The Care And Feeding Of Waders.....

[LWD]

I've got some waders that dry rotted and cracked, unfortunately I didn't discover it until my foot felt cold and wet...... that made the rest of the day miserable. I'll be the first to admit they aren't the most expensive waders money can buy, so maybe the quality isn't up to par. What is the proper way to care for waders, especially when they're hanging up for most of the year? Is there some kind of treatment that should be applied to the rubber before they're hung up?

I guess while I'm on the subject, what is the best type of material for waders, and is it best to go with thigh high or chest high waders? I imagine opinions will vary on this, but any info is greatly appreciated. I need to buy a new pair and want to do it right.

Thanks in advance,

Larry

[Danoinark]

Larry

You mentioned rubber. Its been a while since I have had rubber waders and quite frankly I am not sure what would keep them pliable and not crack. I think you would be much happier with a breathable wader material. Most of the major brands today carry a line of breathable ones which allow the moisture to wick out of them, keeping you dry and not clammy in just about any weather situation. They seem to keep you cool in the summer and with proper layering beneath will keep you warm in the colder months. As to chest high, waist high or hip waders its a matter of personal opinion. I like chest waders, allowing you to wade deeper and most can be worn as waist highs just by removing the suspenders and snapping them around your waist. I also have a pair of hip waders which I like to wear when I know that I won't be wading above them. Breathable waders also come in boot foot, where the boot is already attached, or stocking foot which would require a wading boot. Again its personal preference. Always consider getting felt soles on either the bootfoot or the wading boot. The breathables comes in most sizes and price ranges with various warranties. You will see a plethora of responses on what brand is better than the next.

Dano

[jdmidwest]

How often do you wear a pair of waders and how do you store them?

Hip waders are worthless unless you are going to be in knee deep water, any deeper than that and they end up becoming 2 lead weights to anchor you to the bottom. Most trout streams exceed the limits of a hip wader. You

Any modern chest waders will serve you well as long as you care for them. Dry them by hanging by boots or feet then fold them up and store in temperature controlled environment. There is no "treatments".

Goretex or Breathables are the best out there and can be had for less than $150. Neoprene or other materials will be cheaper.

[LWD]

Dano and JD, thanks for the info. How often I wear a pair of waders will increase dramatically this year when I retire. I'm planning on hitting the streams around Missouri, going out west and fishing some of the rivers out there, and I also use them for arrow head hunting once the cold weather hits. As far as storing them, I have the special hangers that hang them upside down in the basement. I never realized waders came in different warranties, but I guess like anything else, the better and more expensive a product is, the better the warranty. I can also see where felt soles would help keep you from slipping.

Since I started this topic, I do remember that I had a pair of waders about 12 or so years ago that were not rubber, perhaps they were some kind of breathable, they were a lot more comfortable and easier to walk in. Unfortunately I tore them up beyond repair when I went out arrow head hunting, I brushed up against a branch and got a big rip in them. That was obviously my bad. I'll need to hang onto the more durable rubber type for this activity, unless they're making more durable breathable type waders these days. Are the Gortex more durable?

Most of my activity will be fishing, and it appears that I will be better off with chest high Gortex or Breatherable type waders. I don't want to be anchored to the bottom, that sounds potentially deadly.

[Terry Beeson]

From your description, I would suggest you look at a good pair of breathables. My recommendation is Simms, but there are other good brands. I just think Simms are the best. Don't bother with hip waders for sure. Some chest waders give you the option of wearing them as wading pants, which is nice in some anke deep water.

The next thing is to get a good pair of boots to go with the waders. I really like Choatas and have a pair that I would not trade for anything. However, Simms is getting their boots right there with Choatas so look at them as well.

Next, don't skimp on the quality of the waders if you will be using them a lot as you describe. Just ask any guide and they will tell you it is really frustrating to have a cheap pair of waders go bad on you when you are wearing them "daily" and you have to get another pair fast. They just don't seem to have that problem with higher dollar waders.

Lots to consider when looking at waders.

[jdmidwest]

From the amount of use, you will probably want to go with a midrange pair of Goretex waders. I have a pair of Orvis Silver Labels I bought in 2000 that I have used to fish, kayak, and duck hunt. They have been drug thru brush, over the edges of boats and duck blinds, busted ice, and kneeled in gravel and have not been patched. They get worn an average of 40 times per year.

I have a pair of Hodgeman Breathables, not goretex, their own version, that are leaking after about 20 uses while duck hunting.

I have a heavier pair of Orvis Goretex waders, the Pro Guide series I use in the winter, I have worn them probably 50 times over the past 3 seasons including a week in Alaska where they got more use than the jeans I wore. They are still in fine shape.

Goretex is lightweight, packs down easy for travel, lets sweat escape, and keeps you cooler/warmer in the summer/winter. You can layer thermals or fleece under them to suit the water temp you are going to be wading in. You can roll them down and use them as waist high waders in shallow water. When the goretex stockingfoot waders get dirty, put them in the washer on the gentle cycle and was them. Stockingfoot waders let you choose the boot needed for the type of water you are wading. I have a cleated sole for hunting and wading mud, felt soles or felt soles with studs for rocks.

The chest waders with a belt actually trap air and give you some floatation if you take a swim. Neoprenes give you some floatation also, as well as warmth. They are usually hot in summer. Hippers fill up if you take a swim and drag you down.

[LWD]

OK, I just did a couple of googles on waders, and right off the bat I have two things to say, 1.) I got sticker shock when the first one I saw was a SIMMS G4 GUIDE STOCKINGFOOT WADER for $699.95. I know that's their high end, and they have some more in my mid-price range. Terry, they look and sound like they are some of the best on the market, after reading some of the reviews. 2.) There really is a lot to look at and consider when it comes to buying good waders. Of course, that's like any other purchase you want to be happy with. No more going to the discount sports store and buying the cheapest pair of rubber waders. The chest waders that convert to wading pants is a great idea. I hope to use mine on an average of at least 40 times a year over the next several year, I think that's a good benchmark to go by.

The chest waders with a belt sounds useful, I imagine besides traping water if one takes a spill, it would also hold the bulk of the wader close to your chest so it wouldn't get in the way. About taking a spill, I remember reading a long time ago, that if you do tumble and go under with waders on, you should try to hold your feet up to trap the air.

This is all good stuff to put together a check list with.

Thanks,

Larry

[Paola Cat]

LWD .... I have Simms breathable waders that I would completely recommend but based on reviews, I purchased some Toggs breathables in both regular and waist high versions. These are very inexpensive (when compared to the Simms and others) but seem to be a pretty good low cost alternative. PC

[Greg]

I have a pair of Simms lightweight model waders (now the L2) that my wife purchased for me almost 5 years ago that I really like. I think they were just a bit over $200 (at least then).

Greg

[OKFlyFisher44]

I have a pair of Orvis 3.5mm neoprenes, Orvis Silver Label breathables, and a pair of Cabelas 5mm neoprenes (duck hunting)....love all of them and didn't spend more than $175 for any of the 3 pairs. Just shop around and you can find some good deals.

I agree with Terry on the Chota wading boots....I bought a pair last fall and absolutely love them. They're extremely comfortable and were rather inexpensive.

Just keep shopping around...