Tip # 13 – Get Breathable Waders for Comfort

I’m sure we’ve all been there, stomping around on a hot July day with a heavy pair of neoprene waders, or some of those old rubber ones.  You know the type, you sweat like a pig, and all of that moisture remains in your waders soaking you and adding to the humidity on an already unbearably hot day.  Fortunately waders have come a very long way over the years, and there is no longer the need to suffer in those heavy, nonadjustable waders of old!

Breathable waders come in a couple of different types.  There are waist high breathables, and there are chest high breathables.  I personally prefer the chest high type.  The reason being that on really hot days, I can adjust them and make them waist high.  That goes a long way in making the day more comfortable.  In the fall, winter and early spring, when temperatures are substantially cooler than the summer, I can keep them chest high and stay a little warmer with the added wind protection the waders provide.

How Do Breathable Waders Work?

Great question!  And I’ll try to answer as best I can on this one.  Breathable waders can be made of a few different types of material.  Gore-Tex is probably the most common, and also probably the most durable when it comes to rips and tears when you are stomping around in the bush.  Overall, Gore-tex fishing waders might be more expensive, but worth it in the long run.  Inside theses waders, you’ll find a few other layers of fabric.  Insulating fabric and moisture wicking fabric to name a couple.  These layers are imperative in allowing the waders to remove sweat from your body and keep you either warm or cool, depending on the season.

Some of the better known brands of breathable fishing waders include:  Simms, Patagonia, Orvis, Hodgman and many many more.  Be sure to try on a few pairs in order to get a feel of what your options are.  There are subtle differences in brands, and you’ll be able to find just the right fit for you!

Lastly, breathable waders are probably one of the best options as far as womens fishing waders go. My partner has a pair, and she absolutely loves them.  They fit just right and aren’t restrictive in the hips and chest like neoprenes can be.  Comfort like that means spending more time on the water fishing!

Just because you’ll need to do this some day, here’s a link to a guide on how to patch up breathable waders!

Tight Lines!