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2023 Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks: Hunting and fishing Bootfoot Waders

Dymo International LLC

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With big-name clients across the region, Dymo International manufactures and distributes its Bootfoot Waders to major retail outlets, like Cabela’s. The waders are popular items for hunters and fishers, and owner Sandy Lee is proud to produce the clothing in an area where she knows they are used often.

SBJ: How did the waders come to be?
Lee: Hodgman waders, which are similar to what we make, are considered to be the very first waders ever created in the 1850s. They used to make waders out of vulcanized rubber in chest and hip styles. Rubber waders were hefty, ill-fitting, completely nonbreathable and featured rubber-soled boots with inadequate grip. Eventually, there were technological advancements in waders, and they are now known for neoprene waders and breathable waders in both sock form and rubber boot form. Neoprene-foamed waders are wetsuit material that is built with waterproof seams. They are excellent for an outing on a cold day because they are nonbreathable and thick. Since they are nonbreathable, they retain your body heat more efficiently.

SBJ: What sets Dymo waders apart from its competitors?
Lee: We provide pride and good ethics with our U.S.-assembled Bootfoot Wader as a local manufacturer in an area where this product is used the most throughout the entire USA.

SBJ: How many waders do you make each year?
Lee: Last year we produced 48,000. This year we are behind that goal due to inflation and overstock.

SBJ: Where are Dymo’s Bootfoot Waders sold?
Lee: Our Bootfoot Waders are currently being sold to large retail shops under their own brand. Chances are, if you shop locally, you’ll purchase one of ours.

SBJ: Describe the manufacturing process – how do you resource materials? Are they assembled at your location and then shipped?
Lee: We bring in pieces separately from overseas and then assemble them at our location in Highlandville. After the assembly team puts them together, we 100% water-test each wader and then package them prior to shipping.

SBJ: What’s the sales model and plan?
Lee: In the near future, we hope to get into online sales while adding additional services to the general public, such as a wader test and repair center, and possibly wader customization.

SBJ: What other products do you manufacture?
Lee: We provide Neoprene Bootfoot Waders in solid colors and camo colors. In the near future, we will add on breathable Bootfoot Waders as well as accessories into our product mix.

SBJ: What inspired you to get into this business?
Lee: It’s actually a family business based overseas, and I took a portion of it and duplicated here. I came here to Missouri about five years ago from Taiwan.

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