Waders

[Bob-WY]

New to flyfishing and waders. Trying to balance quality as good enough with cost.

Cheapo $50 ones seem to be flimsy and look like they won't holdup to branches and rocks. Do to want go to far the other way with several hundred

I found 3.5mm neoprene waders for a decent middle price point.

Any advice on 120ish wadders?

 

[MTLabrador]

Don’t go neoprene for fishing, you’ll sweat to death. I haven’t had good luck with any waders other than Simms, but I understand how expensive they are.

 

[JLS]

Also, 3.5 mm neoprene isn’t very durable.

 

[JFish]

In my opinion you only get a few seasons out of breathable waders. I’m in season 4 of my current waders and they need aqua seal pretty much on every seam. I usually go middle of the road $150-200. I have too many other hobbies to justify $500+ on waders that will inevitably leak in a few seasons.

 

[devon deer]

I have Simms, I am a guide so need something I can rely on, 5 years now still going strong.
I was an Orvis fan, no more, made in China crap and their guarantee sucks these days.
Mid price, Dan Bailey breathable are pretty good, I have 2 pairs for my clients, they are 15 seasons old now!
End of the year I spray them with rubbing alcohol and repair any pins holes with Aquaseal
Neoprene, as others have said, sweat buckets.
Cheers
Richard

 

[madtom]

I wear waders almost every day when the water is liquid. Simms are my go-to (though even their quality isn’t what it used to be). The cheap breathable from Cabelas with the boots built in really aren’t too bad for the price.

Whichever you choose...UV activated AquaSeal is your friend.

 

[D4570]

Men's Grand Refuge 2.0 Slim BF Wader in Realtree™ MAX-5®

Details• Multi-climate, Breathable, Insulated Chest Wader• Patented removable zippered liner system for complete versatility and adaptive comfort in all weather conditions• Zippered-removable 120-gram insulated liner• Zippered flip-out security pocket• 10-count shell holder on chest• Heavy-duty...

www.froggtoggs.com

OK, I don't fly fish.
I do a lot of duck hunting and I have these.

Men's Grand Refuge 2.0 Slim BF Wader in Realtree™ MAX-5®​

For a year / 2 seasons so far so good...
Just a smitch under $300

 

[Gary]

Frog togs markets a decent breathable at a decent price.

 

[manitou1]

I had a pair of Cabelas (Gold Medal?) waders that lasted me over 8 years of good use, from Arkansas to Missouri, to Wyoming to Montana and Utah. They finally sprung a small leak just below one knee. They were a little over $200.00 IIRC. They don't sell them any more, but were a Cabelas branded top of their line at the time.
I am now in the market also, but hate to pay $500.00 for waders. I plan to fly fish about 60-80 days a year beginning this year as I retire in a few weeks.

 

[Bob-WY]

Last summer was my first with flyrod and I simply went in shorts with backpack on. Want to branch out this year and start earlier when shorts won't be a good idea for mountain streams

Thanks for the feedback

 

[ccc23454]

Frog togg pant style! Had for 2 seasons and love them, breath better and easier to carry pistol. I seldom need tru wader height, and pissing got a lot easier.

 

[mdunc8]

I gave Dryft a try this summer. I’ve been happy with them so far.

 

[BenInMT]

I’m ditching every piece of Simms gear in my kit. They supported the very candidates who are presently trying to destroy public hunting in Montana. Many of my friends are also working towards eliminating their gear. I went with Patagonia but I haven’t had a chance to use them yet. Your budget isn’t really enough for anything good but I’d probably look at Orvis for price to value their stuff isn’t bad.

 

[cedahm]

Mid price, Dan Bailey breathable are pretty good, I have 2 pairs for my clients, they are 15 seasons old now!

Came here to say 'Dan Baileys' - although I don't know if they make them any more (or more accurately - who made them FOR DB's since they are probably making them for others).

I also have a pair of DB's for my (non paying) 'clients' that want to wear waders and they work fine despite hanging in the basement 99.9% of the time for the last 2 decades.

Honestly, I only wear waders to fish in shoulder seasons (March->May and October hereabouts), or if I know I'm going to be over my waist all day. A good pair of wading boots and neoprene socks is enough for most Western trout fishing.

 

[Bob-WY]

Wading boots are also a question. Why are they better than sneakers or work or hiking boots?

If wading boots, felt bottom or rubber?

 

[madtom]

Wading boots are also a question. Why are they better than sneakers or work or hiking boots?

If wading boots, felt bottom or rubber?

Most boots aren’t built to be constantly fully submerged and will roach out pretty fast if used as wading boots I suspect.

Highly recommend rubber soles over felt for a few reasons including ability to add cleats/better footing, ease of cleaning, reduced risk of transporting aquatic invasive species.

 

[kansasdad]

Wading boots are also a question. Why are they better than sneakers or work or hiking boots?

If wading boots, felt bottom or rubber?

Multiple states have rules against felt soles. Transmitting invasive species issues

 

[JLS]

Wading boots are also a question. Why are they better than sneakers or work or hiking boots?

If wading boots, felt bottom or rubber?

They’ll give you far better traction on the rocks. I’ve taken a dunking in a number of rivers. It sucks.

Felt used to be the standard. My last pair I bought rubber with carbide studs. Felt soles will be a dinosaur very soon.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

Felt soles are illegal in Alaska.

I like Simms Freestone for $299 they are extremely durable ..

I wear mine about 150 days a year.. retriever training and fishing in the spring/summer, duck/moose hunting in the fall.

 

[rwc101]

I have used some fairly cheap (sub $100) Caddis waders for three years now. Redington rubber sole boots. I'm surprised how well they have held up being shoved into meat shelves and packed into streams most every weekend between hunting seasons. Wouldn't use them for late-season duck hunting though.