If you enjoy the outdoors, whether it is camping, hiking, or fishing, then you may need a pair of all purpose waders as part of your outdoor gear. Many waders on the market have a breathable feature that will give you comfort whenever you confront extreme temps and waterways.



While it is nearly impossible to find one wader to match every season and application, chest-high stocking-foot breathable waders definitely come closest to fitting the bill. These types of waders are normally equipped with a waterproof and breathable membrane that helps keep water out while allowing perspiration vapors to escape though the membrane, keeping you dry and comfortable. This is especially helpful when wade fishing on warm spring and summer days, or when you are frequently moving in an attempt to cover water.

When the temperature drops in fall and winter, simply adding a good base layer beneath your breathable waders will keep you surprisingly warm, and when you have on your neoprene waders, a good hike to the river gets me soggy, even when the temps get real low. After fishing for thirty minutes or so, this moisture build-up has nowhere to go and you will end up shivering the rest of the day, totally defeating the purpose of the neoprene wader. Neoprene waders are reserved for the absolutely coldest days when you know you will not be doing a lot of hiking, but the rest of the time you will want a pair of waders that are more breathable.

Unlike waders with an attached boot, the stocking-foot waders will give you the option to adapt your footwear to the bottom composition of the waterway. If you only intend to fish the same stretch of water, then by all means, choosing a wader with boots attached that work for that waterway is fine, but if you are the adventurous type, then you will benefit from stocking-foot waders and the ability to adapt to the various bottom compositions encountered when fishing different waterways. As for the wader height, most preferr chest-highs because they are constantly wading out into water that ends up being just a little deeper than they intended. Plus, if you are fairly short, waist-highs only give you a couple of feet of water to wade in comfortably.

Additional reinforcement in the seat and knees for very high-stress and high-wear areas will provide additional strength and durability to ensure extended wader life. Waders that have the one hundred percent waterproof and breathable membrane is laminated to a high grade five-layer nylon upper. Some waders have a front hand-warmer pocket that will keep your hands warm in-between casts. Others have two external zippered organizer pockets and one inside utility pocket that will give you addition areas to stow gear.

Built-in gravel cuffs with lace keepers keep rocks out of your boots, and since they are attached, you will never forget them at home. Most waders have stocking feet that are made with comfortable high-density neoprene and accessory D-rings allow for the attachment of water bottles or whatever else you might need for a day on the water.