WADERS FOR FISHING & HUNTING
Waders
If you like to go out for a fishing day out on the river, or out on the beach, or in the bay, you will definitely
want to invest in a good quality pair of waders to keep your dry, and stay warm from the cold water
hitting your body. There are many different styles of waders, and it’s important to spend some time to
look around at all the types and styles that are available, to make sure you buy the ones that will work
for the fishing that you like to do. Waders are also great for duck hunting in marshy lands to keep you
dry.
Types of Waders
There are four unique styles of fishing waders on the market today.
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Boot Foot Waders
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Stocking Foot Waders
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Hip Waders
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Wading Pants
Boot Foot Waders
Boot foot waders are fishing waders that extend from your foot all the way up to
your chest. The boot is attached to the waders, so it’s more of a fully enclosed
system, and makes it so you don’t also have to buy wading boots. The boot foot
waders are heavier and bulkier, which makes it a little more difficult to get into.
However, if you are wading on a sandy bottom, like on a beach, having the one
piece setup makes it so you boots don’t fill up with sand.
Stocking Foot Waders
Stocking foot waders for fishing have a neoprene sock on the foot of the wader, and they do not have
the boot found on the boot foot waders. You would then buy wading boots and put them on over the
neoprene sock. Just like the boot foot waders, stocking foot waders go from your feet up to your chest,
although some varieties are shorter and only extend up to your waist. Because there is not a boot
permanently attached to the stocking foot waders, they fold up smaller and are much lighter.
Stocking foot waders are also easier to put on and take off. A great benefit of buying stocking foot
waders instead of the boot foot waders is that you can wade with just your wading boots when the
conditions are right to do so, since you buy them as separate pieces and they are not attached. Another
advantage to the stocking foot wader and having boots separately is that you can replace one or the
other if they develop problems, instead of having to replace both as one piece.
Hip Waders
Hip Waders are designed for wading in shallower and slower moving water. These fishing waders extend
from your foot to your upper leg, so they are much shorter. They are much more comfortable and
restrict your movement less. They are also very easy to get in and out of. They have styles that have the
boot attached, or the boot as a separate piece.
Wading Pants
Wading Pants are just like hip waders, but they fit more like a pant. They look exactly like a pant, and
have the look and feel of a pant. They are meant for wading in shallower water below the waist. Wading
pants are the most comfortable and are very light.
Wader Features
It’s important for a good wader to be breathable. I recommend that you buy a wader that is made out of
gore-tex, dri-plus or other synthetic material that allows your sweat to escape from the wader while still
preventing water from entering the wader from the outside. If you fish in really cold weather, you may
want to get an insulated wader to help keep you warmer on freezing fishing days.
Wader Materials and Construction
It’s important to make sure that you get a good wader that is made out of the type of material that will fit
your needs. The material is what will tell you whether you will be able to remain dry, which is the whole
purpose of having a wader. Good quality waders are made out of two different materials typically.
Neoprene or specialized breathable fabrics like gore-tex or dri-plus.
Neoprene Waders
Neoprene waders are primarily in colder weather and colder water. Neoprene waders are great in colder
fishing conditions because they have different thickness levels of neoprene available. The thicker the
neoprene, the better they are for the colder environments. Neoprene Waders, like nylon waders, are not
breathable. During warmer weather, the neoprene fishing waders can get too warm for you. Also, since
these waders are not breathable, you can get left with condensation in the wader. If you plan on fishing
very cold water or in very cold weather, neoprene waders are an excellent choice. If you are not fishing in
very cold water, I would stick with the newer, breathable type of waders.
Breathable Waders
Breathable waders are made out of various materials like Gore-Tex, or dri-plus, that are designed to keep
the water out while still allowing your body heat and sweat to escape, so that you can stay warm and dry
for a full day of fishing.
If you will be spending a lot of time in waders or will be fishing in a wide range of environmental
conditions, a good quality pair of breathable waders is a must. When you wear a good pair of breathable
waders, especially if they fit good, you are likely to not even notice you are wearing them after a little
while because they are so much more comfortable than neoprene waders or the old style rubber or
nylon waders.
Gore Tex Stocking Foot Waders
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Simms G3 Guide Gore-Tex
Stocking Foot Waders
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Simms Headwaters Pro
Gore-Tex Stocking Foot
Waders
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Simms Headwaters Gore Tex Stocking Foot Waders
Stocking Foot Waders
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Hodgman Aesis Sonic Zip
Stocking Foot Waders
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Simms Freestone Z
Stocking Foot Waders for
Ladies
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Hodgman Aesis Sonic
Stocking Foot Waders for Men
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Simms Freestone Toray Stocking Foot Waders
Wading Pants
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Simms Freestone Wading
Pants
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RedHead Fishing Wading
Pants
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RedHead Wader Pants for
Men
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Cabela’s Wader Pants
Boot Foot Waders
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White River Fly Shop
Rubber Boot Foot Waders
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RedHead Classic Series II
Neoprene Boot Foot
Waders
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Felt Bottom LaCrosse
Insulated Boot Foot Waders
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RedHead Canvasback Boot Foot Waders
Wading Boots
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Simms Freestone Wading
Boots
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White River Fly Shop Felt
Wading Boots
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Korkers Devils Canyon
Wading Boots
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Simms Freestone Wading Boots for Men
About The Author
Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Mendenhall Outdoors. This website is
an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great
outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they
find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We
highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently
receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our
decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you
click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra
cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase.
The Best Wading With Waders Experience Awaits!