Opinion on breathables

[Aaron]

So the old B-Day is tomorrow and we all know what that means...the cash flow and gift cards are on their way 
Thinking about investing in a good set of breathables. Your reviews and opinions would be great before I make my purchase. (though I may be adding the cash to the new pistol fund 

[One More Cast]

Don't go cheap.  The 100 specials will leak on you very quickly.  Simms are the best but also the most expessive.  they have have some mid range models aswell, about 200.  I have heard dan bailyes are good as well at patagonias and reddington.  they biggest thing is to make sure you hang after the use and clean them once in a while too.

[BC Steel]

I picked up a pair of Simms Guide Classics or something like that. They are a run of the mill simms wader. 3 layer mains with 5 layer leg fronts. Definatly worth the money.

[Chum Man]

i've had two pairs of breathables so far -- a set of cabelas gold medal bootfoot waders, and a set of hodgman wadelite I stockingfoot.  the cabelas were nice...but the construction is a bad design.  on the sides of the reinforced knees, the extra fabric is attached with what looks like "discs"(i'm not sure if this is the glue pattern or what), which is quite rigid.  problem is, they are right in the rub zones on the inside of the legs...after about 6 months of moderate use, they wore clean through and i started having to patch holes every couple trips from rub wear.

they didn't leak from the membrane failing or anything, though, and i was pretty abusive.  i never really hang mine up to dry, i just leave them in the back of the pickup with the canopy on it.

my current set are hodgemans, i haven't really had any complaints about them.  only leak was entirely my fault, falling down in a blackberry patch will poke holes in almost any waders.  one of the few brands that makes tall sizes, so that's a real plus for me.  the stocking feet are nice for long hikes in, i had been reluctant to buy stockingfoot waders since the last pair i bought(10 years ago) really sucked.

i treat my waders as sort of a consumable...if any pair i have is still working relatively well 2 years from when i buy them i'm impressed.  however, my dad has been wearing a pair of cabelas G2 breathable bootfoot waders for about 5 years with no troubles, and he's hard on his gear.

[wannafish]

I have a pair of cabela's mid-range ~$130 stocking-foot breathables.  Got them at Christmas time and just now have a small leak I still have to find.  They're very light and comfortable and have held up well to my bushwacking (if I want to know what's around the bend, I'll find or make a way to get there!).  I figure if I get 2-3 pair for the price of 1 pair of Simms, I won't complain if I can get 2 seasons worth.

[rvrfshr]

B-day also coming up next week and am looking to "get" the same as Aaron, a new pair of breathables. I have worn different model Dan Bailey's for about the last 6-7 years but thought I might change up this time around since they stopped making my favorite Yellowstone Guide model. Thus far have tried on Redington, Patagonia, and Simms. The fit that I could get in the D.B.'s is just not being found in the models mentioned though.

A feature that is desireable, (lacking in alot of brands) is the built-in belt or side cinch straps, how 'bout it manufacturers ?! The Rivertek by Simms is a pretty cool wader but not much room left to spare in the calf area, (same with Redington). This would be a problem in winter months with fleece bunching while hiking not to mention the desired built in cinch waist thingy in the Simms is about as comfortable as a rodeo rider's belt buckle get-up !

Not being high dollar exclusive on the brands just that Hodgman, Pro-line, Cabela's and others fit me like a open top sack of potatoes, which is not good for a dunking.

One last option is where I probably should have checked out years ago is LL Bean's Wicked Tough wader. Ballistic design along with a lifetime warranty and looks to have about the same measurements as my old LK size D.B.'s. The "advertiser's" logo belt that comes with them looks like it could be swapped with a Huck Finn style rope-belt fairly easily as well... If I stray to the east coast brand I will post pro's or con's.

Good luck in your search Aaron.

* Do not cut the stocking feet out of a perfectly good pair of waders just to be comfortable for the rest of the day ! *

[fishpimp]

i like simms "river tech" waders. they convert from chest waders to pants and are very comfortable