Wader suggestions

Phil Nowack

Phil Nowack

Well-known member
Ok... I have recently discovered that I have a need for new waders. After spending the weekend with a 1/2" of water in my boots, I need knew ones. My old waders (6 season) are Drake waterfowl LST. The failure is where the ankle bends. Almost like dry rot...




I am currently looking at Drake Waterfowl LST 2.0 and Lacrosse Aerotuff, Brushtuff, and Swamptuff... I think I need the TUFF! :)


Any suggestions?
 
I just bought a pair of the Lacrosse Swamptuffs. Unfortunately, I've only worn them once so far so I can't give them a fair shake yet. I will say I like the shoulder straps way better than my leaky old pair of Cabela's waders. I was constantly adjusting them on that pair. And I never could figure out why they would put a bright yellow Cabela's logo right across your chest on camoflauge waders. Somebody is a bit unclear on the concept of camoflauge I think.
So far I like the Swamptuffs, but again, that's only from wearing them once.
Steve
 
Phil,

It sounds like your Drake's & mine conspired together over the off season..... I purchased a new pair of Drake MST last October, and was quite content with the fit and warmth provided from these waders. They were inside the shed all off season, and during August/September while working on blinds I wore an older pair of canvas waders due to the heat.

Well.... opening day of the first split arrived, and so did the leaking of the "new" waders, in the same spot you described. So the hunt began for a replacement pair.

I was fairly sold on the idea of finding a pair of breathable waders for this season due to our wild temperature swings throughout our "winter" in NC. I still wanted a wader with 800+ grams of insulation in the boot, but something with reinforcement for hunting the inland stump maze swamps.

I narrowed it down to two waders, the New LL Bean breathable waders, and the Roger's "Toughman" waders. Due to the cost, (299.99 - LL Bean, 189.99 - Rogers) I opted for the rogers.

I can not be happier with the choice I made. The boots fit INCREDIBLY well, and the waders do not "swallow" you like other breathable waders I have seen. 1200 grams of insulation in the boots, and heavy canvas reinforcement on the knees, shins, and butt provide a sense of confidence against potential tears and loss of toes do to freezing conditions.

For 189.99 I really do not think you can go wrong with these waders..

Good luck with the search, it took me a while to narrow it down but was extremely satisfied with my selection.

-Griffin
 
I know Dave and Pete like their breathable.... I am not sure that I can bring myself to go breathable... On the breathable... The warm is all in the base layers, right? I think I am ruling the Drakes as I want to be able to try them on... And no one has them bear me.
 
Pete,

Based on personal experience, I cannot recommend Drake waders.

The LaCrosse waders I had lasted a decade. They were 5mm.

I bought the Drake because..... I fell for the marketing :-(

Since it was a decade ago I bought those LaCrosse, I guess I can't say if their current stuff is better or worse. Seems so many companies change ownership/management/leadership it's hard to keep straight who USED to make good stuff and who STILL makes good stuff.

My next pair is back to LaCrosse.
 
Check the lining material, it is getting tougher and tougher to find waders with nice smooth and silky lining that doesn't chafe my nipples - especially breathables.
 
I had some reservations as well making the transition to breathables from neoprene. I have owned several pairs of Simms breathable stockingfoots for fishing, and so I had a way to weigh the pros and cons.

I feel as though neoprene significantly limits how well you can layer. It also limits mobility. The breathable material is MUCH lighter, but allows you to more comfortably layer under. Personal preference for sure.

I will say the Rogers boots are without question the best fitting wader boot I have ever tried on..... and the hand pouch on the front is not thinly lined fleece like most neoprene wades.... it feels like a parcel of 6 week old labs..... top notch materials IMO.
 
Switching from neoprene to breathables with fleece wader pants underneath was a revelation for me. I think I get away with the breathables deep into January because I'm primarily in the boat, but the mobility and comfort is a huge plus. I have the cabelas dry plus.
 
Check the lining material, it is getting tougher and tougher to find waders with nice smooth and silky lining that doesn't chafe my nipples - especially breathables.
Click to expand...

Try putting on a glob of petroleum jelly on before donning your waders. If you're feeling froggy, use Vicks.
 
Check the lining material, it is getting tougher and tougher to find waders with nice smooth and silky lining that doesn't chafe my nipples - especially breathables.
Click to expand...

Try putting on a glob of petroleum jelly on before donning your waders. If you're feeling froggy, use Vicks.
Click to expand...

That works, but makes the waders messy after a couple uses. I've tried band aids and they work, but... you have to take them off...
 
So... I wear fleece wader pant under the neoprene.... How many layers of warmth do you need in the breathable when the temps are in the 20s and 30s? How they hold up to ice and sticks and brambles?
 
So... I wear fleece wader pant under the neoprene.... How many layers of warmth do you need in the breathable when the temps are in the 20s and 30s? How they hold up to ice and sticks and brambles?
Click to expand...

30's - I wear my base layer and some thin fleece pants or sweats
20's - I wear the same base layer with the Cabelas fleece wader pants that look like regular pants. They are pretty thick.

Switched to breathables 4 years ago and never looked back.
 
So... I wear fleece wader pant under the neoprene.... How many layers of warmth do you need in the breathable when the temps are in the 20s and 30s? How they hold up to ice and sticks and brambles?
Click to expand...



That would be a question I would NOT be asking Tod for an answer.
 
You have breathables Dave, how woudl YOU answer the question? I do not want to be the kid from Christmas Story to stay warm in cold weather.
 
Phil,
This is my first "hunting" season using breathable. Before this season I've used neoprene for hunting and experienced the usual clamminess and sweating issues.
I have used breathables for fishing while standing in cold water (45-50 degree) for long periods of time. Standing in cold water will suck body heat faster than sitting in the boat. I usually dress for the temp same as I would if I was sitting in a tree stand at the same temp. If I need longjohns and wool pants in the stand, I wear the same inside my waders. The waders themselves add nothing for warmth, they just keep you dry.
The boots DO need to be insulated and I'd recommend 600 gram insulation or better in the boots.
 
It's been several years since I tossed my last pair of neoprenes. Good riddance to the clamminess! In addition to the aforementioned lighter weight, breathables are much quicker to dry in the event you exceed the freeboard.

Our waterfowling here runs from about the 1st of October thru mid January and wade-fishing our rivers is a year-around proposition. I have one pair of breathables for late Spring angling thru early duck season and they've just been hung up on the basement wall. A pair of L.L. Bean breathables with the 1200-gram Thinsulate boots are my go-to pair from now until next May.
 
My father in-law switched to stocking foot neoprenes with a tie-up boot. Whether breathable or neoprene, I anticipate I'll go the stocking foot.

I do a fair amour of hike-in hunting..... oh my, was it nice to have a comfortable boot on!
 
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]
My father in-law switched to stocking foot neoprenes with a tie-up boot. Whether breathable or neoprene, I anticipate I'll go the stocking foot.

I do a fair amour of hike-in hunting..... oh my, was it nice to have a comfortable boot on!
Click to expand...



My two cents;

(A) Stocking foot with lace up wading boots are best for walking

(B) insulated boot foot are warmer

If I were to be primarily sitting in a boat, I'd definitely go with a boot foot breathable rather than stocking foot.
[/font]
 
Fair enough, Dave

My LaCrosse 5mm of yore had a felt boot liner that could be pulled out to dry. It was a bit of a pain, but it did more to keep my feet warm than my 1200 Thinsulate Alpha Burly's.

Seems like a guy that duck hunts might benefit from having multiple wader options in his arsenal.... hmmmmmm..... :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top