Your fly fishing waders are a key part of your gear.
Fly Fishing Gear June 30th, 2008There are several types of fly fishing waders on the market today. With so many choices, how do you choose? Now you can choose from neoprene, breathable, boot foot, and sock foot. The fishing waders that you choose will play a big role in how comfortable you are on the stream.
 HODGMAN NEOPRENE FLY FISHING FISHING WADERS WADING S  US $9.99
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 Cabelas Fly Fishing Waders Fish XL R Brown Chest Boots US $41.00
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 FISHING CABIN RIVER DOOR BANNER SIGN WADERS FLY FISH US $6.99
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 Orvis Fly Fishing Waders with stockings Medium US $21.50
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 Orvis Fly Fishing Waders Medium US $20.50
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 32 PARACHUTE Fly Fishing Flies Flys 16 hook rod waders US $18.95
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 Simms Fly Fishing Waders Mens XL US $40.00
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 Hodgman Neoprene Fly Fishing Waders Fly fishing Wading US $10.50
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 NWOT Mens CABELAS Neoprene Fly Fishing Chest Waders M US $44.95
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 Chota Breathable Sock Foot Fly Fishing Waders MEDIUM US $18.50
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Let's take a look at some of the different types of waders so that you can make an informed decision on your next wader purchase.
Neoprene Fly FIshing Waders
Neoprene waders are an excellent choice if you fish in cool to cold conditions. Neoprene insulates well so it does a good job of keeping the cold out. Fishing waders made from neoprene are durable. They stretch easily allowing a full range of motion.
Neoprene waders are available in different thickness measured in millimeters. If you fish in very cold conditions or use your waders for duck hunting, you may want to consider a 5mm pair. If you fish in milder conditions a pair of 3mm waders will probably be fine.
Neoprene waders don't breath. This can cause condensation due to the waders being warmed by body heat on the inside. When you step into an ice cold stream and cold outside meets the warm inside, condensation forms.
It is also easy to sweat in neoprene since it doesn't breath. You'll want to make sure you wear something under your waders that will wick the moisture away from your skin. I wear fleece wader liners under my waders. Fleece is warm, light weight and wicks moisture and is comfortable. A good pair of fleece wader liners will keep you dry, warm and comfortable regardless of the type of wader you wear.
Breathable Fly Fishing Waders
Breathable waders are light weight and extremely comfortable. Designed to keep water out and to allow perspiration to escape, they will keep you dry and comfortable all day long.
Breathable waders are constructed of several layers of material. The inside layers are designed to allow perspiration vapor to escape while the outer layer or shell keeps the river out.
The combination of layers make the breathables a more comfortable choice. Even in cool conditions they will stay dry inside. Keeping moisture away from the skin will help keep you warm. Throw in a good wader liner for warmth and your breathables will be your favorite waders all year long.
Boot Foot Fly Fishing Waders
Fly fishing waders can come with a boot foot, which means that the wading boot is part of the wader. Boot foot waders are convenient because you don't have to have a separate pair of wading boots. Boot foot waders are available in both lug soles or felt soles. I prefer the felt because it gives better traction on wet, slippery rocks.
The down side of boot foot waders is that it can be hard to find a pair that fit your feet properly. If they're too loose your feet will slide around and get tired. If they're too tight they will cut off circulation and your feet will get cold. Boot foot waders are fine for leisurely wading but if you are going to do a lot of walking you may want to look into...
Sock Foot Fly Fishing Waders
Sock foot waders have a neoprene sock built into the wader. The sock foot should be big enough to wear heavy socks under them. They should not be so big that they bunch up in your wading boots . (I'm partial to fleece socks for the same reasons I gave for fleece wader liners)
It's true a sock foot wader requires you to have a pair of . However if you are going to do some walking you will be more comfortable and less subject to injury. A good pair of wading boots will provide better support lessen the possibility of turning an ankle on wet, slippery rocks.
Quality
As always, quality waders will last longer and be more dependable. My suggestion is to determine your budget and buy the best quality fly fishing waders that you can.
I would also recommend that if you are traveling, it's a good idea to have an extra pair of waders in your gear bag. It's no fun to be caught in the middle of no man's land and your waders decide to spring a leak. This has happened to me, ice cold stream water in the high country can be a chilling experience.
Summary
When you get ready to buy your next pair of waders you'll want go to a fly shop where you can try them on. You don't want them skin tight. You'll want to be able to move freely in them. Try them on with the socks that you wear when wading.
If you are buying sock foot waders, make sure that the sock foot fits so that it won't bunch up in your wading boots. You don't want to find out that you bought the wrong size after you've been on the stream for a couple of hours.
Whether you decide on neoprene or breathable waders, Boot foot or sock foot, your fly fishing waders are important to your comfort. And the more comfortable you are, the more you'll enjoy your time on the stream.
