Looking to find the best hunting waders to fit your needs. This guide will walk you through your options to help pinpoint the waders that are right for you.
The Types of Waders?
Hunting waders come in 3 main lengths.
Hip Waders
Good for shallow water and slogging through mucky conditions. Designed to reach up to your hips with straps that attach to a belt to keep in place. These waders are easy on and easy off. You may also hear them referred to, appropriately enough, as hip boots.
Waist Waders
Worn just like pants, these waders should reach your waist line and can be secured in place by a belt or suspenders.
For more than shallow water action, go for:
Chest Waders
One-piece waders that come all the way up to your chest and, therefore, are the most versatile type. They allow for the widest range of water depths movements without getting soaked.
Selecting the right length of waders for yourself will boil down to determining the type of conditions that you plan to hunt in. And there is no harm in owning several different types of waders to give yourself options for a variety of hunting conditions.
Shoes With Waders?
Once, you select the length of your waders, you will want to determine whether you want waders with footwear built in or not.
Bootfoot Waders
Just as it sounds, these waders come with the boots already attached. No need to make a separate purchase. These boots are generally lined, anatomically molded, and designed with gripping treads. Good in that they are seamless. These waders are bulkier for storage and may not be ideal if trekking long distances or often in rocky areas.
Instead, you may prefer to pick out your boots separate of your waders. Options are available to do that, as well.
Best Material For Waders?
The most common and popular hunting waders are Breathable.
Breathable Waders-Made of fabrics such as Gore-Tex and other propriety blends, these waders have the advantage of allowing water vapor from sweat to wick away from your skin while keeping water from the outside away. These waders are also lightweight for maneuvering.
How to Make the Lined or Unlined Waders Choice?
Unlined Waders-Give you the flexibility to layer yourself, adjusting to your comfort. Does require the purchase of the additional layers such as long johns, fleece, etc... for those colder days
Lined Waders-With lining built in means less under layering in colder conditions. But, does mean lined waders may not be ideal for warm conditions.
For the best of both worlds, you can get waders which offer removable linings and layers for greater temperature flexibility.
How To Pick Out The Right Size Waders?
Of course, when you are located within driving distance of a reputable outdoors store such as Simmons Sporting Goods, you can let the experts help fit you with the right waders in person. If not, phone assistance can be helpful, as well as, fit charts for individual brands.
You will need to know your inseam, chest, waist, hip measurements and shoe size. Also, your height and weight.
Quality Matters When It Comes To Waders
You certainly get what you pay for when it comes to hunting wader quality. Details such as reinforced seams, knee pads, and protective coverings help with the longevity of your waders and comfort. Built in features such as hand warmer pockets and shell loops can come in handy.
Brands such as Banded, Drake Waterfowl, and Frogg Toggs offer well-built waders and accessories that you can count on when you are out on the hunt.