The 4,500 yen "PVC waders" purchased at Workman are performing excellently! I even caught stream fish for the first time

Although it has gotten warmer, in May it is still chilly at the streams, making these waders (thigh-high boots) useful. They may be hard for beginners to afford, but I discovered the reasonably priced PVC waders from Workman. After actually trying them on, I was able to encounter stream fish for the first time.

I tried river fishing wearing Workman's "PVC waders"

Previously, when I went river fishing with a friend who loves fishing, I mentioned that I didn't have waders. They recommended, "Workman's waders are cheap and good," so I finally made a purchase. Most waders from fishing gear manufacturers cost tens of thousands of yen, which felt too high for a beginner, making me hesitant to buy them, but Workman's "PVC waders" were quite reasonable at 4,500 yen, which was the deciding factor.

Product name / PVC Waders
Price / 4,500 yen
Size / S, M, L, LL, 3L
Color / Brown
● Workman

I used my first waders in rivers like the Iruma River in Hannō City and the Takahashi River in Kōshū City. I really liked the reassurance that my clothes wouldn't get wet even as I splashed through the stream. Since they are the boot-integrated type, the radial sole on the foot effectively grips dry surfaces. However, I needed to be careful as they slipped on wet moss.

After walking along the spring streams a few times, I felt that these waders were sufficient for field use, as they did not hinder my movements when lifting my knees or climbing slopes.

When I tried wearing Montbell's tights "Geoline" as an inner layer inside the waders, I think the temperature regulation was just right. Since the waders themselves have zero breathability, it was indeed hot on asphalt away from the stream.

Moving around while wearing them is surprisingly convenient

Basically, the depth of the streams I entered was about knee-high. I didn't go into points where I would be submerged up to my waist, and the waders themselves hardly got wet except for my feet, but being made of resin material they drain well, and it was comfortable to wear them while driving or eating. The earthy color tones also left a good impression.

Thanks to the waders!? I finally caught my first Yamame

Perhaps because the waders allowed me to focus on fishing, I was able to catch my first stream fish, the Yamame. Entering a stream that I usually wouldn't go into in daily life and interacting with beautiful wild fish is the essence of stream fishing.

Preparing diligently until I reached the field and the thrill of encountering the perfect moment is something that can't be replaced by anything else. By the way, I released the Yamame after this.

There are a few minor drawbacks, but I definitely want to take them along for stream fishing again.

Due to the lack of breathability, the tights and socks I wore became soaked with sweat after use. The inside of the waders also got wet from sweat, so I turned them inside out and dried them. However, the boot part cannot be turned inside out, and it gives the impression that it might reach the end of its life once damage and dirt accumulate, similar to regular shoes.

Additionally, after returning home, my calves became itchy, and what looked like a sweat rash formed in horizontal lines. The affected area is concentrated at the junction between the boots and the waders, and it seems that this area rubs when I move. So far, the only improvement method I can think of is to enhance the cushioning with socks. Of course, I still want to use them, so while considering improvement methods in this area, I would like to take them with me on my next stream fishing trip.

Interview/Text by Kazuma Tanaka

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