My introduction into the world of duck hunting came in college. I was studying biology and one of my classmates asked me if I wanted to go. He told me all I would need for the basics and told me, "above all, don't forget your waders." To be honest, I didn't know why I needed them, but was soon educated when I had to set decoys. Staying dry was nice. I was hooked on waterfowl hunting and realized after that first morning that my rubber waders weren't quite the ticket. They were noisy, cold and didn't fit well. I "graduated" to a canvas pair that lasted for a while until I entered the world of neoprene.

Now there are so many styles and materials of waders that the hunting wader consumer needs to examine what his or her need is and make the choice that fits that need. Neoprene waders are still, by far, the most common and there are many variations. New materials have made their way into the hunting market and manufacturer innovation is always creating something new.

What do I need?
This is the most important question driving your purchase, and it is the place to start. What do you need? Do you hunt cold weather or when it is warm? Do you need a chest wader, or a hip boot? Let's start with the basics. Waders, as you may know, come in three basic styles: hip boots, waist-highs, and chest waders.

Hip Boots
Hip boots are great if you're looking at knee-deep water or muck. They come in several varieties, and are the easiest to throw on if time is a crunch. Some hip waders have strong ankle support for those times when you'll be in them all day and some have straps that keep the boot on your foot when the muck demons don't want to let go. They are the "official" footwear of Alaska and if you go there, it is not uncommon to see everyone wearing them. I once saw a guy walking through a grocery store in a three-piece suit and camo hip waders. Apparently I was the only one who found this odd. Hip boots usually have some type of strap system that attaches to a belt loop on your hunting pants and keeps the boot in place. Some have an internal system as well that keeps the boot secured to your leg.

Waist-High Waders
Waist-high waders are great if you need something a little more extensive than hip waders for shallow water use. Waist-highs are great for mobility and all-day comfort. They guarantee a dry spot to sit in the blind too. A wading belt is a must with waist-high waders.

Chest Waders
The most common style is the chest wader. They provide the most protection from the elements and are great, especially if you step into an unseen hole while setting decoys or sloshing through a swamp after a wall-hanger buck. All styles are available in camo patterns that fit into any hunting scenario.

Another thing to consider is sizing. Most waders go by a boot size ranking with a corresponding waist/chest size depending on the style of wader. Many are available in a regular, tall, and stout size, which have more room (around 2") in the waist and thighs with an equally shorter inseam, for those who need a little extra room. Recently, even larger sized waders and expandable-side waders have come out to fit any size hunter. The "big man' waders generally have 6" added to the waist and 2" added to the thigh. The expandable-side waders allow the wearer to adjust the wader by use of side straps.

Some waders have buttons for special wader suspenders to keep the wader up and in place, while other have built in straps. Much thought is put into the shoulder straps of hunting waders to ensure they do two things. The first is obviously keeping the waders up where they are supposed to be. The second is they shouldn't interfere with bringing up your gun. Most are some form of a padded nylon strap with adjustment buckles. There are also various styles, which extend the neoprene material and use either straps or a hook and loop adjustment. It is vital that you practice shooting with your waders on to ensure you are used to the strap location and how it affects your point of aim.

Neoprene
Standard neoprene waders have some great features. They stretch for comfort, are easy to move around in, don't weigh that much and are warm. In short, many features make them ideal for waterfowlers. One style of chest wader even has a built-in zipper for those times when that last cup of coffee was one too many. Neoprene is a rubber-like material that locks out water and has excellent insulative properties. It is measured in thickness with the thicker obviously being the warmer option. The two most common thicknesses of neoprene are 3mm and 5mm. 3mm waders are good for early seasons and warmer climates, as they are cooler. If you do much walking during your hunts, they are a good choice because they weigh less and mobility is increased due to the thinner material.

If your hunting situation calls for sitting in a cold blind or just being out in cold weather, 5mm waders are a better choice. The added insulation will be appreciated. They are also a bit more durable due to their thickness. If you snag them on a barbed wire fence or sharp branch, they usually won't puncture completely, allowing you to keep hunting until a little repair cement can be applied at a later time.

For when the temperature really drops, several companies make a 5mm wader that also features a fleece lining. This makes for an extremely warm and comfortable wader. Fleece wading pants can be worn with any wader to help fight the cold and add that extra soft touch that fleece is widely known for. Plus, fleece transports moisture away from your skin while helping to keep you warm and dry.

As with most waders, a Thinsulateýý lining in the boot keeps your toes warm and comfortable. Who wants to spend the day with cold feet? The insulation comes in various weights and usually matches the warmth of the wader style.

Super Duty Waders
Let's face it. If you're going to use waders for hunting, you're not going to be in the optimal location for your gear. We're talking harsh environments here. Hunting gear has to be tough to take the kinds of abuse you'll routinely put it through. How many of us have crept though thick brush, worked our way over a submerged stump, crawled up a muddy, rocky bank, or threaded ourselves between barbed wire fencing? Just getting in and out of the boat or blind is tough on waders. Diehard hunters require strength and durability in a wader. They have to be able to take it, keep you dry, and come back for more. While neoprene waders are good, there is always room for improvement in the durability area. Several different products in the last few years have addressed this problem. In order to achieve this toughness, additional fabrics such as Cordura/nylon are laminated to neoprene or rubber. This makes for a waterproof material that is extremely puncture resistant. These additional materials can make for a tough-as-nails wader that will laugh at the obstacles you throw before them. Some wader models that fall into this category have these tough materials used throughout the entire construction, while others use it mainly in the high-stress areas such as the knees and seat.

Some hunters who go to extremes demand more. For jump shooters who find themselves crawling along creek banks to kick late season black ducks out of pockets, or those who bust through thickets to get to that one secret spot, there are waders that combine denier Cordura, a layer of rubber and a cotton canvas lining, giving you three layers of protection, for comfort and heavy-duty use. These are the type of waders for you if you hunt in places that would give a rabbit being chased by hounds a second thought. They don't have as much insulation as neoprene waders, but if you need the kind of protection they offer, you're probably working up a healthy sweat anyway.

Breathables
Much of the new wader development is headed toward breathable-material waders that are becoming more popular and widespread. Most of us who fish either have seen breathable waders or own a pair. Now with the addition of hunting features, they are gaining in use in the hunting seasons as well. The big reasons to consider a breathable pair of waders are mainly that they do breathe; meaning that they allow moisture to escape while keeping you dry, and they are lightweight giving you extra mobility. Since they let you move easily and keep you cool, it was just a natural step to transfer their benefits to the hunting scene. Since they breathe and allow perspiration vapor to escape, they are ideal for early season wear or for year-round use when layers are worn underneath.

For safety sake, a wader belt would be a good choice with a breathable wader, especially if you're in an environment where tripping and falling are strong possibilities. Due to the nature of the fit, a breathable wader is more likely to fill with water where as a neoprene has a tighter fit and therefore more likely to keep water or mud out.

Stocking Foot Waders
Stocking foot waders come in the same basic neoprene thicknesses as regular boot-foot hunting waders. They can be found in chest-high varieties as well as waist-styles and even hip boots. One of the advantages of stocking foot waders is their lightweight and mobility. They work well for pack-in situations. With the addition of a good wader boot, they offer a lot of ankle support. One variation is a jean-cut, stocking foot wader that works well for those times when you may not need a wader, but are glad you have the option.

Boots
Most hunting waders are of the boot-foot variety. There is usually no lacing system to worry about and it makes the waders easier to get in and out of. Also, boot-foot waders offer more insulation options. For most hunting situations, 400 grams of Thinsulateýý, along with a decent pair of hunting socks will work well for all day comfort. If you are standing in cold water for a long time or the temperatures are just plain low, such as a last-day-of-the-season duck hunt, you may need more insulation to make the hunt safe and enjoyable. For those times, many boots are available in 600 and 1,000-gram varieties. If you were hunting on one of those freeze-your-nose-hair cold winter days that make others flock indoors, a 1,000-gram (or more) boot wader would be the ticket. Boots are only as good as the traction you get, and waders come in different sole designs to fit different needs. Most hunting that requires a wader will take place in a muddy marsh, slough, slow-moving water, or in a pond. The rubber lugged/bobs that most boots are constructed with make the best choice. They provide solid traction on a variety of surfaces, and won't clog up with mud as easily.

If you're in an area where the sloppy mud is just a little too much, maybe look into a strap system that gives you added ankle support and keeps your foot in the boot. Another option is muck shoes. They fit over the boot of your wader and act just like a snowshoe in snow, helping you traverse the goo. If you're hunting a late season and dealing with as much ice as you are water, slip-on ice cleats are a must. They'll keep your feet planted where you want them.

Now take care of them!
You spend hours of hard hunting. You're tired and the only thing that sounds good is a warm fire, a hot cup of coffee, and your feet propped up on something. You've shucked off your waders and left 'em in a pile by the door. Well that isn't the best place for them and it won't help them last. The best thing to do is hang your waders upside down to drain and dry. A good wader rack is a must. Think of it as a hanger for your waders. There are also several types of powered dryers on the market that speed up the drying process. These are great if you plan to use your waders continuously for several days.

If you're transporting your waders after a hunt, a wader bag of some kind is a good idea. Not only is it more protective than tossing them in the bed of your truck, but also they keep the moisture and dirt away from the rest of your gear. Make sure the outside is clean and note any holes or tears before you need to use your waders again, so you don't get a wet surprise the next time you're setting dekes in icy water. A "must have" is a quality sealant, such as Aquaseal®, if you find a tear or leak. Keep some on hand so you can make a quick repair.

For neoprene, clean waders with a mild soap or detergent, using a soft bristle brush to remove mud and debris. Rinse with water. After cleaning and after use, hang waders and allow them to dry thoroughly. Turn them inside out to ensure complete drying and to reduce odor build-up. When storing for an extended period of time, hang your waders in a dry, dark place. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may contribute to drying out and stiffening of materials.

For Your Comfort
Other things you may want to look at for comfort reasons are wader pants, wader socks, and pant-leg straps. Wader pants are designed to be worn under a pair of waders and stay in place. The same goes for wader socks, which are designed to make the boot more comfortable as well. Who hasn't pulled on a pair of waders only to have your pant leg roll up? A pair of wader straps attaches with a hook and loop system much like a belt for your pant legs and keep your pant cuffs down were they belong.

The choice is yours
So now you have a decision to make. Hunting is a diverse sport. Pick the wader that best fits the type of conditions you'll be putting them through and go from there. The nice thing about hunting waders is that most of the time they can pull double duty. You can hunt for ducks one day and then wear them to chase salmon the next. Today's sportsperson is versatile and hunting waders have evolved to be just as versatile.

Click here to view our selection of hunting waders.