For inshore beach fisherman and clammers, perhaps the most important gear you can purchase is a set of waders appropriate for the season and places you plan to be in the water. Being comfortable and dry can make or break your day on the water.Once the feet get cold or your clothes get wet, the trip is usually quick to end. There are waders for every circumstance and there are a ton of options to choose from. Here , we will try to take the guess work out of choosing the right kind and give you the are the pros and cons of each style.
Boot foot vs. stocking foot
Boot foot waders typically have a tough, insulated boot "welded" right on to the wader material. The pro: convenience and speed: alot of fisherman and clammers find it is easier and quicker to pull these waders on rather than the multi step process of putting on wading shoes over a stocking foot wader. taking the time to pull on wading boots over stocking-foot waders The Con: While this can be a big convenience to those looking to get quickly in the water, the trade off is that most of the boots are heavy and can be a bit clumsy on challenging surfaces, In addition, most wader warranty issues occur on the welded seam between boot and wader after hard use..
Stocking foot waders
This type is more labor intensive to put on because you will also have to use wader shoes. The "sock" portion of this type of wader is typically made of waterproof neoprene, which has a tendency to scrunch up when the wading shoes or old sneakers are put on, so it’s important to get a shoe that , typically, is a half size larger than your normal shoe size that will accommodate the thick neoprene. It’s a very good idea to try on wader shoes before purchase, and insure that the wader/ boot combo is easy to get on and off. The Pro: lighter weight, better fit and more comfort. Good, properly sized wading boots or shoes give more ankle support and feel better for extended wear times. Properly sized, this style can be safer for wading than loose fitting boots often found on boot-foot waders.
Wader material
As recently as 20-30 years ago, there were only two options – really heavy, hot rubber or a little less heavy, but hot canvas. Both materials were heavy and prone to cracking ,leaking , rot and were sweaty to wear on hotter days. Sometime back in the late 1980s- early 90's, neoprene waders came on the scene. Anglers immediately saw the advantage to them because the stretchy nature of neoprene made this type of wader quite comfortable and also warm when wading in cold water. But this was also something of an issue: yes, neoprene is warm but often TOO warm in the heavier thicknesses, especially for walking down Nauset Beach on a sunny day in the summer. Some anglers still prefer neoprene but before long that material was supplanted by the new generation of waterproof “breathable” fabrics. This light and flexible material proved to be a winner, although the first couple generations of the stuff were not very durable. These days, however, almost all quality breathables can be counted on to be leak and tear resistant under normal use for many years.
Wader style
By far, the most popular waders are the chest-high type. They almost all have built in suspenders with heavy duty but easily released clips and the suspenders are adjustable. The advantage of chest-high waders is that you are unlikely to wade deep enough that the water will find its way over the top and inside. If you are a surf fisherman who is wading in waves, adding a good quality “surf top” pull-over jacket that can be cinched at the waist will keep an unexpected swell form giving a wet, cold surprise. Keep in mind that you must select the correct size based on your height and weight. There are many options there, and premium waders should fit you perfectly. Things like articulated knees make bending and walking easier.
Chest-highs are still pretty warm, depending on your clothing beneath. This may be a good thing but many anglers have discovered the advantages of “guide style” waist-high stocking foot waders (with wading shoes). If you are certain you will not be wading in deep water, waist high waders, which really come up almost to most people’s chests when pulled up high, make lots of sense. They allow you to easily take off or put on additional layers of clothing as needed without dealing with suspenders and they are cooler for those long walks to your secret fishing spot.
Avoid the old-school “hip waders” of your grandfathers era. Unless you are wading in very shallow water, it is almost certain at some point you will step into a hole that will send water down inside these waders.You definitely don't want that in fall/winter/ spring. Plus the straps used to hold them up, can pull your pants down when you walk.
Wader boot or shoe soles
Rubber or lug soles are commonly used by most saltwater fishermen because they excel in sand. Felt soles (once commonly used by trout fishermen) have fallen out of favor in recent years as they are reall difficult on Cape beaches. Lug soles will do the job in most situations but in recent years many fishermen have begun using boots and shoes with metal studs to increase holding power and safely, especially in rocky areas. Kits are available to install them yourself but many good quality wading shoes come with them already installed. Highly recommended!
Tips, recommendations, additional gear
First and foremost, ALWAYS use a wader belt when wading. These nylon belts are usually included with waders when purchased. A wader belt will keep water from making its way down your legs if you happen to wade a little too deep or a wave hits you unexpectedly. This is an essential safety accessory.
Some waders are made with hand-warmer pouches attached to the front. This can be a trip-saver in the early or late season. The most expensive waders from companies like Simms and Orvis also have built-in waterproof zippers strategically located to allow the call of nature to be addressed without having to pull the wader down – a nice option, to say the least!
Bottom line
As with most things, “you get what you pay for.” All waders will leak, sooner or later. The more expensive, well-made ones will take longer to reach that point, and also will be more puncture resistant. They will also have extra material covering seems and reinforcement in areas like the crotch and knees that undergo stress. Some anglers will only buy their waders from LL Bean company because of their lifetime warranty. In any case, select waders that fit well because the best waders won’t even be noticed when they’re used. Then you can focus on what really matters: fooling the fish!
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