Chest Waders-the basics

They say there's no such thing as a stupid question-I'm going to test that theory now!

With chest waders I have seen types that have a kind of wellie as part if them.Others dont- do you just wear a pair of regular boots with them that you have to get wet? In that case are the boots "sacrificial"?

Differences between neoprene and breathable waders? What do people prefer?

How are chest waders sized? Foot/leg/chest?

Thanks in advance

Great question. I need to get myself some new waders for shore fishing, and after looking on the web this weekend, I'm a little confused like yourself. I have a pair of rubber waders & pair of neoprene for launching boats, but if I walk any distance in them (like when shore fishing) I sweat really badly. Will breathable waders eliminate this?

Waders seem to be based around shoe size
As is a size 8-10 foot be a medium and 11+ shoe be a large size.

Breathables only ever use in summer.

You sweat to death if walking large distances.

Breathables also mainly have a neoprene sock on then.
You can then buy wading boots if you have the cash or a work boot.

I use neoprene chest waders in winter with a boot fitted on them

And have Breathables with wading ( kinetic ) boots for summer.
I made the mistake before of using neoprene in summer before.
Never again
I lost about 2 stone while walking to the fishing spot. Lol


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Thanks DB, so it's not a complete killer to walk in breathable waders?

Thanks DB, so it's not a complete killer to walk in breathable waders?

No no that's the idea of them.
Walk where you want.
Like wearing waterproof track suit or something.
When we head out in summer it's over fields across cliffs.
Breathables all the way.

Some great sets around as well.

Check out absolute fishing in Tramore.
They have an online shop to.
Great stuff there and a sale this Thursday [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND SMILING EYES]


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Brilliant, thanks. Just going to check AF's website now.

Rob a few things to think about

Buy the boot with a felt or felt and studded combination
Buy the boot one size bigger than your shoe size and wear a pair of cheap socks over the neoprene if walking long distances
If you can try them on, and drop down on your hunkers before buying, try the straps and belt - I'm a different shape than you are! Its easy get a wrong size.
Wear a 'wicking' underwear under your waders NOT jeans or trousers etc - transfer of sweat will make them work properly all day
Do not expect them to last too long

After each use turn them inside out and get rid/shake of any debris/fluff etc - mould is your enemy dont let it get a hold ore they will leak as mould penetrates the fabric - repair any leak ASAP

Super advice as always. Thanks Jim.

Thanks all, great info. Couple more questions!

Do a lot of you have a breathable set of waders for warm weather and neoprenes for cold weather?

Is it better to go for the "sock" type and buy your own boots rather than a "wellie" type if the supplied wellie has poor grip?

And lastly, due to size variances, is buying online unadvised as you cannot try them on?

Buy off a local shop that way you wont go wrong, nothing like putting them on before you buy i recently bought a new pair of wadermaster 600d from southside angling happy with them so far, i would never buy another pair of neoprene waders myself if you want to be warmer in winter put extra layers on instead, plus if there is an issue with waders you buy here you can go back to the local shop with them

Agreed buy from a trusted local source.

I find you need to be able to move about when fishing so I wouldn't wrap to much up don't over do it though.

Personally I strictly do neoprene winter and breathable summer.
Everyone to there own opinion


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Agreed buy from a trusted local source.

I find you need to be able to move about when fishing so I wouldn't wrap to much up don't over do it though.

Personally I strictly do neoprene winter and breathable summer.
Everyone to there own opinion


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If you can hold on till Feb, Southside Angling will be at the Swords show. Contact them via facebook and ask them to bring a selection of waders you're interested in. I did that last year. Tried them on at the stand, and got a great price to bout!

Roryodonnell great idea but I live in Cork so might not be at swords!

Do Halfway angling or Cork Angling on kinsale rd have a good selection, does anyone know?

Roryodonnell great idea but I live in Cork so might not be at swords!

Do Halfway angling or Cork Angling on kinsale rd have a good selection, does anyone know?

I bought a pair of the sonik sk3 breathable chest waders with the socks and a pair of the sk4 wading boots off Trev in cork angling last week. Got them for a great price and they seem the business, just need to break them in now

Roryodonnell great idea but I live in Cork so might not be at swords!

Do Halfway angling or Cork Angling on kinsale rd have a good selection, does anyone know?

I bought a pair of the sonik sk3 breathable chest waders with the socks and a pair of the sk4 wading boots off Trev in cork angling last week. Got them for a great price and they seem the business, just need to break them in now

Sean would you mind telling how much you paid? You can pm if you'd rather not reveal a discount publicly etc

i have breathable got size 9 boots as i,m a size 8 ,big mistake i now have a size 11 hiking boot as my wading boots ,its all down to comfort and i,d advise to try before you buy ,i,ve given up on neoprean waders also and wear rubber ones that dont leak if i,m on a surf beach ,no matter how well you look after neoprean it wont last ,and if your hard on waders you will be lucky to get a season out of them ,if your willing to spend some money go for some bass boots ,they seem to be getting great reviews

Sound thanks for the advice roger