Waders

If you spend as much time in chest waders as I do, you will probably develop a similar love hate relationship with the things. Being comfortable will make you a better fisher. You cannot fish effectively if you are being distracted by personal discomfort. Neoprene waders rarely last me more than a couple of seasons before I tear or puncture them, wear through the soles or do them some other damage. These days, I would rather buy inexpensive neoprenes (brands that have proved reliable) and replace them reasonably regularly. Consider, for a moment, that you can buy three pairs of Snowbee neoprene waders for the same cost as a pair from one expensive brand I know. With breathable waders, on the other hand, I feel that the best are worth paying for.

What Sole?

Cleated - Durable general purpose sole. Good on wet banks, mud and snow, but not so safe on rocks underwater.

Felt - Excellent on bare rocks and concrete (groynes, dam walls, etc.) and under water, but lethal on wet grass, snow, and slimy surfaces.

Felt + studs - makes the felt last longer but defeats the object. Noisy underwater and horrid over dry boulders.

Felt + cleated heel - A good compromise for the all-rounder.

Boots, thigh or chest waders?

This is not just a matter of how deep you need to wade. I wear boots or heavy shoes for most of my fishing and only wear thigh waders if I might need to kneel down on wet grass (e.g., on a chalk stream). For this purpose, PVC thigh waders are all you need. If it is cold or I might need to sit on anything wet, I’ll wear chest waders (neoprene, breathable or PVC, to suit the conditions). I often wear chest waders for drift fishing in a boat, particularly in the rain. When salmon fishing, it is always an advantage to be able to wade deep even in a shallow river. What if you suddenly had to cross the main current to follow a fish?

Which wader material?

Rubber - good for boots and thigh waders being a stiffer material than PVC or neoprene, but not very practical for chest waders. It’s rather heavy and cracks and perishes too easily at the folds.

PVC with cotton lining - ideal for inexpensive lightweight waders.

Proofed High-denier Nylon - A near thorn-proof wader material, ideal for rough work.

Breathable Membranes - Breathable waders have come on in leaps and bounds since they were introduced a few years ago. They are fantastic for warm weather fishing and particularly for those who might have to hike a long way in them. Good ones are expensive, but prices have been coming down.

Neoprene - The same material used for divers’ and surfers’ wet suits. Without doubt, the best material for really cold conditions. I wear neoprenes for 90% of my salmon fishing.