What fishing wader material will last longer?

[JackOfAllTrades]

I'm not overly hard on this sort of gear, but which will last longer under normal use?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&id=0000596830086a&navCount=1&podId=0000596&parentId=cat350005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat350005&hasJS=true

Or,

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0005500811200a&navCount=5&podId=0005500&parentId=cat350005&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat350005&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=waders&cm_ite=netcon&hasJS=true

I'm kinda wanting to get back into river fishing, I've had rubber hip boots in the past that eventually crack and leak. I've never used the thinner PVC coated nylon or the Neoprene waders.  What lasts? What works? I'm thinking felt sole instead of lug boot. I don't really want to go with stocking foot and extra boots.

-Steve

[jackelope]

neoprene is nasty...it's like wearing a wet suit lined with a garbage bag...  way too hot.

if i had to pick one of the 2 you posted for you  i'd pick the not-neoprene ones, but i'd personally not pick those either.

a good quality breathable wader is what you want. i used mine for 6-7 years or more pretty hard fishing all over in rivers, float tubes, pontoons, etc and they last just fine...they have leaked and i have patched them, which you should expect to do because of punctures.
when the seams leak, thats when you need to return them to the manufacturer for warranty repairs.
if you want a good quality breathable wader that will last with a good warranty, you should plan  to spend +/- $200.00. if you watch orvis they have a really good sale once a year and you can usually get their pro guide waders for $150-180 on sale which is a screaming deal. you reallllly get what you pay for with waders.

[jackelope]

i also wouldn't go with boot foots. i'd get stockingfoots and seperate boots, and the only boots i'd get are the ones with removable studs or screws for added traction. there's nothing like it. felt is ok at best. i don't like falling in the river in january.

[whacker1]

My friends tell me that the Cabela's Guide Tech are the best bang for the buck.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/vertical-pod3.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20564-cat601935-cat350005&rid=&indexId=cat350005&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=3&parentType=index&parentId=cat350005&id=0023556

I am currently fishing in a BARE breathable - stockingfoot wader.  The seems pick up condensation and sometimes weep a little, but after re-treating the seems - they don't leak.  fished them now for 4 years. 

http://www.barefishing.com/canada/waders/breathable/cutthroat.asp

I like them enough that I would buy another pair, but they are hard to find, because they don't have enough retailers.  We picked them up on sale in Montana for around $200 at the end of season in September.

[jackelope]

I bought my wife a pair of bares at outdoor emporium in seattle a few years back...probably like 7-8 years back. not sure if they still sell them.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Well, your advise is not taken lightly.  But, with this kitchen remodel eating a hole in my wallet, and now I've got to find a shotgun for my eldest for his birthday, my wader choice has to be on a budget. I'm actually looking at two locally that are Craigslist and a consignment store. Both, good brands. Under $50 to try something new/different to me. I was figuring that the Neoprene versions would be warm for the cold water, and for the thin ones that I could 'dress for more warmth' -layer and such for comfort. The thin version would be nice since they're light. And now that you say the Neo's are like a wetsuit and garbage bag, I think I'll pass on them. I think that if I like the PVC coated nylon and do get back into fishing more, then I'll go with some breathable version down the road. Against your recommendations though, both of what I'm looking at are boot bottom with felt sole. I've always had rubber lug sole before. What are you retreating the seams of your breathable versions with?

I do realize that some things you just can't scrimp on. -That buying cheap can bite one in tha arse once in a while. I'll verify the brand/model of the thin ones on the way home today to research what they really are.

Jackelope, I appreciate the subjective selection of the two styles I listed. Wacker1, I have tried some things in the past with Cabelas 'Dry Plus', and have not been impressed, so I'm a bit apprehensive to even give them a look. The BARE models are out of my budget for now, but I'll keep them in mind. I have heard of them with great reviews before.

-Steve

[jackelope]

http://www.rei.com/product/694051?preferredSku=6940510016&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-6940510016&mr:trackingCode=FDA0DB8E-0419-DE11-B4E3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

[jackelope]

turn the waders inside out and fill them with water(at least somewhat) to make sure they are not full of holes or leaks before you buy them if you can.  a leak here and there is expected...but they get to a point where they leak all the time. i need new ones because thats where mine are right now at 8 years old or so.

[whacker1]

I was apprehensive on the Cabelas guide tech dry-plus as well, but I have seen two friends make them go for 8 years and just bought another pair.  And the other buddy has two pair, one set 10 year old that leak and the others are 4 years old or so.  He keeps the leaking ones as they don't leak too bad and can work in a pinch.

[JackOfAllTrades]

OK, so I slipped into this consignment store on the way home to try them on... Orvis is the brand. I can't tell if they are the Tailwater XT or the Silver Label. Since they don't have the belt loops I'm almost thinking they're the Clearwater Endura Boot/felt bottoms, or a previous model.

-Steve

[whacker1]

Orvis is a quality brand for most items, but I don't know anything about their waders.  The clearwater is their least expensive line in their rods and reels.  I would assume the same is true of their waders.

I usually buy the middle of the road for Orvis products to make sure that I am getting quality components.