Waders look great when new in the shop, but in time many start to leak, and all too often this problem is avoidable. Common leakage points for all waders are the ankle, where the boot or sock joins the breathable material, at the knees and at the crotch. After testing many leaking waders over the years we see the same problems time and time again, yet this is not a manufacturing fault. It may be the fault of the owner or the tackle shop salesman!

When trying on waders in a tackle shop we tend to be wearing our shopping clothes and not our fishing clothes, so we get an unrealistic fit for the waders.

Additionally, standing in the shop does not really give a proper idea of how the waders will be worn, or the stresses that may be placed on them. We therefore advise when going to purchase waders you wear similar clothing to what you would be wearing whilst fishing.

Then try on the waders in a number of positions that you would realistically have to get into whilst fishing e.g. kneel down in them as if unhooking a fish, sit down in them like you would in the hut or on the back of the car whilst pulling on your boots.

Also make sure you can step up into a chair, like stepping out of the river and onto the bank. Then finally kneel down on the floor and sit on your heels, then with your hands flat to the floor slowly reach forward pushing your hands away from you. This is the longest position your waders will be in.