On those cold days, whether up to your armpits in trout fishing or kayak fishing and breaking the ice with your boat, neoprene/dry suits are a lifesaver (literally, in some cases). However, in my experience kayaking and fishing for over 30 years, there is nothing like the smell when we take them off after a hard day of fishing or paddling.

The only good thing about my paddling experience is that everyone else smells at least as bad. You may be alone in the water fishing, and your family or friends may have to put up with that smell for a while on the way home.

Let’s see if we can help you by looking at some of the most effective ways to care for and especially clean neoprene waders and wetsuits.

Neoprene waders can be cleaned with laundry detergent without adding fabric softener or bleach to the inside. There are also specialized detergents and shampoos for wet/dry suits to be safe. Some waders are machine washable, depending on the brands. Most importantly, make sure they can air dry in a well-ventilated area.

Below we’ll explore some of these methods and tips to keep those waders clean, odor-free, and last longer than the two seasons they may last if you don’t take care of them.

 

How To Clean Neoprene Chest Waders

We all know the feeling, or I hope I’m not the only one, of pulling down the waders next to the car and having a nose in the bowls from hell. This can be mitigated by spending some time before and after your fishing trips. To temper those expectations, you’re not going to have a tray that smells like roses, but it might at least mean you can go home with the windows up instead of down.

Simple laundry detergent

Handwashing with detergent in warm to slightly hot, but not boiling, water is the most common way to rinse off that slime and smell. Be sure to choose a non-organic detergent, though. That means no enzymes they advertise on TV. Also, be careful with color enhancers and added bleach.

You’re fishing. The last thing you want is to be easily spotted. However, the main reason is that the waterproof material is delicate, and these ingredients won’t favor your waders. Something like Ariel Non-Organic detergent will do the trick. Just dissolve it in water before you start washing.

Specialized wet suit shampoos.

If you want to be extra careful with those $300 waders, you should be able to buy specialized neoprene and wet suit shampoos that are designed for the job (DWR – Durable Water Repellant Products). If you haven’t bought a pair of waders yet, you can find them on Amazon, but if you go to the store, they will most likely also have specific cleaning products in stock that you can take with your purchase.

Otherwise, brands like Nikwax and Gear Aid (you can check the price) can be purchased reasonably. They’re probably designed for other waterproof clothing to be versatile (if you need a reason to justify the extra $10 or so they cost).

How to hand wash neoprene fishing waders.

The best way to hand wash fishing waders, chest waders, and wetsuits is to do it in a bath of cold or warm water and mix in the right amount of detergent, making sure it dissolves. Then use a sponge to clean the outside of the mud and dirt. Then turn them inside out. You can wipe the dirt off the outside, but the smell is on the inside!

Once you’re done, be sure to rinse off the excess detergent inside and out, then hang them lengthwise on the outside to dry ( more on that later). Leaving the department on the waders may stain or mark them; if it’s on the inside, it may react to your skin and cause rash or discomfort. When you’re done washing, rinse your waders in cold water.

Are neoprene fishing waders machine washable?

It depends a lot on the manufacturer. Some waders, especially the new ones, can be put in a washing machine for a short, gentle wash in cold water. There will be instructions on the labels on the back of your neoprene waders. However, if unsure, it is best to continue washing them by hand. Be sure to remove all straps, so they don’t get caught when you put them in the machine!

Drying your neoprene fishing waders

This is just as important as washing them in the first place. After washing, you need to find a well-ventilated area with a breeze if possible so that all the water can dry. Otherwise, you risk mold and mildew set in. Which I’m sure you don’t want anywhere near your intimate apparel! It also affects breathability and waterproofing.

When you hang them up, ensure they are tight, with no little creases where water can collect, and shake them out to remove excess moisture. Unless things have changed drastically, neoprene and gortext are not fans of the dryer, so let’s avoid it! Store them in a dry place once they’re done drying, ready for your next trip.

 

Main tips for the maintenance of fishing waders

• Dry them: Very important, and we mentioned it above! Make sure that after each outing, whether you wash your neoprene fishing waders or not, you dry them to prevent mold from forming.
• Treat them with a waterproofing formula: After washing and drying, add a coat of DWR (Durable Water Repellent) to your fishing waders. This will help keep the waterproofing fresh and add a few seasons to your use.
• Make sure they fit well: We have an article on how to size your waders properly. But if you want the short version. Make sure you can kneel, bend at the knees and lift your knees horizontally. Too small and they will wear out, and too big and they can be a safety hazard.
• Avoid putting bulky items in pockets: As much as we want to have our car keys, phone, lighter, pack of cigarettes, etc., within reach, if you always use the same pocket, the fabric will be strained. Keep them in a small dry bag like this one near the shore or on the kayak or boat.
• Avoid storing them in the sun: after saltwater, probably, there are not many things that lend themselves well to being placed in direct sunlight for a while. So limit their exposure to when your legs are in, not when they’re not.
• Take the salt water out of them: You’re fishing and maybe boating too. You know it. Saltwater is corrosive, so rinse it off whenever you can. That goes for all your gear, not just your waders.
• Store them well: Different manufacturers give different advice. The rule is not to put them in a ball at the bottom of a fishing bag. Once dry, you can hang them in the closet or garage. Just make sure it’s in a dry, ventilated area. We roll ours up but not tightly. This prevents wrinkles from occurring, which can create stress points.

 

Types of neoprene fishing waders

Neoprene chest waders and fishing waders are essential to many fishing environments. Neoprene fishing and chest waders come at various prices, and we explore them here. Different fishing waders depend on your needs, from ankle to full waders. We’ll explore the differences below. If you’re in the mood to buy, you’ll also find links to Amazon to check prices.

Comfort is essential. As much as we’d like the sport to be fast and furious, patience often wins out. We want to own a reliable pair of fishing waders that we can wear all day, and that won’t irritate the parts that don’t want to be irritated.

There are four types of fishing waders; they are:

• shoe waders
• hip waders
• high waisted waders
• chest waders.

Depending on the water depth you intend to wade in, they have different styles and measurements.

Hip waders

This type of fishing waders is for waters no deeper than knee level. They are designed in two separate parts, one for each leg. They have a unique design where each side attaches to your belt with straps to prevent the waders from sliding down when worn. These waders are the lightest of the three.

Easy to put on and take off. They also offer comfort even in warm weather. These waders are ideal for small streams and shallows. Easy to pack, they are great to have on hand for all activities such as boat towing, launching, and hunting in boggy terrain, and it’s also a pro when digging for clams.

Waist-high fishing boots

These fishing waders fall between hip waders and chest waders. They look like baggy pants (sort of) and are designed for waters no deeper than mid-thigh. These waders have belt loops to keep them in place. They can also be used with suspenders/suspenders if you wish. They have more coverage than thigh-highs and are more flexible and less restrictive than chest-highs. The upper body is completely exposed, so they are suitable for warmer climates and shallower water.

Insulated Chest Waders

Insulated chest waders can be made of neoprene and are best used in colder conditions. Neoprene waders are very warm, stretchy, waterproof, and durable. Like wetsuits, they come in various thicknesses that offer varying degrees of warmth. These fishing waders are generally cheaper than other waders and are not breathable, so moisture will likely be trapped inside when you start to sweat. They also offer some buoyancy, which is useful for fishing in deeper water.

 

Selecting The Correct Chest Waders Size

If you plan to spend a lot of time in the water rather than on the bank, or if the conditions you’re fishing in might not be the best. Then investing in a set of well-fitting chest waders will make those days on the water much more enjoyable.

Well-fitting chest waders are essential for both longevity and functionality. You’ll need to measure your widest circumference, inseam, and shoe size. This can be chest, hip, or waist and then compared with the size chart of the particular brand. It’s important to remember that you’ll be wearing several layers of clothing when you measure.

The most important points to consider when sizing waders are

• Your widest waistline can be the chest, hips, or waist.
• Your shoe or boot size
• Your inseam size
• The conditions under which you will use them
• What you will probably wear under your waders.

Why is it so essential to buy well-fitting waders?

You’re going to be wearing this gear in extreme and challenging conditions. It’s essential to make sure the fit is right for several reasons.

Too big, and they bend and wrinkle and risk snagging and tearing. They also create more air around your body, requiring more time and energy to stay warm.

Too small, they will be stressed at the seams and joints, like the knees, crotch, and even your butt (I’m not saying it’s oversized or anything!) If this size is small for your feet, it could reduce the layers you can wear and result in cold feet or even reduced circulation.

When Do You Need Chest Waders?

If you clicked on this sizing link, you probably already know if you need chest waders or not. However, we’ll highlight the use cases here.

• Deep and cold water fishing
• If you spend a lot of time in the water
• If you often fish in winter (if you have insulated waders)
• If you are likely to hunt and fish together
• You need to be warm and dry!

There are also waders, hip waders, and knee waders. These are becoming more common, and if you’re not spending the day in deep water, they may be better suited to your fishing and wallet. You can check out a selection of pant-style waders here.

Whatever style of waders you decide to buy, they must fit well and last you several seasons of fishing, so look for the best fit.

 

Wader materials and body size

The days of rubber waders are over, well, almost, and we welcome the arrival, and price, of breathable materials.

I’m old enough to remember, and not fondly, dripping copious amounts of sweat and candid skin from waders and rubber gear at the end of long days, and it’s as disgusting and unpleasant as it sounds.

So when it comes to gear, choose the lightest, most breathable gear possible. Of course, suppose you’re fishing in cold or extreme conditions. In that case, you’ll want to select insulating materials, but for most of us who want to stay warm and dry, good waterproof, breathable waders without insulation will do the trick.

The best-known brands are Simms, Patagonia, and Orvis, but more and more brands have entered the market, and there are always good deals.

As we mentioned above, there are certain steps you need to take to ensure you have an excellent fitting wader, and while it’s always best to try them on, we also know that sometimes that’s not possible. Sometimes you can also try them on and find the lower price online!

In the middle of summer, it might be a simple jacket or t-shirt, but in the winter, you can add layers with fleeces or thermal clothing.

You don’t want something that flaps around like an inflatable Santa suit, but you don’t want to look like you’re doing gymnastics. A little stretch is acceptable and recommended, but not flapping like the fish you’re catching. Make sure you have a belt to place firmly around the middle of your waders if you opt for chest waders.

This will prevent water from rushing in if you fall and submerge and is there to protect your safety. Most decent sets now come with them, but jump ropes will do the same if you find yourself without.

 

Inseam Measurements for Chest Waders

You’ll want, or instead need, to measure from the crotch, and we suggest a slightly higher measurement to the ground. This gives the waders some wiggle room when walking, hiking, or climbing on rocks. These materials usually have very little slack, so plan for that. If you have to kneel to take that picture with the monster, you don’t want anything to rip while you do it!

Choosing a size of wading boot

If the waders you buy don’t have boots attached, and we think that’s the best option ( we’ll explain below), then you can choose your boot size as your foot size. You’ll probably wrap your feet in warm socks.

If you wear hiking boots, follow the size you have for those. You can still wrap your feet a bit if you don’t go clown size. If you get wading boots that are too small, there’s not much you can do but get cold feet.

Boot waders and sock waders.

The choice is up to everyone, but here at Fisher and Hunter, we much prefer sock waders, and we want to explain a few reasons why. First of all, the difference.

Stockingfoot waders are waders that are an all-in-one solution and avoid the need to buy and use the additional gear.

Bootfoot waders do not have a wading boot attached to the bottom of the water, and it is usually replaced with a neoprene show on the bottom. You have to buy the boots separately.

So why do we prefer the Stockingfoot versions?

• Well, they are lighter in general, and although the addition of the boots makes that negligible, they also offer the freedom to choose your boot instead of having to settle for the one on the end of the Stockingfoot waders.
• We love that if you don’t want to wear the waders, you can still wear the boots (for grip). If you are boating and have a set of waders, you can wear them without the heavy boots.
• If the wader boot has a problem on a stock foot wader, the whole unit has a problem, which is not the case with a stock foot wader.
• Stockignfoot waders are easier to remove.

Branded versus generic waders

This is a tricky one. A simple search on amazon like this one will show you a wide price range between chest wader prices, from tens to hundreds of dollars.

Which one is right for you may depend on the reason for the purchase, the condition you are fishing in, the reason for the purchase, how much money you have, and the type of buyer you are, all of which will play a role.

I, for one, can be a gear snob, but realistically, if the fit is good, the material is solid, and they are both safe and functional, then it shouldn’t matter what brand you buy as long as they work and continue to work after more than a few trips to the river. As an example, the two below both have excellent ratings but are priced very, very differently.

It’s up to you if you want peace of mind and will be using them a lot, an established brand may help, but if you’re not a regular wader, a mid-range product may work for you. We can’t choose that option for you, I’m afraid.

 

 

Conclusion

After washing, always hang your waders up to dry completely after use. If you have used your waders in a saltwater area, rinse them well in fresh water before drying to prevent salt deposits from forming. When storing your waders, ensure they are completely dry before hanging them in a cool, dark place from direct sunlight. Finally, avoid leaving your waders in the sun for long periods. Follow these simple tips, and you can extend the life of your fishing waders, no matter what material they are made of.

Wading boots can improve an average day of fishing. Being warm, dry, and comfortable when you’re out for such a long time is more than a luxury. It’s a necessity.

To help you choose the right waders for your fishing, we have a guide here if you need it. If not, put on your outfit and get out there! Tight lines!