waders

[djbutch]

Hello I thought this would be a good place to ask this question where do I get a good set of waders for hunting water also what is a good kind I see some with a soft sock boot are they good and do i have to buy shoes or whatever to go with them?

Thanks for the info in advance HH DJ Butch

 

[Chi Town Bruce]

n/t

 

[gordygroover]

The soft sock type are called Stockingfoot waders. Yes shoes must be worn over them.
If you go that route you can simply get a pair of tennis shoes from the 2nd hand store that are two sizes bigger than what your foot size is. You will have on a pair of socks, then the waders and possibly another pair of socks inside the shoes. The second pair of socks reduces the wear and tear on the waders from gravel and grit inside you shoe.
Not sure of the type of water your hunting, cold or warm. Neoprene waders are more form fitting and are made out of a type of wetsuit material. Three mil thick is pretty much the thinnest on the market and usually 5 mil is the thickness sold in most stores for use in colder water and weather.
Warmer climes and water may allow you to use the newer "breathable" waders. These are a non-insulated, waterproof material,(think industrial strength wind-breaker material for you lower two-thirds.)
As do the neoprene waders they come in booted and stockingfoot style.
As this style is not so form-fitting the heat you generate while hunting can escape out the top of the wader opening. This also allows you to reach into your pants or jacket pocket easily.
Not sure of your location so I am hesitant to direct you as to where to go to try these things on but any of the big outdoor mail order outfits will be happy to send you a catalogue. Even doing a search on-line under Cabellas or Bass-Pro shops in the hunting/fishing sections will get you all the info you will need.
Keep in mind that waders are not real happy rubbing up against barbed wire or busting through a blackberries patch but they will last you many years with routine care.
Hope I helped.

 

[djbutch]

Thanks for all the info will be using them here in the water COLD COLD water at the beaches in Mas and New Hampshire.

 

[Eric from NC]

look here,
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/common/search/search-results1.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&selectedPerPage=&hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&_D%3Asort=+&sort=all&Ntt=waders&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=35&Go.y=7

best company to buy from, order and enjoy. I fish for a living and wear foul weather gear and waders daily and have tried several brands, this store has always provided me with excellent service, even replacing a set I sent for repair, they had a the hole in them was from an oyster reef, my fault, no questions asked, got a new pair a couple of days later. For metal detecting I would try a boot built in style, easier to get on and off. The separate boot is more comfortable in the long run, they have less foot fatigue, however you have to take all that crap off and tie your boots, dry your boot etc... A pair of boot combo you wash them, hang to dry and pack them up. Depending on where you live, I would buy the medium weight and a few layers under them, that way if it is warmer you wear less clothing, in the summer lightweight clothing, you stay semi dry and water does not make you loose too much body temp. In the winter I use a dry suit, wear polar fleece under them and I stay nice and dry even if a wave hits me high or I slip and fall, waders fill up fast. When they do the fun is over.
Have fun, buy a good pair don't be cheap. A good pair will last years, a cheap pair will let you down.
Eric

 

[pmike]

I second the suggestion of Cabelas, and also recommend breathable waders over neoprene. You may want to consider some wader boots to use with stockingfoot waders. You can buy a set that are less expensive and don't need felt, so rubber lugs would do well and are usually less expensive. One other good source might be ebay. I like to fly fish in the mountains and have bought some of (at the time) top of the line Simm's waders for little over half the price they would have been retail. One other thought is to do a search on wader product reviews before you buy, some are much better than others in terms of reliability. Usually a pair of sweats or similar pants under the breathable will keep you as warm if not warmer than the neoprenes. One last thought is that the only neoprenes I ever wore, tended to leak and acted more like a wet suit than waders.

Mike

 

[Jackalope]

DJ:

You might look at a Sam's Club if you have one in your area. They did have inexpensive breathable stockingfoot style waders last time I looked. I have a pair that I will be using in about a half hour. Temp. outside in the mid 40's. Wouldn't use them for real cold weather unless you get a larger size and layer up underneath. Have fun!

Ron

 

[djbutch]

Well thanks for all the info folks Carbelas it is ordered them today will be here on Thursday thanks again

 

[grumpyolman]

Gotta second the Cabelas purchase. I bought a real expensive pair of boots with lots of extra insulation to keep the feet warm. They were GoreTex, I used them last winter all season. Put them on and headed across a really field with deep wet grass this Fall and my feet got wet. I took them back to Cabelas. Without hesitation they looked up the price and was getting ready to hand me the cash. I said "No!" I just want another set just like them. They told me to go back and see if there still stocked them. They did! I walked out with a new pair. There are a few really good stores that back their products. It' worth a little more to buy from them knowing that they'll stand behind what they sell....Jim

 

[Eric from NC]

I once had a pair of their kangaroo hunting boots, my brother "borrowed" them and wore them on his summer job paving roads, well they got ruined. Sent them to Cabela's to ask if they could resole them. A week later, to my surprise an brand new pair arrived.

 

[Cupajo]

I have a pair of 5Mil. neoprene waders for cold weather. They are three years old and only used a few times the first year, none the second year and I wore them earlier this year----they had a very slow leak along the inseam causing me some discomfort.

After several attempts at sealing the seam I gave up and put up with a wet bottom for most of the summer and finally bought a pair of 3Mil neoprene's as replacement waders for summer wear.

With cold weather coming I finally bought a thin pair of nylon stocking footed waders and am going to use them inside my over sized leakers to stay dry.

I'll let you know how that works out. I hate to spend so much for them and have to deal with leaks before they are even "broke in".

GL&HH Friends,

Cupajo