Question: Cabelas Dry Plus breathable waders? Boots or no boots?

[Jump n Fish]

Ok, I'm in desperate need of a new pair of waders. I bought a $60 pair last fall, and I'm soaked through by the end of the day now. I fish a lot in the winter time around here in the rivers wading and kayaking and I need something that will last me hopefully longer than 1 season.

Anybody have experience with these? Do they hold up well? The ones I have now are not breathable and can get miserable hot on the random southern winter day that hits the 70's, but I still need something that will keep me warm in some of the terrible elements I like to venture out it. Also, its not uncommon when fishing river that I accidentally take a swim, so need something light and maneuverable that I can swim in.

Last question, is boots or no boots? I have terrible circulation in my feet and they freeze very easily. I'd like to get the waders without boots because they would be lighter to pack, maybe easier to swim in if I can bend my ankles better, and I can also choose my own footwear appropriate for the river I'm fishing. My fear is that without the built in boot, my feet will freeze because of less between my toes and the water. Is that a legitimate concern, or is there really a difference in warmth? Any difference on how long they'll last between the two?

Anyway, thanks for any help.

[Hooligan]

No boots, always stocking foot. If you're prone to cold feet, get a size larger in the boot foot, and wear lighter layers with less compression. Boot foot waders either compress too tightly, or are far too loose.

In regards to waders and fabrics: The more money, typically, that you spend on the wader, the better the performance from the fabric you're going to get. The Simms G4, for instance, has tighter layering, and is far less prone to snagging and runs. A cheaper pair of waders also won't move moisture as effectively.The only two waders I'll ever buy again are Patagonia and Simms; Patagonia being first on my list for their fit, cut, versatility in wear, and overall construction.
Lastly, you DO get what you pay for. I have a 14 year old pair of Simms GoreTex that is as good as the first day I wore them, I've fixed a pinhole or two, and resprayed the DWR, other than that, nada. I know for a fact that other brands would have failed me time and again from the abuse I put them through. The guidewater from Patagonia is a $425 wader that will last. I was going through at least a pair of $125 waders every season, sometimes two (because you cannot repair cheaper fabrics with any reliability.) By the time the third season rolled around, I'd have paid for the waders anyhow, the fourth season, I'd have been $100 ahead of the game. As previously stated I've got a couple pairs that are 9-1o years old. That's a big chunk of change that I'd have spent on waders had I not just gotten the good ones to begin with.

[Jump n Fish]

Do you have any problem getting gravel or sand in your shoes with the stocking foot waders. A lot of the rivers I fish down here I'll sink up to my knees in crap sometimes. That was a concern I meant to mention in the original post. I'll check out some of these other waders you mention.

[Hooligan]

Patagonia has built in gravel guards/gaiters. Simms makes excellent gaiters. even in the cruddiest of spring creek environments/boggy sandy soil I have zero problem with that.
What that says, moreover, is that I'd push harder for stocking foots. Boot foots will pull off your foot in mucky stuff and it gets hard to walk in.

[pontoonfisher]

Muck and gunk can easily pull off a pair of booted waders. I like my stocking foot Bass Pro neoprene waders. Just buy a good pair of wading boots and sinch them up good and tight and you will have no problems. You can buy a pair of ankle do-hickeys that keep the gravel out of your boots, but I have never used them, and have not had that much trouble. If you have trouble with cold feet, get some "hot hands" chemical packs and put them inbetween your sock layers. I use this trick right after ice out in the belly boat.

[TROUTMAN]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

No boots, always stocking foot. If you're prone to cold feet, get a size larger in the boot foot, and wear lighter layers with less compression. Boot foot waders either compress too tightly, or are far too loose.

In regards to waders and fabrics: The more money, typically, that you spend on the wader, the better the performance from the fabric you're going to get. The Simms G4, for instance, has tighter layering, and is far less prone to snagging and runs. A cheaper pair of waders also won't move moisture as effectively.The only two waders I'll ever buy again are Patagonia and Simms; Patagonia being first on my list for their fit, cut, versatility in wear, and overall construction.
Lastly, you DO get what you pay for. I have a 14 year old pair of Simms GoreTex that is as good as the first day I wore them, I've fixed a pinhole or two, and resprayed the DWR, other than that, nada. I know for a fact that other brands would have failed me time and again from the abuse I put them through. The guidewater from Patagonia is a $425 wader that will last. I was going through at least a pair of $125 waders every season, sometimes two (because you cannot repair cheaper fabrics with any reliability.) By the time the third season rolled around, I'd have paid for the waders anyhow, the fourth season, I'd have been $100 ahead of the game. As previously stated I've got a couple pairs that are 9-1o years old. That's a big chunk of change that I'd have spent on waders had I not just gotten the good ones to begin with.

Great advise if you have the $$$ it's a great investment. No built in boots, never, never.

[jarredbehrendt]

The same as what has already been said, the patagonias and sims both get awesome reviews.
Posted via Mobile Device

[AV Angler]

There are some items where I honestly think you can get by with cheaper models and get virtually the same product (just name brand that jacks up the price), but things like waders, float tubes, fishing line, and functional tackle are things where you need to spend some money to get a good product. I have a pair of Orvis stockingfoot breathables that are fantastic, but I keep eyeballing the Patagonia online sales because sometimes you can get Patagonia to have a close-out and get a great deal on an awesome pair of waders. Hooligan is right on this one........spend the money, you won't regret it. Nothing worse than a leaky pair of waders or waders that only last you one or two seasons.

[AV Angler]

FYI, when I started float tube flyfishing, I used the waders in my avatar (pair of Ducks Unlimited boot foot Duck Hunting waders). While they never leaked and were pretty heavy duty, they were absolutely horrible in warm temps (no breathability) and I HATE boot foot for trying to walk through muck. If you want to fill a pair of waders quick, get a pair of boot foots and try to wade around the local watering holes. You'll get stuck and fall over. Gotta get the stocking foot. You won't regret it.

[Jump n Fish]

Originally Posted by AV Angler

If you want to fill a pair of waders quick, get a pair of boot foots and try to wade around the local watering holes. You'll get stuck and fall over. Gotta get the stocking foot. You won't regret it.

That just happened to me on Saturday with my cheap boot waders. I got out of my kayak on a float trip to wade a tiny feeder creek where any random step you could sink to your knee. I fell straight forward and the water came rushing in. Luckily even though the water was 55 degrees, the air temp was 70, so I warmed back up. That's not a mistake I can afford to make in Dec thru Feb, especially when I'm still 4 hours of paddling from my truck.

[jarredbehrendt]

Check this out:
Cabela's -- Patagonia® Guidewater Waders

or these:
Cabela's -- Patagonia® Watermaster Waders

[ydoc]

What are your opinions about Orvis Silver Label waders:

Stockingfoot Waders / Silver Label Stockingfoot Waders -- Orvis

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by ydoc

What are your opinions about Orvis Silver Label waders:

Stockingfoot Waders / Silver Label Stockingfoot Waders -- Orvis

They're not a terrible wader, for the money. I've got a pair of Silver Labels that are a "backup" and use them a couple times a year. If you can't spend the cash on Patagonia, they'd do the job ok.