Waders

[higbee]

Looking for recommendations on a new set of waders. Thanks

[vandeman17]

lots of variables before making recommendations. Where do you hunt? How much walking do you do? Do you get cold easily?

[higbee]

I have both breathable and 5.0 for fishing. I hunt Eastern Washington from a boat and also have to wade to set decoys out. I have a current 5.0 insulated set that now leaks.

[Jake Dogfish]

All Waders leak if you use them often enough.  So either get ones with a warranty that they will replace them, or get the cheapest breathables you can find. 

[Special T]

I got a pair of frogg togg breathables this year, and have had neoprene before that. Imo if i boat hunted a lot i would go with neoprene or if i spent a lot of time sitting or standing in the water. I used to do a lot of both. I like the fact that if you get dunked in the water you are more boyant, and dont seem to get as much water in the waders.

What i love about my breathables is they are more comfortable walking in, and mine have a zip in liner. Ive used the zip in with fleece wader pants in the cold and loved them. I also used with out the liner in shorts early season.

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[vandeman17]

agree with special t. I do a lot of hiking to hunt so breathables all the way and I layer depending on the conditions. If I boat hunted a lot or stood in water often, neoprene all the way. As far as brand goes, I run LL Bean Breathables right now and ran the cabelas supermags for neoprenes. If I were to buy another pair of neoprenes, I would most likely go with LaCrosse 

[Stein]

I just picked up a pair of Roger's breathable but don't have enough time in them for any kind of review.  They do look well made and warm and are easier to repair than neoprene at roughly double the cost of my normal neoprene.

My initial pro/con list of breathable, given I don't have time in them yet:

Pro
Easier to repair to waterproof level, neoprene repairs on the seams always quickly leak again
Faster to dry
Easier to get on
Easier to walk in
More comfortable to wear
Covers more temps - insulation can be pulled out for warm early season hunts or even summer fishing use

Cons
Double the cost
More prone to damage
If they leak or you go in over the top, likely much more cold than neoprene?  (don't know for sure but my thinking)
Have a puffy feel to them, air gets trapped in legs when bending over, very similar to a drysuit if you dive

[h2ofowlr]

They all leak.  Buddy is on his 2nd set of Sitka Waders this season and we have a month left of hunting. 
I don’t have any good recommendations as some leak really quick and some you will get good wear prior to leaking.  What situations will you be using them for?  Shore fishing? Hunting?  Boat hunting?  Will you be hiking around a lot?  Do you want lugs soles, felt soles?

[follow maggie]

I’ve used lacrosse for many years. I have a pair of thick neoprene thst have been very durable to boats, tree branches, brambles, etc. This year I bought a pair of lacrosse breathable with insulation because I was in North Dakota looking for a house & my neoprenes were in storage in marysville. They’re very comfortable, warm & seem to be pretty durable with one season on them

[Fishmaker57]

Itasca Marsh King Expandable 1400G insulation, 3.5 mil. They have an extra coating on them that really takes a beating.

[Badhabit]

I have Cabelas waist high breathables and their 5 mm neoprene chest waders with 1200 insulation in the boots. I typically boat into where we hunt and then build the blinds. I wear the waist highs until it gets really cold. So much better wearing the waist highs than the neoprene. I don't over heat when building blinds. I'll wear my 5mm sometimes in the layout blind while goose hunting. I use liquid tape to patch leaks in both pairs and it works for me.

[metlhead]

I picked up a cheapo set of bootfoots from BPro, $79, and they are in their second season. So far they have lasted, without leaks, the same as my more expensive set. I could get 2 more and outlast all of them! And I can have a dry on the outside set every day. Anyone here ever leave your wet waders in your boat after a hunt during a basin January freeze? Yeah, not fun

[higbee]

I hang mine in a heated shop! What liquid tape do you use for repair?

[Night goat]

Ive always just gone with the 100 or so dollar cabelas generic waders and seemed to destroy a pair every other season.... And ive just written it off as a gear expense like fishing gear or shotgun shells or gas for the rig/boat

Saw a pair of 900$ Sitka goretex waders at the gear shop earlier this season.....

My impression of Sitka is that unless you basically hunt/live outside a good portion of the year there are more realistic options (for the 99% of us) but, being a snowboarder who spends 3 months a year (weekend wise) at the ski area, premium gear has its place, and even if you dont "break even" this year, does that super primo stuff hold up in the long term?  That being said im still running gear thats 10+ years old and when i board im wet by beer thirty


That being said is the super spendy hunting gear worth saving up for? Or is it just like Gucci or Snap-on tools or Louis Vuitton for rednecks/outdoors folk

Is there a craftsman tools level of gear for average joes like us?

[Special T]

Ive always just gone with the 100 or so dollar cabelas generic waders and seemed to destroy a pair every other season.... And ive just written it off as a gear expense like fishing gear or shotgun shells or gas for the rig/boat

Saw a pair of 900$ Sitka goretex waders at the gear shop earlier this season.....

My impression of Sitka is that unless you basically hunt/live outside a good portion of the year there are more realistic options (for the 99% of us) but, being a snowboarder who spends 3 months a year (weekend wise) at the ski area, premium gear has its place, and even if you dont "break even" this year, does that super primo stuff hold up in the long term?  That being said im still running gear thats 10+ years old and when i board im wet by beer thirty


That being said is the super spendy hunting gear worth saving up for? Or is it just like Gucci or Snap-on tools or Louis Vuitton for rednecks/outdoors folk

Is there a craftsman tools level of gear for average joes like us?

the Rodgers and Frog Togg breathable were $230 and seem to be about as cheap and good as you get fro breathable