Fishing Waders

Who would have thought that the simple task of buying a pair of fishing waders could be so complex. Surely they're simply a pair of long rubber boots that a fisherman (or lady) wears to walk out into the river when fishing for trout or salmon?. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are three main materials used for the construction of waders and there are also decisions to be made on style and type. Let's look first at construction materials.
Once upon a time all waders were made of rubber, there was certainly a range of price and quality but at the end of the day they were rubber waders. With the advent of new materials rubber has become the least popular for chest waders i.e.the one piece garments that reach up to your armpits, but they are still popular as thigh waders, the individual boots that reach to the top of your legs. Rubber chest waders are unpopular because they're heavy and uncomfortable to move around in. I guess that if you're looking for something for the odd day of fishing where you can park right next to the river then this type will do you just fine.

Next on the scale of wader evolution come those made from neoprene. Neoprene is the material that wet suits used in skin diving are made from. It's a clingy, stretchy, rubbery material that does a very good job of keeping your body heat inside the garment. In fact that's the biggest problem with neoprene waders, they can be unbearably hot in the heat of summer. They're also none too flattering for us 'larger sized' anglers. If you can cope with those limitations then this style might suit you perfectly. They're in the middle of the price range, more expensive than rubber but cheaper than breathable and they're pretty comfortable to walk in provided that it's not a scorching hot day.

Finally, let's look at breathable waders. The most recent innovation in wader design, these really are the Rolls Royce of waders. Take a look around at any fishing guides, I'll bet that they're wearing breathables. Made from a number of different materials that keep water out but let perspiration escape, they are by far the most comfortable of any type of wader. They're not such a snug fit as neoprenes, in fact a good set of breathables can actually be comfortable and pleasant to wear, a far cry from the original rubber boot.