new waders
 

i can't stop the leaking on my old neoprene boot waders so i'm going to upgrade to a neoprene sock / wading boot style. I'm not interested in any bells and whistles. Only interested in it not restricting me or leaking after a couple of uses haha.

After looking a bit, it seems like i can get the waders and boots for a total of under $200-$250 looking at the compass and frogg togg brands a few different models.

anyone want to bash either of these or make any suggestions before i make a purchase :)

Re: new waders
 

I absolutely love my Cabelas neoprene waders.

Re: new waders
 

I don’t wear the neoprene waders. The Frogg Toggs are a great brand though. If they last a couple seasons than you got your money’s worth. I like the breathable light weight ones. They’re just more comfortable!

Re: new waders
 

You sure you want neos and not breathables ? They really dont keep you that much warmer except when its warm out then you're sweating your ass off. Oversize your breathables and layer up make sure you oversize the boots also.
Cabelas from what I have heard do not honor the replacements as they use to but LLBean does. Whatever brand you get just make sure you get a good quality breathable.
Personally I have Dan Bailey's but then arent cheap.

Re: new waders
 

I'm brutal on waders (briars, sticks, falls, barbed wire, more falls), used to get a year or so out of Cabelas or Hodgemans. Finally bit the bullet and bought the lowest end model Simms breathables. I know fancy, over priced, yupster but I had them 10 years with only 1 aqua seal job.now my son has them. They more than paid for themselves 2x over. Steep front end price but you make up for it with less overall purchases.

Re: new waders
 

+1 for simms. Had frequent leaks with cheaper neoprene waders. Was going through about one a year. Got simms and the quality is far more superior. Its been three years so far and I am very satisfied. I did have one issue, while walking the area between my knees would rub and after awhile it created a small hole. Sent them in during the summer and they repaired for free.

Oh and I purchased them on sale. They are pricey but I believe I got like $100 off.

Re: new waders
 

So if you’re standing in 35 degree water for two hours in January paper thin breathable waders are just as warm as 5mm neoprene’s? I fish all winter and my legs never get cold wearing the neoprene’s.

Re: new waders
 

Been steelhead fishing in some of the nastiest weather in breathables just need to layer up. He didnt say he wanted winter waders. Breathables are much better for all conditions just look at how many guys steelhead fishing are wearing breathables. Remember sweating in really cold weather is the worst thing you can do. But if you like neos thats great they have their place. If I was going to sit in a boat or duck blind and not walk around I
would go with neos.

Re: new waders
 

I totally agree, I used to fish in the same Neos that I use for waterfowl hunting and ended up switching out for some breathable lightweight LLBean waders and some Orvis boots. I just layer up and they are fine. Fished for steelhead on the Lake Ontario tribs in late November and was perfectly warm. Also I don't feel nearly as tired at the end of a long day of fishing with a lot of hiking between spots.

Re: new waders
 

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Gator Waders because they sell them in a leopard print.


https://cdn.outdoorhub.com/wp-conten...rs_feature.jpg
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Re: new waders
 

Chrisper, In my humble opinion you can not beat the Orvis Encounter Bootfoot Wader. You should definitely take a look at them. Knee area is reinforced. Also a great guarantee on their waders if something goes wrong. A little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Re: new waders
 

try field supply.com for waders today, 30 JAN.

Re: new waders
 

well this just became the easiest decision in the world!

Re: new waders
 

I don't really want the waders with the boot built in...they always end up leaking in the boot area in my experience. Though i did get about 6-7 years out of my cheap neoprene ones (repairing it multiple times, until I just couldn't stop the leaking anymore).

I'd have to get like 28 years out of a simms pair to match that, which i don't think would happen.

I'm usually pretty careful about not walking through thorns and stuff, my biggest issue is a lot of walking in the uneven riverbeds. the built in boot waders just don't flex and end up leaking, plus the soles suck and rocky areas bust my feet up.

I'm not looking for neoprene waders. when mine started leaking i used an old pair of cheap breathable ones that didn't leak and there was no difference in warmth...the water is actually warmer than the air most of the time fall and winter.

Re: new waders
 

I have Simms G3 Guide waders and their G3 boots which have held up very well since I purchased them in 2016. Felt bottoms with screw-in studs is the only way to go for great traction. Prior to that I had Redington Sonic Pro waders and their Skagit boots. The waders held up well for a good few years of use but the boots didn't last. I vividly remember walking on some rocks while I was up in Olcott, NY and the whole sole on one foot came right off. They went in the garbage after that. I don't like neoprene waders either as I don't want to be hot when fishing in the summer. In the colder months I wear the Simms Guide Fleece Bibs underneath and never get cold. They don't infringe on your movement at all either which is great.

Re: new waders
 

I have a pair of hodgman neoprene waders that are hand me downs from my Dad and must be over 20 years old. I love them. They feel fantastic. Never a tear or leak despite my best efforts to do so walking through brush and every other hazard. Not too expensive from what I see with newer models. I paired with cabela neoprene boots that i wouldnt recommend. But if i ever do need a new pair of waders, which with their quality and hpw grrst they still look i may not, i would stick with Hodgman.

Re: new waders
 

thanks for the comments guys...i think i'm between the frogg toggs pilot 2 or the L.L. Bean Emerger...They seem pretty comparable but i can find the frogg toggs for a pretty good sale price so i'm leaning towards them.

Now i just need a boot that's around 70-80 bucks that's tough enough to not fall apart or be uncomfortable.

Re: new waders
 

Just get them leopard ones bro. Top of the food chain dude!

Re: new waders
 

I had a pair of Frogg Toggs that lasted about 1.5 years.
They leaked often at the bootie interface. I sprayed them a few times and that worked for awhile. Eventually the inner breathable membrane separated on the inside from the nylon material. Threw them out before the two year mark. :mad: Just my observations.
I personally wouldn't buy Frogg Togg again.
Hope that helps

Re: new waders
 

which ones? i feel like someone has had leaky versions of every single brand...and that's pretty much the number one thing i want is no leaking hahaha seems like it's a crap shoot. i guess i'll just go with the leopard ones...they'll probably leak too but at least i'll look bad ass.

Re: new waders
 

I’ve worn the Aquaz boot foots in winter like now in 36 degree water . Mine have the Boggs boots with a neoprene connection this elimates any chaffing ang gives the boot more flexibility in that area .
The Boggs are 5mm insulated and tops 4 ply breathable very flexible but tough.
I e worn these four 4 seasons now only in winter consditions then switch over to their stocking foots once water in mid 40’s !
I generally fish several times a week in winter when conditions aren’t too bad and I’m totally satisfied with all my Aquaz waders 👍
Not cheap but I’m certainly getting what I paid for so far & last season alone I fished trout about 75 days much in cold weather !
Neoprenes are warm but can be more difficult to walk distances , however if ur not a walker then nonissue !

Re: new waders
 

I wear a thick pair of Polar fleece pants under my thin "summer" waders and have never been cold, even in the winter.

Re: new waders
 

I cant speak to the Frog Toggs, I have never owned them. Since you are looking for breathable stocking foot, I would suggest staying away from Simms, only there high end G series is made in the Bozeman, the rest is sourced from overseas. I had Freestone's and they were just problems.

Orvis quality has gone way down, you certainly don't get your moneys worth!

On the cheap, you can't beat the Cabelas brand, but don't expect a lifespan past 3 years.

If you are 6' or taller, there are two brands I would recommend, Redington or LLBean. Both have great warranties & customer service. Both are made with extra leg length to not put stress on the seat seams when climbing over fallen trees or down banks. As far as extra features, they are probably the equal. Hope that helps.

Re: new waders
 

100% agree on the LLBean, I'm 6'3" and the waders are the most comfortable ones I have ever owned.

Re: new waders
 

Anyone ever use these?

https://dryftfishing.com/shop/s14-adrenaline-wader/

Re: new waders
 

so i fish for everything that NJ has to offer and that probably puts me in the rivers wading maybe 30 times per year on average. My cheap $100 pro-line neoprene waders lasted me about 6 years before the boot leak became virtually non-fixable. If i pay $180 for waders and another 70-80 for boots am i just dreaming expecting them to last longer than that???

now i'm considering just buying another pair of cheapo ones if it's all doing to leak no matter what :mad:

Re: new waders
 

i'm no thinking L.L. Bean if that warranty statement on their site holds true...anyone ever made a return to them that can confirm?

It says basically for any reason if not satisfied they'll exchange or return...I'd expect at least 5-6 years of avg 30 trip seasons without bad leaks due to usage on the seams. maybe small fixable ones once or twice...not including any that are my own fault.

Re: new waders
 

No, I think that's not an unreasonable expectation given the number of times you fish per year. 30x a year I would say your waders will last 3 years without leaks if they are hung and left to dry after use, you don't step on the stocking foot to get your leg out, you use a mat to stand on while getting your waders off, and do not go running through the forest blindfolded.... just reasonable care. Out of the waders I had and still have, the Redington's seem to be the most bulletproof, but they are also slightly heavier than other breathable waders.

I had a pair of Cabelas waders a 2006, they lasted 3 years for $132. I replaced them with more expensive Simms waders and they quit after 1.5 years. Same amount of fishing time per year, just crap for quality. Went through numerous repairs with Simms, and they never not once came back to me leak free.

Re: new waders
 

If you plunk down $250 combined I'd go with LL Bean for the wading shoes. I got 8 years out my last pair of their wading boots or about $10/yr of use. Can't beat that. Though Cabelas wading boots have treated me good too. Their breathable waders got me 5 years and would have lasted longer excepted I ripped them beyond repair in a nasty fall.

Re: new waders
 

In your opinions which is less likely to leak...the stocking feet or the built in boot style? I've only ever used built in boot style and eventually the boot is always what leaks to the point of being non-repairable.

I'm pretty sure i'm going to go with the l.l. bean emerger waders either the built in boot breathable version or the stocking foot breathable version with a pair of l.l. beans least expensive wading boot (either way about the same price $250).

I'm def going to hold them up to their warranty statement though, so i hope they stand behind it!

Re: new waders
 

Whatever you get, I always say... make sure you get one with a ZIPPER!!.
Makes draining the weasel so much easier!

Re: new waders
 

LL Bean's satisfaction guarantee is pretty iron clad. I bought a pair of hiking boots that didn't last as long as I thought they should. They were in their third year when I returned them and received a brand new pair, no questions asked.

Then there were the Bean jeans that the stitching started failing on a back pocket after a year or so. I put them aside with the intent of sending them back and forgot about them. Eight years later I was cleaning out a closet and found them. I figured WTF and sent them back and recieved a replacement.

I didn't try to return the Bean waders I ripped stepping over a jagged metal fence. I figured that was my fault. I have no doubt they would have replaced them though.

Re: new waders
 

Is there a ll bean out here? Or do you have to ship the item you are returning?

Re: new waders
 

Theres an LL Bean store attached to Freehold Mall

Re: new waders
 

Paramus Park Mall as well.

Re: new waders
 

100% go stocking foot + boots no matter what you do.

Re: new waders
 

That's a good question, not sure it can be easily answered. Too many variables to consider. With boot foot waders you lose the flexibility, such as using Corkers boots w/ swapable soles. Keep in mind I haven't worn boot foot waders since 2001...ish so I can't truly speak to quality or durability in current boot foot waders.

As far as LL Bean's warranty and customer service, they are top notch!

Re: new waders
 

thanks guys. I'm going to go with the L.L. Bean emerger stocking foot waders with their least expensive wading boot.

I'm going with the separate boot because my feet have taken a beating on rocks with the thin built in boot style.

Re: new waders
 

That's a good pick, they're great waders.

Re: new waders
 

I have the same ones and the waders are great. I am not 100% happy with the boots because the studs keep pulling out. I loose 3 or 4 after each fishing trip.