I’m looking at getting a pair of waist-high waders really soon. I’ve narrowed down the options to some of the Cabela’s models (though if price wasn’t an object, I’d be hard-pressed not to get the Simms Headwater pants). However, the reviews on the Cabela’s website seem a bit slanted toward the good, and it is hard to tell the real difference between the different models from their description pages (construction, materials, weight, etc.).
Does anyone here have any experience with any of these 3 waist-high waders? Do you recommend one model over the other and why? I knew this would be a great question for the EXPERTS here!
I really wish the Wheat Ridge, CO Cabela’s store had been built so I could go and compare these in person. :mad:
I purchased the low end $44.99 3MM neoprene waders from Cabelas a few years ago because I got tired of chest waders in ankle to knee deep water. My fishing buddy wears the Premium waist high. He likes them a lot more than I like the neoprene. I used his once and they are easy on and off. Comfortable to bend over to tie wading boots and cooler on warm summer days. Jim
Hmmm, I would be pleased when I see lots of happy campers owning a product I was considering. I don’t believe Cabelas pays people to post lies about their products. Actually, I have seen reviews on some of their merchansdise that were very heavy on the negative side. Be reassured that others are already pleased with this purhase.
That being said, I own the Premium Dry-Plus chest wader and have them for 4 years now without incident. On hot days I tuck the upper part into the lower part and tighten up the wading belt to hold it all in. BINGO! Instant wading pants without spending more money. No, it is not the same clean waistline like a pair of pants, but I’m fishing, not walking down the runway at a fashion show. I fish with many guys who do the same thing. BTW, I wear these waders year round, including winter steelhead fishing. I just wear a pair of polypropylene liners pants under them for warmth.
I bought Hellbender stockingfoot guide pants from Cabela’s a number of weeks ago and have been pleased. Spent $110 plus tax. I used to just wear hip boots but am now more comfortable getting into deeper water. Water temperature hasn’t been a concern either.
I’m going on my fourth season with the Gold Medal Waist High version. I think I used my chest waders (also Gold Medal) 2 times last year out of about 50 trips. No leaks so far. I don’t really take care of them other than I hang them on the cabelas boot dryer every night. Some day I’ll wash them. They breath well. I wear them in the summer and in the winter with wading pants.
I compared the three versions you’re looking at in person. They are progressively heavier as you go from premium to guide. So I went in the middle and they are holding up well against thorns, briars and even one run in with a barbed wire fence that was hidden. I’m starting to see some wear around the bottom of the gravel guards.
What Joe said. Only I think mine are going on 5 years. The only thing I can’t compare to is steelhead fishing. But I do a fair amount of winter trout fishing.
For years I used to tuck in my chest waders. I switched for reasons of ease and comfort since I almost never need them at chest height. All that material bunched in my pants especially on hot days was uncomfortable plus it was a pain if I needed to get something from my pants pocket. Waist highs are easier to get on and off and they’re easier for me to hang on my boot dryer. If you don’t need the height why deal with the extra material.
The only down side to waist high waders are if you find yourself on stream and need an extra six inches of height to get to fish. So my backup pair are chest high waders. That gives me a spare set for distant trips and the option for more height.
Orvis and Simms have some interesting convertibles. They’re just more than I’m willing to pay for a pair of waders. The Simms top zips down into the waist of the waders. I also tried on a few pairs of the new Orvis waders. The suspenders come off easily and if you’re on the water and suddenly need more height you can pull up the stretch top and cinch it with the drawstring without the suspenders.
Unfortunately, I get Cabelas points and not Orvis points so it just ain’t going to happen. Plus you need to get at least the XT series to get comparably weighted fabric and the reviews are mixed. Of course Simms makes good stuff it’s just expensive and I had trouble fitting in the convertibles (I’m too short).
The Bean Stuff is always 100% backed. Of course Cabelas takes back almost anything. I’ve taken back fly fishing gear that was over 3 years old. So it’s a matter of how many Cabelas points and coupons you have as to which one it cheaper.
I have the Premiums, in a word: they suck. I tend to not like sending things back just for small issues, but, after about 8 or so trips, these developed two leaks…sent them back and after about 10 trips with the new pair, they developed a nice leak along one of the seams…I patched that up and so far, so good but I won’t ever be purchasing another pair from them. It also seems like the fabric just isn’t the toughest. My next pair will definitely be Dan Baileys (cost a little more, but worth it). I must say though, I do like them for how cool they are during the summer. So I’ll give them that, they are very comfortable…
I bought a pair of premiums about a year and half ago. So far I am happy with them. I mostly wear them when fishing from my pontoon so they haven’t see a lot of bushwhacking along streams.
Thanks for the replies so far guys. I know Cabela’s makes good stuff, and they stand behind it like no other (If you’ve ever browsed their Bargain Caves, you would be surprised at some of the stuff they take back!). I’ve been buying their store-brand stuff since about 1990, when I was just a young 'un. I have seen some negative reviews on their site, but their waders seemed to have a disproportionate number of good revies. If that is because there are so many happy owners, then GREAT!!! I am just trying to confirm that.
I still have another two pairs of chest waders, but my old lighter Orvis Silver Label ones are beyond help and are too old for Orvis to do anything for me (I’ve already talked with them). My other pair are heavier and ones I like to use more in the winter. I am specifically looking for wading PANTS now because a lot of the fishing I do here in the West is during warmer weather. 80 - 90 degree heat can make chest waders a bit too warm, but when you’re standing in 40 degree (or less) water you can’t exactly wet wade for too long either. Also, I own a drift boat and have found it uncomfortable to fold down my chest waders to make pants out of them while rowing, so yet another reson for wanting pants.
That is the EXACT information I was looking to find, THANK YOU!!! :mrgreen: I knew someone on here would know this. I’m also leaning toward the Gold Medal mid-tier version, and this has helped solidify my thinking. You would think that this would somehow be shown on the Cabela’s website, but it isn’t even mentioned. I guess they want you to assume that the waders are progressively higher quality as you spend more money. That isn’t always the case, so I wanted to make sure.
Clarkman23 - Cabela’s is really good about returns, and if you spoke with some of their higher-up people, they like to get feedback on their products if there are problems which is part of the reason for their liberal return policy. Even if you have patched them up they’ll still take them back in exchange for new ones, or (usually) as a credit for something different.
yeah, that’s what I did initially…and they were great about it (they did send me the second pair promptly). If I were going to get something else from them, I definitely wouldn’t waste my time with the lower end model (probably my mistake to begin with)…now, I just use them (with the patches) when I know I won’t be doing much bushwhacking or when it’s too warm for chest-highs but not warm enough for wet-wading…
either way, for some reason (I can’t explain it), I’ve always felt a little guilty returning things…
I just found out from Cabela’s that excluding the thicker fabric in the high-wear areas, the Premium model is single-layer fabric, the Gold Medal is two-layer fabric, and the Guidewear is four-layer fabric.
I’ve got the Gold Medal waist highs. I’m only on my second season with them, probably about 50 trips and I love them. I beat the brush a little bit, but I’m careful when I do, and I’ve had no leaks or other issues.
Well I can’t say a lot but I am using the neopreme waist high waders and do like them. Know that most all of my wading is in fairly cold water here in Wyoming, and I bought them for my trip to Alaska last summer. I have never used any breathable types before unless jeans or shorts count.
Hey, you guys with the Gold Medal waders - a question. Do the waders come with the black belt shown in the picture on the Cabela’s site? The description says “Adjustable waistbelt for added comfort.” but some of the reviews make it sound like they don’t include it.
Well, three different people so far have told me that the Gold Medal pants came with a belt, not including an employee at one of the retail stores who said they did as well.
FWIW, two different c/s reps in live chat told me that the waders did NOT come with the belt. :rolleyes:
I knew this would be a great question for the EXPERTS here! 
I know Cabela’s makes good stuff, and they stand behind it like no other (If you’ve ever browsed their Bargain Caves, you would be surprised at some of the stuff they take back!). I’ve been buying their store-brand stuff since about 1990, when I was just a young 'un. I have seen some negative reviews on their site, but their waders seemed to have a disproportionate number of good revies. If that is because there are so many happy owners, then GREAT!!! I am just trying to confirm that.