Correct Wader Sizing

Fitting Waders

With Snowbee we have seen just about every fault, issue or problem, there is to see. Some might be surprised to hear, that in more cases than not, it is not the waders at fault, but more often the wearer choosing incorrectly at the purchase point.

Apart from the obvious puncture damage, the most common leakage points are at the ankle; where the boot or sock joins the upper material; at the knees; at the crotch; or the seams. Very often these problems are not due to manufacturing fault, but are more likely due to the wrong size of waders being chosen.

So here are some simple rules to ensure you get the correct size of waders

• Bootfoot Waders - feet size, always a good idea to perhaps go at least a size bigger than normal due to thickeness of wading socks
• Stocking Foot Waders - always buy a boot to match at least one / two sizes bigger than your normal shoe size to allow for the extra thickness of the neoprene stocking foot.
• When measuring for your waders, try to wear similar clothes to those you wear fishing, in order to get a realistic fit.
• Measure in a number of different positions, such as those you would realistically have to get into whilst fishing. For example
• Kneel down in them as if unhooking a fish.
• Sit down in them, like you will in the hut or on the back of the car whilst pulling on your boots. Make sure you can get your foot up onto a chair, like stepping out of the river and onto the bank.
• Then finally kneel down on the floor, sit on your heels and lean your body forward, as this represents the ‘longest’ position your waders will ever be in.
• When doing these manoeuvres make sure you measure accurately, do not use your traditional inside leg measurements you would use when purchasing a pair of trousers! It just would not work.
• Any restrictions in movement put strain on the seams and the stitching in them. The weight of an adult sitting, or crouching down in waders that are too small, can put enormous strain on the seams, to the point of leakage.

The Picture above:This photo shows a correctly sized pair of waders. There is room in the body and the legs are long enough, so they do not pull tight, when crouching, kneeling or sitting.

The Picture on the Left: Again when measuring to find your ideal Wader Size, try kneeling, as if you were un-hooking a fish. The body / crotch needs to be lose so you get maximum comfort. Also make sure there is ample leg length, you do not want your legs being pulled tight at the front or back of the ankle seam.

Always try to sit down and pull each sock off in turn, gripping the waders at the back of the ankle and pulling the sock off. If you do puncture your waders on barbed wire, gorse or with a fly, get it repaired quickly, as dampness inside can lead to mould, which can cause further damage to the breathable membrane making matters worse! Wader Repair OutfitsKeep in your tackle bag for emergencies!

Picture on your left: This is the CORRECT way to remove wader socks. Sit down, or lean against the car or a tree, grip the sock at the BACK of the ankle and pull each sock off in turn.