Earlier this year I decided to break down and
replace my leaky waders that I’d had for more years than I care to
mention. As I did my research, the
usual suspects jumped out. But
with the high ratings and solid reviews, also came a hefty price tag. At the same time, a new company was
starting to show up on the social media radar. The Instagram posts from @dryft prominently highlighted
steelhead and bull trout in classic Northwestern scenery. The waders featured in the pics looked
interesting with their colorful zipper.
Dave at PileCast.net had posted about them as a new company to watch.
I had reached out to Morgan at TLTFF to get any
recommendations that they might have on waders. He started by saying he too was curious about the new Dryft
waders, and that the early reviews were all positive. With that nudge, I reached out to Nick at Dryft with a few
questions. He answered promptly
and the Dryft Adrenaline waders were ordered headed my way.
Inside seams and tag of the waders
Out of the box, the Adrenaline were good looking
waders. They come with a mesh
carrying bag for storage and transport.
The first thing that you notice is the number of pockets these waders
have. There is one large water
resistant pocket on the chest (which conveniently holds a 16oz can), a fleece
lined exterior hand warmer pocket, and an interior flip out pocket with zippers
on both sides. The legs are contoured to fit properly, as are the neoprene sock
feet. On trying on the waders, I
noticed the material was stiffer than my previous waders. This was mostly due to the extra layers
in the knee and seat. After the
first trip or two on the water, the waders broke in nicely and are very
comfortable.
The belt is a nice feature that is sometimes
overlooked. It is stretch neoprene
with quick release Duraflex buckles.
The stretch material is not only comfortable, but also serves as a
safety feature in those instances when you go for an unintended swim (which I
have been prone to do). The
flexibility of the belt also allows for quick relief when nature calls, without
unbuckling and removing your belt.
Click to enlarge...
I have fished these waders for 4 months and have been completely satisfied with the results. I have taken a few spills on rocks, and they have held up nicely. The true fit of the Adrenaline waders makes the time in the water easy. There is minimal “ballooning” in the legs because of the contoured fit while still allowing for free range of motion and movement. The suspender system fits comfortably, and when properly adjusted, allows the top of the waders to sit high on your torso. The top of the waders has a draw chord to adjust for a comfortable fit. Under the water, the gravel guards are long enough to fit low on the boots. I did have to adjust the clip a little bit to properly fit my laces and to keep my fly line from catching on the hook. After I figured out which lace the clip was best fitted for on my particular boots, I did not have any further issues with this.
Overall, I would recommend these waders to anyone. At a price point of $199, the
Adrenaline offer features and fit comparable with much higher priced
waders. If you’re in the market
for a solid pair of waders, take a good look at www.dryftfishing.com for their
latest offerings.
Pros-
- Price
- Fit
- ---Legs contoured to shape
- --- Length of inseam and overall length true to sizing chart
- ---Neoprene sock feet fit true to size and are contoured for comfort
- Appearance and graphics
- Neoprene stretch belt
- Pockets
Cons-
- Hand warmer zippers are not 100% waterproof
- Belt could use a little bit more adjustment on the large end
Features-
- 100% waterproof high-grade breathable 5 layer and 3 layer DWR coated fabric technology.
- 5 layer reinforced knees and seat hold up to hardcore abuse.
- Adjustable shoulder straps with Duraflex® buckles.
- Inside flip-out double zippered pocket.
- Outer pocket with YKK water resistant zipper.
- Fleece lined hand warming pocket helps keep your hands toasty.
- Adjustable Comfortflex™ Wading belt with Duraflex® buckle secures tightly and safely. Three belt loops keep your belt securely in place for safe wading.
- NoLeak™ taped seams for ultimate protection against leaks.
- DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating.
- High density 4.0MM ergonomically shaped neoprene sock feet.
- YKK® Water Resistant Zippers.
- Adjustable upper sizing with internal drawstring.
- Gravel Guards with boot lace hook.
- Contoured legs
- Mesh carrying bag
- One year warranty
Thanks again Mario for first of all, having faith in our suggestions and second, sending us this great review!
Boom...The TLTFF Crew
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