Waders

Stonedfish

Stonedfish

Known Pluviophile
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My current pair is leaking so I’m using my backup pair. I want to get another pair so I always have a spare.
I’m definitely not as svelte as I used to be but it seems waders have gotten skinnier or more slim cut over the years. I tried some on yesterday with my winter layers on just to check the sizing. God damn, I envision the ass or crotch on these things blowing out climbing over things. 😂 I wanted waders, not tights. According to their size chart, the size I tried on meets my size.
Anyone else notice this or maybe I need to change my layering duds?
SF
 
Stonedfish said:
My current pair is leaking so I’m using my backup pair. I want to get another pair so I always have a spare.
I’m definitely not as svelte as I used to be but it seems waders have gotten skinnier or more slim cut over the years. I tried some on yesterday with my winter layers on just to check the sizing. God damn, I envision the ass or crotch on these things blowing out climbing over things. 😂 I wanted waders, not tights. According to their size chart, the size I tried on meets my size.
Anyone else notice this or maybe I need to change my layering duds?
SF
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Yes, I’ve noticed the trend in waders getting slimmer as well in the last several years.
 
hasn't it been like, the last 20 years?
 
Sorry, I should have elaborated more on my response above. I feel like you need to either go up 1 size or consider getting the “long” version of your size if an option/available. My current pair of waders are simms freestones and I feel like they are tighter in the crotch and therefore seem like that area could possibly be more prone to stress and an eventual leak. With my next purchase of waders, I’ll be sure to be more aware of this and make sure I check on this to prevent this issue.
 
clarkman said:
hasn't it been like, the last 20 years?
Click to expand...

Maybe, but I don’t remember them being nearly this tight. I’ve been wearing Redington waders lately which have lots of room.
My understanding is Far Bank is getting out of wader business. I may pick-up up another pair of them on close out but I was hoping to get a bit better grade of waders. My previous pairs of Simms had a lot more room.
SF
 
Stonedfish said:
Maybe, but I don’t remember them being nearly this tight. I’ve been wearing Redington waders lately which have lots of room.
My understanding is Far Bank is getting out of wader business. I may pick-up up another pair of them on close out but I was hoping to get a bit better grade of waders. My previous pairs of Simms had a lot more room.
SF
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but yeah, to your point, I've noticed too....I prefer Orvis Pros (they fit me fine as long as I don't overdo the layering) but they are definitely more slender cut that anything else
 
Peyton Manning said "Face it, you'll never get 6 pack abs again, so just buy bigger shirts" I've had expensive pairs of Simms that leaked and had to be replaced after multiple patch jobs. I finally found a pair of waders on sale for $7o bucks that were a hair oversized but have lasted a dozen years. As I've gotten older, I've gotten wider and shorter but my waders don't leak. As Forest Gump said "One less thing"
 
bobduck said:
Peyton Manning said "Face it, you'll never get 6 pack abs again, so just buy bigger shirts" I've had expensive pairs of Simms that leaked and had to be replaced after multiple patch jobs. I finally found a pair of waders on sale for $7o bucks that were a hair oversized but have lasted a dozen years. As I've gotten older, I've gotten wider and shorter but my waders don't leak. As Forest Gump said "One less thing"
Click to expand...
What waders have lasted a dozen years?
 
Stonedfish said:
My current pair is leaking so I’m using my backup pair. I want to get another pair so I always have a spare.
I’m definitely not as svelte as I used to be but it seems waders have gotten skinnier or more slim cut over the years. I tried some on yesterday with my winter layers on just to check the sizing. God damn, I envision the ass or crotch on these things blowing out climbing over things. 😂 I wanted waders, not tights. According to their size chart, the size I tried on meets my size.
Anyone else notice this or maybe I need to change my layering duds?
SF
Click to expand...
I fit beautifully in my Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition waders, but I’ll be damned if I can get my feet to do the bend into the stocking feet. Unfortunately for me I’ve got the foot size maxxed out and any of the larger sizes are simply girthier.
 
RCF said:
@Stonedfish , what size are you looking for?
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It depends on the brand. XLL or 2XL. The main thing is whatever I buy the booties just need to fit my size 13.5 dogs.
SF
 
Stonedfish said:
It depends on the brand. XLL or 2XL. The main thing is whatever I buy the booties just need to fit my size 13.5 dogs.
SF
Click to expand...

I was hoping I could help. Lost a lotta weight (60#) recently. But my weight loss resulted in bigger feet, much bigger. So I hear you...
 
J Watrous said:
I fit beautifully in my Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition waders, but I’ll be damned if I can get my feet to do the bend into the stocking feet. Unfortunately for me I’ve got the foot size maxxed out and any of the larger sizes are simply girthier.
Click to expand...
That's what I sprung for.....although I didn't spring for the Expedition---kinda wish I had. But fit is outstanding for me. But, since my Orvis Pros are finally starting to leak to where it's tough to fix them for longer than several trips (I've had them for 8-9 years though, so I've definitely gotten my money's worth).
 
Stonedfish said:
I tried on a pair of the non Expedition Swiftwaters as well. I took some layering off and though still a bit tighter than I like, they were better. After doing so, I totally get what @J Watrous is talking about regarding the feet.
Since those models are on closeout, I may buy a pair and just use them in the summer when I’m not layered up. I’ve dropped some lbs, I’m going to try on a pair of the Redington in L that the shop ordered for me to try. They only make two sizes that will fit my feet. (LFD - Large Feet Discrimination 😉😂). If those don’t fit, back to the 2XL model.
I might just end up buying two pairs, one for summer and one for winter.
SF
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Sadly it happens even when I’m barefoot (like this morning).

But I’m starting to think they’re worth the annoyance. 80 miles/160 hours in them and they still look new. And I’m learning to appreciate the knee pads. By this time the neoprene gravel guards and the bottoms of the stocking feet on my Simms would be looking a bit chewed up.



Edit: Sure wish I could spell things the right way the first time round.
 
Last edited:
Stonedfish said:
My current pair is leaking so I’m using my backup pair. I want to get another pair so I always have a spare.
I’m definitely not as svelte as I used to be but it seems waders have gotten skinnier or more slim cut over the years. I tried some on yesterday with my winter layers on just to check the sizing. God damn, I envision the ass or crotch on these things blowing out climbing over things. 😂 I wanted waders, not tights. According to their size chart, the size I tried on meets my size.
Anyone else notice this or maybe I need to change my layering duds?
SF
Click to expand...

My recommendation and this is pretty basic but go to a shop and try them on. I personally have issues every time I get away from Simms. But it's been a decade or more since I've tried anything else. My next waders will be Orvis because of where I work.
Another thing to consider if you can afford it. Buy two pairs. There are some questions about the future of outdoor gear containing gortex. Whatever is going to replace gortex may take a few years for product quality to get up to speed. That's my thoughts anyway.
 
Zak said:
What waders have lasted a dozen years?
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I bought a pair of Proline waders on sale at Bob's Sporting Goods in Longview and they have served me well. I haven't worn them this winter as I'm still recovering from a severely fractured hip. From May till September I wade wet in the D. My pontoon keeps my butt out of the water so try to avoid wearing them unless the weather is wet and cold. Now that I'm 83 I don't get out as often as I used to which probably helps but I like winter steelheading and plan to get out this coming year. Hope the waders continue to keep me dry.
 
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Stonedfish said:
I tried on a pair of the non Expedition Swiftwaters as well. I took some layering off and though still a bit tighter than I like, they were better. After doing so, I totally get what @J Watrous is talking about regarding the feet.
Since those models are on closeout, I may buy a pair and just use them in the summer when I’m not layered up. I’ve dropped some lbs, I’m going to try on a pair of the Redington in L that the shop ordered for me to try. They only make two sizes that will fit my feet. (LFD - Large Feet Discrimination 😉😂). If those don’t fit, back to the 2XL model.
I might just end up buying two pairs, one for summer and one for winter.
SF
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Brian -
I have issues with wader manufacturers and their foot sizing. I guess being six feet tall, 32" inseam and size 12 feet makes me some kind of physical anomaly? It's really hard to find waders with foot sizing to fit a 155 pound skinny old man without buying a tent in size XL. Oh well, it is what it is.

Redington may be getting out of the wader business? Huh.
 
I am a small guy, and the legs can still be tight taking the waders on or off. I am conscious about what my layers are and how much space they take up. I don't just grab thick fleece pants and layer up, I try and use the thinnest layers possible and as few as I can. Taking up less space in the water helps your wading anyway.

For those with bootie issues, I believe Patagonia and Simms can put larger size booties on your waders, for a fee of course.

According to a couple of fly shops I've talked to, Patagucci's new non-PFA waders should be coming out this winter or spring. I am also gonna wait a minute for them to get any possible kinks ironed out with a new product, but I'm sure they will figure this out, since waterproof gear is a big part of their brand. As long as Yvon is still kicking (or until they are bought by a private equity firm), good fishing gear will be in their lineup.
 
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