waders

[joeD]

Best and cheapest in the same sentence?  And people are mentioning Simms and getting separate wading boots?  Just buy Cabelas or Redhead bootfoot waders for less than a hundred. You wanted cheap. These will work. 

[Gavin]

Quality, Price, or Service pick two no longer applies I today's marketplace. You can't suck at any and win business. If price is the main goal, go with some neoprene bootfoots. They work fine. Want service and a guarantee, go Simms or Patagonia. Cabelas put out a good wader in the mid-price point, but Cabela's sold to BPS. Not sure how the warranty issues will work out. Might get a stellar deal on Cabela's right now,

[joeD]

Or, just say how much you have to spend. Makes it easier to make recommendations.

[trythisonemv]

11 hours ago, joeD said:

Or, just say how much you have to spend. Makes it easier to make recommendations.

Well don't be too critical here. This guys is new and probably confused looking for a place to start the process. Fly fishing isn't just a pick up the rod and gear hobby. It seems like a lot at first and can be overwhelming.  Any question is a good question. 

[Haris122]

I'm about to try to return some redhead "boot foot" waders (the ones with the boots integrated into the waders right?), that I bought about 3 months back and only used 4 times, because they leaked somewhere in my left boot today. I'm wondering if I should just spend the extra money and try to get some that you actually need to buy boots separately for. Since someone mentioned that you could just use regular hiking shoes, what exactly is the difference between wading boots and regular hiking ones? Could I really hypothetically use my old hiking shoes and have them serve as wading boots, or would I need actual dedicated wading boots? And if you can use hiking boots/shoes, what would be the downside to them compared to wading boots? Are the wading boots somehow warmer, or less likely to damage the foot area of the waders, or more protective of that foot area, or what is it about them exactly that makes them stand out from hiking shoes/boots?

[Haris122]

Also, any experiences with Orvis, Hodgman, or Caddis Fly waders? The Simms, unfortunately just seem out of my price range, and the white river stuff, I'm apprehensive about getting the same problems as with the ones I'm returning.

[Al Agnew]

Your old hiking shoes might not work because you usually need shoes a size bigger than you usually wear to accommodate the neoprene booties on the waders. Plus they might not have soles that are any good on slick rocks. Other than that, there's no reason why hiking shoes wouldn't work after a fshion. 

[jdmidwest]

I use Orvis waders for both hunting and fishing. They have been the most reliable breathables I have owned. My original pair of mid grade waders is still waterproof after 16 years of use. I have a pair of bootfoots for water fowl that have been thru 5 seasons now. 

I have Drake neoprenes for extreme cold. My Drake and Hodgeman breathables failed after a few seasons of ducks. Long ago, I had good luck with Cabela neoprenes, but only use Goretex now for fishing. 

Boots, another story. Most boots only last a few seasons no matter who makes them. 

[K Wells]

I would just recommend getting what you feel like paying for. They all work and they all get holes. However, I did see Steven Rinella get ran over by a moose while wearing some Simms waders on a episode of MeatEater, and the waders seemed fine. After that I just figured that Simms makes a good set of waders. I would strongly suggest that you get wading boots though. When I started fly fishing I just brought along a pair of my old tennis shoes and I had to stack my toes to get them to fit over the waders, which was miserable. After that I upgraded to a pair of my dad's old shoes, since he wears a size or two bigger than me. That worked okay but it was still pretty uncomfortable. That went on for over a year until I went and got myself an appropriate sized wading boot and they were worth every penny. 

[MOPanfisher]

For MY purposes I am going to get a pair of Bass Pro Hobbs Creek.  The neoprene ones I have are a bear to get on any more (apparent they shrink over time ).  I just need a pair to wear walleye fishing in the spring for a couple hours at a time, pair of long Johns if it is cold or just jeans if warmer.  I like the loose fit and ease of using.  And I can just throw them in the back sat of the truck since you juse never know when you need to go walleye fishing.  The only worry I have on the Hobbs Creek is the sole of the boots being thin, but I won't spend too much time standing in any one trip.