Waders - The usual question

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
I have owned various brathable waders over the years. Used to always buy the Cableas brand was they came with a lifetime warranty. If they leaked, I would replace them under warranty. If the next pair leaked, I just bought new. Got about 2-3 years out of a pair.

My current waders leak. Badly. Right in the seat area. Looking inside the wadres, I can see the wear spots that are quite large. Not wanting any leaking waders this year, I'm not going to bother repairing thee.

WEnt looking for a new pair. Man have these become expensive. $250 for what I cerrenty have and the reviews are not stellar. Found some more expensive, and some less expensive. Waders with the highest review on Amazon are $50. Do I just go with the $50 waders knowing I'll be replacing them every year or look for something better?

Here are the cheap ones. Lots of reviews, Higly rated


I have also seen good reviews on waders from a company called TideWe. Anyone try these?


Thanks for the input. I can't afford waders that are $500 and up. I mean I could, I just haven't had any better luck with expensive waders in the past.
 
Kobuk web site. Has some good deals with free shipping over 100.00 I just ordered a pair of 5 mm 1600 grams. Can't wait til hey get here.
 
Company name HighnDry on eastern Shore of Virginia is suppose to be making a tough breathable non insulated wader. Company is off shoot of commercial clam operators needing longer lasting waders for in water work from what i,ve seen. People who've bought them seem to like them. For breathable waders with removable liner i,ve had good luck with Frog Togs who actually make Rogers also. The Frog Tog versions usually have the newest features. Thier boot is real comfortable to me and they are very warm with minimal layering under them with liner in during freezing weather.
 
roy brewington said:
Company name HighnDry on eastern Shore of Virginia is suppose to be making a tough breathable non insulated wader. Company is off shoot of commercial clam operators needing longer lasting waders for in water work from what i,ve seen. People who've bought them seem to like them. For breathable waders with removable liner i,ve had good luck with Frog Togs who actually make Rogers also. The Frog Tog versions usually have the newest features. Thier boot is real comfortable to me and they are very warm with minimal layering under them with liner in during freezing weather.
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Have been reading about the High N Dry waders. Like the kevlar in the knee area. Wish the butt had some reinforcement. $350 for unlined version is a bit pricey
 
Unfortunately, good waders are expensive anymore. I think you're gong to find the same thing on this style of wader as the discussion earlier this year on boot fit waders went. There are a few products out there like sitka and there is everything else. I would forget the middle priced product, I don't think it's worth it and it's closer to the bottom than the top. You have to decide how much they will really cost in the long run and what's it worth having a pair you don't have to mess with for 7-8 years or more.
 
Another mid-priced wader that comes with good reviews is Dryft. https://dryftfishing.com/product-category/waders/

$300-400 range.

I have not used them, but a fishing/hunting buddy bought a pair 2 or 3 seasons ago, uses them hard, and has nothing but good things to say. Of waders I have used, Simms and Patagonia are way above the competition in service, durability, and quality. And also in price. As Greg said above, many years of staying dry may be worth the price. I wear waders to hunt, fish and for work--100+ days a year. My next pair I will look hard at Dryft. Intrigued by the Tidewe.
 
I always felt like a good pair of waders would last maybe 5 seasons at best. We used to buy the old "Red Ball" brand at ACE Hardware back in the early late 80s. They were good for 1 or 2 years. Then as we got older, we were able to afford better and got longer service.
 
Mark W said:
Have been reading about the High N Dry waders. Like the kevlar in the knee area. Wish the butt had some reinforcement. $350 for unlined version is a bit pricey
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Whew! I haven't looked at their pricing in about 4 years. Their less than an hr. from me and at the time I was going to go down and try on a pair to get best fit but ended up buying a pair of Frog Togs on real good sale instead. This will be my 5th season with the Frog Togs and no leaks yet and only 1 small tear above water line that I patched so i,m happy. I picked up a new pair of Frog Togs at beginning of year when heavily discounted just in case and their stored for future use.
 
My input is simple - Cheap may lead to lack of flexibility and comfort. A number of years ago I bought Cabela's cheapest pair of waders and while they were watertight, I stopped wearing them fairly quickly. Flexibility to climb into and out of the boat, plus general blind sitting comfort was really lacking. They'd work for stream fishing where warmish temperatures and staying vertical - standing & walking is the norm but they sucked for duck hunting even though they were "camo". My recommendation: Cheap or expensive try them on and put them though a few flexibility tests or make sure they have a real good return policy. Good luck, hope you get a good set.
 
don novicki said:
Kobuk web site. Has some good deals with free shipping over 100.00 I just ordered a pair of 5 mm 1600 grams. Can't wait til hey get here.
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I bought the 5mm 1600 from Kobuk last winter after the season. They remind me of the old Cabela's Supermag. Even came with a Cabela's shell holder. I liked them so well I ordered the breathable too.
 
Ed L. said:
I bought the 5mm 1600 from Kobuk last winter after the season. They remind me of the old Cabela's Supermag. Even came with a Cabela's shell holder. I liked them so well I ordered the breathable too.
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If I recall correctly Kobuk is the company that Cabelas waders were made by. Thier breathable's are the exact same as Kobuks current offering last time I checked.
 
I have had High n Dry's for a couple years now and they have been great. I get out 20-30 times a season freelancing in the PNW and they have held up well.
 
roy brewington said:
If I recall correctly Kobuk is the company that Cabelas waders were made by. Thier breathable's are the exact same as Kobuks current offering last time I checked.
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If they hold up like the Cabela's of old, that would be great but even if they don't and if the price stays at a decent price point I'll buy them again. These are what I bought. They sold out fast in my size last year.
kobukusa.com

Kobuk 5mm RadialFlex™ Neoprene Max-5® Camo Chest Wader w/ Lug Soles 16

Realtree Max-5® Camo+ 5mm premium RadialFlex™ neoprene With DuraTex fabric for abrasion resistance+ Exclusive triple pocket system has handwarmer, shell and interior pocket with keyring clip+ Outer shell pocket that holds 10 shells for quick reload+ Wide comfortable neoprene straps with Velcro®...
kobukusa.com
 
Thankfully I'm not in the need of new waders for hunting or fly fishing. Yet I did read the Outdoor Life Best Hunting Waders for 2024 review.

Frog Togs did very well and if in need they would be what I'd purchase as I have a pair for fly fishing. I have no problem spending a Grand on a "Shootgun", rifle, or fly rod, as these I consider a investment over time. Waders in my world are not a investment over time. They are a expense and loose value as soon as ya get em. No matter how well made they are made to be replaced. There are No Winchester Model 12s' (that last 100 years) in waders.

No F'ing way I'd spend a grand on waders, but that is just me. Time was I would repair waders until they were more patch than waders. Now at $325 or $375+ a pair when beyond repair, toss and get a new pair in that price range. At my age life IS to short for leaky cold waders. I'll pony up for that expense.

my 2 cents
 
Ed L. said:
t fast in my size last year.
kobukusa.com

Kobuk 5mm RadialFlex™ Neoprene Max-5® Camo Chest Wader w/ Lug Soles 16

Realtree Max-5® Camo+ 5mm premium RadialFlex™ neoprene With DuraTex fabric for abrasion resistance+ Exclusive triple pocket system has handwarmer, shell and interior pocket with keyring clip+ Outer shell pocket that holds 10 shells for quick reload+ Wide comfortable neoprene straps with Velcro®...
kobukusa.com
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Ed L. said:
If they hold up like the Cabela's of old, that would be great but even if they don't and if the price stays at a decent price point I'll buy them again. These are what I bought. They sold out fast in my size last year.
kobukusa.com

Kobuk 5mm RadialFlex™ Neoprene Max-5® Camo Chest Wader w/ Lug Soles 16

Realtree Max-5® Camo+ 5mm premium RadialFlex™ neoprene With DuraTex fabric for abrasion resistance+ Exclusive triple pocket system has handwarmer, shell and interior pocket with keyring clip+ Outer shell pocket that holds 10 shells for quick reload+ Wide comfortable neoprene straps with Velcro®...
kobukusa.com
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Thats the old Cabelas Super Mag in disguise!
 
I got a pair off DANS OUTDOORS waders made for me a few years ago. They are had made by the Amish so you are able to give them the sizes you want. BE CAREFUL though....if you give them a chest size that is what you get....same with waste. Mine fit great but no room for a insulated coat so they are my beaver trapping rigs. Picture a pair of BRIAR OVERALLS that go over a hand stitched and glued wader that is stitched and glued to your choice of insulated 16" swamper boots.
 
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