Waders

[briant]

I am looking to get my first pair of waders so I can go hit the steams in the colder months and cooler trout waters. I am on a budget and can afford 150.00 bucks. I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on brands? Also should I get sock waders and get boots or should I go for boot waders? Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks and good fishing!

[Brian K. Shaffer]

My advice - go for Bass Pro's stockingfoot waders and boots. They have some new and very current looking designs and stand behind them well. You can get the pants versions of waders and boots for just shy of what you are looking to spend.

But if you really plan on hitting them streams hard - you might want to jump into a pair of Simms stockingfoot waders. The feet are made better and the seams will not be as prone to leakage with prolonged use.

Make sure to look up the rods/reels/wader section of this page for more and maybe better advice!

Good luck - and let us know what you decide.

[Geoff]

If you can go easy on them, the Hodgmen waders arent bad, however mine had hit the end of their life i think. I have had them for 3 years now i think, of HARD fishing, and they are just leaking too much now. I plan to go after a pair of Simms waders this spring, atleast thats what i think. the cabela's dry plus seems to be a nice option as well, and are cheaper then the Simms

[CS Huntley]

Good question, I'm kind of in the same boat. I have a pair of Hodgemans with a boot attached to it and I kind of hate them. I have had them for just over a year and they leak in the seams. Not fun in the winter man. Also, get a felt sole if you are planning on fishing Ozark streams. I have just a regular rubber sole and its a struggle (that I do not always win) not to bust my butt anytime I get in fast water with a rocky bottom. Mine are neoprene also, which while warm, are a pain to get into. Maybe with a sock foot it would be easier. I'm trying to save up for a pair of Gore-Tex Simms, but I think a good pair starts at around $300. Hopefully they will be worth the investment.

[Zack Hoyt]

I have the Redington CPX and absolutely love them. Have been using them over a year with no complaints. Have put them through the hoops as well. Just a thought.

http://www.redington.com/prod.php?k=62166&p=RDT5-WD005&u=WD005

[Paola Cat]

Here's the deal with stockingfoot breathable waders ... you get what you pay for. You can buy low end waders and replace them every 2-3 years, middle of line waders will last 3-5 years, and top of the line waders 7-8 years +. My last pair of Simms lasted 7 years. I just replaced them with Cabela's Pro Guides (I would have gone with Simms G3s .... but couldn't justify the $ right now). We'll see how they do. PC

[jdmidwest]

Buy what you can afford, but you get what you pay for. Cabelas stands behind their waders with a lifetime warranty against leaks in boots or seams. It does not include tears.

I like Orvis waders, I have a pair of Goretex silver label waders I bought in 2000 and they are still waterproof. I have used them on duck hunts, kayaking, boating, and fishing and they are still going strong. I have Hodgeman Horcotex waders that leaked around seams after 2 seasons of duck hunting. I bought a pair of Drake Equawaders Goretex for duck season this year and they worked fine. Neoprene seems to start leaking around the seams before the actual waders are wore out. Goretex is simple to patch with an iron on patch kit. Goretex lets you use them all year long, cool in summer, layer up for warmth in winter. Goretex is lighter and more flexible like a pair of jeans.

Stocking foot usually lets you buy a boot that gives you more ankle support. Bootfoot waders work better in mud and muck.

[drew03cmc]

I have a pair of Cabela's 3mm neoprene waders that I got for just the right price (read: free) from a forum member and they suit me just fine in cooler weather. I wet wade most of the year (mid-late April to late September) and prefer doing just that in both trout waters and local warmwater rivers.

[Geoff]

Buy what you can afford, but you get what you pay for. Cabelas stands behind their waders with a lifetime warranty against leaks in boots or seams. It does not include tears.

See thats my problem with the hodgemens, they all of a sudden got really "weak" and get pin holes/tears all the time now. in the past year they have developed 3 leaks in random places just from brush hitting them. So i need something more robust, which i hear the simms are

[mo_bowhunter]

Cabelas has one of the strongest warranties - like drew mentioned, they have a lifetime guarantee and they will exchange them at anytime. I did not know it was a lifetime guarantee until I guy in front of me at the Service Counter at the Hazelwood, MO store was exchanging a pair that was over 10 years old - he still had the receipt.