Wading trousers

[John Stokes]

I bought a pair of Caddis stocking foot waist waders on Amazon in 2021. They’re good quality and still performing fine. One thing to note, get a size smaller than normal; I’m 34 waist and size 9.5 and the small fit perfectly. I had to return the medium. Just checked and they’re currently £116.

 

[Dave Brooksbank]

I bought a pair of Caddis stocking foot waist waders on Amazon in 2021. They’re good quality and still performing fine. One thing to note, get a size smaller than normal; I’m 34 waist and size 9.5 and the small fit perfectly. I had to return the medium. Just checked and they’re currently £116.

Wow....Welcome John
That's your first post in 15 years lol.

 

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I am always wondering how this wading trousers and boots thing works. My understanding is that the trousers and the socks are waterproof, but the boots are not, and have holes to let the water out. Is this correct?

 

[Matthew Thomas]

I only ever wear waist waders as in my eyes if you fall in with waders on they will likely fill up even with a wading belt.
Mine are Scierra with matching boots , had them 15 years or so .
Less hassle and not as cumbersome as chesties

 

[Ian Woods]

I am always wondering how this wading trousers and boots thing works. My understanding is that the trousers and the socks are waterproof, but the boots are not, and have holes to let the water out. Is this correct?

Yes, the socks are neoprene so are waterproof.
The boots are not waterproof. The waders have a gravel guard which is often a neoprene material which folds down over the tops of the boots and fits snuggly around the boots. The guard is keep in place by a hook which goes over the boot laces or a purpose built holder. The guard stops gravel etc from going into the boot potentially damaging the sock.
My favourite waders are aigle rubber thigh waders, just fold them over and walk from swim to swim and no faffing about when you need a slash. Only draw back with them is your limited on the depth of water you can wade in and they have hard rubber soles which don't grip algea covered rocks as well as felt soles.

 

[Paul Bullinger]

Since putting up this post I have become rather obsessed with comparing different makes of wading trousers. It is true (as in most cases) "you get what you pay for", but one thing that I'm struggling with is the lack of technical information on retailers websites. In particular "breathability". Without banging on about the science behind it, a breathability rating of 5,000 mvp is not very good. 10,000 mvp is much better and +20,000 mvp is excellent.
Very rarely do you see breathability rating quoted.
I remember wanting a good quality waterproof fishing jacket and being told by the guy in the shop "oh yes mate, it's waterproof. Says so on the label". When I asked about its RATING I was given that "he's a smart arse" look
I just think that all fishing clothing should have both BREATHABILITY and WATERPROOF ratings quoted.
End of moan

 

[John Stokes]

Wow....Welcome John
That's your first post in 15 years lol.

Yes, mainly fly fish these days, hence the wader info.

 

[Andrew Richardson]

Hi Chris, I’m a size 9.5 in a adidas trainer a 10 in others, and have Patagonia packable waders which have a thinner boot sock that’s made of a type of rubber and have a pair of simms flyweight boots in a uk size ten that fit well with a pair of neoprene wading socks, I think as with many things it will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer? If you look on “sportfish” web site they have a useful guide for waders I got my boots from them and got my waders from “the sporting lodge” which have some good sales prices quite regularly. Mate

Me too. Totally agree. My Simms Guide Chesties finally got retired as one stocking foot has a very slight leak , they lasted 25 years and probably used 60-70 days a year , at about £500 at the time were a big spend out , but 25years use makes it money well spent. I have them in the kit as a spare just in case. ButI have a set of Simms G3s now which are a bit better fit and if I get that amount of use out of them I’ll be well happy. Just have to hang them up to air after every trip and tech wash every now and again to clean them. Shame the Simms wading boots aren’t as good though. I’m on my 4th pair of cleated ones , trying Patagonia ones to see if they’re any better.

Do Patagonia waders and wading boots carry the lifetime guarantee like the clothing?