What Waders and Boots to Buy - Suggestions

[Ken G]

As for waders, I put this together awhile ago and should put it up as an announcement or somewhere prominent where guys can see it. Let me know if the links die.
__________

When it comes to getting waders just remember one thing, Hodgman is Norwegian for crotch leak.

I've tried alot of them. Everything depends on how much you fish.

Best bet for the money is Cabelas. Mid price ones will work fine. Get chest waders, it's worth it.

These are good.

Cabelas Chest Waders

These are better.

I used to wade 100 to 150 times a years. Yes, you get what you pay for and Simms is one of the best. I've still burned out the best in one year because of the way I used to fish.

I bought these waders from Cabelas at the end of May 2009. They started leaking the first week of September 2009. I just noticed another leak in one of the feet in mid October. Cabelas said to send them back so they can check if its manufacturer defects. I didn't tell them my history of burning things out. I don't fish as much as I used to, but I guess what I do to get to the fishing spots and what I do when I'm there, still burns them out. All the companies really should hire me as their official wader tester. I guess I'm brutal on them. They said I could send them back when I'm done fishing for the season. We'll see what happens.

Cabelas Guidetech Chest Waders

The absolute best boots are by Simms, but they'll run you $100 to $150. I've burned out about 4 pairs of the Cabelas Back Country wading boots and they were well worth it for around $65, especially if you're not fishing more than a few times a month, only they've been discontinued.

You DO NOT want to get felt soles. On mud they're useless, like walking on ice. And all shore lines have mud. You want to get rubber soles. They are actually a soft rubber and they grip well on everything. DO NOT get lug or what they call Bob soles. Great on mud, too slippery on rock.

I skipped getting the Simms boots because Cabelas came out with something new that I had to try, the Cabela's Guidewear Pro Rubber Sole Wading Boots. I needed something tougher than what the Back Country boots used to be. These turned out to be an excellent choice. Since they just came out with them this year, I'm going to send them a review. Two flaws, no hoop on the back to help pull the boot on and all boots don't seem to have tough enough laces. The clip on the gators cut through them. Definitely recommend these.

Cabela's Guidewear Pro Rubber Sole Wading Boots

When I ordered them they came with the metal studs, which I won't use. I already know what will happen. They will poke through the bottom and put a hole in the boot foot. It's inevitable the way I treat things.

Now once you become hard core and absolutely have to be out there on a 40 degree day in the middle of December, January or February, you should have neoprene waders. You should get the ones with the boots built in, they keep your feet warmer. You should get 5 mm neoprenes because I once stood in cold water for two hours in 3 mm and was layered up nicely underneath and I still got hypothermia. That is not fun. These are the only ones I recommend, again from Cabelas. Mine lasted almost 5 years of absolute hell fishing and hunting before I completely burned them out.

Ultimate Hunting Waders

The only problem with neoprenes are the boots. You could get felt, DON'T. You're only other choice are the rubber lug soles. It's a harder rubber than what comes with the other boots mentioned above. The lug soles are great in the mud and snow, but your feet will slide around on the bottom of the river. You get used to it, but it takes a couple of trips to learn your limits.

If you insist on getting out in the middle of winter and don't spring for neoprene waders, just layer up well under the breathables and don't stand in the water too long.
_______________

10 years ago a friend and I both bought the same pair of higher end Cabela's waders. I think I paid over $300 for them.

Within 5 months and 120 wading trips, I completely burned them out. Worn out, seams leaking, neoprene booties worn down to holes.

10 years later my friend still has his and they are in good shape.

But then, I don't think he's gone fishing 120 times in 10 years.

Plus, you have to follow me through the woods. Crawling on hands and knees following animal trails through dense under growth in order to get to a good spot on a never used creek.

Tends to wear things out, including me lately.

[Dan]

I have bought 4 pair in two years. That includes breathables and neos. I imagine I'll be in the market again sometime in april or may ish?! Simms maybe

[Ken G]

I have bought 4 pair in two years. That includes breathables and neos. I imagine I'll be in the market again sometime in april or may ish?! Simms maybe

What are you doing to them? You don't fish that much, do you?

With breathables it seems it doesn't matter what I get. When you get down on your hands and knees and crawl through many feet of briar patches, they aren't going to last. I don't care who makes them.

I would look into the neoprenes I mentioned. I would be very surprised if you burn those out quickly.

[GreatfulDad]

Simms is the only way to go...are you aware that the first repair is free? Their new boots have the amazing new Vibram sole.
It's a softer rubber compound and good in all conditions including snow. If you get the star cleets that just came out you will greatly reduce slipping even on flat, slimy rocks. Only waders made in the good old USA by the way...at least the higher end models. And if you haven't tried boot foot waders...it's the only way to fish when it gets cold...I've fished all the way thru the winter in them comfortably.

[Ken G]

John, I'm usually on a Cabela's budget when I'm out buying lately. Other guys on other sites have been low balling it from there.

Someday all Simms. The boots I just burned out last year were easily the best I ever had.

Problem with the waders is I'll still burn them out in one season the way I go about fishing.

I should become their field tester.

[smallmouthfisher]

I have $300 in gift cards for Bass Pro from the holidays and my birthday. I am going with the simms...

I just want to know if I need gortex... The simms Headwaters with gortex is 299 and the simms freestone is 199 but i dont want to waste the money if gortex is not worth it. I have had my Hodgies for a while with no leaks at all.

[Ken G]

Years ago I bought the high end Cabela's waders. Pretty sure they were Gore-Tex and pretty sure they were over $300.

Didn't last any longer than the ones that were half the price. But then I used to put things through hell.

You should see the Simms boots I got a few years ago. My daughter still uses them. I'll have to take a picture. It's what boots should look like when you retire them.

[smallmouthfisher]

Ken,
Just pick of these. With all my giftcards from Xmas and my Birthday it only cost me $23.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... rchResults

[Ken G]

Holy crap.
I'll help you put them through hell this year, see how they do.
Then you can send them a review.

[Bryan Blazek]

As far as neos are concerned, I am very happy with my 2 pairs of Cabelas waders. Both are stockingfoot, one 5mil one 3mil, and I wear an old pair of duck boots as wading boots. Steel shank protects my feet, couple of studs screwed into the heels for added grip.