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Updated on September 22, 2022 08:33
It’s hard to imagine good fishing or waterfowling that doesn’t involve wet feet. I suppose you can fish from a dock, or maybe manage to get in and out of an ion boat in dry shoes, but being able to walk comfortably through the water is a huge plus. And if the water is no more than a couple of feet deep, you don’t need armpit-deep water. For much of what we fishermen and hunters do, hypers will suffice.
In fact, hip boots have some distinct advantages over chest boots. They often cost much less, as there is less material involved. In warm weather, they are more comfortable because they don’t wrap the midsection with waterproof fabric. They take up less space in storage and transport. And they are much easier to put on and take off.
When to wear Hip Waders
Of course, mushrooms are not for every situation. If you’re fishing in a good-sized river or casting in the river on an ocean beach, you probably need to be waterproof well above your waist. But if you’re chasing trout in small mountain streams (one of life’s greatest joys) or surfing far from the reach of breaking waves, the waders will keep you dry. And while a neoprene chest rig can provide a welcome layer of comfort on a raw November day, there are many days during the hunting season that would be more comfortable without it.
As you’ll see in the selection below, there are a variety of wheel styles, from vintage rubber boots to thigh-highs to lightweight, breathable models meant to be worn in the wet. They all get the job done, so look for the features that are important to you. If you’re going to wade through wetlands, you’ll probably want heels, but if you’re navigating slippery river rocks, waders will be a better choice. Get one-piece boots if you don’t want the fuss and expense of socks and sock shoes, but if you don’t mind owning and wearing two pieces of clothing, embrace the boots and enjoy the comfort and support. If you expect cold water and cold weather, heavy duty rubber or neoprene boots may be your best bet, and they’ll also come in handy if you’re dealing with a flooded basement. On the other hand, if your goal is a spring and summer slide into brook trout country, you’ll probably like breathable trout better—or even wet pants, which offer more moisture protection than boots. , but they don’t cover up your core.
Old school rubber: effective and reliable
It seems strange in this age of high technology, but companies still produce rubber wheels, and for the same reasons as always: durability and absolute waterproofing. They are somewhat heavy and certainly not breathable, but they will allow you to spend long periods in the wetlands, concentrating on the game. Use them as fishing waders or hunting balloons; the rubber construction is great for suppressing odor.
Best Rubber Boots: Big boss isolated with lacrosse
32″ LaCrosse Insulated Big Chief Boots. Amazon
Introduced in 1951, the Lacrosse Big Chief is a no-nonsense rubber boot. Hard rubber resists puncture and puncture is the only thing that can make these waters flow. The basic construction may be vintage, but modern materials are now included, including an EVA footbed and 600 grams of Thinsulate insulation. The calf tool laces and snaps around your foot so the boot moves with you, and Lacrosse’s Air-Grip outer tray sheds mud.
Neoprene: Comfortable and warm
For many waterfowl, neoprene boots are mandatory hunting equipment. The fabric fits well, offering freedom of movement and excellent insulation, and is much lighter than rubber. Its spongy nature gives it a fair amount of puncture resistance, and if you poke a hole in them, some waterfowl see the spots on the water as a badge of honor.
Look for 3mm neoprene for mild weather use and 5mm for colder conditions. Neoprene hunters usually have good insulation in their boots.
Best Neoprene Hunting Backpacks: Cabela’s Men’s 5mm Armor-Flex Lug Hip Waders
Cabela’s Men’s 5mm Armor-Flex Lug Hip Waders. Hair styles
These wading boots are made for cold water walking, with thick neoprene, 800 gram Thinsulate insulation and 8mm wool midsoles for comfort. The Armor-Flex exterior, bonded and taped seams, and double-layer reinforced knees all work to prevent leaks. The TrueTimber DRT camo and air bob outsoles are good choices for waterfowl, and the side snap buckles on the webbing straps are easy to use, even with cold, wet hands.
Why Shouldn’t Hip Waders Breathe?
Hip boots are not just hunting gear. A legion of anglers—freshwater and saltwater, fly and reel—must be comfortable enough to spend hours on the water. Dry legs and feet are essential for spring and late fall fishing when water temperatures are in the fifties. Even in the summer, “wet licking” is only fun for so long. Rubber and neoprene are wet and heavy in these circumstances. Breathable fabrics, on the other hand, feel great. If the water is cold, you can put on a breathable top layer quite effectively; on warm days, dehumidification is essential for comfort.
There aren’t many thigh-high breathable fishing waterfalls on the market, but the Chota Hippies are worth a look. Chota doesn’t even call them waders, but rather wavy socks. They are toe style, meaning they have neoprene booties for the feet and must be worn with waders. Fly-fishers who already own chest boots and boots are ready; those who do not own them can buy relatively inexpensive waders from Chota and other brands. By the way, as with all cabbages, Chota Hippes will keep ticks off your skin, an important consideration in many countries.
Best Lightweight Breathable Socks: Chota Hippies
Chota’s hippies are cool, literally and figuratively. Wear them just below the knee, just above the knee, or up to the hip pockets using the knee-high waistband or the drawstring at the top. The socks are three-layer, breathable 300 diamond material and the boots are 3mm neoprene, with grit guards that fold over the tops of your shoes.
Waders you can wear to work?
Well, maybe not quite.
But if hip boots are oversized shoes, long pants are more like clothing, which is somewhat more casual and less of a hassle. Unlike the thighs, long pants actually come down to your hips, and that’s a good thing. Most of the times I’ve worn hip boots, I’ve managed to get wet on top of them, no matter how careful I’ve tried to be. The wet pants cover you if you need to wade through water up to your bum, keeping you comfortable with shirt sleeves from the waist up.
Like the other models, the Redington Escape trousers also have hip pockets, although they are not waterproof. And like all pantaloons, even the most dress-like ones, these are meant to be worn over actual pants, not in place of them. Slip them on over a pair of lightweight hiking pants or even joggers, slip into your shoes, and walk comfortably all day.
Best Dress Pants: Escape from Redington
These sock footed fishing tubs feature four layers of breathable material down to the adjustable hook and loop strap. The 3mm neoprene boots are warm enough for a fast mountain stream, but not too warm. Built-in gravel guards keep sand and stones out of your shoes. You can keep things in your pockets, as long as you don’t mind them getting wet.
Best Hip Waders for the money
There are plenty of hunters and anglers whose need to get out on the water is occasional—who don’t plan on spending hour after hour, weekend after weekend in their boots. They see no need to invest in a high-end model when a lower-priced model will meet their needs. Honestly, that’s one of the best things about the whole mushroom category: you can buy them to use now and then without spending a fortune.
Your local big box store will probably have acceptable options. Frog Toggs has become a popular brand among the outdoor recreation community, and its Rana II Bootfoot model will have you covered for everything from hunting and fishing to joining a community clean-up day at the local waterway. They come on the soles with mushrooms or sensations.
Frogg Toggs Rana II PVC Legs. Amazon
Lighter than rubber, these nylon-reinforced PVC fabrics have taped seams to keep water out and molded PVC boots for good support. Adjustable waist straps have quick release buckles. The Rana II comes with soles for general terrain or sensitive soles for slippery riverbeds.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is a good brand of waders?
Most people would agree that Simms, which manufactures all of its drugs at its plant in Bozeman, Montana, is the leading name in the inhalant industry. High quality guides are also produced by Patagonia, Orvis, Redington and Frog Toggs. The Hodgman brand, which invented fishing waters in the 19th centuryth century, still makes a wide range of vaders today.
Q: What is the best mushroom material?
Breathable fabric like GORE-TEX is the most comfortable and versatile material. The thermal layers and fleece underneath make them warm enough for use in cold weather, while their sweat-wicking qualities make them comfortable on hot days. Neoprene is a popular choice among waterfowl hunters because it insulates very well and allows enough freedom of movement. Rubber or PVC is simple, completely waterproof, and generally resists punctures and tears well.
Q: What size do I need?
Insoles are based on shoe size. If you expect to wear thick socks underneath them, you may want to go a size up. Sock shoes tend to be sold in sizes like small, medium, and large because you will be fitting the shoes to your feet. Make sure your shoes fit properly over the neoprene boots. Boots that are a little too big are not ideal, but those that are too small are pure misery.
Final thoughts on Hip Waders
Sometimes, walking into a group with chest carts feels like an astronaut climbing into a spacesuit for a mission. When you need them, they’re great, but hunting and fishing requires walking in knee-deep water. Hip boots will keep you dry without breaking the bank, and you can practically slip them in and out of them with ease. Even if you already own shrimp for chest, it is convenient to have a pair of hypers.