since there's no need to put on an additional pair of boots. They tend to be a bit warmer, too, with many models coming with insulated boots.

Bootfoot waders are a more popular choice and are great for duck hunting or wading where there's a mucky bottom.

Stockingfoot waders require the additional purchase of a pair of wading boots that go over a neoprene bootie that is attached to the rest of the wader. Stockingfoot waders are more adaptable and versatile and are better fitting since shoe size isn't a determining factor in choosing a wader size.

The Sole

If you decide to go with stockingfoot waders, there's one final option to consider: what's on the bottom of your boot. Essentially, there are two sole choices – felt-bottomed boots or rubber-bottomed boots. Rubber-soled boots (often utilizing Vibram rubber) dry quicker and are easier to clean. Felt-bottom boots are known for their stability since they don't slip on underwater rocks quite as easily as rubber. A bonus with wading boots is that you can wear them later in the year, when water temps rise, without waders. But either way, plan on the price of a new pair of wading boots when you consider the overall cost of your wader setup.

And Lastly

Skwala's Hohne adds one final consideration for choosing waders.

"Things like being waterproof and durable should be table stakes when considering buying waders," he said. "Those, of course, are very important."

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