All season waders?

[bioman]

My old rubber (vinyl, plastic, I don't know what they are) waders finally started leaking and I need to upgrade to breathables. I plan on doing some float tubing at Willard, Pineview, the Uintas, and doing stream fishing all year long. Is there one pair that will work all year in all seasons and cost around $150? From reading other posts, Hodgeman are out, but what are my other good choices? Thanks.
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[catfish77]

The higher-end Orvis's aren't bad. That's what I have. I would definately spend a little extra...they last longer.

J
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[Kraizee_Skot]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#ff4040]I don't know much about waders. All I know is I have two pairs, one for duck hunting (and fishing in cold weather), and the other for fishing/tubing. I bet the Dude (Tube that is) would probably know alot more. [/#ff4040][/font]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]We get a lot of discussion on waders over on the tubing board, if you wanna wander over and check some of the past posts on the Best of the Best. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Simms is the quality standard of the industry, and the price standard too. They are definitely the most spendy, but they last several times as long as cheaper ones. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As has been suggested, Orvis are a good choice, both from price and quality. Less costly than Simms, but well made.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are a lot more UNHAPPY Hodgman buyers than happy ones. Their "breathable" material breaks down quickly and becomes a sieve. Many Hodgmans leak right out of the box. A real pain to keep taking them back, even though they do usually honor the guarantee.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am in my second year on a pair of Stearns lightweight breathables I got at Costco for about $69. Their sizes are very true, and the XL was large enough for me, and I usually need a 2XL. Unlike most inexpensive waders, these have a double layer reinforcement on the knees. The neoprene feet are also cut much better, without all the extra neoprene to jam up in the booties.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you are going to get one pair of waders, I recommend a good pair of lightweights. You can add layers in cold weather and you will stay more comfortable in warmer water without feeling like you are in a sauna. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The wader industry had made a lot of progress over the years. In my early days of tubing I went through the old Seal Dri latex waders and several pairs of the Red Ball lightweights. None of them had neoprene feet in them, and there were no good soft pocket diving fins or strap on tubing fins. In short, I simply could not get enough insulation on my feet to keep warm, without cutting off circulation in the hard rubber fins I wore. I did a lot of tubers' stomp dances on the shoreline to restore feeling to my feet.[/#0000ff]
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[Kraizee_Skot]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#ff4040]I can attest to the hodgemans breaking down. I had many of those leak, and quite a few of them leaked right out of the box.[/#ff4040][/font]
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[ScottyP]

I know you are looking at spending 150$, but if you go up to 200$ you can get Simms lightweights. They are great waders, 3 layer gortex, reinforced lower leg with a 1 year warranty. You can layer up under them in winter, and in summer, the suspender straps are male/female, so you can fasten them like a belt around your waist to stay cool. Best waders I've had and a very good value.
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[fsh4fun05]

I will also agree with Hodgman's breaking down. The inside of my waders looks like some kind of modern art with rubber. I'm also thinking about upgrading for the following fall and winter. One question though, do the breathable waders typically come with attached boots or can you get them without? That is really my biggest concern since only my feet are in the water. My hodgemans right foot has less "toe space" than the other which makes it uncomfortable in colder weather when wearing thermal socks.
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[ScottyP]

fsh4fun05: I learned from my last pair of waders. I got my Simms 1 size large it the foot, same with the boots. My last waders (cabelas) were a good fit in the summer, but in the winter, the thicker socks made the stocking feet and boots tight, affecting circulation and putting stress on the boot feet causing them to leak. My Simms with the one size bigger boots are perfect with winter socks (allowing me to stay in the water longer) and with regular socks they are not too loose. If you are in the Provo/Orem area, Eddie Robinsons fly shop by Costco in Orem is a Simms dealer. They are cool with you trying on several pairs of waders and boots, and they have different kinds of socks so you can see how they fit with thicker socks. Majority of breathables are stocking foots and you buy the boots seperate, which I prefer for the better support it provides.
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