Best and WORST waders?

[mandinga]

I'd like to hear some opinions on good and bad waders.


I know alot of people opt for the less expensive waders that will probably leak.

and

If you are lucky enough to own an expensive pair of waders...was it worth it?

I just bought my first pair of nice waders after years of leakage. I have yet to get them wet.

[B-RUN STEELIE]

Best waders I have ever had for not leaking are BARE waders. The current pair won't spring a leak so I have not went out and got any breathables yet.

[mandinga]

Bare as in no skibbies?

I'm glad I havent seen you on the river! lol J/K

[AndyK]

I really go through waders!

I am willing to pay more for waders if I can be assured they will last longer, but there are no warrantees for wear & tear. I've checked and can find no manufacturer that will give me a guaranteed life.

Therefore, I buy two sets of chest waders every year: one neoprene and one breathable canvas.

Currently I am using Cabelas 5mm neoprene and their Guide Tech breathable waders. They are half the price of Simms, etc. If I thought the Simms would last twice as long as the Cabelas (or longer), I would buy them. But I think I would wear them out in one season also.

[HappyHooker]

I purchased a pair of Dan Bailey Ultralight waders because I have heard that they are plenty durable. In fact, a local flyfishing store rents them out, and they still hold up. I heard that in the event that they do get a leak, the customer service through the manufacturer is 2nd to none. They are comfortable as heck. Don't let the Ultralight label fool you. They are plenty durable.

[cphatts]

The best I have had are Simms...2-1/2 years (I fish about 70 days a year) abnd still going strong.

The worst I had were Hodgman's....only made it about a year and a half and that was reeeealy stretching it. They totally leaked for the last 6 months I owned them.

No matter what its usually a crap shoot. You can spend the big bucks and buy the Simms, Baileys, Patagonias, etc. and still get burned once in a while. That said, I have never had a cheap pair make it much more than 100 days on the water.

[fishladder]

I second happyhooker, my DBs I have are tough, they have fought coastal brush, saltwater and my general neglect and have come out on top, though I am ready for a new set. I also bank it exclusively, for lack of a boat so I have many miles and have worn boots out before they leaked. But....they are the higher end model, I have not tried out the ultralights.

[mpruet]

I have only had one pair of waders, so far, and they are Cabelas, Dri something-or-other and they were $129.00. They haven't worn out so I can't complain.

[Riverteeth]

Have tried A LOT of different waders. Best pair, hands down, are from Patagonia. Great customer service as well, if you ever have a problem. HIGHLY reccomend them!

Aklso make an awesome wading boot. The new ones they are first ones I have ever had that don't cinch down the neoprene bootie on your foot when you put them on: plently of room to get your foot in.

[garyk]

For the price point the Dan Bailey breathables have proven to be an extremely good value, and as someone else said, very comfortable.

I've got a pair of Orvis Silver labels too, but because they're more restrictive, I don't like them for walking.

With so many good values out there, I've never felt the need to go up to the Simms/Patagonia price level.

[CrookedR]

My wife and I got Simms a couple of years ago and we wouldn't buy anything else. We mostly do float tubing, but every once in awhile brave the big water. I have not had a problem with them yet, and know that if I did there great customer service would help me out.

Jim

[Grantspastor]

The best waders are those that don't leak the whole duration of an Alaskan float trip. The worst are the ones I take that usually do.

[Steve L.]

I'm on the fourth season with my Orvis Clearwaters. No leaks and plenty of room for fleece when the weather gets cold. I'm mostly wading in the rivers and streams since I don't have a boat or toon. So far, so good.

[steel_beaver]

I had hogeman's and some other kind(stearns i think) that were horrible (less than 10 trips on the hogemans and 2 trips :bigshock: on the stearns). I finally decided to go for the best and got a pair of G3. so far they are great, but its only been around 10 trips... will let you know in a few years.

Later

S_B :cheers:

[Mad Mikey]

I have the high end Dan Baileys and it was a right fine investment. I have knocked the snot out of these things for 4 years and only got my first pin-hole leak this year.

I used to have neos and cheap breatheables to get me through the season(s) but found I was replacing my cheapos almost yearly.

I broke even with respect to my wader purchases in about two years.

I had very very bad luck with the Hodgeman Wadelights and if this post qualifies as a complaint I sign my name,

Mike Cowdrey, NEO

[Steelie Mike]

I went through three pairs of Orvis Silver Label and Guide series waders a few years ago within a year. They replaced them each time but what a pain. I went to Simms after that and have had similar problems. I just fish a lot more than the average Joe I guess. My last pair of Simms G3 were replaced for free. I now wet wade a lot more than in the past.

[mandinga]

I bought the top of the line hodgemans from a mail ordeer...I'm getting bervous. But hey, mayby I'll be the one guy out of 10 that gets a pair of hodgemans to last.


I wonder...since hodgemans are so popular, are the people that hate the hodgemans speaking up because they are mad about the leaking waders....and the people who are satisfied with their hodgemans not speaking up? I say this because just about every post I've read about them has been negative.


I had a pair of godgemans last me years....and years....so I finally switched back.

[BigSkyHunter]

Mandinga,

I am happy to tell you that I have had a pair of Hodgemans Streamlites breathables last me 2 years until a few weeks ago when I was fighting a very large spring chinook and while chasing it downstream I fell and a sharp rock put a small hole in them. Until this I had no leakage whatsoever and fished with them year round, even in Febreaury ice bearing streams in MT. I bet I had over a 100 days of fishing on them. I am glad to see this thread though as I am about to buy a new pair and it is interesting to read everyones experiences.

BSH

[D3smartie]

Best: G3s. I hunted and fished through some rough stuff in these waders. Great waders but the Simms customer service lately has sucked.

Worst: Hodgeman or Orvis. I have had one pair of each and both came out of the package leaking. The more expensive orvis i have seen look nice, but the lower end ones sucked. Luckily Orvis replaced them at no cost to me but i wont buy them again.

What i am wearing now: Redington. The new CPS waders have been great for me this summer. We will see how they do over time and guiding this fall, but the reports from all my friends that have them are positive so far.

[kimmosan]

Here's another vote for Dan Baileys. Bought a pair at least 5 years ago and they finally started leaking last year, so I bought a new pair. I do a lot of walking and finally wore a hole in the stocking feet.

The worst are the old latex Seal Dris. Not sure if you can still buy them, but talk about uncomfortable, hot, restrictive.

[Duane Doran]

If ever there was a product that provided truth to the old saying: "It's impossible to pay a little and get a lot" it would have to be waders.

Hands Down Best: Simms G3's
Also most expensive - I've tortured mine for three years now and honestly can't see them failing any time soon. And given the poor quality of Simms Customer Service it's a good thing.

Hands Down Worst: Hodgeman Breathables
Among the least expensive. I have a friend who routinely stopped at GI Joe's after every trip to return his and pickup a new set. He eventually grew tired of this ritual and bought a good pair. If I were a betting man I'd venture they've replace over 60% of all of those sold. They must have one healthy profit margin to continue to sell them.

There are certain products that don't justify buying on the low end. Waders are one of them. Just remember the cost of the waders aren't the only expense association with a fishing trip. Never mind the hard earned time off you may be wasting.

[Siwash]

I'm a satisfied user of the Hodgeman Wadelites. Mine are at least 3-4 years old now, although I haven't been out nearly as often the last couple years I used 'em a lot when I first made the switch from neoprene. I ripped a small hole in one shin that was easily patched, and no other leaks. I've since gotten a pair of Simms with the expectation of replacing the Hodgmans when they finally go, but that may be awhile at my current pace. The Simms do appear to be of tougher construction, but on the flip side the lighter Hodgmans feel more confortable to me.

[AndyK]

Doesn't wear depend on use?

If you only use your waders 20 days a year, they should last many years. If you use them to only walk a short distance to the water or to fish from a boat (or float tube, etc) they won't get much wear.

If you walk long trails to the river or fish small creeks where you are constantly "beating brush", the wear should be somewhat less.

[mandinga]

what? did you say you wear depends? lol.



seriously....I'm sure you're right about wear and tear...it must have alot to do with how long they last. Since I'm constantly off the beaten path trying to find an unfished riffle I often find myself sliding aimlessly through berry bushes...thus, I should buy the best waders available...or, the cheapest since they are going to rip anyhow.
choices choices

[clacksteel]

Great thread...I have been planning on getting a new pair of waders...mine have just sprouted up leaks...first in the booties and now pretty much all over. Wading waist deep in 40 degree water is not fun when your waders are leaking. BTW they are hodgeman breathables.

[mpruet]

I too have sprung some leaks in my current pair of Cabelas waders. Last week, I put in an order for the Cabelas River Guide Breathables.

Since I only get on the river about 26-30 days/year, I am thinkging that they should last me a while.

[Old Coot]

A trick I picked up while alternately fishing and brushbeating in Alaska was to wear an old pair of Levis over my waders. The jeans turned most of the twigs and thorns that otherwise would have shredded my Seal-Dries.

It works down here pretty well, too; though I did find that even the jeans won't fend off barbed wire. A side benefit is savoring all the looks you get from other people who think you are wet-wading 45 degree water.

[rob allen]

i have had 2 pairs of hodgemans and both were destroyed after a few months

my first pair of simms classics lasted me 5 years of very hard use. my second has lastemd me 2 years so far but to be honest I hardly ever fish in waders anymore.. maybe a few times in the winter and a little in the fall.

[PTS]

My latest pair of Simms guide weights developed a serious leak in the left leg after about six trips. No serious bushwaking either. All waders leak. I wear holes in Dan Bailey booties usually after a couple of months. I have used just about every wader and they all develop leaks after a short period of use. I am really tired of applying Aquaseal every couple of weeks. I just accept being wet.

[swingndeep]

I have had a pair of DB's for 5 years now and they just startd to leak this summer. I dont fish 100 days a year but when I do fish I fish hard and as a result I burn through waders. These have lasted the longest by far, Before I switch to breathable wadders I went through one pair of neopreans a season.

[Snakebite]

I believe that I was the first ODFW (seasonal) employee to use neoprene waders on the job back in '86? And we discovered that they were incredibly durable when going through brush and all the other stuff we encountered when doing field work on the coastal streams.

I personally have a pair of neoprenes that I've trashed pretty well, and they have been abused, but are easy to repair. I have now my favorite ones that are the light breathable type, and I love them merely because of the light weight weight and ease of movement while wearing them. I got a limit of clams yesterday wearing them, and the ease of movement is like just wearing a pair of pants.

Brand names? Warranties for failure...I have no clue. :shrug:
My tach is that, any wader is better than none at all...
unless your tough enough to just get wet and cold... :hoboy:

[dirtyCut]

Someone touched on Patagonia and customer service. Hands down I will always purchase Patagonia products as they stand behind them %100! In six years of serious fishing, 4-6 days a week, bush-wacking coastal streams these waders are buff. They replaced them for seam leaks. I dont think that any wader, breathable or not, are going to last more than 80-100 trips. I purchased a pair of back up waders, McGill and Wright breathables however they just dont compare to the Patagonia. I regret not purchasing the boots, I ended up getting the Simms L2's and am extremely disapointed with Simms' lack of customer service. Two trips on the boots and a major seam came apart - nada response from Simms yet - been a few months now!!

Patagonia has my business - Simms doesnt seem to want it.

Mark Dryden

[3riversBob]

I was in Goodwill one day (the REALLY cheap outlet) and walking by a bin full of clothes I thought I saw neoprene. I reached in and pulled out a pair of Cabelas chest waders. Looked them over and couldn't find anything wrong so I bought them for $5. They were a bit small for me but fit my best friend like a glove. He wears them A LOT and has been for a couple of years now. No problems! The first couple of pairs of Hodgmens I bought I bought them so that they fit like skin. Not a good idea as they would stretch and put too much stain on the seams. After a few wearings they would start to leak. I buy them now so that they fit a little looser and haven't had a problem.

When I'm ready for my next pair I think I will look into the Cabelas for myself.

I am in the market now for a pair of breathables. What should I look out for? I don't want to spend a ton of money but do want them to last at least a couple of years.

Bob

[mandinga]

bob, dan baileys seem like a great bet.




i like neoprenes as well, but only in the winter...they are so much more durable and long lasting than any breathables I have ever owned.

[CAPT KUJO]

Hands down....I make the best right here in St. Helens! With warranty and they can be repaired. ODFW use them and well as USFWS

both cloth and breathable

See them here: USIA Waders (http://www.usia.com/consumer/?p=24)

CAPT KUJO

[skaha]

--I use sea-tux made in naniamo BC. Can get them custom made
-- I've used them mostly in lakes in belly boat so not a true test of wear.
--Several of my friends that do a lot of river fishing where they have to walk through brush, roses etc. sometimes slip rain gear on when trecking through the brush.
--Most find no matter what the price if bush wacking alot all wear out.
--Have had good luck with bear neoprene and breathable.
--I used to own a shop so have had bad experience with early breathables of all makes. Most have replaced but some took up to a year. We always had some spares around to give to customers waiting for warrenty work.
--Big thing is keeping them clean and dry when stored to get the most out of them and keep a good quality patch kit. Warrenty doesn't help in the middle of a fishing trip.
--Like a tire so wearing them around town shopping is just using up valuable water life. I wait till I'm at the spot to put them on.

[Subtlety]

I just got myself a pair of simms g3's and I love them. I personally cannot tell you how long mine will last but I do have two brothers and that both have had them a few years and they are all still both on their first pair.

The last set of waders I had were Flytech neoprenes and with a reasonable amount of patching I got 9 years out of them before a seam let go. In that 9 years I would take a conservative guess at around 100-120 days on the water with them per year.

As far as Simms goes with their warranty I have not had any experience dealing with them. I had heard that they are a rather tough company to deal with though and before I bought mine from the flyshop I deal with exclusively I told him about my concerns and he told me that if I didnt get 100% satisfaction from simms on any of my purchases he would give me a new set and try to turn my old ones into rentals if possible.

If you want to know where I do my flyfishing business PM me and I will pass along the info since the flyshop isnt a sponsor on this site and any info would be removed by mods in a thread.

[RazorClam]

For the money THe best waders are hands down the Simms classic guides! THey are really durable and are super confortable! If I know it is going to be really cold though, than I still go with the good old neopreme! but your best bet are the breathables for 3 season fishing( spring, summer, and fall). Not to mention you are supporting a produsc made in bozeman, mt. The warrienty is great and the people at simms are 1st class.

Dig them fast & set the hooks hard

Razor Clam :yeahthat: