Wader decision?

[scottcrb]

So my old hodgeman waders have started to leak a little and it's time for a new pair. I was interested in the usia but have decided to hold off on those for the time being. I have narrowed to 2 choices.  The drake equader 2.0 LST or the rogers tough man elite waders.  I tend to get cold feet and am aiming for 14-1600 gram boots. Opinions and experiences appreciated. 

[Stein]

I get cheap and on sale waders and have been pretty happy.  I have a USIA drysuit and it is a fantastic product - but, I wouldn't buy their waders for reasons well known.  Walking a ton and sitting on stuff will wear them out rather quickly.

[scottcrb]

I get cheap and on sale waders and have been pretty happy.  I have a USIA drysuit and it is a fantastic product - but, I wouldn't buy their waders for reasons well known.  Walking a ton and sitting on stuff will wear them out rather quickly.

That's interesting I have heard the usia waders are pretty bomb proof. Just didn't want to spend $600 on how I would want them and thought they would be pretty backed up.

[PolarBear]

Don't have experience with the waders that you mentioned but I do LOVE my Cabela's chest waders!  The boots are big enough to wear some good, warm socks but they really don't need it.  They stay nice and toasty even when sitting in a drift boat or wading in 38 degree water from daylight to dark.   

[Stein]

I get cheap and on sale waders and have been pretty happy.  I have a USIA drysuit and it is a fantastic product - but, I wouldn't buy their waders for reasons well known.  Walking a ton and sitting on stuff will wear them out rather quickly.

That's interesting I have heard the usia waders are pretty bomb proof. Just didn't want to spend $600 on how I would want them and thought they would be pretty backed up.

Check more reviews.  If you walk a bunch, they may not last all that long.  This may be true for most breathable type, I only have experience with neoprene.

The fabric will get creases where it bends during walking and those will wear through.  This doesn't happen during diving, so they tend to last just about forever.  Several reviews I have read confirm this with actual owners.  I don't own a pair of waders so am just relaying my research.

I'm not knocking the company, the suit I have is fantastic and a great value.  I am only saying that the fabric is pretty specialized stuff and may not be the best choice for all environments.

[scottcrb]

Gotcha good to know. I actually heard Owen from outdoor GPS say that now that I remember. He said they were great with customer service though. Well I will definitely stay with neoprene then.

[fisheral87]

Simms have always served me well. Pricy though.

I called and asked Simms when  they were going to make camo waders and I think the lady about split out her coffee...

Al

[Odell]

I get cheap and on sale waders and have been pretty happy.  I have a USIA drysuit and it is a fantastic product - but, I wouldn't buy their waders for reasons well known.  Walking a ton and sitting on stuff will wear them out rather quickly.

That's interesting I have heard the usia waders are pretty bomb proof. Just didn't want to spend $600 on how I would want them and thought they would be pretty backed up.

I hate my USIA waders. Waste of $$

[northwesthunter84]

I picked up a set of the Cabela's Northern Flight Single straps this year and have been blown away with them.  I think they are phasing them out but I think they are currently on sale for like $150. 

[JJD]

Certainly only a personal opinion, but I will never own neoprene again, uncomfortable and stiff. 
Breathables where I hunt mostly out of a boat, when I need them.   
Got to be a little careful not to snag or cut them, but easy to repair.

[Brad Harshman]

 
Neoprene sucks.

[scottcrb]

I hike through some thick nasty brush and cockle burs fairly often makes me hesitant to buy breathable .

[moocher97]

Look into the frogg togg waders. Got mine on sale for 220$ on wader USA. 5mm neoprene, 1200 gram thinsulate boot. Cabelas waders are pretty decent too.

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[Brad Harshman]

I hike through some thick nasty brush and cockle burs fairly often makes me hesitant to buy breathable .

Maybe breathables aren't right for you.  All I know is I switched and I don't think I'll ever go back.  My breathables keep me drier than the 5mm ever did.  Because they're lighter, I can layer underneath them better and subsequently I stay warmer too.
I usually hunt from a boat, but there's a couple honey holes I hit that are a mile in and I know now that my breathables are easier to hike in too.
Durability seems to be the $64,000 question really.

[constructeur]

Simms have always served me well. Pricy though.

I called and asked Simms when  they were going to make camo waders and I think the lady about split out her coffee...

Al

I'll be hunting in my Patagonia breathables tomorrow Sale/Closeouts are the way to go 

[Hunting7mm]

Cabelas breathables!!!!!

[JJD]

Least wise for me, I hike very far in neoprene and I end up sweaty and damp.  I'm much more comfortable when I'm dry.
5mm when wet, gains some weight, I don't enjoy packin around any more than I have to.

Was wearing breathables and develped a pin hole leak.  Temp in the low teens.  Was weaing wool socks and a heavier long underwear under the waders.  Froze and broke the water pump impeller on my outboard, had to walk/wade my boat back to the launch along the shore, about 2 mi.  Used my elect trolling motor in spots impassable. Never felt cold. Even though one leg was heavier than the other, they probably didn't weigh much more than 5mm.
Pin holes are easy to find, rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, turn waders inside out, spray around the area where leak suspected and the pinhole will turn a dark color.  Aquaseal to patch and you are good to go.   

[fisheral87]

Some breathables are louder in freezing conditions.

Al

[scottcrb]

Ok I'll bite. Let's hear some breathable options. Still want a 14-1600gr boot and camo print if possible. Still want reviews on the drake and rogers if possible.

[Fungunnin]

I'll add my $0.02 ....
I have been hunting with LaCrosse 5 mm with a 1000 gram boot over 3.5mm neoprene and I can tell you they are super toasty! Walking 200 yrds gets me almost too hot on 50 degree days.
I like that they are cut nice and high, lots of protection. 

[KFhunter]

I got something like that, and they're really toasty.  Lacrosse super brush tough for trapping around beaver dams and muskrats, very brushy. 
but they're obnoxious to walk around in. Hopefully they'll see more use this fall.


I think a guy needs two waders really.  I'd like to get some thinner breathable ones for early season and use my thick suckers for late.

[scottcrb]

I was originally looking at the lacrosse brush tough extremes or something but they got terrible reviews everywhere I looked. I have some breathable waders I can use for opening weekend and generally don't get back out til.mid November on the eastside. Not too worried about being to warm . Easy to cool off hard to warm up.

[Fungunnin]

I was originally looking at the lacrosse brush tough extremes or something but they got terrible reviews everywhere I looked. I have some breathable waders I can use for opening weekend and generally don't get back out til.mid November on the eastside. Not too worried about being to warm . Easy to cool off hard to warm up.

I have the swamp tuff pro's .... i have no complaints!
Though the fact they fit me great and I'm 6'3" may mean they won't fit others great too.

[Tealer]

I have USIA. I love them. At 6'4" 330 they fit like a glove. After 3 solid years of guiding in them I haven't had any real issues. I poked a hole in them last year. They fixed it in 5 min for free. One of the other guys that guides with me wears them too. Loved his also.


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[huntingfool7]

I hike through some thick nasty brush and cockle burs fairly often makes me hesitant to buy breathable .

There's a spot that I hunt pheasants, that I've put upland chaps over my breathable waders.  My waders are old, abused and have held up well.  I'll buy breathable waders again. 

[GoldenOscar]

I had to send a pair of Drake LST waders back because they leaked at both knees and crotch and then they lost my waders

They finally made it right and mailed me a new pair but it took 4 or so months and no less than 6 phone calls and the same amount of emails, the customer service staff was not rude but very un-organised.

I bought Cabelas Waders to get me through last season and I really like them. Had a few pair of the Cabelas and always get quite a few years out of them.