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[Gib]

I have had a pair(s) of Hodgeman waders with boot attached for several years. Nothing fancy, just plain brown ones.

They are extremely heavy, but you do not have to worry about getting cold.

I decided to try waders with no boots attached. They weigh less than one boot on the Hodgeman. I will have to dress a little warmer.

Here is my dilemma:

1. Do you guys usually wear socks, waders, and boots or just your waders and boots? Please understand that pants and shirt are included.

2. I have the waders, purchased some boots, but they are fitting very, very tight. It is not so much the length as it is the width. I do not even know if they have different width sizes.

3. One guy told me to buy boots a size smaller than I normally wear so boot will fit snug. I can tell you this is not going to happen as I like circulation in my feet.

4. I bought half size bigger, but it is still a little tight to my liking. Will these boots loosen with a little wear or should I do something else?

I do not wade for hours on in, but I want to be able to walk after done fishing.

[SurfinSapo]

What I did was try on the waders and then try on the booties.. My booties are a lot bigger than I usually wear since the neoprene is thicker than socks... Hope this helps...
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[chuck]

boots are one size bigger for me, maybe two depending on how they fit,

I like you am not going to deal with crushed or cramped feet, i once had a pair that was a bit too big, i just duct taped them on and it was fine

i currently have breathable waders, and rayguard boots (both neopreen) feet have been warm so far, but not in cold waters yet

i do know guys that wear wool hiking socks in their boots even in summer, they say it helps keep out shell and muck, i'll be trying that when it warms up

[ltorna1]

I wear socks in my waders, both when I have the neoprene booties or with the ones with boots attached. Keep my feet warm, and keep me from getting blisters from rubbing up against the wader material. And ditto on the one-size-bigger rule for the boots.

One more thing that may seem intuitive to most, but I am careless and forget all the time, thus I learned the hard way: rinse your wading boots big time. Not just a little to get the dirt off, but make sure the material isnt still soaked with salt water. The metal around the lace-holes wont corrode and the material itself will last much longer.
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