WADER FAQ

WADER FIT

How do I choose my best wader size?

Please look for the link located under the product description on the wader product page. The guide will walk you through the steps to choose your best size.

Is Miss Mayfly true to size?

Yes, however Miss Mayfly has developed our own "Reel Fit" system of sizing. Our system is nothing like any other brand's sizing, so first, forget everything you ever knew or experienced with waders before and start new with Miss Mayfly.

It is not accurate to compare our sizing to other brands of gear or clothing. Mayfly is different- that's why we fit. It is very important to take your measurements as directed by our sizing guide. We know it is extensive, however it the most accurate way to determine size. If you need help, or cannot measure, please send us an email at customerservices@Missmayfly.com. We are here to help!

The sizing guide shows that I have two size options. Which one do I choose?

Often there will be two size options. You should choose the one that aligns best with your fit preference. If width is most important, side with that, even if the wader might be a little long or the bootie, a little big. Or side with length and bootie fit if that is the most important to you. If you have trouble choosing, we are here to help- fill out a size consultation form on our customer service help desk. 

I fall between two sizes, which one will fit best?

In this situation, we recommend double checking that your measurements are accurate. If you still fall in the middle, we recommend choosing the size with the best width. If you have questions, please fill out a sizing consult ticket located on our customer service help desk- We are here to help you!

Will the bootie roll-up or fold inside of my boot?

Miss mayfly has the BEST fitting booties in the market! 

Please see the bootie size range on our sizing chart. If it says they will fit- they will. Wide feet? No worries, our booties scale in width per each body type. Width is almost never an issue.

Mayfly’s booties are incredibly well-fitted. They are so accurate that they will adjust up to 1" in length without causing the bootie to scrunch or fold in the toe.

Adjustment Directions:

• If the bootie is a little long, simply give them a quick tug back at the heel so that the toes are aligned in the front. The heel will automatically shape around the heel without causing bunching through the ankle.
• If the bootie is slightly snug,  give it a tug forward at the toe, enabling the heel length to expand.

After a couple uses, the bootie will form memory, adjusting to your foot length automatically and this step will no longer be necessary. In the meantime, you can experiment with different sock thicknesses to customize the fit even more.

Will the bootie fit affect my wading boot size?

You should choose booties that fit your feet, and likewise, you should choose wading boots that fit your feet. Although different brands have different wading boot sizing standards, Miss Mayfly has removed this confusion by creating our booties and wading boots to fit in line with standard women’s US shoe sizes. Thanks to our self-adjusting booties, you can place your greatest concern in choosing a wader size that fits your body and rest assured that the bootie will be fabulous. 

For more information on boot fit, please see our wading boot FAQ or our wading boot blog.

Most of the wader measurements match, except one area. Will the size still fit?

Our chart measurements are taken at one point around the wader. How it fits depends on how that point aligns along the length of your body. Height and proportions can create some variable differences that are specific to you.

In general, if most of the measurements fit but the size is a little slimmer or looser in one area, the wader will likely still fit. We are happy to consult with you if you are not sure.

Will the calf fit?

Miss Mayfly waders have the most generous calf and bootie seam widths of any brand. However, wader seaming machines are limited in circumference capability. Additionally, the calf has to perfectly taper into the width of the bootie, creating limits to widths. We’ve pushed the machine and design tapers to the limit.

We find that it is not the calf which is often a problem in wader fit, but the glue seam section where the wader leg attaches to the bootie. How this area fits depends on where it falls along your length, according to height.

We do not include calf widths in our chart because the fit depends on the user’s height and where the measurement point falls along the body. The best way to know for sure is to try them. If they do not fit, we offer a complimentary exchange or return.

It is rare that our calves do not fit, but for those who face this challenge, we offer custom waders that allow for the bootie glue seam to be hand-stretched.

Why don’t you use inseam as a size reference?

We don’t use inseam as a size reference because the inseam in a wading pant involves several fit calculations to be accurate. Unlike regular pants, a wading pant inseam goes from the center crotch to mid-ankle, not to the floor. Including the inseam in our charts caused confusion for our customers.

For reference, the inseam to mid-ankle in the 8/9 series is 31". To equate it to a regular pant, you would add 2.5-3" for ankle length and then subtract the amount needed to bend, which varies for everyone.

We find it more helpful to provide a height range rather than an inseam. We’ve only ever had a few customers for whom the inseam didn’t fit due to having longer legs. The best way to know would be to try them. In the case that the inseam does not work out for you, we are happy to provide a return and refund.

The lower leg has a second layer of fabric that can be stiff at first, but it breaks in nicely by the third use.

Inseam Fit Test: Our rule of thumb is: if you can get down on one knee, it will break in. If you cannot get one knee, then it is too tight. Even if the knee feels tight, so long as you can get on one knee, it almost always breaks in to fit appropriately.

We recommend wearing them around the house for a few hours to help break them in before wearing them on the water. This way, the wader will still be returnable in the case that they do not relax enough for your comfort.

WADER FABRICS

What is a breathable waterproof fabric?

Breathable fabrics generally are made up of several layers which are laminated together to enable the wader to perform as desired. Since its invention, the technology has become the standard and has earned labels from many brands. The quality and the performance of the fabric is determined by the customized specifications of the layers.

A breathable waterproof fabric contains the following layers:

1. A face fabric (the outer fabric). The outer fabric is not waterproof and requires a DWR (durable water repellant) coating to repel water. The DWR wears off in time and requires maintenance to help retain water repellence.
2. The layer that is responsible for the waterproof and breathable performance of the fabric, is a very thin layer positioned between the inner and outer layers. The middle layer's micro pores prevent larger water molecules from entering, while allowing the smaller vapor molecules to pass through.
3. The inner liner protects the middle layer and also provides comfort against the skin. 
4. Some fabrics have an extra layer on the inside to create a softer feel against the skin.
5. Some fabrics may have a 2nd middle layer to provide more strength to the breathable layer. 

Although a breathable waterproof fabrics require a minimum of three layers, some fabrics might add extra layers to meet a specific performance need. However, adding additional layers often results in a heavier and stiff fabric. Customizing these layers to balance the thickness, weight, function and comfort is necessary to achieve ultimate performance for the intended user. 

What type of fabric does Miss Mayfly use?

 Miss Mayfly’s smooth laying fabric creates a flattering and comfortable fit while optimizing performance. Suitable for most temperatures and conditions- with appropriate under-layers.   

Performance Effect: Flex-ProForm significantly reduces the stress on wader seams that often causes seam "blow outs". Flex-ProForm provides an increased performance experience and a more durable wader, especially for fuller bodied women.

Fit Effect: Unlike other heavy fabrics that often result in stiff rolls, our Flex-ProForm has a supple feel that lays smoothly along the body, even if the fit creates some loose fabric. So even if the fit isn't perfect, it is still comfortable and generally flattering.

Comfort Effect: Flex-ProForm contains an extra comfort layer that provides a silky feel against the skin, increasing comfort and dryness against the skin.  

achieve ultimate performance for the intended user. 

COLOR SCIENCE

What is Chameleon Color Technology?

Miss Mayfly’s Chameleon color is made up of several color tones, allowing it to adapt to colors in the environment, similar to how an iridescent fabric reflects different tones. The fabric color is green, but it can pull tones of green, grey, gold, and beige depending on the light and colors surrounding the wader.

Because of this, the color can look different in photos than in person and appears brighter under blue lights. However, in the water, it seemingly melts and disappears. In the fall, the color will look golden like the leaves, providing camouflage qualities without the camo print.

Why Green?

We often think we need to wear colors like beige, brown, and gray because they are the colors we see when we look “down” into water beds. However, trout are not looking down; they are looking up. The most common colors they see are those of the brush, trees, and sky in their field of vision.

The color green and the camouflage nature of our fabric are fantastic for stealth, but there’s more behind the choice. Green is the color that trout see the least. In fact, if an angler wants to be stealthy, the last thing they should do is wear the colors of common trout predators.

WADING PANT FAQ

Will I get wet if I fall?

Our Moxie Wading pants have a secure, padded high waist band with a buckle cinching system in the back. The waist system blocks out water very well, even better than the typical chest wader wading belt.

Usually water does not enter the wader in the event of submersion. However, because the pant has self-adjusting buckle system that auto-releases to allow the user to bend and sit without constriction from the securely padded waist. The user might need to give them a quick tug to tighten after sitting and bending.

Even if the buckles are a little loose, typically, only a little of water might enter in the center back resulting dampness. However, if the wader is cinched, it resists water very well. It is unusual that the pant would "fill" with water during a quick submersion during use.

In the event of a fall above your waist, your shirt will become wet, we suggest packing an extra shirt and jacket. 

What water depth can I wear the pant in?

We recommend wearing pants in waters that are crotch height or lower, although they can be worn to briefly cross waters that reach the mid pelvis area.

We would like to remind you that the deeper the water, the more buoyant you become and the more risky wading is. For safety, we recommend wading below thigh depths regardless of the wader worn.

Will the pant waist restrict bending?

Due to the firm high waist system, it would be hard to bend and sit if the buckles locked in the waist width. For this reason, we have created the cinching buckle system to automatically lift and loosen when bending our sitting.

Although the buckles lock in place when upright, the auto-adjust feature prevents the system from restricting movements, by loosening when certain angles are performed such as sitting and deep bending. The buckles may need to be quickly retightened after they loosen to accommodate movement. However, no need to worry, your pants will not fall off when wearing the appropriate size. This might occur if wearing pants that are outside of our recommended 5" maximum of fit range.

Is the pant only for summer use?

No, the pant is fabulous for all seasons. In fact, we find it incredible to wear in winter seasons as it does not limit the thickness of layers worn. It feels wonderful to not have thick winter layers stuffed into a chest wader!

The pant does not limit the number of layers the way a chest wader can. Often, we are forced to wear our coat outside of our chest wader for fit reasons, especially when the user has a larger bust circumference. In this scenario, we have already lost the upper body use of our chest wader.

The pant is especially beneficial when nature calls as there is no need to remove any upper body layers to have bathroom access.

What are the benefits of the pant wader?

The pant wader is likely the most comfortable wader made. It has no upper body to confine or restrict movement. It almost feels as if you are fishing in your pajamas. The pant makes gearing up and down a breeze, taking only about 8-12 seconds to put on. Our favorite benefit occurs when taking it off- during bathroom breaks. The pant is just EASY!

Should I wear the same size pant as the chest wader?

In most cases, yes. The waist system does have slightly different measurement ranges than in the chest wader, but otherwise the fit is the same. If you have had to choose a larger size in a chest wader to accommodate a fuller bust, you will be able to choose a smaller size in the pant as you would only need to accommodate your waist downward.