Affordable Quality Waders

[JONBOY]

I have a pair of LLbean breathable waders for $100 4 years ago and have not had one problem with them. I go to Montauk with them about once a month for the last 3 years. This past year life got too busy to go that often. Walked through the woods and stream and such no complaints at all. Good luck finding a pair.

[Kayser]

Simms blackfoots- comfortable, durable, lifetime warranty. Yes, they're stockingfoot, so you'll need boots. But that doesn't mean you have to break the bank- I was using some old strap sandals or beat-up, oversized tennis shoes for a little while. On a side note, I'll never go back to bootfoots- the stockingfoot are just too comfortable for hiking in and out.

Rob

[flyrodman]

Thanks for all of the replies guys!

[Buzz]

Academy's Magellan line of waders are priced right. I bought mine back in March and have been very happy with them. They are the first sock foot waders I have owned and are great waders for the money. Waders and boots for about $100.00.

[bronzeback miner]

<snip> On a side note, I'll never go back to bootfoots- the stockingfoot are just too comfortable for hiking in and out.

Rob

Amen to that, I switched from boot foot to stocking foot 4 years ago and I love it. Besides with a small adjustment in sock wear you can use just the boots for summer wet wading

[tippet7]

Academy's Magellan line of waders are priced right. I bought mine back in March and have been very happy with them. They are the first sock foot waders I have owned and are great waders for the money. Waders and boots for about $100.00.

Hey Buzz,

How is the fit on these? I saw them last week at the store in Springfield and thought they looked like they were decent waders, but didnt have time to try them on.

The ones I have now have HUGE feet, sometimes make it pretty uncomfortable with the material bunching up.

[flyrodman]

Any wading boot suggestions?

[tjulianc]

As a side note/question, if one was to get stocking foot waders, how important are the wading boots? I've seen prices range from 35-150. What about wading shoes as compared to boots. I do most of my fishing in and out of a canoe, so shoes seem a little more comfortable than boots, since I won't be hiking long distances. Will I be transferring a lot of water into my canoe from the water absorption in my wading boots/shoes?

Currently I've been just using some rubber hip boots that are keeping me mostly dry, but not very comfortable, and I can't wade out as far as I would like. On a positive note, water sheds off the rubber boots very fast, so I keep my canoe dry. I think its time for me to upgrade to some quality breathable waders, so I've been reading up on some wader threads. Thanks for the input.

Kayser, you said you just used old shoes and sandals, since then you bought wading boots, are they worth the purchase? What about just using some water shoes, like these:

[Buzz]

Hey Buzz,

How is the fit on these? I saw them last week at the store in Springfield and thought they looked like they were decent waders, but didnt have time to try them on.

The ones I have now have HUGE feet, sometimes make it pretty uncomfortable with the material bunching up.

I was able to try mine on before I bought them. Mine have the insulated feet and I was surprised that I had to go up to a size 12 boot, but the fit is great. No bunching up and no folds that will drive you crazy after 30 minutes of wading. I also bought the Magellan wading boots to go with them. I like the zippers over laces. I did a little research on waders before I bought them and everything I read said to try them on and walk to see if they are too noisy and bend over to make sure they aren't too tight. I don't even notice them when I'm walking in or out of the water. They are a lot more comfortable and a whole lot lighter than the old boot foot insulated waders I used to own.

[Jason R.]

As a side note/question, if one was to get stocking foot waders, how important are the wading boots? I've seen prices range from 35-150. What about wading shoes as compared to boots. I do most of my fishing in and out of a canoe, so shoes seem a little more comfortable than boots, since I won't be hiking long distances. Will I be transferring a lot of water into my canoe from the water absorption in my wading boots/shoes?

Currently I've been just using some rubber hip boots that are keeping me mostly dry, but not very comfortable, and I can't wade out as far as I would like. On a positive note, water sheds off the rubber boots very fast, so I keep my canoe dry. I think its time for me to upgrade to some quality breathable waders, so I've been reading up on some wader threads. Thanks for the input.

Kayser, you said you just used old shoes and sandals, since then you bought wading boots, are they worth the purchase? What about just using some water shoes, like these:

Wading boots are important in that they need to be comfortable with your waders, durable, and they need good traction for the area you are fishing. You have all the different options: felt bottoms, studded felt bottoms, rubber, studded rubber, rubber with cork stuff in it etc. In my opinion, felt is best- but you have to clean it to avoid being a social pariah and a diseased didymo carrier. Rubber is cool for hiking but has less grip on moss and stuff. Studs are awesome for slick rock but not good in a boat. I would prefer to have a studded pair and one without studs but ive been getting along with just one pair of CPX felt boots for a couple years- they seem like pretty good boots by the way. Used to rock some Cabela's studded felt boots and they were good too- lasted at least 4 seasons.

I think that if you want breathable waders, and will be in a canoe, the difference between stocking and boot foot will be negligible- the wading boots do hold some water but not a lot. Wading shoes and wading boots are for different purposes- wading shoes are good for warm conditions with no waders. Wading boots are made to be worn with waders but can be worn on their own with or without some wading socks. I wear my wading boots without my waders sometimes but I prefer sandals personally.