What Size Waders Do I Need?

Waders are a great bit of kit that will keep you dry and comfortable while you are fishing or hunting. But finding your perfect pair can be tricky.

Everyone has different preferences and requirements for their perfect pair of waders, so where can you shop?

With such a wide variety of waders available online, making online shopping increasingly popular. But how can you get a perfect fit without being able to try them on? Follow these simple steps for a perfect fit next time you are shopping.

Why Is Buying Correctly Fitting Waders So Important?

Before we get into how to get a perfect size, you need to know why you need to get a perfect size. Think about when you wear waders.

This is usually in challenging weather conditions. Making sure you have a perfect fit will help keep you safe.

If your waders are too big, they are going to be baggy and could let in water. Loose-fitting waders are also going to fold or crease, creating areas of weakness that will be prone to tearing.

Torn waders or those that are excessively baggy could let in water, but they will let in air. This will make it more difficult for you to stay warm.

If, on the other hand, you go too far the other way and buy waders that are too small you run into different problems.

Waders that are too tight will pull and strain along the seams and are likely to break along your joints. No one wants wet knees or crotch! 

You also need to remember that the shoes will be connected to the waders – you need to get the right size for your feet too.

Shoes that are too tight will cut off your circulation eventually and those that are too big will make it difficult to walk, making you unsteady on your feet.

Keep in mind that you can somewhat mitigate ill-fitting shoes by increasing or decreasing the thickness or number of pairs of socks that you wear.

That said, you do need decently thick socks to keep your feet warm. So, if we were forced to pick, we would have to say that waders with shoes that are slightly too big are the best option.

Types Of Waders

There are several types of wader styles available. How you use or intend to use your waders will heavily dictate what sort of waders you need.

Chest waders, for example, are best for those who spend a lot of time in the water as they offer more protection.

For this reason, we recommend that you choose chest waders if you intend to fish in cold or deep water. Otherwise, go for a chest wader as these are more comfortable.

Next up, you need to think about what sort of foot you need on your waders. You have two fair self-explanatory options here – either bootfoot or stockingfoot.

Bootfoot waders have the boot attached at the bottom of the leg. These are all-in-one waders and are popular because you do not need to buy a separate pair of boots.

Stockingfoot, on the other hand, does not have built-in boots, so you need to buy footwear separately. Instead, the bottom of the wader tends to be a neoprene sleeve.

We usually prefer stockingfoot waders as they are lighter than bootfoot, making it a bit easier for you to move around. 

Finally, consider the fabric of your waders. If possible, we recommend that you choose a pair of breathable waders.

They allow water vapor from your body to escape through a porous membrane, without letting the river water in. No water inside your waders will keep you comfortable and warm for longer. 

What Size Waders You Need

The first thing you need to know when looking online for waders is your measurements. Knowing your measurements will help you to narrow down your search – with so many types of waders available it can feel quite daunting!

Knowing your measurements will help remove some guesswork from your shopping experience. 

Start With Your Chest Size

Take a soft and flexible tape and wrap it around your chest. This line is usually around your chest and back just under your arms.

Try to keep the tape as flat and as level as possible for the most accurate measurement. 

Inseam

The inseam is the measurement from either your crotch to ankle or crotch to floor depending on the manufacturer. Most common is the crotch to ankle measurement.

You need to take your time here so that you have an accurate measurement as incorrect readings will create an uncomfortably tight fit around your crotch, or cause unnecessary bagginess.

Hip And Waist

Some manufacturers include measurements for the hip and waist in their size charts. These are not always necessary for waders, but including the measurements may help improve the overall fit of your waders.

Foot Size

If you go for a pair of bootleg waders, you will also need to find out your foot size. Fortunately, this tends to be quite easy as it is similar to your normal shoe size.

Most brands of waders recommend that you start with the foot size when looking at waders. This allows you to choose a style of wader – from standard, slim, or stout waders to suit your body type. 

If you decide to a pair of stockingfoot waders, you can consider your foot size separately. This is because you get a separate wading boot, and they are not part of the wader set.

However, you do still need to make sure that you get a good fit, so you can walk and move around freely.

Consult The Manufacturer’s Size Charts

Looking at the manufacturer’s size charts is the next step in getting the perfect size of waders after you have collected all of your measurements.

Just about every wader manufacturer will have a size chart available online, be it from a recognized brand or online retailer.

Remember that the size charts will usually be brand-specific and not interchangeable. 

Use the size chart as a guide and remember that your fit preferences are far more important than what the chart says. Do you want a looser fit so you can wear more socks or do you like a firm, and secure fit? 

Final Thoughts

Finding the correct size pair of waders is very essential. One brand I highly recommend is Frogg Togg.

The correct fit will help make your time in the great outdoors as enjoyable as possible as you will have a full range of movement and great flexibility.

Think about the style of your waders before you commit to buying a pair – from chest waders to waist, from bootfoot to stockingfoot, you are guaranteed to find your perfect pair.