Good "bootfoot" breathable waders?

[Eric]

For years, it was hip boots but then I got tired of wading "just a little further" and filling them up all the time.

So I broke down and bought neoprenes. I started with stalking foot but they leaked horribly in the foot in less than a year (I hike alot). Then I tried neoprene boot foot waders and had a little better luck. They are going on 3 years but **** near every seam leaks badly....especially down the inseam and the crotch. Am I expecting too much out of neoprenes? I always wash and hang them out of sunlight. I don't abuse them when hiking. It just appears that the seams don't hold up well with even moderate use. I should probably mention I have used middle-of-the-road hodgman neoprenes.

Which brings me to breathable waders. I am looking for something that has bullet proof seams and comes in bootfoot. Money is not an issue as I will pay if the durability and quality are there.

Do you fellas have any suggestions? I'm kind of burning out on neoprene leaks and want something more dependable.

Thanks.

[SSPey]

I've owned Simms, LL Bean, and Hodgeman breathables. Friends have also owned Bare, Orvis, and Cabela's. You get what you pay for, unfortunately, with the higher end ones being more durable. The best of these are the LL Beans IMO (excellent warranty too in case you need it) followed by Simms.

[SSPey]

PS - if you do a lot of hiking in waders, get stocking foot with a neoprene bootie and a wading boot. Boot foots are uncomfortable, eventually leak at the boot - wader seam, and fabric feet leak too easy, period. Leaks in neoprene booties are easy to repair with Aquaseal.

[photofishn]

Eric

Most "leaking" in neoprene is actually sweat accumulation, that is unless you feel that "cold wet stuff' dripping down you leg all day." If its "warm wet stuff" you have a whole different problem [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

The best IMHO are Simms Simmsfishing.com
They have a Simms Gore-tex Guide Model BootFoot.

I have and love the Simms Guide Model Stocking Foot waders. It is a completely different experience fishing in these Gore-tex waders compaired to neoprene.

I live and fish in Arizona, so most of my fishing can be in the 80 deg F + temps and just a pair of shorts work well under the waders.

But when going to Lees Ferry( 45 deg F water temps) in the winter with snow flying, just add a pair of "expedition weight" long underwear and if its really cold, add an extra pair of fleece on top of the underwear and your set to go.

I do prefer the stocking foot because I can use a light weight boot for warmer months and a heavy "larger" boot for colder weather that will accept "thicker' socks.

The price will choke a horse, but most guides who river/wade fish for 200 + days a year swear by them.

On the side: my wife thought that they were too expensive for her and she would stick to her neoprene Simms models. Last summer we spent 29 days driving through out Colorado fishing.

One stop was in Aspen were we hired a guide to fish the Roaring Fork River. Since it was summer, they insisted she use a pair of the Simms Gore-tex Gudie Models "on the house".

She did and when we went back to the shop after fishing, she promptly spent $375 for a pair of her own.

Moral Of the Story:

Dont let you wife try on a pair!$$$$$$ [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 07-31-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

[ 07-31-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

[ 07-31-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

[ampersat]

i got my waders at fisherman's on sale. they're boot foot neoprenes. the seams leak a little but not enough to fill up my boots.
the biggest downside to the boot foot waders are that the feet aren't insulated. i fished in the sandy last winter for three hours; after an hour i couldn't feel anything below my ankles and by the time i got out i think my feet were frozen solid.

[Killertraylor]

I haven't tried the Cabelas lightweight breathable waders, but if I were to buy a pair, I'd take a serious look at them. I've bought 4 pair of waders from Cabela's and have had nothing but excellent results and excellent customer service. I currently use their "ultimate wader" which is a neoprene with bootfeet - too warm for summer fishing, but excellent for duck hunting. I returned a pair of cheaper ducks unlimited waders to Cabelas after I had them a year and the interior began ripping out - they refunded my money - no questions asked. I'd guess that they sell some of the more expensive brands as well, but I'm not positive.

[V. Green]

I would recommend that you look at the LL Bean GoreTEX/Kevlar waders. They were expensive even at the outlet in Lincoln City, but you can't beat the warranty. They have a lifetime satisfaction gaurantee on all products they sell.

I would also suggest that you get stockingfoot waders and good wading boots if you plan on hiking in these. You will find that the wading boots will offer better ankle support than the bootfoot and will likely be lighter.

I personally am happy with the GoreTEX booties rather than the neoprene. I have not had any leeks in two years of use, but every set of neoprenes I have owned have worn out in the feet first. I will warn you that you have to get warm socks and wear multiple layers in the cold winter water temps we have in OR & WA.

Good Luck,

[fish forever]

I got a pair of stocking foot Hodgman waist high breathables that i wear with Lug sole wading shoes. Good for hiking, comfortable in a boat, come up higher than hip boots.
They are a bit slippery in the river (i have felt soles too, but they are not good for hiking). Cant speak to durability as i just got them.

[4Salt]

Eric,

Photofishin is right on the money. Only one name for breathables as far as I'm concerned: SIMMS

I have had the guidewear stockingfoot for 3 years and they have been great. I've put them through some heavy use. NO leaks, lifetime warranty, very comfortable! A little spendy, but the value is DEFINITELY there. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Eric]

Thanks for the input fellas!

I posted this same question over on the PP board and one person mention Ronny brand. They sounded very well built too. Anyone have the poop on these and where they may be found?

I said money wasn't an issue....then I saw the price of the simms guide model boots. Holy cow!!!! I envisioned paying $2-300 not $500+.

Again, thanks for all the input.

[photofishn]

ERIC

Go for the Simms $375(just called my local AZ flyshop)! The Simms Price is Suggested retail.

Get the stocking foot model and by a pair of cheap wadeing boots ($79 Simms Freestyle).

Your in the Best pair of Gore-tex Waders and boots for ~$458. They will last forever(allmost).

Go to a local flyshop and try some on. Ask some trout guides, Better yet find a local shop that does guide trips and rent a pair for a day. You wont be sorry.

You might be with the Boot Foot Model [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[Williedrifter]

I'd give the Cabellas G-2's (?) a look for 99$. I've had mine for about six months and have worn them about fifty times with no trouble at all. The best part is I didn't have to take out a loan to buy em. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Snagly]

Another vote for Simms' Guidewear stocking foot waders. Tip: spend another $45 (ouch!) for Cabela's Gore-Tex insulated socks and the cold-sweat-pooling-in-your-booties problem will be manageable, if not disappear altogether.

If I didn't have the insulated Gore-Tex socks, the stocking foot waders would be very cold.

You can find them in the 2001 Cabela's Fall supplemental (hunting) catalog -- brown cover.

[photofishn]

Snagly

Thanks for the tip on the "socks"! When I wore "Neoprenes" I would end up with several "cups" of sweat in the bottom of my waders.

That problem has decreased greatly with the Simms Guide Waders, but there is still the issue of "Wet Socks" in the rubber booties.

Normaly I when fishing, the waders go on before the sun comes up and come off after it goes down. My feet look like old white wrinkeled prunes.

I had never though about the Gore-Tex socks.

[ 08-03-2001: Message edited by: photofishn ]

[KilgoreTrout]

Another vote for the Simms Guide stocking foot waders. You can get them locally at Kaufman's Streamborn in Tigard. They are located off Pac Highway 99 West of 217. Nice friendly folks there.

Dave