Posts tagged: Bootfoot Waders

Fly Fishing Waders: A Simple Understanding

Fly Fishing Waders: A Simple Understanding
Written by: Joe Webster & Josh Thelin / Photo by: Josh Thelin

Stockingfoot waders, bootfoot waders, wading pants, neoprene, GORE-TEX, Toray…Where do we begin? With so many options available in today's market, we are going to break down when you may want to choose one pair of fishing wader over another or maybe even why you may want to forgo them all together for wet wading. In this post we will compare the different types of waders available, what they are made of, and subcategories of each type to help you better understand how to outfit yourself for your next adventures. We offer Simms and Redington waders here at the shop because we feel that they are the most durable and best made waders on the market, however the following information and ideas can be applied towards many brands of waders. 

What Are Waders Made Of?

For a lot of us, our first memories of fishing waders were a pair of fully neoprene bootfoots that belonged to either our parents or grandparents. Whether they were for fishing or duck hunting, or just putting the dock in/out at camp during the spring/fall, they were clunky and similar to a suit of medieval armor. They also likely weighed a metric ton. However a very warm option, this type of fishing wader has been slowly pushed to the side in lieu of today's more common synthetic-based options. Neoprene waders are certainly still used today, but their application has mostly been applied to very cold conditions. Today, anglers are mostly using stockingfoot or bootfoot waders made of either GORE-TEX or some form of synthetic based material. 

GORE-TEX

GORE-TEX has become the gold standard of waterproof/windproof/breathable material and manufacturing technology. Developed in the 1960's by Bill and Bob Gore in Delaware, it made its appearance in the outdoor world in the 1970's with GORE-TEX jackets. A giant leap forward in weather/waterproof technology for many applications, it was not long before GORE-TEX is worn on everything from the top of the world's largest peaks to even the moon. Durable, lightweight, and worthy of the wettest conditions, it's well understood why most people prefer GORE-TEX compared to other materials when it comes to outdoor gear. However well-liked, GORE-TEX is costly to manufacture and garments/waders made with it are usually quite a bit more expensive in the retail world.

Toray

Developed in Japan in the mid 1920's, Toray now makes a wide range of synthetic/acrylic based materials. Nylon being the most well known, a greater percentage of outdoor gear is made of some form of Toray blend or similar woven synthetic based materials. When manufactured and made for outdoor gear purposes, it is produced in a similar way to GORE-TEX with the used of multiple layers and sealed seams. Whether it's Toray or a similar Nylon/acrylic based fabric, when manufactured properly, it can produce a weather/waterproof garment which is durable and worthy of our fishing needs.

Pound for pound, when put to the test, I will say that GORE-TEX has the edge in durability and overall weatherproof capabilities. It really however boils down to budget and application. GORE-TEX is a lot of times considerably more expensive. Waders made of GORE-TEX provide a likely longer lasting piece of gear and will give outdoor gear a more waterproof capability. But a fall on rocks, getting nicked by barbed wire or branches while walking, or a hook stuck will most times puncture or damage your waders whether they are Toray or GORE-TEX. So anglers should manage expectations of their usage and budget accordingly.

Types of Waders

Stockingfoot Waders

Stockingfoot waders are the most popular design of waders on the market. These waders are meant to be paired with a separate wading boot and usually come with a neoprene stocking foot combined with some sort of breathable material for the legs and body. Budget friendly waders will often be the least warm to wear (not a bad thing for warmer days) but often only have single or double layer technology that is prone to fail faster than waders such as the G3 or G4 wader by Simms that feature 3 and 4 layer GORE-TEX designs for greatly increased durability. Stockingfoot waders are also available in pant models that only go up to your waist. Stockingfoot waders will be the most comfortable for walking, but be weary of layering too many pairs of socks in them as they are known to cut off circulation which causes cold feet. It is not recommended to use foot warmers with stockingfoot waders as they are known to prematurely wear out the neoprene.

Bootfoot Waders

Bootfoot waders are one of the most underutilized and under appreciated pieces of gear in the fly fishing industry. It is safe to say most people will associate the term Bootfoot Wader with the fully neoprene, super heavy and very uncomfortable brown waders from a certain big box retailer. We want to change this. Bootfoot waders do not need to be heavy, do not need to be uncomfortable, and can make a subzero degree day feel like a summer evening on the beach. Bootfoot waders are really the only way to efficiently keep your feet warm when water is under 40 degree. Cold feet is the number one reason people will stop fishing in the winter months and bootfoot waders solve that. Another great use for bootfoot style waders is fishing in the surf or on sandy beaches. If you have ever warn stockingfoot waders when fishing in the surf, you know that no matter how hard you try, it is impossible to keep every grain of sand out from between your neoprene stocking and wading boot. Sand getting into a wading boot is the number one reason for failed neoprene and bootfoot waders completely solves this problem.It would not be recommended to walk long distances on the beach, or anywhere for that matter, but if you are taking a short stroll from your car to a hole on a freezing cold river or to a sandy beach close to a public parking area, you may want to reconsider boot foot waders. For the best Bootfoot Waders on the market click HERE

Wet Wading

When the water is warm enough, this is always your best bet. Wet wading takes away the need for waders and only requires a pair of wading socks, and your favorite wading boot or shoe. Especially when dealing with saltwater environments wet wading can save you a lot of money due to the harsh nature of wading in the salt. Simms freesalt boots paired with a wading sock and gravel guard is our favorite way to wade here on the Maine coast, especially on rocky shorelines and can also be applied to our rivers and streams around the state. If a rugged boot meant to be warn with a wading sock is too much, another option is using a flats sneaker or bootie that can be warn barefoot or with a lightweight sock. This can often be the best choice if walking very long distances or roaming skinny water flats all day long.

CHECK OUT OUR WADERS AND BOOTS HERE!

If you have any questions about types of waders/wading gear or are curious about what would work best for you, please give us a call or shoot us a message!

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Winter Fly Fishing: How to Stay Warm

Winter Fly Fishing: How to Stay Warm

Though many people hang up their gear, especially here in Maine, the winter months can be a fantastic time to get out and wet a line. The peaceful solitude of winter fly fishing, which can actually be quite productive at times, is not to be missed out on because it’s too cold outside. Here are 5 things that are guaranteed to keep you warm and happy when venturing out even in the coldest of days.  

1. Bootfoot Waders:

Bootfoot waders are a game changer for winter fishing. The number one discomfort when fishing water below 40 degrees is cold feet. Bootfoot waders essentially solve this problem. Though there is no argument that stocking foot waders are more comfortable (though you would be surprised at how comfortable the boots are in the Simms G3 Bootfoot Waders) and a better tool for walking long distances, however they will not keep you warm because there is not enough room for air to reach around your foot. This is the same reason that foot warmers often do not work as well as you would want them to in stocking foot waders (Side note: foot warmers will often prematurely wear out neoprene stocking feet). Bootfoot waders allow for circulation and for allowing warmth from other parts of your body to transfer down into your feet. Bootfoot waders will also accommodate layering of socks, or one pair of thicker socks, much better than stockingfoot waders. Generally speaking, when investing in a pair of waders for spring, summer, or fall, people are not accommodating for extra layers which does affect boot size. Circulation is everything. Another perk of bootfoot waders that is worth mentioning is how easy on and off they are. Just slip in and go. 

Check out the Simms G3 Guide Bootfoot Waders

2. Gloves:

Two or more pairs is best but one is not enough. You never know what’s going to happen and gloves have a tendency to attract water just like fly line attracts to your feet (haha). You can try to prevent it but the reality is it’s going to happen. Your gloves will get wet. Keeping your hands warm can affect how your whole body feels. The best thing to do is carry a pair of fingerless or fingerless/mitten combo gloves for when you are actively casting, and another pair of mittens or insulated fingered gloves for when the other pair gets wet. Mittens work better than fingered gloves to keep you warm fast for the same reason boot foot waders do, circulation. Hand warmers will also distribute heat to your fingers in mittens vs. fingered gloves. Whatever your preference may be, make sure you have a pair you can use while casting, and a warm pair (that might not be suited so well to casting) to throw on when the fingerless gloves aren’t cutting it anymore. 

Check out the Simms Lightweight Wool Flex Glove

Check out the Simms Gore-Tex ExStreme Foldover Fishing Mitten

Check out the Simms Gore-Tex Infinium Flex Glove

3. Towel:

If you’re lucky enough to catch a fish in cold water and you’ve removed your gloves to safely release the fish without affecting its slime coat, your hands will be cold. Don’t just stick them back in your gloves because then your gloves will get wet. Always bring a towel to dry your hands off. This is a simple thing to bring that will improve your post fish celebrations greatly.

4. Face Covering:

No, for once we’re not talking about masks. This means the combination of a gaiter (or baklava) and hat. The neck warmer can often be shed when moving spot to spot, but when sitting in a location, something to keep your neck warm can turn an uncomfortably cold day into a balmy day. There are many options from lightweight wool gaiters to full baklava’s that go under your hat and cover your whole face. For hats, something that goes over your ears is a must. If not bring ear warmers. A visor is especially useful when there is snow on the ground as it is another tool on top of your sunglasses against glare. Wearing a beanie over a hat with a visor is a great option because the beanie can be shed if you get too warm. 

Check out the Simms Gore-Tex ExStream Cap

Check out the All Points Beanies

Check out the Simms Lightweight Wool Neck Gaiter

5. Waterproof Pack or Dry Bag:

Whether you buy a waterproof pack, or carry a dry bag in your non waterproof pack (often a more budget friendly option), it is important to have something to keep your extra clothes dry. Moisture is what will make you cold the fastest. On top of a place to store your extra gloves and towel, make sure there is enough room in your dry bag for a jacket or two. Because layering is so important during the winter months, you can often find yourself adding and shedding layers constantly. Walking through snow requires so much physical energy, you can find yourself getting very warm when moving around, and freezing when standing still. Make sure to shed layers when walking, and to bring enough layers to keep you warm when standing in one location. Bringing an extra pair of clothes when hiking too far away from your vehicle is always wise when hypothermia is a risk.

Below are some great waterproof pack options that we carry

Check out the Fishpond Wind River Roll-Top Backpack

Check out the Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack

Check out the Fishpond Thunderhead Roll-Top Dry Bag

Check out the Simms Dry Creek Simple Pack

Check out the Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Sling Pack

Check out the Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack

Other great cold weather gear to consider!

Simms G3 Tactical Wading Jacket

Simms Insulated Challenger Jacket

Simms Challenger Jacket

Simms Freestone Wading Jacket

Stanly's Ice Off Paste by Loon

- Joe Webster

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