Fly Fisherman's Tackle Checklist: Outerwear

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Boots. Felt soles provide excellent traction on smooth, mossy river rocks. They have lousy traction hiking to and from the river, and on snow, grass, and mud, gravel, or clay river bottoms. Because it is soft, smooth, and has no tread pattern, it is a one-trick pony that works very well in a limited set of circumstances. Felt is not durable, and will not last the life of the boots. It is also difficult to clean and travel with, and can also carry aquatic nuisances. Boots with rubber soles are more durable, they are better for hiking to/from the water, and they are better in mud and snow and wet grass. Look for a boot with an aggressive tread pattern that works with tungsten carbide or aluminum studs for extra traction.

Tungsten carbide is harder than steel and sometimes “skates” on clean, hard river rocks, but it does a good job of getting through moss and thick slime in fertile rivers. Aluminum sticks best on clean boulders that are annually scoured by ice and floods.

Cleats can damage fiberglass boat hulls, wooden walkways, and floors, and can puncture rafts. So you can’t use them in all circumstances.

Simms Access Wading Boots ($300) have an exclusive sole made from Vibram Idro-Grip Flex—a rubber compound that is soft like felt, but with a tread pattern that can take on any terrain.

Waders. On a hot summer afternoon, there’s nothing better than wading in a pair of boots and comfortable, quick-drying wet-wading pants like Duck Camp Drifter Pants ($89). But the best fishing is often in the evening when the air cools, or in spring and fall when the water is cold. To make the most of your fishing day in these conditions, you need full-coverage, breathable chest waders.

Breathable waders transport moisture from the inside to the exterior, even while standing in deep water. In fact, the movement of perspiration toward the outside of the wader is most efficient when you are standing in cool water because the temperature difference (warm on the inside, cool on the outside) is what makes the one-way membrane work.

Gore-Tex is one type of breathable fabric licensed by wader manufacturers such as Simms. It’s a fabric “package” with an ultrathin expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane sandwiched between a durable polyester face fabric and a tricot liner for comfort on the inside.

Patagonia, Orvis, Skwala, and other wader manufacturers have their own ­proprietary breathable fabrics. Patagonia’s H2No fabric, for instance, uses a monolithic polyurethane membrane with a polyurethane coating to achieve the same effect. All these breathable membranes are porous, with tiny holes that are too small for water molecules to pass, but large enough for water vapor to pass.

What you wear under the waders is much more important than the brand of breathable fabric. You can buy the best waders in the world, but if you wear jeans or anything cotton underneath you’ll feel damp and clammy.

For cold weather, get a thick pair of synthetic fleece pants. For hot weather, don’t wear shorts. Wear thin synthetic long underwear to wick moisture away from your skin and prevent chafing.

With waders, you get what you pay for. Expensive waders should be more comfortable—they are tailored to fit more sizes, have articulated knees and left and right booties, and the fabrics are more durable and more breathable, which should keep you drier and more comfortable.

Cheaper waders often have fewer size choices, and fewer tailoring details, but if a standard medium fits you fine, and you rarely encounter rigorous fishing conditions—high heat; cold, wet weather; thorns and briers—then a less expensive wader might be all you need.

Waders cost from $300 to $900, so making a purchasing decision can be difficult. It’s hard to predict how long waders will last—a sharp stick, barbed wire, or thorns can end the life of any wader prematurely—so the “extras” that make the wader functional and comfortable become important. Things like built-in gravel guards, wader belts, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, mesh pockets for tippet and other items, a comfortable shoulder strap, or a front zipper are all important considerations.

When it is hot in the summer, it’s nice to have chest waders that fold down into waist-high pants to keep you cool. For winter fishing, size your waders appropriately to accommodate extra layers such as quick-drying synthetic underwear and insulating shirts and jackets.

If possible, don’t Internet-order your waders. If you must order online, take careful measurements and pay attention to the manufacturer’s sizing charts. The “best” waders are always the ones that fit you properly, and every company has slightly different sizing parameters.

Tight waders restrict your movement and are uncomfortable. Loose waders with a baggy crotch and “elephant knees” will chafe and leak prematurely. Waders with a precise and comfortable fit are also far more durable.

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Ross Purnell is the editor and publisher of Fly Fisherman.

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