The Almighty Wader Question

Andrew L.

Andrew L.

Well-known member
There are lots of past questions on waders but through all of my searched I haven't found many recent reviews on waders.
After 4 seasons, the longest I have gotten a pair to last, my Cabelas Brush Busters are leaking heavily. Best waders I have owned and now Cabela's has discontinued them, wish I would have caught that before they were completely sold out.
Just like a boat I don't think there is one wader that fits all scenarios (ie warm/cold and primarily walking vs primarily sitting in a boat). That being said I am looking for a wader that I can tromp through anything with. I have entered the woods twice with neoprene waders and both times come out with a hole, I hate neoprene
So I am looking for:
-A wader with similar material to the Cabelas Brush Bruster (harder, less flexible and looser material that cannot tear and can layer underneath)
-While I hate neoprene I have seen a few brands come out with a nylon material over the neoprene-anyone try these? I believe Lacrosse and the new "Banded" brand have these.
-Will be using these later in the season with some walking involved (don't want a huge 1600 gram boot but also need some sort of insulation-the brush busters were 1000 gram and worked nicely)
Looking forward to your suggestions.
 
Andrew:

I don't know the brushbusters, but I am convinced that waders are one of those things where you get what you pay for. I've been through many many pairs of waders over the years. I prefer breathable waders, big enough to let me layer up under them for cold weather. I like stocking foot waders and wading boots.

I don't think you can go wrong with Patagonia or Simms. I've almost never heard a bad thing about waders from either company, and both are reknowned for great customer service. They are pricy, though.

My last 3 pairs have been Patagonia, which fit me better than Simms. I use them year round--for work, for fishing, for hunting, in salt water and fresh, from 90 degrees in the summer to zero in the winter.

Did I mention they're pricy?

Every once in a while I'll pick up a pair of less expensive waders, usually at discount. They work ok, but I'm generally dealing with pin hole leaks or a weeping seam in less than a season.
 
Thanks for comments Jeff. I don't mind paying a little more to get something I know will last. Until I bought the brush busters I bought pair after pair of neoprenes that cost between $100 and $150 that only a season lasted, if that. A little frustrating in that I know I only paid $180 for the good pair of waders in the brush busters but o well.
Would you be comfortable tromping through a few wooded areas with the Patagonias without ripping the material? I often hike in uncharted areas to back duck holes or do a little grouse hunting on my way out and this is where I have run into most of my problems in the past.
 
Andrew:

I wear mine to bushwhack through spruce and cedar along trout streams all the time. They also see their share of abuse from barnacles, sitting or leaning on Maine's mostly granite rocks, and crashing through raspberries.

I definitely know some partridge covers I WOULDN'T wear them into, but I don't like going into those in brush pants, either!

Patagonia has several models. These are the ones I have:P http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-rio-gallegos-zip-front-waders-short?p=82800-0



They are fairly new. The older model--my last two pairs--was pretty tough, and these look to have more reinforcement in stress and wear areas, but I've only had them a few weeks.

I'd add that my experience is that you can poke holes in any waders with sharp sticks, barbed wire, etc. These holes are easy to repair. The real problem, and my main complaint with less expensive waders I've had, is that they either seep through small holes I can't find, or the seams leak after a few weeks of use.

I generally get 3 years out of a pair of the Patagonia's, typically with the need for some attention with Seam Seal on the high-wear areas in the last year. Though they are pricy, I figure I'd rather pay a lot one time for 3 years of being dry than a smaller amount once a year to be damp.



There are plenty of decent waders available from Bean's, Cabela's, Orvis and others at lower prices, but I've decided the Patagonia's are worth the extra money. I wouldn't make that call if I spent less days on the water, or if I mostly did it from May-September. But in the early spring and late fall/winter, I like to know I'll stay dry.

FWIW, many of my fishing buddies rave about Simms, too. They just don't fit me well, so I can't compare.

Keep in mind that if you buy stockingfoot waders, you'll also need wading boots, which add to the cost . . . .

I just got a new pair of wading boots from Simms, who seem to be the last company making a size 16 boot that's not custom. I'm a big fan of the metal studded soles. Not such a big deal for most of my duck hunting, but on sea-weed covered ledges or snot-slick river rock they are needed. They will tear up a boat floor, so be careful. My studs are removable, and I take them off before duck season.

Buy boots oversize to allow for more sock layers for warm feet.
 
Stick with the 3mm or 5mm neoprene waders...Just buy you a pair of Cotton Waxed Filson bibs to wear overtop. Trust me, if the epidermic needle quality of a dried rice stalk or the knife edge of an oyster doesn't penetrate the Bibs you will never have another tear or puncture in the waders. Have not had a problem in 8 years with my neoprene waders in timber, layout, bay hunting Matagorda kneeling on shells or the current rice fields I hunt in Texas.

I highly recommend getting the Filson bibs to wear overtop. It also provides a wind break, an stagnant air barrier between the bibs/waders and layer of armour.

Regards,
Kristan
 
Andrew,
you might want to check on some USIA waders. The guy making them make dry suits and other military gear for our military. He is out of of St. Helens Oregon. The owners name is Kim if you decide to call and ask him questions directly.
Basically, his waders are a dry suit from the chest down, covered in a cordura material, with suspenders for over your shoulders like any other waders. He repairs them if they leak and you can have the boots replaced, unlike other waders where you throw out the waders when the boots fail.
Here is the pair I bought.
USIAwaders_zps1334ac92.jpg
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They are light weight and water tight. The only moisture you will see in these is your own sweat. They are sized just a bit bigger to give you room to dress up or insulate and I would advise buying the boots over sized to allow extra socks.
He has a website where he sells them online. Check them out. I really like the durability of mine so far.
 
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