Soul searching for the best Neoprene waders!

Cold water fishing is always a blast but the fact that it is so cold that safety is a big factor. Neoprene waders are a blessing for the spring/winter fishermen. While fishing with the boys some thing happened to me that opened my eyes.

Felt!

Felt-rubber combo'

Rubber!

Glen was happily perched one a small rock trying his hand at bait fishing. As always I had to see what he was up to and see if he had given me that magic photo I’m always after. Glen was standing casting and having a blast safe in the fact that he had good footing. It took me no more that two- seconds to slip and almost destroyed my new camera. It was at this point that I released that my waders are so different to his. This got me thinking that your choice of waders is so important. Not only thickness but also where it is you fish. For example: mossy rivers, sandy beaches or muddy flats.

Felt sole

The three basic sole patterns are the only real difference between the major wader manufactures. The complete felt patterns are perfect for slippery rocks and moss covered riverbeds. As a safety factor felt is really the only thing to use. There is nothing else that clings to greasy rocks. There only down side is the constant need to replace the soles each season. I’ve tested this sole type on longer trips where the need to walk long distances is paramount. Again they showed that it’s not the perfect pattern for hiking.

Felt/rubber.

For the perfect all-round compromise some manufactures have released on the market a combination of felt sole and rubber heal. If you are the type of fishermen that loves all forms of fishing then these are the “boot” for you. Not only do they offer great grip in rivers but also they are fantastic to walk in muddy fields and over sandy shores. I have found no real down side to this design. Replacing the felt is a piece of cake and the hard heal really digs in when it counts.

Total rubber

I use mostly the complete rubber sole when I’m fishing shorelines. I have yet to fall in a lake but time is ticking. The support this sole affords me is fantastic but the fear of falling over on wet rocks is always constant. The true advantage with this sole pattern is they are 100% maintenance free and I never need to worry about slipping on grassy banks are the like! The biggest problem is the fact that I need two sets of waders, one pair for lake fishing and another pair for my river fishing. If you are on a budget and you do not wish to spend hundred of dollars (pounds or kroner) then this is not the boot for you.

This mans opinion

After testing the three main types of soles, without doubt the only one for me is the combination of felt and rubber. You will never have a perfect boot but what you gain is great all-round shoe that is ready for all forms of fishing. Neoprene waders come in so many models and such a huge price range but at the end of the day it comes down to what kind of grip they offer. There is no point in spending hard-earned cash on fancy waders only to slip and break you arm.

Skot