Although waders made solely from neoprene may be "Endangered" (and some would say "Extinct"!), they are still available and in our opinion, still have their place (albeit a very specific place). In addition, neoprene is still the material of choice for the feet associated with "Stockingfoot" waders. As such, there are some things the angler should know about working with neoprene that will help determine how the product in question will perform:

• Glued or Stitched? - We will never understand how any manufacture could believe that "stitching" neoprene could be a good thing (it's like sewing two sheets of rubber together and expecting it to hold water?) While some companies actually do this, companies such as Simms and Redington "glue" the pieces together instead, greatly reducing the chance of leaks.
• Why tape the seams? - Regardless of whether the manufacturer chooses to tape or glue their seams (see above), they absolutely should tape them. While taping the outside of the seams is a must (it's like trying to patch a boat from the inside?), taping them on the inside also is a good idea. Even when stitching is involved (which we do not recommend), the outside should be taped to prevent stitch pulls. Lastly, while fabric (the same as is used on the neoprene) covered seam tape will work, that made from "Hypalon" (rubberized nylon) is better.
• Where are the seams located? - All seams associated with neoprene waders should be located in low stress areas. One of the worse places to put a seam is in the crotch (i.e., the constant stretch will inevitably weaken the seam and result in leaks). Another bad (albeit too common!) idea is to stitch or tape a pad on the knee which when bent can weaken the outer layer of the main part of the wader. In addition, seams on the feet associated with stockingfoot waders should be located where they cannot cause discomfort (seams on the sole are not a great idea as they can be both uncomfortable and a source of leaks).