Wader Help

[Ordin Aryguy]

I'll apologize in advance if this is the wrong area to post this. There's an outside chance that it really might belong in the Gear area, but there isn't a more hardcore bunch of fish nuts to be found on Earth outside of this area.

I'm in the market for a new pair of waders and I'm not sure what to even look at. Neoprene? Breathable? Something else? Stocking foot? Boot foot?

What are the advantages of one type over another?

What I'm really after is getting one pair of waders that I can use year-round, and that are durable enough that they won't have to be replaced continually. One more teeny, tiny little requirement is that they can't cost a fortune or my financial advisor will nix the chances of me getting any.

Any suggestions, other than replacing my financial advisor?


Ordin

[sacco]

i use and recommend cabelas breathable stocking foot waders.

great for year round use, especially in may when the water's still only 40*, but the air temp is 70*.

i like the stocking foot b/c it allows you to fit your feet and body separately.
pretty tough to find a pair of waders to fit my body and feet at the same time.

also, when i use my float tube i leave the boots behind and just use my stocking feet inside the fins.

[wildbrookies]

I agree w/Sacco.The stockingfoot breathable waders are the way to go.Unfortunately they are a bit pricey and you need to buy wading boots to go over them.But,they are the most comfortable set-up I`ve ever owned.I picked up a pair of Dan Bailey`s stockingfoot breathable waders on e-bay for around 90.00 and a pair of felt bottomed Orvis Henry`s Fork wading shoes for 50.00(also bought a pair of Orvis Battenkill Brogues w/studs for slippery conditions and absolutely love `em,for 50.00).The bad thing about e-bay is most items don`t come w/a warranty,especially waders.But ,I`ve replaced rods through L.L.Bean and Orvis bought from e-bay.No questions asked.
The boot quality is also important for your comfort and longevity of your waders. If you want to get an expensive wader for half or less than store boughten,try searching on e-bay.Just make sure they are alittle over-sized for layering in the cold -water.

Cabelas are good quality and the prices are`nt too bad.Try L.L. Bean ,they sometimes have a sale.Orvis carries a wader called the No Sweat Silver Label.Very good quality and not too pricey.But,you get they`re excellant warranty.Simms is probably the best quality but the price reflects that.Expect to pay between 350-400 beans.And like I said try e-bay.I`ve heard nothing but bad stuff about Hodgman`s,might want to steer clear of them.Look for the best warranty encase of a problem.L.l.Bean and Orvis replace most items no questions asked.Check them out.Hope this helped and any other questions feel free to ask.Good luck.

WB

[serotonin]

I agree w/sacco and WB. Although it's not critical, try to find a pair of stocking-foots w/built-in gravel guards. I like the pair that sacco has; Cabela's. I don't know the warranty/guarantee policy. Look into that for any pair you buy.
Orvis makes a pair that convert from chest-waders to waist-highs. They could make the very warm days more comfortable, but again, not critical. On the hot days, you could always wet-wade (no waders, just the boots). I like to go "all-natural" on the hot days; just the boots and a vest, and sunglasses.
The only advantage to boot foots that i know of, is for winter fishing. Keeps your feet one degree warmer if they're not too tight. Also, when it comes time to retire stocking-foots, the boots might still have life in them.

[Ordin Aryguy]

While visiting the Bass Pro Shops store in Auburn the other day, I noticed they had a pair of breathable stocking foots on sale for $60. That price seems so low that either it's the deal of the century or they're complete crap. I'm not knowledgable enough to be able to tell the difference.

Anyone heard good or bad on Bass Pro Shops private labeled gear?

Orvis also has a low budget pair of breathables on their website for $120. Not sure what sort of quality one can expect for than price from Orvis, however.

Hmmm.. decisions, decisions.

Thanks for the advice, guys!


Ordin

[sacco]

While visiting the Bass Pro Shops store in Auburn the other day, I noticed they had a pair of breathable stocking foots on sale for $60. That price seems so low that either it's the deal of the century or they're complete crap. I'm not knowledgable enough to be able to tell the difference.

Anyone heard good or bad on Bass Pro Shops private labeled gear?

Orvis also has a low budget pair of breathables on their website for $120. Not sure what sort of quality one can expect for than price from Orvis, however.

Hmmm.. decisions, decisions.

Thanks for the advice, guys!


Ordin

bass pro is very comparable to cabelas IMO. those waders chest high? if so i'd buy them in an instant.

those orvis ones would be fine also. orvis does not make junk. they're probably just being forced to lower their prices due to heavy competition from bass pro and cabelas.

[protocoldroid]

i choose stocking foot over boot foot, cause.... those boot foot ones seem awefully heavy, and I heard they stink if you've got to walk a ways with them. so my thinking is.... I'm probably going to haul mine into the back country more than once, and without having a heavy boot stuck on the g.d. waders... i can opt to pack some water shoes (which weigh like 3 oz, mostly foam & mesh) instead of regular wading boots.

when I bought my waders, i needed some right away, so I didn't put much thought into it.... good call to do the homework and be happy with your decision. until mine die, i'll live with 'em.

Its sweet when it's warm enough really be in the water, can't wait for that. ...As for steve's wading techniques, I don't need any strikes on my 20/0 woolly bugger

[serotonin]

...As for steve's wading techniques, I don't need any strikes on my 20/0 woolly bugger

What's that supposed to mean?

Edit:
Oh, i get it.
I guess you haven't tried 100-degree naked carpentry either. I'll take the fish hook over the circ saw any day.

20/0 woolly bugger... huh?

I can see this thread degenerating into talk of Humpies, long-shank Supervisors, Royal Coachmen...

[protocoldroid]

ahhhh, inappropriate tangents to a thread.... always look to me for branching the conversation that way! freud would have something to say about my post, hahaha.

"that's not a prince albert, that's a prince nymph!" (...as I dig the hole deeper, lol)

....so about those waders?

[wildbrookies]

I agree again w/ serotonin.Waders w/ built in gravel guards are the nuts.They`re alittle pricier ,but will provide the added services another little added garment will do.My Dan Baileys have the built in gravel guards and are a huge plus compared to my old Orvis Silver Label waders.

So,if you can find a pair within your budget that is breathable ,roomy and has built-in gravel guards you`re all-set.

WB

[sacco]

hadn't even thought about the gravel guards. my cabelas' came with them. guess i just take them for granted.

[Ordin Aryguy]

[QUOTE=sacco]bass pro is very comparable to cabelas IMO. those waders chest high? if so i'd buy them in an instant.
QUOTE]

Yeah, Sacco, those are supposedly breathable waders. Sounds like those would be the way to go. Those or the low rent Orvis jobbies.

Thanks again guys, great info!

Ordin