Once upon a time, getting one’s hands on a pair of fishing waders required next to no planning, but these days, fishermen have choices. Perhaps too many of them! Today’s wader market is as crowded as a newly-stocked lake and manufacturers keep piling on improvements, new styles and features to attract new customers and satisfy brand-loyal fishermen.
As competition heats up, comparison shopping can take longer if you like to be thorough or you’re looking for the best mix of features for the least amount of money. Of course, you just want to go fishing–you don’t want to become a quasi-expert on what to wear when you do what you love–which is why this guide can help you cut through some clutter so the fish don’t have to wait for you any longer than necessary!
Wader history
Despite a perfectly respectable manufacturing history, people who don’t fish still confuse the definition of fishing waders. There are three of styles that fall into the category of waders. They range from a thigh-high waterproof boot made of vulcanized rubber, neoprene, PVC or proprietary Gore-Tex materials to the full-body suit that comes with or without attached stocking-foot boots.
Hodgman was the first company to manufacture waders of traditional industrial fabrics in the 1850s. They’re still in business and their waders are included in this review. When rubber became available in 1912, it became the preferred fabrication material. In order to meet the demands of amphibian combat troops waging war in Europe and Japan in 1942, Hodgman and other sporting goods manufacturers began experimenting with new and improved designs and fabrication methods to make these essentials more durable and waterproof.
The wader has recently evolved into a more versatile product: today’s shopper buys them for angling, waterfowl hunting, model boating, pond cleaning/servicing and they are essential for industries requiring employees to work in environments in which chemicals are used in addition to plumbing and sewer jobs, flood and crime scene clean-up. Surprisingly, they’re also bought by all-terrain vehicle off-roaders and pastors who conduct full-immersion baptisms!
Why waders?
Before sports fisherman relied upon waders to keep them dry and healthy, anyone spending too much time in water casting for fish could find themselves vulnerable to disease and infection. Diagnoses of trench foot were common “back in the day,” so hygiene and disease protection were both reasons the wader became so popular. They still offer a much-needed barrier between wearers and a variety of illnesses that can be acquired from long-term exposure to water, wind and snow–particularly hypothermia.
Given new styles and materials employed in the manufacture of waders, this industry is primed for the next iteration of products; waders that respect the environment and thwart invasive organisms and plants from being carried into water on waders, thereby threatening fish stocks and habitats. It’s easy to see why this niche has grown from simple idea into best-selling product lines sold by myriad sporting goods manufacturers.
What makes a great wader?
- Breathability. For some anglers, it’s all about breathability and who wants to wade through manufacturer claims to figure out which brands delivers? If you’re an inquisitive soul, you can muddle through ASTM test results or global SATRA assessments or do what one creative angler suggested: drop a small hygrometer inside the waders, buckle the belt, wait a few minutes and see how much humidity you’ve managed to generate. Get a cheap Acu-rite indoor humidity monitor (if you don’t already own one) on Amazon.com for about 10 bucks. You’re looking for low readings, by the way—in the neighborhood of 32-to-40 percent.
- Fit, feel and function. According to another fishing fan, it takes about two weeks of wearing new waders every day to break in a pair once you’ve gotten your hands on them. Of course, the folks at your favorite retail shop or website resource don’t loan them out, but if you’re up for testing the three Fs, patronize a resource with a 30-day return policy and then wear them for a short while every day within that period to see how they perform. If you can audition those waders while standing in a stream, good for you. Otherwise, warn your family that you’ll be parading around in them at home for a couple of hours every day.
- Movement. Casting, heading down or upstream and trudging to and from parking lots and other points are part of the fishing experience. Testing for movement is important so you get a feel for how your waders perform on the go; whether the suspenders feel uncomfortable; if pockets are hard to reach. Movement tests make sure you can wear your waders for hours at a time, and don’t dismiss wader lengths. If the pair you pick are too long, you could trip and fall; if they’re too short and there are no guards, you risk ankle abrasions, refuse infiltration and enough discomfort to ruin your day.
- Design and fabrication. No, you’re not out to make a fashion statement or walk an aquatic runway, but manufacturers are spending a lot of time and money on style, so the waders you put on don’t make you look like you’re a walking neoprene bag with suspenders. There’s nothing wrong with looking good. Let’s face it, if you have the choice of looking like the Michelin Tire man or cool, which do you prefer? More important than look is seam engineering. This is your stitched-versus-welded debate, and seasoned fisherman who have worn more than their share of waders agree that both work, so it comes down to personal preference; another reason to try out both before you buy.
Additional points to consider
- Size matters. Experienced wader buyers like to offer this age advice: If you’re trying to decide between two likely contenders for your affection and dollars, don’t dismiss the subject of available sizing. If everything you put on your body is easy to slot into the general M, L, XL or XXL range, size may not be a deal breaker, but if you’re hard to fit, a wider selection of sizes is preferable. You may also want to consider custom-made waders offering mix and match booty sizes, better suspenders or a horizontal aqua seal zipper to get you in and out of your waders fast.
- Pockets! It’s the 21st Century. Your lures may be exactly the same as those used by your grandfather, but your fishing gear and other “essentials” require pockets in this day and age. Lots of them. You need places to stow your cell phone, camera, keys, flies and wallet and variety is indeed the spice of life whether you’re in a boat or standing in a stream. Go for the mother lode: hand-warmer pockets, flip-outs and the deep and wide envelopes that give you storage for anything under the sun—all waterproof of course.
- Nature calls. Literally. And you want to be able to answer without having to strip naked, even if there are only fish around to witness your striptease. Some brands have responded to the plaintive call of the fisherman by adding longer zippers or more versatile suspenders. When you audition waders on spec before you buy (in the privacy of a dressing room, of course), imagine yourself in dire need of relief and practice seeing how fast you can get in and out of your waders before you make a buying decision.
- Trip insurance. Your fishing schedule will determine how long your waders hold up, thus having a warranty may be important to you. One veteran fisherman confided that his rule of thumb is that waders won’t last longer than five years on anglers who wear them 25 days or more during the year. If that describes you, it may not be worth your while to factor this in when you make your purchase because you feel that replacing them in five years isn’t a problem. Of course, most manufacturer’s labels state that there’s a warranty for “the life of the product,” so you’re on good legal ground if something goes wrong not long after you purchase your waders.
Reviews of 6 Great Waders on Today’s Market
Hodgman McKenzie Cleated Nylon/PVC Boot-foot Chest
Price range: $50 to $80
Details: This affordable wader is 35-percent lighter than rubber waders, the PVC boot is more durable than rubber and the nylon shell fabric stands up to all sorts of aquatic challenges. Claim to fame? Wearers find these more flexible than rubber waders and they experienced less chafing, too. This best-seller is a perfect investment for those who haven’t as much time to fish as they wish and for beginners who don’t want to spend a lot of money on the hobby to which they’ve just been introduced.
Satisfied wearers: Almost 70-percent of buyers give this wader 5 stars and are particularly complimentary about ease of fit, quality construction and affordability.
Redington Crosswater Wader
Price range: $85 to $110
Details: Many outdoor gear retailers sell this wader for $200, but if you shop sites like Amazon, you can save a bundle. This 100-percent polyester garment features three layers of DWR coated fabric, so if anything seeps in, it’s only because your hook made a hole in this breathable wader. Buckles allow for fast waist-high conversion, and you can stuff everything in your possession into the roomy pocket protected by a YKK zipper. A wading belt is included and there are gravel guards built into the hems.
Satisfied wearers: With a respectable customer rating of 5 stars given by 72-percent of purchasers, this wader has its very own fan club.
Frogg Toggs Amphib 3.5mm Neoprene Boot Foot Wader
Price range: $95 to $120
Details: You’re going to look like a Navy Seal when you don this dark green neoprene jumper. Sure, it’s got the standard bib-suspenders offering hook and loop adjustment, but those suspenders are wider than most and the knee pads are reinforced neoprene for those who intend, for whatever reason, to spend time on their knees. The chest pocket’s interior shows that little things mean a lot: it’s lined with comfy fleece. One happy buyer claims these waders “go where boats can’t” and tall fisherman rave about sizing.
Satisfied wearers: Five-star ratings were awarded by 70-percent of buyers.
Caddis 2-Tone Deluxe Stocking Foot Wader
Price Range: $96 to $185
Details: This product doesn’t include boots but you may not care because this wader has features you might not find elsewhere. If you’re the hard-to-fit fisherman we described earlier, you’ll be impressed by the sizing chart that offers 12 choices within regular, tall and short ranges. Breathable and comfortable, CaddisDry helps disburse sweat and gravel guards are attached. Fabricated of polyester, wearers found these warm, dry and comfy, even in freezing waters.
Satisfied wearers: 64-percent of purchasers awarded 5 stars to this size-friendly wader.
Aquaz Rogue Chest Wader
Price Range: $136 to $140
Details: If you are ready to upgrade from your first chest wader, the Aquaz Rogue may appeal to you because it’s manufactured to exacting specifications, it’s very lightweight (if you fish in hot weather, add a few points) and it’s made of Aqualex Pro Fabric, a proprietary material that’s exclusive to this brand. The handy chest pocket, adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt are popular with buyers of this brand. Not every wader has its own YouTube video, but a fan has made this one as his tribute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWs3gh10qQk!
Satisfied wearers: Just 25-percent of shoppers gave this wader 5 stars, but another 50-percent awarded 4 stars!
Orvis Silver Sonic Guide Wader
Price Range: $270 to $395
Details: Don’t let the price scare you; one fan calls this the toughest, best fly-fishing wader on the planet and he claims the Sonic is designed to hold up longer than three brands he bought in the past combined! The Sonic Guide wader promises 300-percent more abrasion resistance than competitors and it’s nearly impossible to puncture the four layers of high-density, breathable nylon. Avid fisherman say they’re happy to spend more for the padded yoke suspenders, plethora of pockets and gravel guards designed with quick-drain panels. Further, these waders tackle odor, mildew and bacteria more efficiently because the fabric repels all three.
Satisfied wearers: 5 star ratings came from 73-percent of buyers, so while the price tag may be jarring, you get more bang for your buck with these waders.
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