Choosing the right pair of waders for YOU - For Beginners
Choosing the right pair of waders for YOU
By Dan Gray, Wolf Mountain Fly and Tackle, Colstrip, MT
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Here you are, sitting alone on the riverbank with your $400.00 rod and reel combo in hand, wearing your $75.00 vest loaded with $250.00 worth of flies, leaders, tippets, and a whole sundry of other fly fishing-related paraphernalia. But you're freezing your butt off because the seams in your cheap waders are leaking. That guy at the garage sale said they had only been worn twice—without mentioning that was ten years ago and they've been stored in an old utility shed ever since. Or maybe you bought them because the salesman at Wally World said his second cousin's brother-in-law had a pair just like them and he thought he was pleased, although he hadn't talked to him in over a year ever since he ran off with that waitress from the Waffle House. Maybe they don't leak at all; maybe they just don't fit right, and now you're in discomfort.
None of this really matters right now. What matters is that you're sitting on the bank like a piece of old dried-out driftwood while your buddies are mid-stream, fishing to their hearts' content. Why, you ask? Well, since you asked, I'll tell you why. You didn't do your homework when picking out your waders. You spent three weeks figuring out what type of drag you wanted on your reel, another two weeks on the color of your fly line, and only an hour on the type and size of your waders. You knew neoprene was good but didn't think there was much difference between 3mm and 5mm. "What's a millimeter anyway?" you remember thinking. "What's wrong with inches, so a guy could figure this stuff out?" It kind of falls along the same lines as 7X and 2X, my friend.
Well, let's let bygones be bygones and see what we can do to make sure this is the last fishing trip ruined because of your wader selection.
Number One: What are you going to use the waders for?
Are you buying the waders just for fishing or do you plan to wear them when you hunt ducks and geese? Since most folks can only afford one good pair of waders, this is an important question. If you fish more than you hunt, then the type, thickness, and color of the wader should be considered in the context of the type of fishing you normally do. The same is true if you hunt more days than you fish. What is the temperature of the water going to be the majority of the time when you have your waders on? It's a lot more bearable to be a little warm on a hot day than to be freezing cold on a chilly one.
Number Two: What kind of material should I choose?
There are several different types of materials you can choose from when selecting your waders. This is the time to really consider what you will be using the waders for and how often.
Neoprene is probably the most popular wader material, and for many good reasons. One, it is very durable and can withstand a lot of abuse. Two, you can choose the thickness, either 3mm or 5mm, that best suits your needs. If the weather where you fish is mostly moderate with occasional cold days, or if you have to walk a ways to get to your fishing spot, then the 3mm thickness would probably be your best choice. If you live or fish in a colder climate or plan to use your waders for hunting, then you might want to consider a pair of 5mm.
Neoprene waders come in various colors, from the more traditional dark brown to green, blue, and even camouflaged. Other than getting a pair of dual-purpose camouflaged hunting and fishing waders, the color selection is strictly a personal choice.
Over the past ten years or so, breathable waders have grown in popularity and are slowly replacing neoprene waders as the wader of choice. One of the main reasons for this shift is the material from which breathable waders are made. Breathable waders are constructed from a permeable membrane such as Gore-Tex®, which allows moisture to escape through the wader even while in the water. The versatility of the breathable wader is another huge selling point. They can be worn in the hot summer months without sweat becoming an issue, and they can be worn in winter with a set of sweatpants or fleece wader pants to help keep moisture away and protect you from the cold water. The typical loose fit of breathable waders also makes them a great choice for fishermen who have to walk long distances to reach their secret fishing hole, and they are extremely comfortable to use during long days in a float tube or pontoon boat.
You can also go "old school" and check out canvas waders, but they are getting pretty hard to find these days. They are cheaper than neoprene or breathable waders, but you will sacrifice a lot in flexibility, breathability, and overall weight. However, canvas waders are extremely durable and a great choice for someone just starting in the sport.
Nylon waders are also a great choice for beginner fly fishermen. Nylon waders are a slight step up from the rubber waders that most beginners start with. They are lightweight and will keep you dry and warm. One disadvantage of nylon waders is that they can be hot, and because they are not breathable, it can cause a problem in the colder months when sweat builds up, making the fisherman's clothes damp or wet. Not only will this cause discomfort, but it could also lead to hypothermia if the angler becomes too cold. The same is true even in the summer months when clothes become damp or wet and a fisherman spends extended amounts of time in an ice-cold mountain stream.
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Rubber waders are another option, but they are continually losing popularity due to the decreasing prices of neoprene and breathable waders. While the price of rubber waders might be attractive for someone on a tight budget, you will be giving up flexibility, breathability, and weight. Due to the construction of rubber waders, they also pose more of a safety issue than other types of waders. ALWAYS make sure you wear a wading belt securely fastened around your waist when using all waders, but especially with rubber waders.
Number Three: Wader Fitting
Now that you have selected the type of material your waders are made from, let's talk about getting them to fit correctly. While keeping dry and warm might be our first priority for a comfortable day on the water, having a pair of well-fitting waders is a close second. If your waders don't fit right, not only will you be uncomfortable, but you will also tire much more quickly, which could lead to a potential wading mishap. Improperly fitting waders can also restrict your range of motion while climbing over rocks or getting in and out of a boat, all of which could contribute to a wading mishap or fall that could cause personal or equipment damage.
Often, anglers purchase waders that fit too tightly. After all, we want to look svelte in those pictures holding up that trophy fish. Well, let's put vanity aside for a moment and consider a few things. Wouldn't it be nice to have waders that fit loosely enough to allow for an extra layer of clothing on those cold winter days when the steelhead are running? How awesome would it feel to walk a mile down to Fisher's Hole without having to battle our waders along the way?
Nowadays, many of us order from the Internet and have to take our chances on how our waders and boots will fit. Email the owner of the site and give them your height, weight, and shoe size, and they should be able to fit you that way. If you purchase from a fly shop or sporting goods store, take the time to try them on. Do a couple of knee bends and walk around a bit. See if you can put a foot up on a stool. Remember, you may be climbing up and down stream banks. Also, look at the length of the legs; if they are too long, it will cause folds that can wear down and cause leaks. Sure, a couple of other shoppers might think you're a little eccentric, but you'll find it to be time well spent.
Number Four: What type boots and boot soles to get?
Boot and boot sole selection is a lot like wader selection. Once again, it depends on what you will be using the waders for and under what types of conditions. Some waders have the boots connected to the wader in one piece, known as boot foot waders. If you are going to spend most of your time in cold weather and water, they are by far the right choice. They provide the best cold-water protection, and most are insulated. Another advantage of boot foot waders is that they are low maintenance and very easy to put on and take off. Because rocks and sand can't slip into the boot, there's no need to put on gravel guards to protect your feet from getting rubbed raw. Built-in boots have no laces, which is a bonus, and you don't have to worry about arriving at the river with only one boot or with your wife's boots, as I once did.
Stocking foot waders are probably the most popular type on the market, mostly because of their lightweight advantage. They have the same type of construction as boot foot waders but do not have the attached rubber boot. Instead, stocking foot waders have a neoprene sock attached to the bottom, meaning you'll need to purchase a pair of wading boots. In some ways, this is good because it allows you to buy different boots for different river bottoms. It also enables you to wear flippers in a float tube. The big disadvantage is that sand or gravel can find its way through your gravel guards, and you'll have to stop and clean out your wading boots. If not properly looked after, sand and gravel can eventually wear holes into the stocking foot, causing your waders to leak. Buy lugged sole boots if you are going to be fishing in muddy-bottomed water and felt soles for rock or gravel-bottomed waters.
Make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding proper care and storage of your waders and boots, especially if it's going to be a long time between uses. ~ DG
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