If you can afford to, I would by an American made pair of SIMMS. They have a much more diverse range of sizes, and they are very rugged. I have a Pair of the new “headwaters” waders and they are very lightweight overall with a good measure of re-inforcement in the knee/shin area. They are a perfect fit and I am very pleased with them. Worth the extra $$$!
One of the keys to breathable wader longevity is Proper fit as previously mentioned, and a good drying routine between uses. I like to hang mine outside for a day upon returning from fishing. I hang them under the eve on my front porch, out of direct sunlight. Once dry, I hang them up on the back of my bedroom door, fully extended. That way they are not constantly being creased from laying folded in a bag somewhere. As air circulates in you home, they stay dry and supple. I learned this from a good friend that has always done this routine, and is currently on his 7th season on a pair of Hodgeman “Wadelights”.
Hodgman Wadelite products have served me and my buddy well for many years.
The good news price-wise is Hodgman is phasing out the Wadelite product line in favor of a new brand. As a result there are deals out there if you search.
Best or most affordable? It’s hard to find breathable waders of quality for less than $200. You will find some in Cabela’s in the $100 to $150 range and they will work.
I am on my 9th season with my Simms Freestones. I call them a medium weight because there are heavier and lighter weight sets out there. I am finally needing a new pair due to seepage in one heel seam. I highly recommend them or the comparable Dan Bailey’s, which I think are about $50 cheaper (last time I shopped for waders was 2 years ago).
I am a “hard fisher” with at least 30 days per year and lots of miles in freestone rivers. My father is a visiting fisher who purchased a very inexpensive pair of Red Ball waders for $40 in 2001. They have served him very well without any problems. I think you can find a Hodgman product for $100 or less and could be very satisfied too.
I have some Cloudveil waders that have 4 hours usage on them for trade for a nice rod or reel. The were purchased when I went on a trip and didn’t have my waders. There posted under the trade area of the forum.
I’ve been using my Hodgman Wadelites for 3 seasons. They are less than $100 and I happen to have been in a store when the off-seson sale for them was for $75
Those look like a decent set of waders. As others have said fit is of the utmost importance. I have a pair of Cabela’s DryPlus I got in 06’ that haven’t seen a whole lot use because they just don’t fit well. I hadn’t planned well before a trip to Colorado and found myself in need of waders and willing to take what I could get for a resonable price. They were the prior years model so they were cheap, but they are just way way too baggy. I’m 6’1" 180 lbs. so I needed the length in the Large, but all of the other dimensions are just made for someone way bigger than myself (baggy all over, neoprene booties are too large, etc.). However, last fall I won a pair of Redington CPX w/ the zipper from here on FAOL and I just love them. They are also a large but cut the way I think a large should fit. Not too baggy and not so wide on the top you could fit me and someone else in them.
I certainly advise as other have said to if possible get something you can try on first. Otherwise buy from somewhere with a liberal return policy so you can return them easily if you find the fit is just not what you want.
I’d certainly advocate the Redington CPX Zippper if you can afford them. I’ve certainly bought my last and only pair of waders without a zipper.
The best waders are arguably the ones that have the best warranty. I would look into company’s that will warranty your waders for a long time, like LL bean.
I have to agree with the reply on LL Bean…their customer service is just outstanding.
Even though I have had some issues with leaky waders, they absolutely stand behind their products.
I’ am pretty sure I’l stick with the Cablea’s offer with the Anura waders and the Tekk Toad jacket. A free jkt is just too mucho to resist. However I’ll make sure to ask Cabela’s and even Frogg Toggs about their warranty policy prior to buying.
Has anyone had any experience with Frogg Toggs warranty service?
I really like my Simms. Don’t know what “model” they are. I am like a lot of people in that I could not afford them. My wife gifted me with a pair before she passed.
I really do like the Simms. Great stuff. If I ever ruin them I don’t know what I will do. But they are great waders. Going on 4 years now. But only use them in a pontoon. So I vote for Simms. But I cannot afford them.
I have purchased some rods and reels from Albright. Looks like good quality to me. Although I didn’t purchase any of the low end stuff…what “I” purchased I am quite satisfied with. I would not hesitate to buy a pair of Albright Breathables at any price under $100. My guess is that they would be terrific.
Just BTW…their closeout board used to have nothing in it. Like closeouts’ from end of last year finally gone? Well they have a lot of stuff back on the closeouts board. Waders I think…but A5 rods and such. Some pretty deep discounts. I haven’t fished the GP reel I purchased…but from holding it in my hand I love it. Seems to be a great quality reel. Great, because I bought 3 extra spools for it. Have them all loaded up with 9wt lines. Great setup. Anyway…Albright has good products. Just fyi
I fully agree with hanging waders instead of folding them up when not in use. I highly recommend that one not hang waders up by their suspenders for long periods as the rubber can be permanently stretched. Use a clothes line clips or suspend them up side down instead
What about wading shoes? I’ve seen some made by frogg toggs, considering I’ll most likely buy a pair of waders from them. And I’ve to say the Anura rubber-soles boots are good looking and non-expensive.
Down here in Colombia, South America, we don’t have any legislation concerning invasive species or any of the sorts. However I pride myself for being a conscious fisherman and would like to buy whatever is best for our waters and our planet. Any of you are already using rubber instead of felt? What about those “sticky” rubber technologies that are being advertised all over the web?
Any other advise on wading boots will be very appreciated!!
I must agree with Ladyfisher, that’s very good advice.
I’ve been fishing a pair of breathable waders from L.L. Bean for the last couple of years.
I’m not sure but they’re probably their cheapest, $90.00 range?
No problems yet. I probably only get to fish about 50 times a year and they work for me.
They’ll probably blow out on my Montana trip!!! Yikes!!!
I took a friends advice a while ago, which was buy the cheapest breathables you can. Because all breathables will eventually leak, and the differences can be too subtle to even worry about.
Not sure if I agree with him completely, because I would have liked hand warmer pockets… but I picked up some breathable allbrights that were on sale that I got for a steal at like 40 bucks a piece. I picked up 3 pairs Hahaha. I’m still on the first one, and I have abused the thing. Saltwater, thorns rocks, roll them up and used it as a pillow, etc etc. No leaks, no breaks in the seams… love em.
I did have a pair of Orvis gold waders (i think that was brand) I got them back in 1998 and I had to replace them in 2009, after they started seaping water in. no amount of aquaseal could stop the leak. I almost burned them and put them in an Urn I loved them so much.
dphotoco, There are several brands of waders to choose from that start in the low budget range. check out the web NexTag.com. However, for
waders and most everything you buy, you get what you pay for. I have waders by North X Northwest and when Steelhead fishing I have to ware
fleese bottoms under my Levies to stay reasonable warn.
Did your silver labels have the neoprenes that filled with water?? Not inside getting you wet, but outside filling up like a balloon. I had silver label 2’s and that bugged the $@)() out of me!!