Zipper Cleaners – why, how and when to clean your zippers

We recommend cleaning and lubricating the zippers on waders on a regular basis.  Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant and Zipper Lubricant Stick from Gearaid do the job nicely and will help keep your zippers operating smoothly and performing like they should.  If your zipper is dirty, or isn’t running as smoothly as it once did then pick up one or both of the products mentioned here and fix it up. Happy fishing!

Neoprene Gravel Guards – Why are they tight fitting?

We get asked about the tightness of the neoprene gravel guards on the Primo Zip GD and S14 waders. We designed them to be tight fitting for one main reason – to keep sand and gravel out of your boot. Loose fitting gravel guards can allow sand, silt, and gravel to get up inside the boot, and can get pushed up by heavy current unless securely hooked in place. More about the lace hook below.

But first, let’s talk about the function of gravel guards. In this video I had been wading through a side channel that was full of thick and deep silty sand and mud. With each step I was sinking into the mud, and even though I had been wading in fast current only moments before the gravel guard was still firmly in place where it needed to be to keep the inside of my boots clean and clear of sand, mud and gravel.

Check out this short video for a detailed view of how I use the gravel guards

Tuck it up inside

The functional purpose of a tight gravel guard is that it makes the lace hook somewhat redundant, and in some cases the lace hook may not even need to be used. Fit is going to be different for everyone, depending on wader size and boot size, so this may not apply to everyone. Also, some boots have a lace hook attachment near where the gravel guard sits naturally, and some boots do not. For me, the gravel guards fit tightly enough over the boot that I don’t need to use the lace hook at all. I just tuck it up inside the gravel guard itself. The guard doesn’t move on me, even when wading in the heaviest currents.

Avoid damaging your boots and waders

I like tucking the lace hook up inside the gravel guard (and not attaching it to the boot) because stretching the gravel guard way down towards the toe on a boot, where the hook is located on some boots, can pull and put stress on multiple parts of the wader and on the boot and boot laces. My waders and boots they last longer for me because I don’t do this.

This can happen if the lace hook doesn’t reach easily or comfortably. If it doesn’t reach easily, we don’t use it.

Something to keep in mind is that straight out of the box the neoprene gravel guards may seem tight, but they will loosen up a bit over time and become easier to pull down over your boot. They are designed to keep sand and gravel out of your boots, and will do their job well with or without the lace hook.

Happy fishing!

-Nick

Wading Belt Safety Tips

For wading safety, we highly recommend wearing a wading belt anytime you are in or around water in fishing waders. Why? Because it may help save your life if you end up falling in the water and swimming.  A tight wading belt will help trap air in the lower part of the waders, and help keep them from filling up with water.  Water is heavy, and waders that are full of water are extremely heavy and cumbersome. Even the strongest person will struggle to pull themselves out of the water with waders full of water. We hope you find this tip helpful. Happy and safe fishing everyone!

Extended Play – The Ethan Parsons story

Ethan lost the use of his lower body as a teenager due to a rare medical condition. Facing the very real prospect of not surviving a series of surgeries that could help alleviate his paralysis Ethan has decided to learn to live with the cards life dealt.

Fly fishing has become a saving grace for Ethan as he returns to the water and the sport he loves in this triumphant story.

Please enjoy this short film while considering the strength of the human spirit and the power of positivity that Ethan displays.