Dryft Waders - Anyone use or have experience with them?
- Thread starter Aleforme
- Start date
Well, I gave Dryft a try and they just aren't going to work for me. I didn't get to test them but I can say the quality, detail and design is really top notch. The customer service was great as well. Got them within 3 days or ordering.
The issue I had with them was sizing. I'm a big guy (6ft/265) so the 2XL fit perfectly in the chest and waist. I initially went with the standard length which is a 32 inseam. Fit great! BUT, with the standard inseam, the boot/shoe size is a 9-11 and I wear a size 12.5 to 13. My toes were really close to the end of the bootie and once I put on my wading boots, my toes were really crammed/jammed. And that was with just one pair of socks. Unfortunately, they do not offer the 12-13 boot/shoe size in the standard inseam to so you have to go up to the 34-36in inseam. Those are way too long. So my option are either to have jammed toes or big and long saggy legs.
At this point, it looks like the only zip waders with a shorter inseam AND larger boot size are the Orvis Pros. But dang, they are not cheap. I really wish Orvis made a mid-tier zip wader like Simms. Unfortunately, Simms is similar to Dryft in sizing and they will only custom cut their G2/G4 waders. So, right back at the Orvis price and my local shop says Simms has been running way behind. They can't even order most Simms stuff now as everything is out of stock. Sounds like Simms is putting more of a focus on direct order now for customers.
The issue I had with them was sizing. I'm a big guy (6ft/265) so the 2XL fit perfectly in the chest and waist. I initially went with the standard length which is a 32 inseam. Fit great! BUT, with the standard inseam, the boot/shoe size is a 9-11 and I wear a size 12.5 to 13. My toes were really close to the end of the bootie and once I put on my wading boots, my toes were really crammed/jammed. And that was with just one pair of socks. Unfortunately, they do not offer the 12-13 boot/shoe size in the standard inseam to so you have to go up to the 34-36in inseam. Those are way too long. So my option are either to have jammed toes or big and long saggy legs.
At this point, it looks like the only zip waders with a shorter inseam AND larger boot size are the Orvis Pros. But dang, they are not cheap. I really wish Orvis made a mid-tier zip wader like Simms. Unfortunately, Simms is similar to Dryft in sizing and they will only custom cut their G2/G4 waders. So, right back at the Orvis price and my local shop says Simms has been running way behind. They can't even order most Simms stuff now as everything is out of stock. Sounds like Simms is putting more of a focus on direct order now for customers.
I agree with you, wader manufacturers seem to think bigger people have small dogs (feet) that end with size 13.
The skinny fit of some waders is a no go for me as well.
You might also check out the Redington Sonic Pro waders which use the licensed Orvis welded seam technology.
I get maybe three years out of a pair at most but you can find the non zip model for around $225 online. I mostly fish saltwater in mine. They have lots of different size options.
I figure $75 per year for waders isn’t bad considering all the other money I piss away on fishing.
SF
I agree with you, wader manufacturers seem to think bigger people have small dogs (feet) that end with size 13.
The skinny fit of some waders is a no go for me as well.
You might also check out the Redington Sonic Pro waders which use the licensed Orvis welded seam technology.
I get maybe three years out of a pair at most but you can find the non zip model for around $225 online. I mostly fish saltwater in mine. They have lots of different size options.
I figure $75 per year for waders isn’t bad considering all the other money I piss away on fishing.
SF
Yeah, I'm looking at the Reddingtons as well. I need to find some to try on since I'm probably dead between the XL and XXL. They also have a lower priced zip wader that might work. And even their Sonic Pros are about the same price as the Dryft waders. The Orvis are $750 and that's just a hard $$$ pill to swallow for a pair of waders that are going to wear out eventually.
We have the same issue with "foot size" driving wader selection. I'm 6' tall, 32" inseam and weigh 150 pounds - I shopped and shopped for waders that weren't 2XL to get boot sizes available for my size 12's. What do I need 2XL waders (all that damn fabric adding drag when wading) for my physique? The answer was Redington Sonic Pro (not zippered). The did (don't know if they still do) offer two choices in feet sizes for their Sonic Pro brand: size large, feet 12-13. They fit me well, not too much excess fabric, seem durable (three years old now).
Yeah, I guess I understand you have to limit options to control cost to some degree but just offering 2 different boot sizes in the various wader sizes would make a ton of sense. If Dryft had a short seam 12-13 boot size, they'd have my money. Or in this case, would not be returning it shortly.
Although not germane to the original question here is my recent experience with waders. For years I had used Cabelas, then Orvis and finally Simms. Seemingly spending more didn't seem to contribute to longevity. With failures and returns it was more like having a subscription than buying an enduring product. Eventually it occurred to me that buying a cheapo that lasted 2 years made more sense than buying an expensive model that lasted the same amount of time. As my Aquaseal expenses mounted-particularly with the Simms-I had enough and shopped for something really inexpensive that would hopefully give me a couple of good years.
I found something called Compass 360 for about $88 and gave them a try. That has been over 4 years now and they have held up better than any waders I have ever owned. The past two years have been harsh on them with creek fishing and lots of brush beating and lots of on and off. They are really dirty and grubby but have yet to leak a drop-amazing! They are up to around $120 but should mine eventually fail I'll buy the same ones again. Four years of dry out of a product that chronically fails has been a very good deal.
I found something called Compass 360 for about $88 and gave them a try. That has been over 4 years now and they have held up better than any waders I have ever owned. The past two years have been harsh on them with creek fishing and lots of brush beating and lots of on and off. They are really dirty and grubby but have yet to leak a drop-amazing! They are up to around $120 but should mine eventually fail I'll buy the same ones again. Four years of dry out of a product that chronically fails has been a very good deal.
I actually looked at these but they just didn’t have the size that was right for me.
As an update, I ended up picking up a pair of Redington Sonic Pro zip ups. Found a good deal on them and they fit great. Fished this morning and loved them. We’ll see how they hold up.
And thanks again everyone for all the advise and input.
Jim
DoesItFloat
Life of the Party
Just ordered a pair of Skwala RS after reading reviews for a month. Hope all those people that claim they winter fish like me actually mean it.
I'm thinking about Dryft pant waders to replace my old, and I mean real old Redington Sonic Pro pant waders because my pants inside are getting a little damp from the knees down, and I specifically feel a "cold spot" behind my right knee. I put a flashlight in both legs and see several small areas of light along the upper calf seams but no actual pin holes of unobstructed light coming through the tape.
The Dryft pant waders appear to have a lower waist than my Redingtons. Also Dryft says the "relief zipper" is not waterproof and I am wondering if that means if they will only keep me dry up to the zipper? Has anyone seen both the Session and Seekr pant waders and can give me a non-marketing description of the difference? Also I've read complaints about the tight gravel guard cuffs and wonder if that's going to be a problem with my size 13 River Ops boots.
Thanks!
The Dryft pant waders appear to have a lower waist than my Redingtons. Also Dryft says the "relief zipper" is not waterproof and I am wondering if that means if they will only keep me dry up to the zipper? Has anyone seen both the Session and Seekr pant waders and can give me a non-marketing description of the difference? Also I've read complaints about the tight gravel guard cuffs and wonder if that's going to be a problem with my size 13 River Ops boots.
Thanks!
No response about the relief zipper
. I see there's a flap behind it that might help them not just be little more than expensive & bulky hippers. I could have called Dryft for a definitive answer but the higher cut of my old Redingtons than almost all the other waist waders prevents cold rain entry down my back with my $imm$ G3 wading jacket in my Water Master, and I can also confidently use them with my SFC on warmer days. They also help me avoid some brutal late spring-early summer bushwhacking by giving me that little extra margin of wading depth on a favorite beat to skirt around the edge of a large pool enroute to the run at the head where I consistently find fish. It sure didn't help that @DoesItFloat also mentioned he had a bad experience with Dryft when sending his waders back for repair or exchange.I ended up with the Aquaz Trinity Waist Waders in a LK. They appear to be cut high like the Redington. They are ~$90 less than list price for the Dryft Seekr (with HH suspenders) after tax and shipping which is still expensive for a relatively unknown brand. But after reading the buzz here and elsewhere on the web about them, I am confident they'll work better for my use case than anything else I've seen.
No response about the relief zipper
I ended up with the Aquaz Trinity Waist Waders in a LK. They appear to be cut high like the Redington. They are ~$90 less than list price for the Dryft Seekr (with HH suspenders) after tax and shipping which is still expensive for a relatively unknown brand. But after reading the buzz here and elsewhere on the web about them, I am confident they'll work better for my use case than anything else I've seen.
Good luck - In lookin at Aquaz sizing chart, I'm an "L" but I sure would like the XL neoprene foot size (size 12 shoe). Curious how these fit your feet.
I'll let you know in about a week. 6 months ago my feet were measured at 11.5" with a ruler, but were measured a Brannock 11.5+ (12) EE-4E & Foot Scan 11.5 D, 11.6 DD at an Orthopedic shoe shop. Afterwards I bought all new shoes that have anatomically correct toe boxes fitted in 12-12.5, which really got me spoiled. I also just got some new Korkers River Ops lace ups size 13 and as of a trip last week I finally have "happy feet" while wading after several years of moderate discomfort.
Hahaha - man, you're way over my head with all these different sizes and methods. But thanks! Good luck with the waders./Pat
Just call him Big Foot...
Frogg Toggs Hellbender guide pants in LG are foot size 10-12.
This topic is near and dear to my heart. I normally have to replace my waders every two years or so, and I usually don't buy the cheap ones, so it has been a huge expense for me.
I'm currently in the non-zip Skwalas ($500), and so far, I like them a lot. It's been a year, which is longer than some have lasted, but it's probably a bit early for me to assess durability. One thing that's great about them is that the strap system has two height settings, so you can quickly convert between chest highs and waist highs. With a little effort, you can pee without taking the straps off, which all but eliminates the need for the $200 zipper.
The fit is a bit slim up top for my stylishly rotund figure's liking, but the bottoms fit great, almost like a comfortable pair of pants. The strap system, while great once you get it on, is a bit of a chore to get on, because the straps are not adjustable and don't have clips. You kind of have to contort yourself a bit, but it's not bad. I've been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are once I get them on (I usually have to adjust my straps with other waders to make them fit right). Taking them off is really easy, especially if you are in "waist high" mode.
The "gravel guards" are more like gaiters on ski pants. They just go right over the tops of your boots. Super easy to put on, but I'm wondering if they can possibly be effective as a gravel barrier. That said, they seem to work great. I have yet to find any sand/gravel in my boots at the end of the day, which is more than I can say for most other gravel guards. Interesting.
Anyway, since I view wader threads as a public service, I thought I should chime in. Skwalas probably aren't for everyone, but I like them so far.
I'm currently in the non-zip Skwalas ($500), and so far, I like them a lot. It's been a year, which is longer than some have lasted, but it's probably a bit early for me to assess durability. One thing that's great about them is that the strap system has two height settings, so you can quickly convert between chest highs and waist highs. With a little effort, you can pee without taking the straps off, which all but eliminates the need for the $200 zipper.
The fit is a bit slim up top for my stylishly rotund figure's liking, but the bottoms fit great, almost like a comfortable pair of pants. The strap system, while great once you get it on, is a bit of a chore to get on, because the straps are not adjustable and don't have clips. You kind of have to contort yourself a bit, but it's not bad. I've been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are once I get them on (I usually have to adjust my straps with other waders to make them fit right). Taking them off is really easy, especially if you are in "waist high" mode.
The "gravel guards" are more like gaiters on ski pants. They just go right over the tops of your boots. Super easy to put on, but I'm wondering if they can possibly be effective as a gravel barrier. That said, they seem to work great. I have yet to find any sand/gravel in my boots at the end of the day, which is more than I can say for most other gravel guards. Interesting.
Anyway, since I view wader threads as a public service, I thought I should chime in. Skwalas probably aren't for everyone, but I like them so far.
I don't have a medical condition like diabetes or plantar fasciitis, just my toes spreading out and arches falling slightly as I age. Recently it's been revealing to have my feet measured and get fitted with anatomically correct casual-walking, workout shoes, and oxfords at an Orthopedic shoe store, plus light to moderate duty anatomically correct boots for yardwork and most outdoor activities 1/2 to 1 size larger than the measured size for a proper, comfortable fit. I also just found that I needed to go up 1.5 size for wading boots to go over neoprene wader feet with hiking socks underneath for a comfortable fit.
In 2022 for longer days of stillwater fishing in a float tubing or my WM I found I needed to go up 2.5 sizes for 6mm cold water dive booties with a high degree of support for eliminating pinched toes and foot cramps to go over my waders. They're still snug in width at the metatarsals but not uncomfortable. And then I needed XXXL (2.5 sizes+) instead of my previous XL Original Force Fins for a properly fitting foot pocket to also eliminate the pinched toes and foot cramps to fit over the boots.
Finding out how to keep my feet comfortable in the last few years has been a long and expensive journey!
Fortunately the old school (full grain leather, fiberglass half-shank, Norwegian Welt) Alico (Italian) hiking boots 1 size larger I bought in 2016 that give me superb & much welcomed support and foot protection on rocky high angle slopes for things like rockhounding still fit comfortably like a glove with hiking socks, or that could be another $500 expense
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