Waders And Boots, 101

[Feathers and Fins]

As a Duck Hunter I spend nearly 6months out of the year in waders. Two types 3mm neos and 6mm neos. Both have rubber boots and are designed to stay dry and warm. Lacrosse and Drake are the only two I use, They will last at most 5 years before needing replacement but that is mostly due to the abuse they see. Price wise 300$ for them. You might look funny wading a stream with them on to guys using the standard fly fishing waders but you will be out there for hours without being cold. Last year my oldest set sprung a leak and i kept fishing for hours still staying warm in them.

[LarrySTL]

Thanks, everybody who posted. I think I said I'd do a followup so here it is. I ended up, thanks to BPS's March sale, at a price of $ 99 ( marked down from $ 149) for their store brand breathable chest waders with neoprene feet, and their $ 29 ( marked down from $ 39 or $49, I forget which) BPS brand boots. I dont expect these to last years and years, but what I wanted was something I could use a few times a year while I figured out if I wanted to put more money into better waders and boots in the future, so I am happy with what I got.

The waders didnt leak, and they did pretty well on breathability ( if thats a word). I was in the water about 3 hours this past Saturday in 56 degree water, sometimes between knee deep and waist deep and I wasnt cold wearing jeans and regular socks with them. The boots run huge; normally I am a 12 1/2, occasionally a 13 in a shoe, and the boots are 12's. The length is good, the width is BPS's standard width, but they are wierdly wide. I laced them as tight as I could and they worked ok. The soles looked like they might be a little slick, but they really were good at not being slippery. The waders run tall. I am 6'4 and these were not a "Tall" size but were plenty tall enough to fit me.

I wanted non-crap quality starter level stuff at no more than $ 150 and I feel like thats what I got. Time will tell. If I am still wading in a couple years when these wear out, then I may look at the $ 300 + equipment.

I also learned that getting more than waist deep in what to me was a significant current was a little spooky and that the deeper I went the harder it pushed at me. I didnt go swimming but once it was too close for comfort.

Thanks all.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Thank you for the follow up.