Breathable Waders

[Clipfin]

Hi All.....I am new to this forum. It looks like a GREAT SITE!
Question: I am thinking about a new pair of waders and would like to try the breathable ones. I have looked around and Simms is out (to much money), what about Cabelas or other brands, how do they hold up.

[Brian]

Welcome Clipfin! This topic has been covered quite a bit in the last year. Try a search of the forum using breathable waders and see what comes up. Opinions vary, but I have opted to stick with the lower priced Hodgeman Guide Pants. They have been working well for me the last several years. About $85- $90  depending on where you find them. Good Luck!

[Clipfin]

Thanks for your help.

[Ironhead]

Brian, do you plasti paint the seams right after you buy them or wait till they start leaking .
Also wondered if anyone ever plasti painted there boot seams ??(over the threads, before they split.)
I am planning on having a pair of waders and boots last me a winter season this year and the plasti paint is the ticket  .

[steelheader]

I am with Brian on this one. Hodgeman is what I use. I have a friend who use to be a guide in Utah, and moved here. He fished there 4 days a week, and fished 3 days a week here for 4 years without any leaks in Simms waders. I tear a hole in my Hodgeman's at least once a year, but you have to putty them. I have patched them so many times, I don't even care anymore. I just let the S.O.B's fill up. 

[EagleTalon]

I have a pair of Orvis Clearwater Endura chest waders--they're great. The waders are loose fitting; thus, making them even more breathable. I like the feel of the waders too--they don't feel like neoprene at all; they feel more like condura nylon (although not quite as course a fabric). I also like the chest pockets on the inside--this is a 'very' handy feature. There are two pockets, a velco pocket and a zipper-closed pocket. They make nice spots for a cell phone, wallet, and keys.

So far, the waders are holding up great--not so much as a pin-hole despite crawling all around the Carbon River this past salmon run. Here's a picture...



I think I purchased the waders for $80.00 on eBay. I also bought the Orvis Clearwater felt-sole wading shoes too--those are quite nice as well.

[Brian]

Rod, I have always waited until they leak before doing any repair work, however, I do think that on the next pair I will reinforce the knees on them as soon as I purchase them. I may also do the seams at the same time. As far as the wading boots go, I always coat the boot seams(right over the stitching) with Aquaseal as soon as I get home from the store. I do think that this will extend the life of them considerably.

[Dragfreedrift]

I have never been able to make it through an entire season w/o my waders leaking!!!

I have resorted to a "Brian-like solution" by buying a moderate priced wader and hoping it lasts!

I just cant stomach the tought of spending $300 on a pair of waders when they will likely get thier first hole in a couple trips.  I am really hard on my waders because every fishing trip is like a hiking expedition!


DFD

[Brian]

I am really hard on my waders because every fishing trip is like a hiking expedition!

 

[Professor]

I now have a pair of Hogman Stretchlites. These are more comfortable, and seem to be lasting longer than any of the others I've bought.

[Clipfin]

Anyone try the Cabelas waders?

[Andrew]

Hey John, how much do Stretchlites cost? Why do you like them better?

The "gonna get shredded anyway" logic is kind of starting to appeal to me, maybe persuading me towards purchase of some cheaper waders than I was planning on getting initially... I still want breathable pants-style, and multiple layers in the stress areas would be nice, but Plasti Dip has worked wonders, and I think it could probably carry me through a couple seasons if I wasn't too brutal with the brush beating.

I do know that I'll be springing for a good, durable pair of studded felt shoes, as I'm done messing with cheap shoes and bootfeet forever. 

Andrew

[Professor]

Hey John, how much do Stretchlites cost? Why do you like them better?


Well like I said, they're more comfortable, and so far have lasted longer than the rest.
I paid about $120 at sportco, I think they should/will last longer because of the fact that they do stretch. Much more forgiving than a pair that doesn't.

[EagleTalon]

I put on my Orvis Clearwater chest waders yesterday, while fishing the Carbon. Given our discussion in this thread, I carefully looked at my waders and examined the fabric--I was looking for re-inforced fabric. I noticed that the waders with well re-inforced from the neoprene booties to just above the knee--very, very thick feel. I feel safe to say these waders would hold up very well with this re-inforced fabric from knee height and below. Otherwise, the fabric above knee height it less thick (although its still quite durable whereas it feels much like Condura nylon; though, not quite as course as previously mentioned). I was walking through the brush throughout the day, I had no concerns what-so-ever that I needed to worry about them getting a tear or pin-hole from an encounter with shrubbery--these waders are tough.

I would also recommend waders with booties and purchasing boots separately. If you have problems with your boots, your waders are not be affected as a result. Meanwhile, the opposite is true--if you have problems with your waders, your boots are not affected as a result.

This reasoning is like purchasing an all-in-one TV/VCR combo. If your TV goes bad, you loose your VCR. By purchasing separate components, you can address whatever the problem is without having to purchase an entire replacement. Boots can always be resoled with new felt--the better quality ones can at least (do some research before buying).