WADERS

Sub-Categories

Waders are a waterproof boot that extends from the foot to the chest. That general definition would, of course, be a chest wader. Waders may be made from a variety of materials and fabrics but generally the traditional vulcanized rubber has been replaced by more modern PVC, neoprene and breathable, Gore-Tex variants. The height of the wader distinguishes them from the waterproof boots. As in the case of a hip boot extending to the thigh and a waterproof boot which extends to the knee. 2 basic waders styles are available the bootfoot wader with attached boots and the stocking foot wader which have a stocking type foot and require wader boots or shoes to cover the stockingfoot.

Hodgman manufactured the first waders in the 1850s and they are still a top wader manufacturer today. Rubber became popular in the early 1900s. Rubber waders followed because rubber was a particularly waterproof and durable material.The modern wader was born around 1942 when, as a result of WWII, rubber was more or less perfected and wader manufacturers used the same technology to make waders.

Waders are used for a wide range leisure purposes, they are worn while fishing, especially wade fishing, water gardening, playing with a array of water toys, waterfowl hunting, and off-road riding of ATVs. Waders have many industrial uses as well. Commercial grade waders are used by predominantly in the chemical industry, agriculture, and utility maintenance such as water supply and sewage. As a boy I recall waders being worn by pastors during full immersion baptism.

Trench foot is more prominent on those who spend a lot of time in the water without proper protection. Flood cleanup crews especially need waders for protection from this threat.

Some fish are easily taken from the shore and waders are mot required. But some fish are best caught when the fisherman is chest deep in the water. This is wade fishing and waders are essential for keeping warm during colder months, because they keep the cold water off the skin, which otherwise could cause hypothermia or other problems. Fly fishermen use waders because they stay in cold, water for hours on end, and they need the proper protection from the cold as well as the wader itself.

Many states in the US are beginning to ban certain types of waders, specifically those with porous, felt soles. Porous soles easily host various types of invasive plant species that could be transferred from a contaminated water source to a clean source. These invasive plants are a threat to fish and fish habitats. On March 1, 2012, most counties in Missouri ban these kinds of waders for use when sport fishing in fresh water. And, in Jan 2012, all of Alaska, passed a similar law to forbid porous soles on waders