After reading several bulletin board posting here on waders, I was wondering what everyone’s experience has been on the years of service you expect and actually get from a pair of waders? They can be breathable waders or otherwise, just state what type they are. I don’t know what the life expectency is for waders, I thought I would gather some real life data from your experiences. It will be interesting to see if the more costly brands last longer. So let me start.
For me, I have a pair of Hodgeman WadeLites I have gotten about 8 years of service and they are just starting to leak. I use them about 10-15 times per year. I expected about 4 years of service, but I exceeded that.
I use Wardell (Springbrooks) in Guide weight. Going on their 5th year at about 40 days per year. Replaced the neoprene feey after three seasons, but IMO, that’s normal. Never leaked once.
The girlfriend uses Simms Freestones … third seaosn starting at about 25 days per year, no problems.
We don’t bush wack. Mine, I wear them 18 hours a day, cook and clean up in 'em, … so far, no problems even with the blood, dirt, grime and bacon grease. I expect them to last several more seasons.
For what waders cost, I expect them to last forever. However, I get 6 months of use (roughly 60-70 serious trips or 3-500 hours of actual wading)) out of waders, regardless of brand, material, or price. Usually the seams fail, then the feet get compression leaks, and then I toss em and buy another pair. Because I see this regardless of price of waders, I have accepted this as a cost of doing business and now buy cheap waders twice a year.
As DG pointed out, one of the “failures” of waders is compression leaks in the neoprene feet. Any neoprene will eventually compress enough to start letting water seep through. I wear a cheap pair of 3 mm neoprene socks OVER my stocking foot neoprene feet. Seems to help.
Less grit gets ground into the soles and they compress less quickly (3 years now on the same feet).
Since the dawn of time waders have been the best and worst of what a fisherman faced as he entered the water. You have all heard of the two guys winter stealheading on olimpic pininsula. when asked the first said FISHING WAS GREAT! hooked 7 fish brought 5 to hand the largest was a buck 38" what a day!!! the second said MY #@%^## waders leaked!! and that is what both rembered of the same day. moral of the story is have a backup pair where ever you go.
Gee, I hope this thread get’s alot more post’s, I’m very interested in yall’s answers. I have one pair of neo’s that I got in 1996, and they have held up so far, they haven’t seen alot of use cause I get hot easy but don’t like the cold. I have one pair
of Orvis waders that I got 1 year ago and was hoping they would last a very long time. I have done alot of wet wadeing, cause it helps to keep me cool…
In my experience, a good pair of neoprenes will last about 5 years. A cheap pair will last 1-2 years. And that’s hunting wear, which is rougher on them than fishing…generally speaking.
The most expensive breathables I ever bought lasted 2 years. The cheapest pair has almost made it that long now.
I have a pair of Cabela’s 5mm neoprenes that I had about 12 years. They’ve been patched with goop a few times but are still going strong.
Last year I finally blew out my Seal-dry latex waders that I’ve had ever since the early '80s. Wish I still had those!
I also have a pair of fly weights that have been around 10+ years.
I’ve got a pair of Hodgman hip boots that have been around a while too.
I’ve never bought a pair of breathables. I need to use up the boots that I already have.
My wader are a pair of Bass Pro Redhead hunting wader… got them on sell for 125… half price… I had them for 6 year now…
The only leak they have is in the butt… where the cat scratched it sharping its claw… But it only leaks when Im butt high in moving water…
Also I may note that one of the kee pads has came off… but no leaks in that spot yet…
fishing time in those waders…
When I lived in Branson… I was fishing about 4 times a week… so between Sept-April I wore them though the winter… when spring and summer come… I wet wade…
here in Neosho… I maybe wear them 2 a week now… so these wader has held up very well… But I am starting to save for a new pair… and keep these as a possible back up
all waders will fail at some point, the more you pay the longer the time period. Breathable waders are the best ffing invention of the 21st century, my two cents.
articulated feet, pockets, multiple layers of gore-tex well worth the money. Simms makes a nice product, not cheap but have worked for me? tight lines
You would think the more you pay, the longer they would last but look at DG’s comments.
Any wader manufacturers out there? What should a consumer expect in terms of the life of a pair of waders?
fcch, good idea on the neoprene sock over the wader feet to prevent compression leaks.
Rich, a back up pair of waders, what a great way for me to justify buying a new pair of Simms and using my old Hodgeman’s as a backup! THANKS!! I hope my wife doesn’t read this.
I have a pair of Dan Bailey breathables. They are the ones that sell for $199. I just fixed the first pinhole after about 7 years, probably worn 12 times a year. The suspenders got floppy and stetched out, but the waders have been great.
Bob
