Methods for easily manufacturing a foot-covering component of a stocking foot wader including an effective gravel guard, and a foot-covering component including a gravel guard manufactured by such methods are disclosed. Preferably, the gravel guard is connected to the exterior surface of the leg-covering member and below the interior connection between the foot-covering member and the leg-covering member to provide a substantially watertight connection between the foot-covering member and the leg-covering member.