New Waders Recomendations

Neal Haarberg

Neal Haarberg

Active member
I know this subject has come up before but was looking for a fresh take as products change. I thought I was going to make through the season without having to get a new pair of waders. I was wrong. Yesterday the rubber on the both boots cracked. I am looking for some breathables in the 200-300 dollar range.I primarily hunt western Oregon so it doesn't get to cold, just wet. Before I go ahead and just do what I have always done and get a pair at Cabelas I thought it would be a good idea to ask the brain trust here on duckboats. Any input would be welcome and thank you in advance
 
I,ve had good luck so far with Frog Togs 2.0 Breathables w/Removable liner. On year 3 with them . Rogers sells same wader under their brand name (2.0,s)
 
Until recently, my advice would have been to spend more money and buy waders from either Simms or Patagonia. They'll be more expensive, but will last you longer, and you will come out ahead in the end. But you'll be near double your budget to do that.

A hunting and fishing buddy who uses gear hard is not close to 2 years into a pair of waders from DRYFT. Pretty impressed by the quality, and he's used these for fresh and saltwater fishing and hunting for almost 2 full years. They retail for a little over $300.

Keep in mind I am judging from a sample size of one, and not from personal experience, but if my current waders fail me, I'll be giving these a try.

https://dryftfishing.com/product-category/waders/
 
I've had my pair of Cabelas breathables for going on year 4. Leaked a little in the crotch at the end of last year but was fixed with Aquaseal. Still going strong. I think I paid $180 or so for them. They are probably used 30-40 times a year but not going through thick log/twig infested waters

Ive had inexpensive and expensive waders over the years. Personally, I've not seen a huge difference to justify the double to triple cost of the expensive ones
 
Academy Sports has some breathable waders that I have been impressed with. There is also usually a pre-hunting season sale that deeply discounts the waders. I am not sure if that has passed or not since I have not been on the look out for more waders.

I have had frogg togg hip waders and they were nice but it seemed like the rubber for the boot wore out quicker (cracked) than other rubber boots I have had. I am not sure if there have been changes to the rubber formula since I had them but I wouldn't totally rule out another pair of frogg toggs.
 
Check these out. https://www.hndoutdoors.com/product/breathable-waders/

Good guys from the Eastern Shore of VA. They run an aquaculture business and
developed the boots for rugged, commercial use. I have only had mine for one season, so the jury is still "out'.
 
Yes Dana Frog Togs changed Boot Foot Material when they went to 2.0,s in Waders. My first pair 1 boot ft. cracked but I repaired with Blk. 5200 and that lasted till seams started leaking on year 3. Went to the upgraded model on the next ones. Lot better boots on newer models.
 
High and dry year 3 so far they are great but built for thin
Guys if your not tall get the stout size they don't stretch like neoprene.
 
I ran the Cabelas breathable waders for 8 years. I was getting a new pair yearly as I would develop many leaks in them. I usually would just take them back and after considerable conversation, I would walk out with a new pair. I started buying various sale priced neoprene ones on Amazon. Sometimes they fit great and sometimes not so good. I could usually pick up some of those specials from $38 - $50. They work. That is what my boys currently are using. I also picked up multiple sets from Costco that they had in stock during hunting season. Sept. I decided to splurge and buy a new pair of the Sitka waders. More expensive than they should be, but i had to give them a try. So far they have been great, but I am sure with the amount I hunt and fish, they will be going back for repair after the season. I have tried lots of waders. I have 10 or 11 pairs hanging on the wall from Simms, Sitka, Cabelas, Redington, etc. I just wish they made or offered 1/2 size options.
 
I went ahead and ordered some high and drys. They have a good story and marketing. Being direct sales is good thing for me. Avoiding the mark up for distribution keeps the cost down. Hopefully spending a little more will equal more durability which I don't believe is typically the case with waders. It seems Cabelas doesn't have my size even if I wanted to get the same thing. Last year I was talking with a guide in Klamath that uses Sitka and he says they are the best value for the money. As a guy who spends 107 days plus early and late season goose in waders I valued his feedback. I just can't bring myself to spend $1000 on a pair of waders even if ti financially makes sense. I do like the idea that they are made for thin guys as I am a 6' tall thin guy and that helped seal the deal. Believe it or not that was concern. One of my pet peeves is that most gear/clothing is made for guys with a bit more girth than myself... Can't wait for them to get here and see how they fit and how they hold up over time.
 
I needed to buy a new pair of stocking foot waders 2 years ago as my 20 YO Simms had worn out(I only use these for fly fishing). I bought the Redington Sonic Pro model strictly because they offered not only different sizes but also different fits. I am all legs and every pair of waders I ever had before were great when I was standing up, but when sitting down the crotch was in the middle of my things. So between the chest size, waist, and inseam length and shoe size, you can get them sized much closer to custom than most. Time will tell if they hold up. But they fit me great and I don't have that crotch problem anymore, which is a big deal when you are scrambling up and down steep banks, crawling on or around rocks, or just sitting down taking a break.
 
Interesting topic. I bought a set of Cabela's waist high breathables three years ago. Camo and 150 $. Did not fit as well as my fly fishing waist high breathables, but so what. Incredibly easy to get into, comfortable and good in very cold conditions. We are in upstate New York and later in the season it is cold. No issues. Patched some seam issues last year with Shoe Glue, still good. This year, three years out, had some seepage issues and cannot find the leaks. Went to look on the internet to replace them, nada.
Has anybody seen any camo waist high breathables, period? Any for a reasonable price---under two hundred dollars?
 
Carl: Thanks. Found some on Roger's. A little more pricey than the Cabela's. Will make that investment shortly-especially if the seeps blow out!!
 
I am in a similar dilemma, my inseam is over 34" and I am 145 lbs soaking wet so most waders are huge on me and the legs are way too short with the crouch of the waders halfway to my knees. I have been using Cabela's breathable waders for some time now and will not go back to neoprene, they are so much more comfortable.

Patagonia, plus is best warranty out there and long fit
Simms, offers the long length if I can can find them
Skwala, waders new to the market but offer an athletic fit.
Cabela's, now offers a long fit but only with 1200 gms of thinsulate

I am curious on what others think of boot foot vs stocking foot, I have always struggled with the boot fit having a AA width on my foot and a size 9 boot.
 
Andrew - I have a similar problem of being tall and skinny (though maybe a little less featherweight?). I?ve found the Orvis Pros to be great. I have stockingfoot and they work just fine. They?re on the pricey side, but I?ve worn them in the marsh, breaking through brush for freshwater fly fishing, and saltwater fly fishing, and they won?t give up. Some people don?t like how heavy they feel, but the cordura front feels like armor and gives me some piece of mind. The fit is great too, and after 2 years of hard use I haven?t had a single pinhole or issue with a seam.
 
So I have had Banded, Cabela's, Frog Toggs, Hodgman, Drake, and probably a couple off brands, all breathable, all leak at the seams. So I recently, moved and in bag was a pair of Cabela's branded breatheables that look to me like Simms from a forgone decade, so far no seem leaks period and they are getting put thru the paces. But the story gets better, I have a couple pair of wading boots, one is a pair of Simms with a ratchet type closer, the dog used it for a chew toy and the ratchet would not work, boots are 8 plus years old, sent them to Simms, told then send me the bill for repair the dog chew the closer, got email "your boot repair was covered under warranty" u will receive it back in 5 to 7 days. Probably cost them nothing to repair and 10 dollar bill to send it back but they just did something that no other company has ever did without a fricken fight, stood behind their product when they did not have to, enough said Simms will get my next order and beyond.
 
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