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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Guide Gore-Tex Stocking Foot Waders
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Pro Gore-Tex Stocking Foot Waders
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Gore Tex 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!