wader question

brshooter · 12-11-2002, 07:57 PM

When they stole the fishing gear from my garage, they took my old hodgman's 3.5mm waders. Time to get a new set. Any recommendations? I do most of my bank fishing and wading in the winter time so I was thinking neopreme waders again. They have some new breathables that are really nice, but I think they would be too cold for winter use. Sure would be nice in the summer on the few occasion I do wear them. I end up wet to the armpits from sweat. Does anyone use the light weight breathables in the winter time? I didn't know if you could get by with the warm clothes underneath or not.

blacktail · 12-11-2002, 08:10 PM

I wear my breathables all year round. Just wear some warm thermals and/or fleece "sweats" underneath.

I wore strictly neoprene for probably 15 years, but will never go back now.

Mine are the $300 Dan Baileys and I love them.

Simms are great too, but I believe they are closer to $400.

Mike

Day Late Fishen · 12-11-2002, 08:11 PM

I use them in the winter, you can wear whatever you want underneath. It kind of makes them good 4 all seasons . That's all I got to say about that

Pete · 12-11-2002, 08:36 PM

Simms Breathables ... you won't believe you were ever happy with anything else! Especially with insulated liners ... I think Simms makes them, maybe Patagonia ... you just can't ever have enough gear! :grin:

ultralight · 12-11-2002, 09:01 PM

Fleece under the breathables will actually keep you warmer than the neoprenes if you perspire a lot. The trapped moisture will make your body feel cold while the dry skin under the breathables will keep you warmer. If you do perspire a lot, make sure you wear water-wicking fleece, polypropylene, etc. and not the cotton. I usually wear two-layers in very cold water and I'm a happy camper, even in freezing temp.

cully · 12-11-2002, 09:09 PM

It's truley is all about breathables for waders anymore. I have a pair of hodgman breathables. They were 95 bucks. They leak a just little in the crotch but with fleece pants under the waders the drops of water are hardly noticable. Would I love of pair of baileys, patagonia, simms? In a heartbeat but for now I'll keep waring the 5 year old Hodgs' until they bust

Drachir · 12-11-2002, 09:35 PM

Dan Bailey Breathables!!! :grin:

They Are Outstanding!!!

dogfishboy · 12-11-2002, 09:36 PM

These light weight, breathable ones sound nice, but do they hold up? I've gone through about 4 tubes of sealent in the last three years on my neoprenes. I usually only get about three years on a pair. How do they handle blackberries and brush?

... inquiring minds want to know.

Catch 22 · 12-11-2002, 09:36 PM

Another vote for the Dan Baileys. Fisherman's is carrying them now. Give them a try. $200 gets you built in gravel guards and reinforced knees.

brshooter · 12-11-2002, 09:42 PM

You're killing me. $330 for a set of Simms guide weight waders or Patagonia SST+ waders. I had better find a job. Going to be hard to justify that right now. Any more affordable suggestions?

HeavyMetal BankFisherman · 12-11-2002, 09:44 PM

I am on my second pair of Hodgman neoprenes in two years. The 4mm ones. Yes they get hot. I have been happy with them so far. but I just got a leek in this second pair down by the feet. They are four moths old and have already experienced extreme wear. I do not blame the manufacturer. I like the thought of summer waders that I can wear winter thermals underneath when going after Winter Steelhead, but I am concered about durability. Are they as tough as neoprene?

dogfishboy · 12-11-2002, 09:56 PM

I don't know, Jason. $200 is better than $330 ...but still a lot of money. Will they last? I've been getting the $100 ones.

STGRule · 12-11-2002, 10:50 PM

$100.00 breathables that I use year round at work. I don't do any bushwacking so I don't know about that. I love them. Fleece in the winter, shorts in the summer. They are pretty tired now but, I've used them for 4 years. I have had a couple minor leaks (sturgeon scutes and expanded traction steel) that patched in no time.

dogfishboy · 12-11-2002, 10:57 PM

Sturdy $100 breathables...now your talking. STGRule, what brand?

lucky man · 12-12-2002, 04:20 AM

Have Orvis breathables use them in winter no problem just like everyone else has said, but they have a 4 year warranty and are actually priced very reasonably. Have had them 3 years no leaks.

Mojo · 12-12-2002, 04:48 AM

Get Cabela's breatheables for $100. Make sure they fit right though, my last pair leaked because the legs were too long, and rubbed at the knees when I walk. I fixed that with AquaSeal. This is pair #2 for me. They last about 3 years a pair, and at 30+ days of fishing a year, that isn't too bad.

NEUTRON · 12-12-2002, 06:22 AM

The hodgemans breathables in my opinion just aren't durable enough for me. For a tight budget, I don't see how you could go wrong with stearns neo's at about $40 a pair at either Bi-mart or FMS. The seams are good and for that price ?????? When I get rich, I'll test drive the more expensive breathables.

Spoons · 12-12-2002, 07:56 AM

I have the Patagonia SST for the past three years and have had no problems. In the summer I do a lot of walking alon the deschutes and in the winter I am mostly in a boat but I just double up on the thermal/fleece combo. REI carries the Patagonia waders if you want to look at some.

Spoons

RogueFishr · 12-12-2002, 08:22 AM

Do the breathables patch up as easy as the neoprenes? I have patched some nasty holes in my neo's. I need to check out the breathables I guess.

RF

stick flicker · 12-12-2002, 08:51 AM

OS Systems, Scapposse OR. makes the toughest breathable wader found on this earth. I wore them 5 days a week 10hrs a day crawling, jumping, and sliding in the thickest coastal forest streams Oregons S. Coast had throw at us. They held up with only having to be patched once. Not only do you need a good wader but the footware is most critial. Orvis spiked wading shoes saved my ass plenty of times. You can walk up or down slick logs and bedrock. This combination is incredible. Oh, Polypro is; the way to go!

[ 12-12-2002, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: stick flicker ]

ultralight · 12-12-2002, 01:29 PM

Several members have asked about the breathables' durability compared to the neoprenes. I personally would never treat breathables the way I treat neoprenes, meaning that I would never use the breathables for crawling or bushwhacking like I would with the neoprenes. I don't think they were designed for that sort of abuse. So if you plann on really roughing it with your waders, then you should choose the neoprenes. However, if you mostly walk on open trails and want the comfy dry and uncumbersome freedom, then the breatheables are the way to go.

I had a pair of Hodgman's Wadelite II, which started to leak at the seam around the knees, only after my third day of use, although I did probably stress the knee area by doing full squats and bends, etc. But their customer service sent me their new Guidelite waders in about a week, which I think was pretty darn quick. We'll see how these fare.

[ 12-12-2002, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: ultralight ]

Flatfish · 12-12-2002, 02:52 PM

My wife loves her breathables. She does not hunt ducks. Or even bust brush very often.
I hunt ducks, and bank fish a lot more than her, (scouting trips.Or at least thats what I call it) I wear prenes. I would rather have 4 cheap sets of waders than one expensive pair. Even if they are comfy.
Mark and the dog.

TH · 12-12-2002, 04:38 PM

I have both 5mm and 3/5 mm neo waders (boot foot) and on extra cold days I where the 5mm.. but.. I usually (9 out of 10 trips) where my cabelas guidewear bids,.. and knee high neo insulated xtough boots... !
I am very comfortable and warm and most important dry...

steelheadslayer · 12-12-2002, 04:56 PM

I'd give the nod to breathables for fishing. If you don't abuse them and care for them after you're done for the day, they should last quite a while. Give Gary a call at Great American Tackle in Clackamas. I got a pair of Bailey barebones for about 130 bucks. Wear fleece under em in the winter and don't get cold. Wear a good pair of wool socks though.