Waders

[PanamaJack]

I guess there's always that conundrum when buying chest waders - neoprene versus breathables.

Just picked up this article - http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/gear/matthews_waders.aspx - on the Web that sets out to explain some of the mystic associated with breathables. Of course it goes no way to justify why quality ones are so expensive when brought in this country - convert 'Stateside prices in dollars on a one to one basis into pounds in the UK!

[Steinbeisser]

I guess there's always that conundrum when buying chest waders - neoprene versus breathables.

Just picked up this article - http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/gear/matthews_waders.aspx - on the Web that sets out to explain some of the mystic associated with breathables. Of course it goes no way to justify the extra cost, particularly in this country!

A useful article to help understand the current technology (and justification for high prices)!!

Steinbeisser

[SteveT]

Need some new waders myself but cannot afford breathable so will stick to neoprene. However there is one area I cannot make my mind up on. Felt soles or cleated?

When I fished local rivers regularly I always opted for felt ...... much more effective on wet rocks. However they are useless on any other ground ........ mud and grass can result in strange and sudden pirouettes and flayling arms on occasion!!!

Since I fish mostly mixed and sandy/muddy ground when sea fishing would I be better with ordinary cleated soles?

[dabcatcher]

Need some new waders myself but cannot afford breathable so will stick to neoprene. However there is one area I cannot make my mind up on. Felt soles or cleated?

When I fished local rivers regularly I always opted for felt ...... much more effective on wet rocks. However they are useless on any other ground ........ mud and grass can result in strange and sudden pirouettes and flayling arms on occasion!!!

Since I fish mostly mixed and sandy/muddy ground when sea fishing would I be better with ordinary cleated soles?

my neoprene,s for standing on sand etc are cleated but once i decide to venture onto weed covered rock i wear my ocean studded chesties.

neoprene will keep me warmer for long sessions on the beach but for shorter low tide sessions on rock edges theres nothing that will keep you on your feet better than a studded sole.

[MikeR]

I've got some stocking foot waders and wear snowbee spiked sole wading boots with them - the grip is awesome, even on kelp. The don't do the spiked sole wading boots anymore, but I believe you can still get them on the snowbee prestige wader.

[PanamaJack]

Steve
As the previous two respondents have suggested I'd similarly recommend studs for the safest grip over rocks.

On a recent trip to the 'States a friend of mine only had cleated soles with him, and it proved somewhat 'hairy' crossing a fast flowing river in the darkness. The guide and I - with him in the middle - had to keep hold of his shoulders to ensure he didn't lose his footing. The following day however we were able to hire a set of CORKERS.

(They're sandals with spikes on the bottom and straps that can be worn over the top of wader shoes. Corkers provide a great deal of added traction in slimy, boulder filled waters. Considered a little heavy by some they are an invaluable piece of footgear if you spend any amount of time in that kind of environment. The spikes are replaceable. Some anglers will even drive small round-headed screws into the bottom of their waders to provide a similar effect.)

Out there they were 45$ - under £25 - to buy. I've tried a quick 'Google' search, but haven't come up with any on-line retailers, you may be more successful. However someone else may be able to suggest a retailer in this country.

They may well be your answer to fishing in adverse conditions without having to invest in an extra set of waders.
Dave

[rod breaker]

hi steve
i'm sure john norris in penrith is a stockist, if not try sportfish or harris sportsmail
they are used a lot by game fishers as you can get different soles to put on the boots, i think you get 2 styles of sole with them new.
if i find the importers web site i will post it, if thats ok with the mods
len

[SteveT]

Reckon I`ll just get standard neoprene chesties with cleated soles and fit some screw in studs myself. Veals sell them at £5 for 40 so this would work out a lot cheaper. Anyone see any problems with this approach?

[rod breaker]

hi steve t

i use screw in studs in my felt sole wading boots, they are ok for that purpose in rivers, but they are quite wide across the hexaganol head 1/4'', they would not give you the grip of say the ocean studded cleated sole or the snowbee presteige boots, i have both of them on waders, the studs on the snowbee and ocean are a smaller diamiter and give excelent grip in all conditions, only problem with the prestiege is the soles are very pliable and you feel every stone, it can make your feet sore.
len

[MikeR]

I've tried screw in studs before - they had all unscrewed and vanished after 2 sessions on the rocks!

[Suaimhneas]

You will find corkers if you use the spelling "korkers". They are sold in the UK by sportfish and are excellent but like most good things come at a price but as I do both game and sea angling I can justify the cost

[dabcatcher]

the small studs in ocean boots are made from tungsten, so very tough.

i recently bought a pair of skeetex boots for use on piers and proms. after sliding around on wet timber and ice in boots before i looked into fitting studs to them.

i looked at the screw in ones but they looked huge so went off them.

so.... i bought 20 stainless steel roundhead self tappers. much smaller i thought so i put 10 in each boot.

after one session on a wooden pier, which i still slid around a bit. [ more than my mate with the same boot with no studs]. got home only to find i,d lost 5 of them anyway.

so i,ve taken them all out and will just have to be careful.