How to adjust your waders for comfort and durability

Chances are if you’ve spent a good deal of time in waders you’ve struggled a bit dialing in the fit to get all day comfort from your waders. There are a few reasons why selecting the best fitting wader for your body size, and then dialing in the straps just right, is a best practice. We’ll dive into a few of those reasons here.

Wading comfort

Dialing in the fit of your waders for durability and comfort starts before purchase. First step is to order the size that fits your body type best. We offer a sizing chart that helps do just that. To find the best fit you’ll need your shoe size, inseam length and biggest girth through the waist and chest. Use the size chart to find the waders where you fit into the correct range.

Once your new waders arrive it’s a matter of setting your shoulder straps to the appropriate height. This seems overly simple, but you’d be surprised at how often anglers don’t adjust the straps at all, or simply wear them too loose so the waders sag down and only come partway up the wearers chest. By adjusting the straps so that the waders ride as high as possible on the chest it takes strain off your back, and lets you fish hard all day long in comfort.

Wader Durability

Not only will wearing a good fitting wader be more comfortable, it will also greatly increase the life of the waders themselves. Wearing your waders without the straps set high enough, or wearing waders that are too short or long in the inseam, or too baggy overall can cause undue wear from rubbing on the breathable material and can also cause stretching of the seams.

Excess fabric can cause folding or bunching in the legs, which when repeatedly bent and rubbed back and forth can actually cause the material to wear through over time. It’s an easy thing to avoid, but just needs to start at the beginning with adjusting your straps correctly to a high set position. Set your shoulder straps high so that the top of the waders ride as high as possible on your chest.

Safety

It goes without saying that safety on the river is all important, but is often overlooked. Wearing a good fitting wader with the belt, shoulder straps and upper drawstring strapped tight will greatly increase your buoyancy in case of a fall into the water, and will also help keep water out in case of submersion.

We hope these tips are useful. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about sizing, fit or river safety.  

Release the Kraken [video]

release the kraken primo zip front waders video

 

Primo Zip Front waders – Release the Kraken

DRYFT Primo zip front wader

The Primo zip front waders from DRYFT™ are the newest feature packed and stylish addition to the DRYFT™ lineup of outdoor fishing apparel. Designed with comfort and durability in mind, the DRYFT™ Primo zip-front waders are a great value and give you the style to stand out from the rest.

DRYFT Primo zip front waders

DRYFT Primo Zip Front Waders

[button link=”http://dryftfishing.com/shop/primo-zip-front-wader/”]Shop now[/button]

DRYFT Waders and Primo Jacket reviews

DRYFT Primo wading jacket

Recent Reviews:

Jon Ades (verified owner) – July 6, 2014: 5 stars
I’ve been looking to buy a new wading jacket since returning from a cold, windy and rainy trip to Montana recently and realizing my old jacket just doesn’t cut it any longer. While researching and shopping for a new jacket online I came across the DRYFT website. I had a few questions about their jacket and fired off an email. My first impression was “WOW”. I sent the email inquiry and had an answer within 30 Minutes. I then ordered the new PRIMO Wading Jacket, it was a Friday afternoon. USPS delivered the jacket on Monday, a second WOW, 2 day delivery Seattle to Denver. Examining the jacket reveals a well thought out functional design constructed with quality materials. First, the articulated raglan sleeve for a more natural and comfortable fit with no seam on top of the shoulder to leak (one of many problems with my old jacket). The adjustable snag less cuff design and the smooth front pockets with waterproof zippers, no velcro to catch your line. A clever internally adjustable drawstring at the bottom eliminating another potential snag point. A soft collar and adjustable hood add to the functional features. All seams have been taped to assure they are sealed. Although the jacket has plenty of roomy as well as hand warmer pockets the one thing I find missing is an interior pocket for the likes of a cell phone or license, not a big deal as my shirts have pockets. Thanks DRYFT for great customer service and a well thought out, functional, well made, affordable jacket. Now I’m just waiting for another cold, windy and rainy day to try it out in real life and not just in the shower.

Vickie (verified owner) – June 20, 2014: 5 stars
I love these waders. I ordered the S14 adrenaline waders before they were out and had to wait a a bit for them but they were worth the wait! Very comfortable and got lots of looks from my fellow fisherpeople! I passed on the info to them and hopefully they will order a pair. Love them!!

Corey – June 9, 2014: 5 stars
As the owner of Chugach Backcountry Fishing in Alaska I’ve spent many days in the rain feeling damp and soggy after a couple of hours in “100% GoreTex” products. It didn’t seem to matter which high-performance brand I wore-I always found that eventually my coat and I became saturated-the S14 Wading Coat changed that. As with my Dryft waders, the S14 Jacket not only fits well, looks great, sports a lightweight feel, and is comfortable for rowing in but it is absolutely the best waterproof coat I’ve used. As a testimate to my belief in this product, within one week I outfitted my entire guiding staff and my family in it. It is the small details of any product that can make it a favorite for everyday use-that’s where in-field product testing makes all the difference. Dryft did their homework on this one. I am 100% comfortable leaving cash and my I phone in waterproof sealed pockets, the soft liner on the high neck and in the pockets of the jacket are perfect for cooler temp days, and the peripheral vision I have when the hood is deployed are qualities that every jacket should offer. If you want to stay dry on the fly, the Dryft PRIMO is for you.

Travis (verified owner) – June 6, 2014: 5 stars
I absolutely love this jacket out of the box. I have not had a chance to try it out in hard weather yet, but can say that style, fit, finishing, quality of materials are all top notch. Their style is great, these guys know how to deliver what so far appears to be great style coupled with what appears will be a bomber jacket at a very reasonable price.

Chad Campoamor – : 5 stars
As they did with their waders, Dryft has done it again with the Primo Jacket. I absolutely love this jacket, the fit is perfect, it is breathable, movable and stylish. It has all the pockets and compartments that are needed for a full day on the water and it will most definitely keep you dry and wanting to continue fishing even when the conditions aren’t promising. There is plenty of room for layering underneath as well. It is the essential jacket to have here up in Alaska with the way our conditions can be sometimes. Plus, you absolutely cannot beat the price. I have been a supporter of these guys since the beginning and will be until the end. Dryft continues to put out stellar products, and they are without a doubt the future. Everyone should check them out!

– Chad Campoamor
Mayfly Mafia
Soldotna, Alaska

Introducing the Primo Wading Jacket

DRYFT Primo breathable waterproof wading jacket

DRYFT Primo breathable waterproof wading jacket

Primo Wading Jacket – Pre-ordering now.

A true bomber of a wading jacket, the Primo Jacket keeps you dry even on those hardcore bad weather days. If you want to make an impression on the river, sporting this technical shell in the wading jacket style from DRYFT is a sure fire way to do it.

DRYFT Primo wading jacket

Pre-ordering now... view full product details here.

Built in storage of the DRYFT S13 fishing waders – enough for a day on the water

Like to pack light when you’re out for a day of pounding the banks of your favorite waterway? We like to ditch the packs too, which is why the DRYFT S13 fishing waders come with lots of built in zippered storage pockets.

Sling a bag over your shoulder, wear a chest bag or vest if you like – but if you choose to go light the front zippered pocket, side entry dual purpose ‘hand warming’ pocket, and inside flip out pocket gives you more  than enough room to fit a small tackle box, several small fly boxes, a medium sized fly box as well as tippet, pliers, camera, etc…

DRYFT Fishing Waders front pocket storage
Hauling the essentials. Yeah, the front pocket doubles as a perfect can holder.

The inner flip-out pocket has zippers on both sides and is perfectly suited to carrying your keys and phone, and gives easy zippered access from the flip out position or from within the waders. I like this as I don’t have to flip the whole pocket out to dig my phone out. I just unzip the inside zipper, reach down the the inside of the front and I’m into the safe zippered storage.

The fleece lined front pocket, and dual side entry side pockets are easy on the hands and on gear and are more than big enough to haul the essentials around in. Check out the full list of details in the shop >> S13 Waders

DRYFT Fishing Waders - S13 Adrenaline