Hello,
I typically wet wade when I fish. During the warmer months I wear a pair of rubber soled wading boots with merino socks and Simms neoprene wading socks which are folded down as gravel guards. Then when it gets a bit colder I wear the Simms wading socks unfolded and up to my knees and then put a standard pair neoprene gravel guards over top. As I assume I will look like a tool with my unfolded grey Simms wading socks up to my knees I normally hide them under some long johns, and then put the standard neoprene gravel guards over top. This works ok as I normally fish small streams locally so don't often get my neither regions wet, and when I do it is only briefly
.
I think my methods stem from a degree of frugality/tightness. However, I have been eyeing up waders. I see in forum posts most people like breathables, but others are keen on neoprene to... for example I saw an advocate of thin Cabella neoprenes.
I think my preference is for breathables as they seem better suited to what I do, and seem easier to try on for size locally. I did think about a pair of thin neoprenes with a stocking foot, but these seem impossible to find off the shelf in a shop (apart from bringing in from offshore which I don't want to do). I like to try on before I buy!
Anyway, I have a question. Breathable textiles use a DWR coating for waterproofing/repellency, and these historically contained perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and many probably still do. So I assume breathable waders use/used PFCs too. Its seems many outdoor garment manufacturers are trying to move away from the use of PFCs in their DWR coatings due to its environmental persistence (
Fluorinated DWR (Durable Water Repellent) Finish - Patagonia). Looking at waders its seems the the local Desolve brand are the only ones that have PFC free waders. So, what are peoples thoughts on this PFC issue? Is the new PFC free coating on Desolve waders as good as PFC? And is this new PFC free coating actually any friendlier?