What Waders Work Best For My Use?

[jshipman23]

"what is a good pair of waders for no more than $ 125 and what features should I look for and do I need to try them on? I am gonna be doing more river and stream fishing and dont plan on going into any "deep water".

[Buzz]

I really like my breathable Magellan waders from Academy. I'd say waders and boots cost right at $ 100.00.

You can spend as much money as you want, but if the quality is not there it can be expensive replacing them. I have had no problems with mine and I'm starting my 3rd year. Definitely try them on in the store, boots and all. You want to be sure they have full range of motion, but not too loose. remember you will probably be wearing extra layers if you plan on fishing any during the winter months. You'll want to try on the boots after you have decided on the waders. Boot sizes are misleading. I ended up buying size 14 boots because my waders have the neoprene sock feet my actual shoe size is a 9. BTW, I bought the $30.00 rubber wading boots. For what I do they are perfect. You may decide you need a better quality boot depending on where you fish.Remember also that your boots need to be comfortable if you expect to fish all day.

[jshipman23]

I thought the boots were attached to the waders?

[moguy1973]

You can buy waders both ways, but it's usually easier to get them separate for comfort reasons.

I just bought new waders myself and I ordered some Caddis breathable waders from Amazon for $85 and I picked up the cheapest canvas boots that Bass Pro sells for $37. I'm trying them out for the first time next Sunday down on Taneycomo.

Academy has some cheap $20 boots also, but they didn't have my size when I was looking a couple weeks ago.

Remember that if you are going to be trout fishing in Missouri with these waders they cannot have felt sole boots. They are banned due to the fact that they can spread Diddymo (otherwise known as rock snot)

[Buzz]

I thought the boots were attached to the waders?

You can buy them either way, like MOGUY said. I bought a couple of pairs of Neoprene boot foot waders that were nice when the weather and water was cold, but were mostly worthless when it warmed up. As long as the waders are kept in good shape you can replace the boots at a much cheaper cost.

[Wayne SW/MO]

waist high breathable would be my choice. As far as boot or stocking foot, it's a toss up. You can't easily change the sole on a bootfoots. If you go with stocking foots you have more options for footwear.

[LarrySTL]

I bought some last year. About $ 100 ( on the spring sale) at BPS in St Charles. I bought chest high breathable with the "stockingfeet". I got the chest-high ones. They were a BPS house brand,..and..like MoGuy, I bought the cheapo BPS canvas wading boots with the non-felt soles.

I had to buy boots and waders separate because the bootfoot waders had boots that fit me attached to waders that were too small, or vice versa. I only used them a couple of times, but they havent leaked and did the job for me. The boots seem very wide for the size, but the other choice was very short for the best width, or spend about $ 125 or up which I didnt want to do. I have generally worm the boots for all wading since I got them, and they are a lot better than gym shoes, sandals, etc for me.

I asked online first; you can find my post about it somewhere approx last Feb or March. Thats that search function deal.

I am very glad I went and tried them on. IMO thats a must unless you are simply replacing a pair with the exact same brand and model. There was a *lot* of variance in sizes between models and brands.

[Wayne SW/MO]

You do say you're "gonna", many, including me, wet wade most of the season. It really depends on the particular waters you intend to fish.

[dennis boatman]

...I bought hip waders last fall and LOVE them...you have to be careful, and of course you are limited in deepness of water, but I can get in and out of my kayak and walk for a distance on shore with them...with the low water this past winter they were excellent...just a thought...