Wychwood SDS Gorge Breathable Waders

How well is it built?

The SDS Gorge is built from 100% nylon with a DWR finish, and the seams are sonic-welded rather than stitched, which is a stronger, cleaner way to join breathable fabric.

The high-wear areas get five-layer reinforcement, which is the kind of protection you want on the knees and seat if you kneel on gravel or sit on rocks.

The cut has no side seams, so there's less to rub and wear through as you walk, and the gravel guards are elasticated with stainless-steel boot-lace hooks to keep grit out of your boots. The adjustable top edge is a practical touch for deeper wading.

That's a 9.0 for build in my book. It isn't quite as heavily specified as the four-layer Laxa 2.0, but it's a properly tough wader for active fishing.

The five-layer reinforcement is a particular plus if you kneel to land fish, as the knees are where cheaper breathable waders tend to start weeping first.

Waterproofing & Breathability

A 20,000mm hydrostatic head is a top-tier rating, so the Gorge should handle deep wading and heavy rain without trouble. The microporous coating works by having pores too small for liquid water to get through, while still letting water vapour escape.

Breathability is rated at 4,000 grams per square metre, which sits between the Guideline Kaitum XT and the Laxa 2.0. In practice, that should keep you comfortable on a long walk between swims or pools, which is exactly what these waders are built for.

Is it a perfect score? Not quite, as the Laxa 2.0 moves more moisture, but the Gorge's combination of a 20,000mm rating and sonic-welded seams makes it very reassuring in the water. For a mid-priced wader, that's a very strong spec.

Comfort & Fit Rating

The ergonomic cut without side seams gives you real freedom of movement, so stepping up banks, casting and wading across a current should feel easy. Adjustable shoulder straps and a waist belt give you a close fit, which also cuts down on drag when you're wading in moving water.

Storage is well thought out too. There's a taped front pocket with a water-resistant zip, plus two internal pockets, one of which is a clear-welded waterproof pocket for your phone or car keys. That's a genuinely useful detail, because a soaked phone ruins a trip.

It's a stockingfoot wader, so you'll need wading boots, but that gives you better grip and support than most built-in boots. Overall, I think it's very comfortable to wear for a long day.

The close fit is worth getting right, so try them over the layers you'd normally wear, because a baggy wader is harder work in a strong current.

Is it good value for money?

I think the SDS Gorge is excellent value. It has the same 20,000mm rating as the dearer Guideline Laxa 2.0, sonic-welded seams, five-layer reinforcement and a waterproof inner pocket, at a price well below the premium waders.

Next to the Laxa 2.0, you give up a little breathability, the fleece-lined handwarmers and some size choice, but you save a large amount. That saving goes a long way towards a decent pair of wading boots, which you'll need with any stockingfoot wader.

Next to the Guideline Kaitum XT, it's similarly priced, with slightly better breathability and a tougher build, while the Kaitum is lighter.

I'd recommend the Wychwood SDS Gorge to fly and lure anglers who cover a lot of ground and want a tough, breathable wader that doesn't cost a fortune. Just budget for a pair of wading boots to go with it.