Fly Fishing Waders : A Buyers Guide

The Bighorn River in Montana - another good place to use waders if you plan on shore fishing.

Fly Fishing Wader Materials

Now that we've covered the three different types of fly fishing waders, it is necessary to look at the different materials/styles of waders available. By styles, we mean what the fishing wader is made out of that keeps the angler dry. Basically, fly fishing waders are made out of three different materials.

• Nylon Waders
• Neoprene Waders
• Breathable Waders

Nylon Waders

Nylon waders were once upon a time the most popular type of wader on the market. When nylon waders were first introduced, they were a huge step of improvement over rubber waders. Nylon fishing waders were significantly lighter and less bulky than the old rubber waders once used yet still kept the angler just as dry.

Nylon waders are still popular and available on the market today, if only because they are the least expensive fishing wader. However, nylon waders are fast fading since these waders, especially on hot days, can really get hot - turning the inside of the fishing waders into a verifiable oven. Since nylon waders are not breathable, none of the anglers body heat is able to escape. Needless to say, on hot, sunny days, anglers wearing full chest-high nylon waders can get really warm really quickly.

An additional problem with nylon waders is that they do not allow the perspiration (or sweat) of the angler to escape. Since the perspiration and sweat is not allowed to escape, condensation quickly forms on the inside of the fishing wader. During warmer weather, this is not a huge problem - except that the angler will still end up feeling somewhat wet once done fly fishing. However, during colder weather, this condensation in the fishing wader can pose a real problem since it prevents the angler from staying warm. An angler wearing typical nylon waders, especially if not wearing any specialized underclothing, is likely to very quickly get cold due to both a lack of insulation material in the fishing wader as well as from condensation forming on the inside of the wader.

Finally, nylon waders have a tendency to puncture rather easily. Although they are easy enough to repair (if you have a patch kit), anglers need to always be ready to put a field patch on nylon waders.

Overall, nylon fishing waders have too many drawback for serious fly fishing use these days, especially since better quality breathable fishing waders are not really that much more expensive. That said, nylon fishing waders will work fine for someone brand new to the sport who will not be using the waders extensively and who is on a limited budget.

Neoprene Waders

Neoprene Waders are an extension of the older nylon waders. Neoprene waders are excellent waders for very cold water or cold weather fly fishing. Neoprene waders are also quite affordable, having fallen in price recently due to the introduction of the newer breathable waders.

Neoprene waders are primarily used today when fly fishing in colder weather and colder water. The reason neoprene waders excel in these types of circumstances is that different thickness levels of neoprene are available - with the thicker neoprene being ideal for cold weather. Generally, neoprene fishing waders run from having a 3mm thickness (for general warmer weather fly fishing) to a 5mm thickness (ideal for cold water).

The problem with neoprene waders, though, is that, like nylon waders, they are not breathable. Thus, during warmer weather, neoprene fishing waders can become quite warm for the angler wearing them. Additionally, since these types of fly fishing waders are not breathable, anglers can get left with condensation in the wader - although the insulating properties of neoprene go a very long way towards keeping the angler warm despite this.

Overall, if you plan on fly fishing very cold water or in very cold weather, neoprene fishing waders are an excellent choice.

Breathable Waders

Breathable waders are relatively new to the market. Breathable waders are made out of various compounds, such as Gore-Tex, that are designed to keep the water out while still allowing the anglers body heat and sweat to escape. The result is that an angler wearing breathable waders will stay warm, comfy and dry for a full day of fly fishing.

Many different types of materials are now used for breathable fishing waders. These different materials all work extremely well in keeping the water out while still allowing the fishing wader to breathe. Which material you choose in a breathable fly fishing wader really depends on what is available when you go shopping for them and how much you are willing to spend (Gore-Tex fly fishing waders tend to be more expensive than other materials used).

Overall, for any fly fisherman who will be spending lots of time in waders or will be fly fishing in a wide range of environmental conditions, a good pair of breathable fishing waders is an extremely important piece of fly fishing equipment. While wearing breathable waders, especially if they are fitted correctly, an angler is likely to not even notice they are wearing them since they are so much more comfortable than other types of fishing waders.

Summary of Fly Fishing Waders

In conclusion, what type of fishing wader an angler gets really does depend on where you will be fly fishing. For warmer weather and shallow creeks, a good pair of hip-waders is an excellent choice. For greatest versatility, though, a good pair of chest-waders will be the fishing wader of choice. Additionally, except for new anglers on a very limited budget or anglers who will be fishing in cold weather on very cold water, it is highly recommended that any fly fishing wader purchased be made of breathable materials.

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