Waders Causing Leg Pressure/Pain

[BowhunterNJ]

So I've been talking to my dad, who certainly loves to fish but over the last several years as he's gotten older, he's really been struggling with the pressure put on his legs by waders when they are submerged while fishing.  He has a thin and sensitive skin condition, as well as circulation issues...which are getting treated regularly (very diligent about seeing his doctors).  He's attempted to put compression socks on, but that aggravates the sensitivity of the nerves in his leg (is very painful for him).  Anyone know of any alternatives that he can try to give a go so he can keep wading with waders but not experience the pain he is?   I was thinking maybe about trying to use an ace bandage wrapped a number of times loosely to give him a little buffer of cushioning.  Any other ideas?

[Bucksnbows]

Has he tried fleece under them?  That gives a decent cushioning effect.  Especially polar fleece which has some weight to it. 

[BowhunterNJ]

Well part of it is, he's fishing in FL...sometimes 90 degree temps...he can try it, I'd imagine dealing with the warmth of fleece is better than the pain of pressure.  Worth a shot!

[CJ3a]

Maybe just sweat pants or fly weight waders with the wading boots.

[Bucksnbows]

Florida?  No waders needed!  Not even in the coldest days of winter.  Tell him to just buy a decent pair of flats shoes and a bathing suit and to be done with it.  I've fished Florida many times and have yet to need waders myself.  

[BowhunterNJ]

I dunno man, I fished down there two winters ago and it was freezing.  Air temps were in the upper 30s to low 40s, and water temps at best were low to mid 50s.  That was pretty abnormal, I didn't even bring clothes for those kind of temps.  Generally it gets chilly where they are at this time of year, usually in the 50s/60s with water temps around the same...it's certainly not the keys!

[jerseyhunter]

Sounds like more of a degenerative nerve disease or lymphedema.  Best of luck to you and him.

[BowhunterNJ]

Yep, it's definitely health related.  He's determined to fish, but a lot of times he skips the waders and just fishes from shore so he can get out and catch a few.  Wading definitely gives him better access, but it's not worth the pain he experiences doing it...so he does it sparingly.  I'd like to see him find a way to ease things so he can fish more.  But like Brian said, once the temps warm up, he will wet wade and things are better that way...so this is more of a fall/winter issue now that he lives down in FL year round.