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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: BEST CHEST WADERS FOR COLD WATER
 
Author Message Text
schweady
03/19/2019 12:36PM
 
Neoprene. Compare grams of insulation in the boots, too.

 
Cretbo
03/19/2019 12:09PM
 
Just wondering what people are using for cold water chest waders. Use will be primarily for river fishing.

Cret
 
WHendrix
03/19/2019 02:00PM
 
I have a pair of 5 mm Neoprene waders that were made by Wardell. They are very warm and over 25 years old and still as sound as the day I got them.
 
walllee
03/19/2019 06:02PM
 
Yep on the neoprene.
 
Moonman
03/21/2019 06:11AM
 
If you are fishing ‘cold’ water say late October/November 5mil neoprene are great. The problem though is that you don’t have much air around your feet for good insulation so your feet will get cold if you fish later in the season and through winter. So in that situation, 5 mil boot foot waders neoprene are best. Sweat has never been an issue for me winter fishing but in early to mid oct yes for sure. There you want breathables and feet can begin to get cold but not too bad. I read something about 20 years ago of guys getting 5 mil neoprene and cutting off the stocking foot section and gluing insulated rubber pack boots to the upper section. Also there used to be a ‘steelheader’ model of waders made for this very issue, similar to the diy pack boot approach but can’t remember which manufacturer made them.


Moonman
 
old_salt
03/19/2019 07:24PM
 
Long johns
 
Pinetree
03/19/2019 08:27PM
 
walllee: "Yep on the neoprene."


Yes neoprene all the way.
 
Savage Voyageur
03/19/2019 08:45PM
 
Neoprene is the way to go. I have a pair that I use about 5 times a year, and they are 25 years old and no leaks.
 
ScottL
03/20/2019 02:27PM
 
I spent a decade fly fishing glacial rivers in Alaska and I always used breathable waders instead of neoprene. Early or late in the season I'd wear a thick pair of fleece pants under the waders, and always heavy socks, but breathable waders keep you from getting sweaty and wet inside your waders, which will get you cold very fast.