[slowdive]

I just got some waders and I was wondering what size boot i should get. I was looking at buying the Chota boot. Should they fit snug are should they be loose. I was thinking that if they are to big then they would wear the wader out. IS this right?

[Fly2Fish]

I can't speak for the Chota boot specifically, but I will say that you don't want too tight a fit, because among other problems your feet will get cold. When you try the boots on, do it later in the day because feet swell as the day goes on. Try them on with the thickest socks and sock liners that you would use. Make sure you walk around on a carpeted surface (in case you need to return/exchange them).

[slowdive]

If I get them bigger to have room for socks do I have to worry about them wearing out

[Fly2Fish]

Assume you mean wear on the neoprene stockingfoot on your waders. When you're walking around on carpet with socks, sock liners, waders and wading boots on, like any other footware check for excess ride-up of your heel in the back of the boot. Make sure you have the boot laces lashed up snugly. If you have much ride-up in the heels, it may wear the neoprene stockingfoot and possibly cause you a blister to boot (pun intended ). Like any other ready-made off-the-shelf footware, fit is usually a compromise between too tight and too loose. Between two sizes, pick the looser. And since feet vary, check several brands for best fit. Different brands often vary on width in a given size.

[sandfly]

generally you should go 1 size larger than your shoe size..this accounts for the neoprene and sock..

[BigCliff]

As long as the neoprene foot on the wader itself fits reasonably well, I don't think you'll have issues. This is also assuming the boots you buy don't have a rough/jagged spot inside that will rub through the neoprene. It would be a good idea to feel around inside both of them with your hands before using them to check for defects.

Moral of the story, what you're concerned about isn't a common problem.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi slow dive,

The very best way to pick a boot is to take your waders to the store along with the socks you will be wearing. Put on the socks and pull up the waders, now try your boots on. You want them to fit so your foot doesn't slide around in the boot when it is laced up. You also don't want them so tight that your circulation is cut off and your feet gets cold. Sandfly's suggestion is a good rule of thumb. The problem is that some boots are made smaller in size than what you would expect. My experience with ordering boots through the mail has not been very successful. At least half the time I have to send them back for a different size.

Getting a size to fit is not too hard, the hard part is knowing what size to order if you don't buy from a local store.

Frank