Waders For Ducks

[jdmidwest]

I have been buying waders for fishing and hunting for 30+ years now. I have shredded many pair of rubber/nylon waders, tore holes in neoprene and sweated like a pig in them. I bought my first pair of goretex waders in 2000 and still wear them fishing. They are stocking foot, never leaked, been duck hunting, in and out of several boats, fished in, and even used as brush pants in a rain storm a few time. I think the neoprene boots will wear thru before the goretex material fails on them.

But, I have been thru 2 pairs of "breathable" waders in the past 4 year that are solely used for duck hunting. The first was a pair of Hodgeman Horcotex. They started seeping at the seams on season 2. The second was a pair of Drake EST that have sprung a leak on the second season in the left knee. Drake is replacing them with a nice pair of neoprene's.

What does everyone else use for waterfowl?

I like the breathable tech. They are lightweight and comfy. They vent better after setting dekes and chasing cripples. But they don't seem to be designed for the long haul. Both of mine have been failure of the material, not punctures. The Hodgemans were failing at the seams and the Drakes were a failure of the inner membrane.

[Feathers and Fins]

Lacrosse Brush Tough. They lasted me about 5 years. I just bought some Drake's if they last 5 years i feel I got my money.

I dont expect waders to last more than 4 years and did the math on them awhile back. Cheap Neos run about 75 bucks so 75 x's 4 = 300 bucks for a new set every four years or a 300 dollar set every four years. Either way im spending money. But I learned the 300 dollar waders offer more warmth and accessories then the cheapies so i go for them bells and whistles. Only must have is 5mm and at least 1600gr for the boots.

[jdmidwest]

I have used Lacrosse that failed early on. I want a good breathable that will last..

I can go with some fishing wader I have used and buy some cleated boots to get the job done. But, I like to separate the 2 passions and keep separate gear.

[joeD]

Your key sentence was buying "your first pair of gore-tex..." Gore-tex is the gold standard. Yes, I know other brands have come up with similar breathable materials and have had them branded, but, I still think Gore-Tex is the best. Why? Well, one, my friend is longtime employee of Gore and keeps me updated. But, two, more importantly, Gore-Tex is always out front of the breathable and rugged material market, other brands are merely copying what Gore has put out. By the time competitors have caught up to Gore's latest, they (Gore) are already onto something else. I guess I do have a bias. Regardless, buy the best Gore-Tex you can afford. I like stocking foot because I can buy a shoe that I want to go with it. Getting old and out of shape sucks. Comfortable, well fitted shoes are a must. Simms are wonderful, but wildly expensive. I really like the Cabelas brand of Gore-Tex waders. Good value. I think neoprene is on its way out.

[duckydoty]

I have gone through the mill on all types of waders (Simms, Orvis, Red Head, rubber, neoprene, gortex, breathable and zippered) and none of them have lasted a whole season with out some sort of fail. The Simms have held up the best for what I put waders through, but are the most expensive too. They will inevetably get pin hole leaks in the knees and butt area before the end of a duck season. It seems kinda wrong to be out buckin brush in $650 waders, but I have done it. I just figure on needing a new pair of waders for each season that is coming up. One for duck, and one for guiding. I just repair and patch the old pair and keep as a back up. On the 3rd season, they go in the trash because there is not much left of them.

[jdmidwest]

The part about the Goretex part is true. Even in regular boots and coats, I have never had much luck with other permeable membrane materials other than true Goretex. Both the Drakes and the Hodgemans were their own material, not Goretex. The Orvis waders I own are their own material too, no Goretex labels on them, but they hold up good.

I have used Columbia's Omnitex and it usually fails in gloves, hats, and coats in a good rain. I have not used any of the Dry Plus that Cabela's makes, I have been looking at their wader also.