Stockingfoot Waders question

[PaBeerGuy]

So my body's been telling me that the heavy neoprene chest waders I've been carrying around in the trout streams is getting to be too much. :( They weigh a ton. Are stockingfoot waders the way to go? And what do some mean by breathable? Are those extra light weight?:confused:

[SaltLife1980]

I went breathable stocking foot and never looked back!

[kmaty]

Ul love them jump out of the water and their dry in minutes super light weight only problem is once you tear them its over my stuff get s used and abused unlike anyone had ever seen so any advice on how to patch breathable would be great

[acabtp]

breathable means that the water vapor inside the waders (your perspiration) can get out, but the liquid water outside the waders (the stream) can't get in. what that means for you is no condensation on the inside of the waders, so they are much more comfortable for extended periods than non-breathable waders. plus they are super light.

stocking foot is the way to go. you have the same comfort and traction as a regular pair of boots. much better than waders with the boots built in.

[Wilson]

My .02 is that a breathable pair of boot foot waders is the way to go.
You put them on and go. With stocking foot, you put on the waders, then the boots then the gravel guards...too much for me. Then you lose a guard!
When you get back to your truck to go home reverse above procedure.

Boot foot waders go on and come off quicker and easier...for me.

[baetis]

I'm with Wilson in the boot foot category. Much easier to get on and off. As you get older all that extra bending and lacing with layers of clothing can be a bit of a pain. They are, in general, a little heavier though.

My one bit of advice no matter which wader you go with. Buy from someone like LL Bean who has a no question return policy. If they spring a leak in a year or so, just return them.

[Wilson]

I'm with Wilson in the boot foot category. Much easier to get on and off. As you get older all that extra bending and lacing with layers of clothing can be a bit of a pain. They are, in general, a little heavier though.

My one bit of advice no matter which wader you go with. Buy from someone like LL Bean who has a no question return policy. If they spring a leak in a year or so, just return them.
And I might add that boot foot breathables are pretty hard to find. I will be getting my Orvis pair today via UPS.
I'll report what I think of them, besides the fact that they cost too damn much:eek:
LL Bean does not sell size 12 boot foot in a large wader, so I had to go with Orvis.

[Mark B.]

Stocking foot for me.

With, quality wading boots (felt soles & metal studs),…………….they are water hiking boots,………the best, if you cover a lot of distance, as I do.

Also, socks to go over the wader’s stocking foot. Otherwise you will wear a hole in the wader’s stocking foot. Simms makes such wading socks,……..they are very durable. And, I use them alone in my wading boots when wading wet.

I used to have breathable waders & neoprenes. However, I found that I don’t really need the breathables,……….as when the water warms to the low 50’s, I go straight to wet wading.

[Wilson]

Stocking foot for me.

With, quality wading boots (felt soles & metal studs),…………….they are water hiking boots,………the best, if you cover a lot of distance, as I do.

Also, socks to go over the wader’s stocking foot. Otherwise you will wear a hole in the wader’s stocking foot. Simms makes such wading socks,……..they are very durable. And, I use them alone in my wading boots when wading wet.

I used to have breathable waders & neoprenes. However, I found that I don’t really need the breathables,……….as when the water warms to the low 50’s, I go straight to wet wading.
The Orvis waders have metal studs already attached.
As I have seen in other states, felt soles are being outlawed to prevent invasive species from spreading, so I figured I am ahead of the curve.

Wet wading in 50 degree water:eek: your a maniac:D

[Lard Almighty]

If you're only using the waders for freshwater, then stocking foot will offer a better fit and be more comfortable. Just be sure to get the proper sized wading shoe; too tight or too loose and you will blister like crazy!

If you are even THINKING about using the waders for surf fishing, go boot foot. It is impossible to keep sand out of wading shoes, even using duct tape as gravel guards. A few pounds of wet sand in your shoes makes walking the beach very unpleasant.

[Wilson]

Seeing that I have Good Friday off to I zipped out of work a little early with my New Orvis waders to try them on. They are light weight and look to be well made. Problem is the boot foot size 12 is not a 12, more like 11 1/2. Too small for me. I called to exchange them for a 13 and surprise....they don't make a 13 in a large wader body.:mad:
I will have to get an XL wader body to get a size 13 boot. I don't think anyone that is 6'2 - 175 lbs would be considered an XL.
I'm still on the fence as to whether return them or exchange for the XL.

Sucks you can't find any quality equipment anymore in the sport shops that are left. Buying articles of clothing over the internet is always a hassle.

[Capt. Lou]

I'm currently using Beans bootfoot breathables , third season lots of use holding up very well !
Nice solid bootfit no movement & lightweight to walk easily!
Caution those suction cup bottoms must be cleated for slip free use , not all there touted to be as far as slippery streams are concerned!
Added screw in spikes now boots perfect!!

[Wilson]

I'm currently using Beans bootfoot breathables , third season lots of use holding up very well !
Nice solid bootfit no movement & lightweight to walk easily!
Caution those suction cup bottoms must be cleated for slip free use , not all there touted to be as far as slippery streams are concerned!
Added screw in spikes now boots perfect!!

Bean does not sell a size 12 boot in a large wader either...I called them.
Wish my feet were smaller. FYI the Orvis wader comes pre-cleated.

[PaBeerGuy]

Stocking foot for me.

With, quality wading boots (felt soles & metal studs),…………….they are water hiking boots,………the best, if you cover a lot of distance, as I do.

Also, socks to go over the wader’s stocking foot. Otherwise you will wear a hole in the wader’s stocking foot. Simms makes such wading socks,……..they are very durable. And, I use them alone in my wading boots when wading wet.

I used to have breathable waders & neoprenes. However, I found that I don’t really need the breathables,……….as when the water warms to the low 50’s, I go straight to wet wading.
OK, so I'm going with LLBean stockingfoot waist-high breathables, put the order in last night. Now I will need boots. Are the studded good to use on small streams with limestone rocks? We have a lot of that in Pa, especially where I like to go to the central part of the state. Any suggestions for the boot now?

[Mark B.]

OK, so I'm going with LLBean stockingfoot waist-high breathables, put the order in last night. Now I will need boots. Are the studded good to use on small streams with limestone rocks? We have a lot of that in Pa, especially where I like to go to the central part of the state. Any suggestions for the boot now?

As NJ does not have a ban on felt soles, I go with studded felts. Just bought Simms Guide Boot. Pricey @ $200,.......but durable,...the best.

Simms makes others,.....the Freestone @ $100. I've had those, too.

You have to check to see if those PA streams have bans on felt soles,....if so, you have to get the rubber like "eco or clean stream" soles. They come studded too,....or u can screw in studs.

I've gotten good deals (waders, too) on this site:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/wading-boots-and-fishing-shoes~d~244/

[PaBeerGuy]

Got the stocking foot waders in the mail from LLBean. The feet seem awfully big!:eek: I wear a 13 shoe so I figure a 14 boot over the stockingfeet but I'm afraid they're going to be kind of bunched up in the toe area. Or will they shrink up a little after they get wet?:confused:

[Capt. Lou]

No they do not shrink ! The baggie nature is something you do not want in a wader bootfoot or otherwise ,decent snug fit with a little play OK ,but sloopy asks for troublr if you fish a lot. Occassional use you can get by !!:cool:

[Wilson]

Got the stocking foot waders in the mail from LLBean. The feet seem awfully big!:eek: I wear a 13 shoe so I figure a 14 boot over the stockingfeet but I'm afraid they're going to be kind of bunched up in the toe area. Or will they shrink up a little after they get wet?:confused:
Told you it sucks buying wearing apparel over the internet;)

[PaBeerGuy]

Alright, so I got my boots in size 14 :eek: since my normal shoe size is 12 - 13 depending. I put on a pair of thick socks underneath the stockingfoot waders to fill them out. They don't seem too bad at that point, but I'm thinking maybe even another pair of socks underneath???Would there be any harm in that?:confused:

[Capt. Lou]

sock deal should work, might stick a pair of felts inside each foot , can leave them in there ! That plus a sock should take up void.
most forms of waders are oversized , if you dont try them on first, can be pot luck on what size you'll really get!:cool: