Best Waterfowl Waders

[bhammac]

Can't afford the really fancy brands.

Struggle to see much of a difference between the high-end vs mid to budget route. I've been hunting ducks for over thirty years and well understand that they always get beat up. I typically destroy a pair of waders every few seasons, both neoprene and breathable, and can't decide which is really that much better.

Does anyone recommend any brands models that are in the medium to budget range? Or does anyone have another theory on best practice with buying waders.

Thanks.

[Klickitatsteelie]

Check out Roger’s sporting goods brand. I have had a pair for 2 full seasons now and have been totally satisfied. Stay away from cabelas brand had multiple pairs back in the day when they warrantied them, they never lasted more than one season.

[C-Money]

Another vote for Rodgers. My son & Nephews use Rodgers waders and they have zero complaints.

[MeepDog]

Unless you're 250+lbs I'd steer clear of tidewe as well. I'm pretty slim and usually can't find waders that aren't huge, but sportsman's warehouse carries rustic ridge 3.5mm neoprene boot foot waders that I really like. Very reasonably priced on sale for $85 right now, but again they're for the skinny build.

[pickardjw]

If you're not going to buy the upper end ones I'd just buy a $100 pair.

[metlhead]

I wear cheap brands, Whites, that last 3 seasons of very roigh use. Top end brands fair no better.

[knighttime25]

If you're not going to buy the upper end ones I'd just buy a $100 pair.

  The cheaper waders last a couple seasons if your not too hard on them 

[lovetogrouse]

I bought Tidewe waders on Amazon and they've been great so far. I would second buying a pair for less than $100 if you're not gonna buy the Sitka ones.

[mboyle0828]

I bought Tidewe waders on Amazon and they've been great so far. I would second buying a pair for less than $100 if you're not gonna buy the Sitka ones.

My cheap Tidewes have faired well over the past two seasons. Will buy another pair

[high_hunter]

Only expect to get 1-3 seasons out of a pair, regardless of what you buy.  For me, this typically means a throw-away pair of Mad Dogs if I can find them. 

Otherwise, a midline Cabelas or Rodgers brand when I'm looking for more features or late-season warmth.  Been happy with the Supermags and Northern Flight lines especially when they have the Armorflex reinforcements.  After the Cabela's-Bass Pro merger their warranties are junk, so likely staying with Ridgers going forward.  Great company and customer service.

Most all my experience is with Neopream but would love to hear what people think of all the breathable models, especially with front zippers so following along.

-HH

[Stein]

Rogers has a bunch of breathables on clearance, some at $99.

[metlhead]

I don't trust any breathable gear to be waterproof. The cheap waders that I use are fabric with the rubber lining inside. The butt wears put first so now I use pads to sit on. Very lightweight for any temps. Third season with see some Sikaflex inside at pinholes. After that, the boots get cut off and they make awesome offshore bloody deck bibs.

[2MANY]

Breathable and waterproof is the best marketing scam since testosterone boosters.

[follow maggie]

I’ve always had lacrosse waders for hunting & gotten really good life out of them. I currently have a pair of neoprene & insulated breathables & love them both. I’m not sure what the complaints are about with breathable waders, I never get wet with either of mine.

[Mallardmasher]

The rogers are a good choice but run a tad large. This is the first time I stepped up to the more expensive waders, and they fit like wearing a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. No baggy crotch or piles of material lumped up around the calf. The zipper is a game changer. Fit nice in the waist and chest, they are spendy, but after wearing them for a half dozen time since I got them in late Aug. I will probably stay this course…. Sitka

[metlhead]

Never heard of these Tidewe waders so I looked them up. Quite the price range. They do have a set for $100, so that does serm like a fair option. If they do stay dry, not sure why another $400+ would be better. That's a case of premium ammo.

[h2ofowlr]

My friend went onto Amazon and looked in the discount wader selection.  He picked up a pair of neoprene ones they had for $30 and the weren't to bad.  They looked like the $129 waders.  Might be worth checking out.  If they don't fit or aren't as mentioned, send them back.

[MeepDog]

Never heard of these Tidewe waders so I looked them up. Quite the price range. They do have a set for $100, so that does serm like a fair option. If they do stay dry, not sure why another $400+ would be better. That's a case of premium ammo.

The tidewe waders I ordered off Amazon I could fold 8 inches of fabric around the waist. They were like those parachute pants that emo kids wore about 20 years ago.

[ducks4days]

I made more than expected last year and spent some of the $$$ on chene waders . It wasnt worth it.

The waders are comfortable and have some nice features. I think my favorite was the inside magnetic pockets, life is a lot easier when I am not worried about dropping my phone in murky water trying to answer a text from my wife. The boots are really solid, and have good tread that makes walking in muck easier. The waders leaked a little bit out of the box. The zipper also makes peeing easier. They do leak a bit, I have chased the seams trying to completely waterproof, but cant seem to get everything in the legs so I just accepted that my pants will be a bit damp every hunt.

Overall, they just arent 3x as good as the rogers or cabelas neoprene and breathable waders I have bought in the past, and I wouldnt buy them again unless I start making a lot more money. Usually the cheaper options will last me around 3 years before I wear them out and need to buy a new pair. I may revisit this opinion if the new ones are still going 8 years from now, but I have my doubts.

[follow maggie]

Why not send them back for another set that doesn’t leak. For that kind of money, anything less than perfect is no bueno.

[Stein]

In my mind a guy either goes cheap or with someone like Sitka that will fix them for free - they are all going to leak.  I don't want to mess with shipping or not having waders for a couple weeks in the middle of the season so I tend to go on the cheap path.

[ducks4days]

Why not send them back for another set that doesn’t leak. For that kind of money, anything less than perfect is no bueno.

That would require me to have my chit together, which I do not