Wading trousers

[Paul Bullinger]

I wanted to ask Forum members their views on wading trousers (as opposed to chest waders)
I did search Forum History but the last post I could see about this subject was in 2017.
Does anyone use them and if so, are they any good? I have a pair of chest waders but I don't always need the fuller coverage they give.
Any advise would be gratefully received.

 

[Ian Woods]

I was trying to find a decent set of waist waders for years, I couldn't find a set worth a carrot!
For the majority of my wading I wear aigle rubber thight waders which are excellent. I fold em over when walking between swims but when its cold in winter I might leave them up.
I've had a set of greys breathable waders and felt soled boots for a good 12 or more years now and they are also excellent. I found if I get hot in summer and am wearing my breathable chesties that rolling the top half of them down to the belt they are fine and are basically a waist wader.
I recently got a set of wychwood gorge breathable chesties and they will be fine to roll the top down if I get warm.
The only drawback with the chesties is having to roll them down further when you want a slash, but I think you still have to do that with most waist waders anyhow as the zip feature is usually a fold of material below it.
No faffing about with the aigle rubber thigh wades when you need a slash, they do give lots of freedom.

I did find that the better looking sets of waistwaders were more expensive than a good set of chesties which seemed crazy, so I gave up on them and got the extra set of wychwood Gorges which are a cracking buy.

Here's a link to a review of them on youtube...

 

[Jim Brook]

I was considering getting the Patagonia wading trousers as I already have some of there packable chest waders which I rate highly if a little expensive though, I like the pack down size and think the trousers would be a good choice too, just put them inside your bag for longer walks

 

[Chris Belcher]

I'm also in the market for a pair of breathable stocking foot chesties (having only ever owned standard / neoprene chesties) - What size do you need for wading boots or are boots sized already created to accommodate the increased bulk of a stocking foot? (ie If I'm a size 12 - do I need to order size 13/14 boots etc)

Also does it vary by manufacturer - do you need to match manufacturer of waders and boots? Please advise - cheers

 

[Jim Brook]

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

 

[Ian Woods]

I'm also in the market for a pair of breathable stocking foot chesties (having only ever owned standard / neoprene chesties) - What size do you need for wading boots or are boots sized already created to accommodate the increased bulk of a stocking foot? (ie If I'm a size 12 - do I need to order size 13/14 boots etc)

Also does it vary by manufacturer - do you need to match manufacturer of waders and boots? Please advise - cheers

I only have the one pair of greys wader boods atm, I got my normal size in them and they fit perfectly even if I wear a thick pair of socks.
I am looking to buy another set of boots to go with the new wychwoods I got. I have been taking a close look at the simms tributary boots, some people say their regular size fits fine, but, i've read that simms recommend a size up.
So if your buying online your kinda taking a chance that you may have to send them back for another size. If you can find a shop that stocks the boots you want it would be handy.

 

[Jim Brook]

I only have the one pair of greys wader boods atm, I got my normal size in them and they fit perfectly even if I wear a thick pair of socks.
I am looking to buy another set of boots to go with the new wychwoods I got. I have been taking a close look at the simms tributary boots, some people say their regular size fits fine, but, i've read that simms recommend a size up.
So if your buying online your kinda taking a chance that you may have to send them back for another size. If you can find a shop that stocks the boots you want it would be handy.

Hi Ian, I’ve got the simms flyweight access boots in a uk size ten and normally take a size 9.5 in a adidas trainer if this helps mate

 

[Jim Brook]

I'm also in the market for a pair of breathable stocking foot chesties (having only ever owned standard / neoprene chesties) - What size do you need for wading boots or are boots sized already created to accommodate the increased bulk of a stocking foot? (ie If I'm a size 12 - do I need to order size 13/14 boots etc)

Also does it vary by manufacturer - do you need to match manufacturer of waders and boots? Please advise - cheers

I’ve just had a look on the sportfish website and they have some good deals on with matched waders and boots mate

 

[Chris Belcher]

Bison are the cheapest I've found - £110 for chesties and boots! Will go a size up as advised - cheers