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Q:
thinking about buying a pair of waders for spring and summer fishing in pa. I am most concerned with quality and finding waders that will not crack or be ruined quickly. Is there a benefit of getting stockingfoot waders? or vise versa with having the books built in?
Question by mountaindew732. Uploaded on January 02, 2013
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Answers (14)
i prefer the boots attached because of convenance. but both work well but make sure you buy quality waders so they last
I've tried a bunch of em, stocking foot, boot foot, breathable vs. insulated etc.
IMO, for the fishing you describe (spring/summer) I'd go with a breathable pair of stocking foot waders. You'll likely wear out the boots long before the waders fail provided you're a little careful of brush busting.
I use a pair of White River (BassProShop) breathable waders for warmer wading and switch to an insulated pair when it gets colder. (both stocking foot)
Working on the 3rd pair of boots...haven't even had to patch either pair of waders yet.
I've never owned a pair with built in books but I have a pair of Simms with stocking feet and separate boots that have lasted me for 11 years with just a few patches.
Stocking foot for fishing and built in for hunting for me.
the biggest flaw in boots attached is the seam between waders and boot. also the traction and fit tends to be better with boots on stocking foot because they fit snug and and don't allow your ankle to roll over inside. Most middle of the road wading boots allow you to change the sole of them for different terrines and from wear and tear. cabelas a has few good sets of stocking foot waders i always read the reviews. I got a pair of patagonia guidewaters last spring and love them. little pricy though
I've had a pair of Simms stocking foot waders/boots for 3 years now and they are wearning well. I've also had a pair of Cabelas hip boots for about 7 years and they've held up really well considering the less than friendly places I wear them small stream fishing and also hunting.
Wear and tear will eventually kill every boot. The thing that kills a quality boot before it's time is what you do with it when you're not fishing. Don't leave them in your vehicle all season. In the off season (if you have one), store them someplace cool and dark but not below freezing. Sunlight and heat will rot them. (Treat them like a fine bottle of wine and they'll last.)
And one more thing: If you're going to be fishing limestone streams like Penns Creek, I'd really go with felt soles (and a wading staff). You'll be much drier and happier. (I have a good deal of personal experience with that one.)
I have a pair of Cabelas stocking feet waders going on 10 years, they are still tip-top. the felt booties are also holding up well.
I have Cabelas waders like Steve, and he is correct. My younger Brother made wooden box tree stands in a swamp. We needed waders to get to the tree stands, without getting wet. That swamp water was up to our waist. We walked in during the early morning darkness, with flashlights. I had sticks and stumps hitting my waders but they were tough as nails.
The felt works real well to help keep you upright, also orvis, and I'm sure some other brands have similar, makes a tread called EcoTraX. It's studded like a snow tire. Hell on Moms hardwood floors, but they really work well.
The new Orvis wader is suppose to be the best on the market and are priced at a reasonable $250. Each seam is double bonded.
I have Orvis Silver Medal breathable waders that I picked up new on E-Bay before going to Alaska. Those waders fished HARD every day for five months and they are still going strong. Stocking foot, breathable, with felt or studded boots is the way to go. You may not be able to use felt bottom in your jurisdiction. Some places they are banned to prevent transporation of exotic species (particularly spiny water flea and zebra mussle). Personally, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on the boots. They usually don't last a long time no matter what the quality. I have a pair of Hodgman that are about shot but didn't cost a lot. Pay the good money for the waders though.
Buy the uninsulated breathable waders, as I did. Water in PA won't get any colder than it did above the Arctic Circle! I wore a couple layers of wool socks, jeans, and wool pants under my waders when the water was REAL cold and did fine. You can always unlayer your clothing but you can't unlayer your waders.
It's okay to mail order the waders but you'll definitely want to try on the boots. The sizes vary quite a bit.
I still like the old thick rubber ones (if you can still get them). I have a great pair in Chest waders and there hiup boots (everyone should have a pair just for mucking around) are so cheap now ($45 bucks), you can thorugh them away ever year. When I fished in Alaska, I used what the guide provided and they were... Rubber.
Post an Answer
i prefer the boots attached because of convenance. but both work well but make sure you buy quality waders so they last
I've tried a bunch of em, stocking foot, boot foot, breathable vs. insulated etc.
IMO, for the fishing you describe (spring/summer) I'd go with a breathable pair of stocking foot waders. You'll likely wear out the boots long before the waders fail provided you're a little careful of brush busting.
I use a pair of White River (BassProShop) breathable waders for warmer wading and switch to an insulated pair when it gets colder. (both stocking foot)
Working on the 3rd pair of boots...haven't even had to patch either pair of waders yet.
I've never owned a pair with built in books but I have a pair of Simms with stocking feet and separate boots that have lasted me for 11 years with just a few patches.
Stocking foot for fishing and built in for hunting for me.
the biggest flaw in boots attached is the seam between waders and boot. also the traction and fit tends to be better with boots on stocking foot because they fit snug and and don't allow your ankle to roll over inside. Most middle of the road wading boots allow you to change the sole of them for different terrines and from wear and tear. cabelas a has few good sets of stocking foot waders i always read the reviews. I got a pair of patagonia guidewaters last spring and love them. little pricy though
I've had a pair of Simms stocking foot waders/boots for 3 years now and they are wearning well. I've also had a pair of Cabelas hip boots for about 7 years and they've held up really well considering the less than friendly places I wear them small stream fishing and also hunting.
Wear and tear will eventually kill every boot. The thing that kills a quality boot before it's time is what you do with it when you're not fishing. Don't leave them in your vehicle all season. In the off season (if you have one), store them someplace cool and dark but not below freezing. Sunlight and heat will rot them. (Treat them like a fine bottle of wine and they'll last.)
And one more thing: If you're going to be fishing limestone streams like Penns Creek, I'd really go with felt soles (and a wading staff). You'll be much drier and happier. (I have a good deal of personal experience with that one.)
I have a pair of Cabelas stocking feet waders going on 10 years, they are still tip-top. the felt booties are also holding up well.
I have Cabelas waders like Steve, and he is correct. My younger Brother made wooden box tree stands in a swamp. We needed waders to get to the tree stands, without getting wet. That swamp water was up to our waist. We walked in during the early morning darkness, with flashlights. I had sticks and stumps hitting my waders but they were tough as nails.
The felt works real well to help keep you upright, also orvis, and I'm sure some other brands have similar, makes a tread called EcoTraX. It's studded like a snow tire. Hell on Moms hardwood floors, but they really work well.
The new Orvis wader is suppose to be the best on the market and are priced at a reasonable $250. Each seam is double bonded.
I have Orvis Silver Medal breathable waders that I picked up new on E-Bay before going to Alaska. Those waders fished HARD every day for five months and they are still going strong. Stocking foot, breathable, with felt or studded boots is the way to go. You may not be able to use felt bottom in your jurisdiction. Some places they are banned to prevent transporation of exotic species (particularly spiny water flea and zebra mussle). Personally, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on the boots. They usually don't last a long time no matter what the quality. I have a pair of Hodgman that are about shot but didn't cost a lot. Pay the good money for the waders though.
Buy the uninsulated breathable waders, as I did. Water in PA won't get any colder than it did above the Arctic Circle! I wore a couple layers of wool socks, jeans, and wool pants under my waders when the water was REAL cold and did fine. You can always unlayer your clothing but you can't unlayer your waders.
It's okay to mail order the waders but you'll definitely want to try on the boots. The sizes vary quite a bit.
I still like the old thick rubber ones (if you can still get them). I have a great pair in Chest waders and there hiup boots (everyone should have a pair just for mucking around) are so cheap now ($45 bucks), you can thorugh them away ever year. When I fished in Alaska, I used what the guide provided and they were... Rubber.
Post an Answer