Neoprene vs Breathable waders?

[mallard79]

It's time for a new pair of waders. I have always worn neoprene. What do you prefer? What are some pros and cons of the breathables?

[curtdiesel]

Tagging to hear answers.

I have also only used Neoprene and though the main benefit was that it was warmer and you didn't have to wear as much insulation underneath.

[GurrCentral]

For fishing I go with breathable all the way. I wear mind at times during the summer (depending on how cold the water is) and all through the winter steelhead fishing. The nice thing is that you can layer up with as much as you need underneath. Also, a nice pair of wading boots will give you the option of utilizing felt, spikes, or just rubber. Mine have been going strong for 4 years with 40plus winter days out of the driftboat each year. Neopreme can have a nice insulating factor, in which i use mine for duck hunting. I would not go cheap, as some breathables are very cheap and will get pinholes after not much use. good luck.

[Old Man Yager]

I have neoprene, but you sweat your a-- off when it's warm. I'm going to upgrade to breathable when I buy a new set. Also, like everything else these days, you get what you pay for, so buy the best you can afford at the time. (Or what the wife tells you to buy!!!!!)

[jackelope]

Breathables all day long regardless of what season or what activity. Neoprenes shouldn't even exist anymore.
Just my .02

[LndShrk]

For fishing I would only use breathables.

[Brad Harshman]

Breathables all day long regardless of what season or what activity. Neoprenes shouldn't even exist anymore.
Just my .02

 
My hunting buddies have switches over to breathables with the lug sole boots built in. They hunt tight along side me in my 5mm neos and stay just as warm.  I've seen them tear thier breathables on stuff and i've never torn mine.  They might not be as tuff but its hard to say.  I'm upgrading at the end of this year - I'm tired of slogging around in my own sweat with these 40 pound 5mm neos.

[jeepster]

I got the 99$ cabelas neoprene waders....

Best bang for the buck....

If they wear out, take em back and get a new pair for free no questions asked

I'm on my 3rd pair.... Breaks down to 30 some bucks a pair, and I get a year and a half to 2 years out of a pair

[ICEMAN]

I got the 99$ cabelas neoprene waders....

Best bang for the buck....

If they wear out, take em back and get a new pair for free no questions asked

I'm on my 3rd pair.... Breaks down to 30 some bucks a pair, and I get a year and a half to 2 years out of a pair

They still do this?

Not if I were king....guys wear them thru, get to buy new ones.... Sorry.



Oops, forgot to add; I only wear the neoprene waders, and understand that that a belt should always be worn with all waders, but especially with the breathable ones, since they are so baggy and fill very quickly if you get dunked...

[jeepster]

I got the 99$ cabelas neoprene waders....

Best bang for the buck....

If they wear out, take em back and get a new pair for free no questions asked

I'm on my 3rd pair.... Breaks down to 30 some bucks a pair, and I get a year and a half to 2 years out of a pair

They still do this?

Not if I were king....guys wear them thru, get to buy new ones.... Sorry.

Yeah, got my new pair last Sunday... They were hesitant to do it, asked how long I had em, what was wrong with em, and I told em and I simply said "but it says cabelas on the front of these waders" and that was that

[Cap.Silver]

Breathables for me and yes you can layer up under them too - I buy cuddy's since sometimes you rip hole in them or such ..... I have neoprene for duck hunting only or cold winter fishing  (if too cold  I try to stay on shore  ) .

[Button Nubbs]

It's time for a new pair of waders. I have always worn neoprene. What do you prefer? What are some pros and cons of the breathables?

Didn't know you were "that guy"

[mallard79]

Hey....why spend $$ when you dont have to.  I have had them for years and I'm tired of patching them.  I dont use waders in the summer since I run the sled most of the time. Heading for the coast in a week or 2 and me and the boy both need new waders. Probly get him 3mil neos cuz they're cheap and he is growing like a weed. I was looking at the Frogg Togz Hellbenders for around $100 or the Cabelas Dry Plus for a little more but I like havig a pocket. I am hard on waders and I refuse to pay an arm and a leg. 

[Button Nubbs]

Hey....why spend $$ when you dont have to.  I have had them for years and I'm tired of patching them.  I dont use waders in the summer since I run the sled most of the time. Heading for the coast in a week or 2 and me and the boy both need new waders. Probly get him 3mil neos cuz they're cheap and he is growing like a weed. I was looking at the Frogg Togz Hellbenders for around $100 or the Cabelas Dry Plus for a little more but I like havig a pocket. I am hard on waders and I refuse to pay an arm and a leg. 

I hear ya but waders are one of those things you get what you pay for. I've got at least 8 years on my Simms that I bought for around $200. You know I'm tough on gear, those waders take a lickin and keep on tickin. Thinking about a new pair soon, or some patch work...

[cohoho]

I used to wear my higher end pant waders for everything, breathable is the only way to go, tough as nails and they are still leak less of years of use hunting and fishing....... Summer just them - fall add a fleece liner and your good to go... Sweat - then freeze form being wet inside out...

[steeleywhopper]

Breathables for fishing no matter what the temp. Neoprene for sitting in the duck boat and or blind during cold weather.

[BigCutty3]

Frog toggs suck go with simms even if they are the low grade, you wont regret it 139 right now at sierra trading post

[JLS]

Hey....why spend $$ when you dont have to.  I have had them for years and I'm tired of patching them.  I dont use waders in the summer since I run the sled most of the time. Heading for the coast in a week or 2 and me and the boy both need new waders. Probly get him 3mil neos cuz they're cheap and he is growing like a weed. I was looking at the Frogg Togz Hellbenders for around $100 or the Cabelas Dry Plus for a little more but I like havig a pocket. I am hard on waders and I refuse to pay an arm and a leg. 

If you buy the 3mm neoprene you may as well buy a lot of Aquaseal and patch material to go with them.

[j_h_nimrod]

We used to wear Simms fishing, hunting, climbing mountains, working...  Before Simms a pair of neos would last me 3-6 months and have so many holes they could not be fixed anymore. They sucked to hike in, were miserable in the summer, etc.  The first Simms I had lasted 4 years and I only got rid of them because I wanted a new pair and the old pair started to look like an ad for Aquaseal.

They are a lot easier to fix than neos, sometimes it can be a nightmare to find the holes in a pair of neos. Spray a little alcohol on the inside of breathables and the holes show up greaton the outside and then you don't have to wait for them to dry before you patch them.

[h2ofowlr]

I have both.  Breathables for early season and if I am going to do much hiking.  I have 5mm for when I hunt the boat or cold conditions.  When the temp is cooler and walking I use the 3mm.  Most of the time I find myself wearing the breathables on the west side of the state.

[steeleywhopper]

Camofire.com had reddington sonic pro zip front breathables for 229.00 the other day. I know they didn't sell out so you could contact them and probably get some now. I have the exact same pair and they are nice.

[Florida_Native]

I've never owned breathable but I'll give my two cents. My neoprene have served me well. As previously said they're durable and warm. In the colder months I'm still able to layer wool pajama pants underneath for added warmth and in the warmer ones just wear mesh athletic shorts. I haven't tried it yet but some under armour cold gear would be ideal underneath if your going to be active. They'll keep you from sweating and wick it away when you do. Plus you can get the waders for under $100. Only negative to say is the boots. I really have to be careful when fly fishing the Spokane! Would be nice to handsome better boots.

[BigGoonTuna]

i'd be willing to bet that breathables can easily be warmer than neoprene waders if you layer up with some fleece pants underneath.  they sure are a lot nicer to hike in, and that's a prerequisite for me as i will cover miles of water in a day if i can.

that said, i still own a few pairs of neoprenes, mainly for hunting though.  they have a tendency to get clammy if you walk around a lot so i mostly wear them in the boat.

[snocohunter]

Breathables hands down. I happened upon a $100 off my Simms and bought a good pair of their boots. Love them. I'm probably $375 in the setup though. They keep me plenty warm.

[mallard79]

Thanks for all the input. I have decided to get breathables for both of us. I am not prepared to drop anywhere near $400 for a pair of waders though. I am looking at the cabelas line in the $200 range. For some reason they seem to be the only ones in that range that have an exterior front pocket which is kind of a requirement for me. The other plus side is the ease of returning or replacing them if something isn't right. Does anyone have experience with the cabelas line of breathable waders?

[87Ford]

The Redington Sonic Pro Zip Fronts are nice!   I've been more than happy with mine. 

[Button Nubbs]

Thanks for all the input. I have decided to get breathables for both of us. I am not prepared to drop anywhere near $400 for a pair of waders though. I am looking at the cabelas line in the $200 range. For some reason they seem to be the only ones in that range that have an exterior front pocket which is kind of a requirement for me. The other plus side is the ease of returning or replacing them if something isn't right. Does anyone have experience with the cabelas line of breathable waders?

Don't do it! Seriously! I know you are tough on gear and aren't the river model type. I went through 3pairs of the dry plus (minus) in short order. That was some years ago though. Get the cheap Simms you won't regret it I promise.

[whitey]

Neopreme in the winter Breathables in the summer.

[KFhunter]

I just got lacrosse swamp tuff pro's





They seem like some good quality waders - but everything froze up before I could wear em   

I tell you though they are heavy - and super warm.   I keep them folded down around the boots like firefighter turnout gear otherwise it's a pain to get in them 

[Ridgeratt]

KF? Is that a man purse hanging on the side of them?      

[KFhunter]

KF? Is that a man purse hanging on the side of them?      

Suppose to hold a box of shotshells.... but I'll use it for clips, ties and stuff for trapping

[Gobble Doc]

Breathables all day long regardless of what season or what activity. Neoprenes shouldn't even exist anymore.
Just my .02

I second or third this.  After years of neoprene I would never go back after having breathable.  You can use the breathable in warm wather and layer up for winter steelhead, chum, etc.  It's no contest. 

[magnus100]

I've had many pairs of both over the last 39 years of waterfowl hunting and I will never put on a pair of neoprenes again.

[huntnnw]

Bought Hodgeman wadlites 10 years ago...still wearing them to this day..0 leaks and have worn them thousands of hrs

[mallard79]

Picked up a pair of Redington sonic pros today. Hopefully the water cooperates this weekend so I can try them out. 

[MC37493]

I had a pair of cabelas three forks waders and the first pair de laminated first use. second pair did the same thing. third pair lasted a week figured these waders must just suck so i bought there 3m neoprene armour flex leaked on the third day. Asked them what there best waders were and got those they have held up good and i really like them so far it has been about 15 days. the only thing i hate about them is they have a one strap design. I also duck hunt every day and usually walk a few miles so they get wear on them quick still though i read other reviews on the three forks and they all said the same thing. i would stay away from cabelas breathables.

[Damnimissed]

I used to rock the cabelas pro welded breathables and would take them back after i wore them out and they began to leak. Cabelas is definitley not as liberal with their return/warranty policy as they used to be. Last time I took mine back they wouldn't give me full credit towards an upgrade (since they had discontinued that model), but instead gave my $100 in store credit, since they were worn out. Bought a pair of Simms, and couldn't be happier. They fit way better too.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

https://usia.com/shop/waders/


You should look at these. I think he sells them to Ifish members for 149. I think these are indestructible.

[j_h_nimrod]

The only problem with the USIA waders is they absolutely do not breathe and do not stretch!  Way worse than neoprene because there is not a liner to absorb any moisture and when your outer wear gets damp the cling and bind when moving. I used to wear the US Divers which are very similar and hated them for active work or cold weather use. I actually used them on spring clearing a log jam and had them freeze to my clothes.