I’m about to purchase some waders. I live in Maryland so the weather changes quite a bit through the year. Any suggestions? I will be using them through the winter and I want them to be affordable (Dick’s is having a sale on their Hodgeman waders) Neoprene, Breathable, or old school? Chest, waist, or shorties? I will wet wade in the summer.
Any shoe suggestions are also appreciated.
zdank,
If you’re going to be fishing in ice water, I would suggest 5 mil Neoprene and some kind of polypropelene under garment. Shoes would depend on what type of river bottom. Just be sure they fit well. Snug, but not too tight. Too tight would slow or even cut off blood circulation and actually create cold feet.
In my opinion -Neoprene, the only way to go. I fish most all winter long I wear boots two sizes large with Rockey boot liners inside, nice and toasty. If your feet are cold —You are cold .
Regards
JaD
Absolutely!
I make sure my wading shoes will accommodate a nice thick heavy pair of wool socks in the winter in addition to the neoprene booties and my feet stay nice and toasty. As far as shoe recommendations go; I find Chota STL’s and Korkers to be excellent shoes that are nice and roomy with a WIDE toe area which is VERY important to keep your tootsies warm. Although I don’t like them, boot foot waders will probably keep your feet the warmest although you may sacrifice some support in the boot department.
I don’t use neoprene because I don’t get that cold, lucky me! 
I fish in breathables all year until wet wading season which starts for me in early June in PA. But if you can deal with wearing neoprene during the warmer days when you are not wet wading, you can’t beat neoprene for winter fishing.
I use breathables all year long. For cold weather I put on a pair of Capilene silkweights and cover those with Fleece wading pants or thick Polypropalene longjohns. On top I layer up with the same 2 layers plus add a wool shirt plus jacket. Whether you go with Neoprene or breathable, my best tip is Smartwool-Heavy Hunting/Fishing (check Orvis). They are $23 a pair but very, very much worth every penny. I bought a pair for my brother-in-law and his son, they are steelheaders, and they loved them. My 2 cents.
I’m with raw69, breathables are the way to go, even in the cold weather. I steelhead fish right through the winter and I use my Simm’s guideweight bootfoot breathables. As long as you layer properly, you’ll stay plenty warm. The problem with the neo’s is they get pretty heavy after standing in the water all day and you’ll still sweat in them in the colder weather, which can give you a nasty chill.
Neophrene? I don’t think Simm’s hasn’t made them in years. Get breathables and layer as much as you need to underneath. 5 mill neos are terrible to wear, they have reduced flexability, and are even worse to try to get off, especially when your cold!
I have both types of waders both Light weights and Neo’s. I have 5mm Neo’s with insultaed boot feet in them. I fished at 20 below one time just to see if I could catch a fish. This on one of the spring creeks here. Caught one fish never taking it from the water. Then I quit hands and face just got to cold but my body and feet stayed warm as toast.
If it were me and you are not going to be doing a lot of hiking I would go with the bootfoot waders. Either light weight or Neo’s. Get them a shade big and then use extra sock’s. With the stocking foot waders with over shoe’s a few things I hated in the winter is putting on those dang overshoes and getting frozen hands, those dang laces breaking at the wrong time And it takes forever to get them on. With the bootfoot I can slide in and out in but a few secounds and be either in the truck heading home or on my way fishing with warm hands.
The choice is yours in Neo’s or Light weights but I think I would go for the light weight’s if you are not going to fish in real cold weather all the time. You can put under garments on and be fairly warm in most weather. But give me the old BootFoots anytime. Just can’t take the cold hands anymore. Getting old I guess. 
Ron
Zack,
I was on Big Hunting Creek last Dec. - underarmor type on, fleece wader pants, light weight pants, breathable waders…good to go! I wear sock foot waders and standard felt soles. Western MD from what I hear may require studs, but haven’t had the need out our way. With proper socks, again - multilayers, warmer in the water than out! I’d do chest waders and adjust from there.
Cheers (again),
Mike K.
I also stick w/lightwieght breathable waders all year. I prefer Dan Baileys’ for function vs economy. I fish here in Mt. and N. Wy. all year and where fleece pants under my waders.
I fish a lot in the winter, though tend to avoid days when the air temp is below freezing as I dislike ice build up in my guides. I was surprised to find that I stay warmer in my breathables than in my neoprenes. More space to layer clothing underneath and the inside air space also serves as insulation.
I use waist highs and layer my upper body clothing under a standard length breathable rain jacket. Key is breathable all the way, otherwise sweat builds up and chills you.
I fish all year long and use only Simms breathable waders. I use the Clasic Guides in the winter because they have a larger cut and I have room for fleece under them. I use Simms G3 the rest of the year. I use wicking socks then Simms Smartwool then the wader then a neoprene bootie then the wading boot. The bootie is worn summer and winter to protect the wader boot from the wading shoe. $20.00 is a lot cheaper than $300.00+. Poly long johns or Simms longjohns then fleece keeps the cold at bay.
The Clasic guides have been going since 1998. The G3s were a gift. Just so you don’t get the idea I am well off. Just lucky.
fishbum
My only suggestion would be to stay away from Hodgeman…
Living north of you I understand issues of winter weather. I have decided to use breathables and layer up during cold weather. I can’t make neo’s thinner in the summer and one could sweat to death under them. Layering works well for me.
As for which ones, I have a pair of LL Bean’s Emergers. They cost $150 more or less. I have had mine for 4 years and had no leaks whatever. My previous Hodgemens did not last half as long. I find them comfortable too. Best of all if there is a problem you can return them and don’t have to deal with a warranty that has run out. The appropriate length of warranty is your call.
jed
Yeah if you wade wet in summer then I would go neoprene. Sure does feel good to able to fish 3-4 hours without your legs going too numb.
Also DO NOT GET FELT SOLED boots for winter fishing. I made that mistake and was skating most of the time because the felt was absorbing the water and if you get out of the water and start stepping on snow, the air temp freezes it. My buddy was wearing rubber boots and he didn’t have that problem. Not sure if anyone else has had that problem, but man it sure can ruin a fishing trip if you happend to slip and break something.
I am in the breathables with layers underneath group. You can start off with second skin underwear and top off with some fleece bibs.
If it is cold enough to form ice cubes on my guides every other cast, I go home. That ice can raise heck with your rod, reel and not to mention what it can do to your line.
speechless33759 is correct, wet felts and snow do not get along, it’s amazing how much snow sticks to the felt.