Fly Fishing Waders - Buyers Guide

I can only say - thank goodness for technology. Once upon a time, wearing a fly fishing wader in warmer weather was akin to stepping into an old fashioned rubber weight-reducing suit. On warm or hot days, an angler wearing the waders of years past would emerge from the stream wet, smelly and steamy on the outside but as dry as a prune on the inside.

Thankfully, technology has come along and rescued the fly fisherman from the torture of having to wear rubber and other heavy, non-breathable waders. Today, slipping into waders is often no more uncomfortable than slipping into your favorite pair of pants.

Yet, while technology has made advances in fly fishing wader comfort, beginners still often get the wrong type - probably on the unfortunate basis that many new anglers think of waders as a "luxury" and not a "necessity."

And so, to prevent beginner anglers from gettig the wrong type of waders, I've put together this guide to fly fishing waders. If you want to spare the reading, I'll also give you a quick recommendation on features.

Quick Recommendation on Wader Features to Get

1. The waders must be breathable. Should be made of Gore-Tex or other similar materials that allow perspiration to escape.
2. The wader should be a stockingfoot wader, as they are more versatile than a bootfoot wader.
3. Waders should be light - REAL light. If you get a breathable wader, this problem generally solves itself.
4. Unless you fish in near-freezing or sub-freezing weather frequently, there is no reason to get an insulated wader.
5. In short - get the lightest, most breathable wader you can find.

Featured Fly Fishing Wader

Cabela's Dry-Plus? G-II Stockingfoot Chest Waders - Stout : The GII series waders combine tightly woven nylon construction with the protection of our Dry-Plus membrane for durability and breathability without compromising the waders' exceptionally low cost. ...Buy at Cabela's

Expanded Buyers Guide to Waders

Well, in the event you're bored and want to learn more about waders, I've put together this guide.

Before beginning this coverage of fishing waders, let's take a minute to make sure that you even need them. By and large, if you only fish in warm weather AND warm water, you can probably get by without any waders provided you do not mind being wet. I've fished extensively in warmer weather and warmer waters without waders and have never regretted it. While you end up wet, provided the weather and water is warm, you can still stay warm and comfortable.

However, all that changes if you plan on fly fishing in colder weather or colder waters (even during the warm summer months). If you plan on doing any fly fishing in either cold water or cold weather (such as fly fishing in Montana!), a good pair of fly fishing waders is absolutely crucial for angling enjoyment and successful fly fishing.

Types of Fly Fishing Waders

There are three different types of waders available on the market today. The different types of fishing waders available are the Bootfoot Wader, the Stockingfoot Wader, and the Hip-Waders. Each are detailed below.

Bootfoot Waders

Bootfoot waders are fly fishing waders that extend from the foot of the angler up to the anglers chest. On these fishing waders, the boot is permanently attached to the wader. Having the boot attached to the fly fishing wader allows the angler to avoid having to buy separate wading boots. The drawback is that bootfoot waders are heavier in overall weight (since the boot is attached), more bulky, and also somewhat more difficult to get into than other fly fishing wader types.

Stockingfoot Waders

Stockingfoot waders, by comparison, lack the attached boot found on bootfoot waders. Instead, these waders have a neoprene sock on the foot of the wader. Dedicated wading boots - bought separately - are then put on over this neoprene sock. Like a bootfoot wader, stockingfoot waders extend from the foot of the angler up to the chest - although some varieties now extend only to waist level. Since a boot is not attached to the wader, stockingfoot fly fishing waders have the advantage of packing up smaller and are lighter - although once you add the weight/bulk of separate wading boots into the equation, the weight and bulk factors are usually more than with bootfoot waders. Stockingfoot waders are also generally easier to get into and out of than bootfoot waders - one reason these types of fishing waders are so popular.

Hip Waders

Hip-Waders are designed for wading shallow, slower moving waters. These fishing waders - some of which have boots attached and others that do not - extend from the foot of the angler up to the upper leg of the angler. Hip waders are popular for more sedate rivers and fly fishing shallow waters because they are more comfortable than other waders and because they are quite simple to get in and out of.

Which wader you want really is a matter of personal preference. Personally, I prefer stockingfoot waders if only because you can take the boots off without having to take the waders off to. In other words, stockingfoot waders are more versatile than bootfoot waders.

Fly Fishing Wader Materials

Now that we've covered the three different types of fly fishing waders, it is necessary to look at the different materials/styles of waders available. By styles, we mean what the fishing wader is made out of that keeps the angler dry. Basically, fly fishing waders are made out of two different materials these days - neoprene or specialized breathable fabrics (such as Gore-Tex). Each are covered separately below.

Featured Fly Fishing Wader

Patagonia Women's Watermaster Waders - Fly Fishing Bottoms : The same great suspension system, reinforced legs and seat, with improved puncture resistance in this fly-fishing wader from Patagonia.   Buy at Patagonia.Com

Neoprene Fly Fishing Waders

Neoprene waders are primarily used today when fly fishing in colder weather and colder water. The reason neoprene waders excel in these types of circumstances is that different thickness levels of neoprene are available - with the thicker neoprene being ideal for cold weather. Generally, neoprene fishing waders run from having a 3mm thickness (for general warmer weather fly fishing) to a 5mm thickness (ideal for cold water).

The problem with neoprene waders, though, is that, like nylon waders, they are not breathable. Thus, during warmer weather, neoprene fishing waders can become quite warm for the angler wearing them. Additionally, since these types of fly fishing waders are not breathable, anglers can get left with condensation in the wader - although the insulating properties of neoprene go a very long way towards keeping the angler warm despite this.

Overall, if you plan on fly fishing very cold water or in very cold weather, neoprene fishing waders are an excellent choice. Otherwise, stick with the newer, breathable type of waders.

Breathable Fly Fishing Waders

Breathable waders are made out of various compounds, such as Gore-Tex, that are designed to keep the water out while still allowing the anglers body heat and sweat to escape. The result is that an angler wearing breathable waders will stay warm, comfy and generally dry for a full day of fly fishing.

Many different types of materials are now used for breathable fishing waders. These different materials all work extremely well in keeping the water out while still allowing the fishing wader to breathe. Which material you choose in a breathable fly fishing wader really depends on what is available when you go shopping for them and how much you are willing to spend (Gore-Tex fly fishing waders tend to be more expensive than other materials used).

Overall, for any fly fisherman who will be spending lots of time in waders or will be fly fishing in a wide range of environmental conditions, a good pair of breathable fishing waders is an extremely important piece of fly fishing equipment. While wearing breathable waders, especially if they are fitted correctly, an angler is likely to not even notice they are wearing them since they are so much more comfortable than other

Find a Fly Fishing Wader

• Cabela's Waders
• Patagonia Waders
• Orvis Waders
• Columbia Waders
• Simms Waders
• Hodgman Waders

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