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Wader socks

1K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  Tinker 
#1 ·
Does anyone know of waders with breathable socks instead of neoprene? Other than the NRS bibs,I mean. I'm not a fan of loose-fitting neoprene.
 
#2 ·
I've never come across stockingfoot waders with breathable feet - I'd guess the wear at the foot is too much for that to be possible.

However, you can have the neoprene feet adjusted for a better fit so there is less loose material or you could go the bootfoot route to avoid the problem altogether? The only other option is to buy top brand waders that offer different foot sizes for the neoprene booties, but that is probably the most expensive solution.
 
#5 ·
Hydrophobic materials don't do badly under constant pressure. Not as good as neoprene, I admit, but 8 hours of my butt inside a Kokatat dry suit planted on a wet kayak seat still leaves my posterior dry, and it's the same with my feet pressed against footrests all day. I worry more about abrasion if grit gets into my boots. I also have paddling pants with Kokatat's Hydrus 3L socks that I've used when wading and they also do okay at keeping my feet dry, but they don't have any way to hold a belt in place.

I hadn't thought about getting a wetsuit shop to cut the sock to a better fit. I think that's the better route. Thanks!
 
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#6 ·
Tinker, my testing and experience is a different application and a lot of lab testing to achieve compliance for commercial safety use. The operational challenge had to deal with maintaining some ventilation to ensure safety (think gas and pressure equalization), while providing a strong environmental seal against water. We found the constant weakeness was were we had cedge ompression, where the material transition to a hard body. To alleviate this, we used a secondary ransition (think rubber) to reduce and great a uniform pressure edge.

My concern would not be by the ankle or the foot's crown, but an eyelet on the foot crown, the high pressure point under a heel, et cetera.

I am glad you have had positive experiences.
 
#7 ·
I've also had a crap experience once or twice standing in a driving rain in a 30kt wind. Eventually the pressure differential started allowing rain through my Gore-Tex jacket. And I didn't even land the fish...

Thank you for the explanation and I've listened. I'll take neoprene and have them fitted if necessary.
 
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