In search of the perfect waders

Bill Savoie

Bill Savoie

Active member
Looking for some advice here...

After 20 years, my Remington neoprene waders can't take another patch, dab of glue or stitch. Opening day this week showed me yet another opening in the waders had developed. I've been looking at catalogs, planning to go with 5 mm neoprene boot-foot waders with either 1200 or 1600 Thinsulaite. I'm tall and fairly skinny, and most waders seem to favor the stout (on some I'd have to go to a size 13 shoe to get close to a decent inseam). Anyone have a favorite? What about waders with a zipper? Do they really stay dry? Thanks in advance for any opinions.
 
Bill,

I love my 5mm waders from Cabelas. They are very warm and have comfortable rubber boots. Check their website and it will give you the inseam lengths for different models. Mine are shorter, 30" inseam, since I'm 5'10". The top of the line 1600 Cabelas waders are longer (about 31 -32"). My hunting partner owns a pair are swears by them.

IMO, I'd avoid Hodgeman waders since the "plastic" boots on my last pair developed cracks (like dry rot) across the top and could not be fixed. I'm a big fan of the rubber boots. At the end of the season, just spray them with Armor-all and wipe. Hang them by the boots in the garage and they'll last forever...but I don't think I'll get 20 years out of any pair of waders, hahaha.
 
I have been very pleased with the Cabelas Ultimate Waders.

I can tell you that I am not kind to mine and they have stood up well. I also hunt them in cold weather (well below freezing) and have never felt cold. I think I have had mine about 5 years now.
 
I have been very pleased with the Cabelas Ultimate Waders.

I can tell you that I am not kind to mine and they have stood up well. I also hunt them in cold weather (well below freezing) and have never felt cold. I think I have had mine about 5 years now.
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+1

I've had mine 7+ years

I recently picked up a new pair of Simms breathables for steelhead and they will be used for early season waterfowling.
 
Bill
Im sure if zippers are good enough for dry suits, there good enough for waders and you dont have to strip off when you take a leak.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
I have been very pleased with the Cabelas Ultimate Waders.
Click to expand...

+1

I've had mine 7+ years
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Me too, only on my second season with these, but happy non the less. I'm 6'1" and the regular fit (as opposed to the 'stout') are good on me, if anything the inseam is a tad long, but I'd rather have that than short and always stretching out the crotch...that's the last place I want a seam to fail!

Zippers...some designer was just asking for trouble. I've used them on drysuits, and you have to keep them clean or they will eventually fail. Given the typical hunting waters we duck hunters frequent, I'd steer clear of zippers IMHO.

Perfect waders...that's like the perfect boat...or perfect gun...

Chuck
 
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I've given up on neoprenes altogether, and hunt and fish out of breathables all year long. Buy them a bit oversized, layer up with fleece and polypro, and I can stay warm in anything.

I've found that you get what you pay for in waders. If you use them hard and often, it pays to get the high end stuff, as you'll stay dry and they will outlast less expensive gear. (I do not feel this way about most gear, but I really do about waders.) I've found Patagonia and Simms to be top of the heap, and some of the gear from Orvis is also excellent, although not as consistently as the other two.

They are pricy, though. Thank goodness they last a long time.
 
Did you mean in search of the Holy Grail? I don't think there are perfect waders, they'd need to be:

Light,
Breathable
Flexible
Cool in Sept
Warm in Dec & Jan
Bullet (or at least puncture) proof
Easily repaired
Low cost
Chameleon like in it's ability to blend into the days surroundings.

I too have a pair of Cabela's 1600s and they are a decent wader. They are not flexible or light.
Presently my favorite all around are Cabela's 3 mm neostretch. Long inseams, light and flexible for long walks and climbing in and out of boats. Not as hot in the early season and with an extra layer or two and foot warmers I've been toasty in the sub freezing weather. Wish they had D-Rings on the suspenders for a shell pouch. At $120 they're hard to beat.

I have picked up a breathable pair for fishing and used them in Sept but I still worked up a good sweat that condensed on the water cooled surface.

Good searching!
Scott
 
Breathable for certain. I only put on the neoprenes when it stays well below freezing and I won't be moving much. The breathables are so easy to move around in it's as close to wading in your street clothes as you can get. Plus I don't work up as much of a sweat when setting out and picking up. I stay plenty warm with fleece wader underwear and heavy cloth pants. Try it and I think you'll agree the improved mobility is a welcemd improvement.

Eric
 
Bill

As you know, we hunt in some cold conditions come Dec and Jan. I have the Cabela's armored waders and have had them for 5-6 years without any problems.
While they are pretty heavy, they are warm. We stand in near waist deep water in the ocean in January and do not get cold. The boots are well insulated.
I have never tried the over sized breathable ones because I am not convinced that you could put enough layers to stay warm but thats just me.

My 2cents

Bill
 
Bill ,

I used to go through waders like nothing , until i bought Cabelas Armorflx neoprene waders , they are going on there 5th year with no issues , the crotch is the 1st thing that would wear out and leak ! I have had them all but the Armoerflx is by far the best , The only draw back they are a little warm for the early season . Good Luck !!



Dave M
 
Bill,
I have used the Cabela's 1600 neoprenes for 4 or 5 years now with no complaints. If there is an issue with them it would be if you have to walk to your hunting location or if the temperatures are unusually high they are too warm. They have held up well and I like the shell holder and extra space for odds and ends.
 
Bill
There is not a perfect pair of waders for all seasons. Choose the one type you know you will use most. You seem to be looking for a pair with a lot of insulation for the cold. Buy a pair you like, but make sure of the return policy since you should invest in the best ones you can buy. It will be a small price the comfort you seek. I have used the Cabela's Dry-Plus waders for light weight and flexibility. I use a heavy pair of fleece pants with a pair of Gortex rain pants over the them. This provides a moisture barrier between the rain pants and the waders. A light insulated boot pair for early season and a heaver boot insulation for late season. I also have a pair of non-insulated Gortex socks (that may not available any more) which I use over a good pair of of heavy merino wool socks for a moisture barrier.

The choice today in waders is incredible compared to just a few years ago!


.
 
Like Many, I have the 1600 "Stout" from Cabelas. Two reasons. I am not a small man 6"0" 230, but it has room for my jacket inside the waders.
 
I wore cabelas ultimate waders for years, this year I switched to breathables and will never look back. I got my pair from macks and they are everything I wanted. Best part is 1000 grams in the boots so I will be wearing them all season.
 
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