Waders Buying Guide
What To Look For In a Pair Of Waders
Below is a waders buying guide that will shed some light on which waders you are best for you. Buying waders appears to be a very simple task at first, but then you start looking at all the options and it can get pretty overwhelming. Below are some of the most critical things to know when deciding which waders to buy.
- Wader Type
There are essentially 3 types of waders you can buy. The thing to consider is where you will be fishing. Are you planning on fishing shallower creeks and streams where hip waders would be just fine or are you planning on wading out in the ocean as far as you can to get your line out there? In this case a chest wader would likely be in order. The other thing to keep in mind is the more coverage you require, the more weight you will be adding and sacrificing some level of comfort. Then there is also the price; more coverage equals more cost.- Hip Waders: Typically the least expensive of the bunch, these are suited for shallow water applications. These are also the most mobile and easier to carry with you. They will also be more comfortable when dealing with warmer days since they are only covering your legs and the rest of your fishing wardrobe can be geared toward the conditions.
- Waist Waders: The next level up when it comes to coverage and price. You still get some flexibility to wear gear that will keep you cooler in the hotter months. As implied you’ll want to keep the water depth below your waist with these waders.
- Chest Waders: Likely the most popular and commonly used waders, chest waders are going to provide you maximum coverage when fishing and allow you to go further into the water to get your line out as far as possible from the bank or just allow you to fish around areas that would normally not be accessible from the bank or shore.
- Boot or stocking waders
The next decision you need to make when selecting a fishing wader, do you go with the boot foot wader or the stocking foot wader? This really comes down to customization and how flexible you want your waders to be. Do you fish different areas? Do you go from streams and creeks to lakes and bays? Are you looking for a better fit? If you answer yest to any of these questions you would probably want to go with a stocking foot wader and then select some wading boots for each type of application.
With boot foot waders you are tied to the boot size and then have to find a wader size that will fit you within that boot size. You may find one that does just fine for you. If you are on a budget you will want to look further into these and find one that works for your fishing situation. - Material
There are a few different materials that waders are made of. From the basic rubber to the more comfortable breathable fabrics. Once again you will need to keep your fishing situation in mind along with your budget.- Rubber Waders: These are going to be your “base model” waders. These offer excellent protection from the water but you will likely still get wet since there really is no ventilation when it comes to rubber waders. Anther advantage to rubber waders is they are more durable than some of the others and are easier to repair should something happen to them. They are also typically less expensive.
- Neoprene Waders: These waders are a good choice for colder weather applications. Neoprene waders are going to be insulated and will come in different thicknesses to match the conditions. They are also pretty durable and flexible. But like rubber waders, there is not much breathing room in Neoprene. So using in warmer weather will leave you sweaty and damp.
- Breathable Waders: As the name implies, these are made of breathable material that wicks moisture off your skin and keeps you dryer in warmer weather. The drawback is that they are not insulated so they will not provide as much protection from the cold. You can get past this though, by wearing moisture wicking layers under these waders to insulate yourself.
Choosing The Right Waders
As you can see there are several things to consider when choosing the right waders. Take a look at your options and select something that covers as much of your situations as possible. The most important thing to consider is fit. Make sure you take a look at sizing charts and actually take your measurements, especially when purchasing online. This will save you some headaches. I also recommend checking the manufacture website for sizing info there when you find a couple of waders you like. Some of the specs vary from one manufacture to another. Do you homework and you will likely wind up finding something you will be happy with and get some good use out of non your outdoor adventures.
