Waders

My opinions

1, Felts are better on rocks and gravel but if you fish a river with muddy banks esp. clay felts can be a challenge. Felts also cause problems in snow, the sticks to the bottom untill your about 11 feet tall and each foot weighs 300 pounds.

2, Stocking foot waders with good wading boots are a pure pleasure to walk in.



Dont hesitate to buy a good set of breathables they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

One adage that is popular in boating is there is no one boat that will do everything you want, and so it is true with waders. And much like getting a boat, you have to ask yourself some questions, such as what is the terrain I will be traversing, how much are you going to stand in the water and fish, what are the bottom of the rivers like, and what time of year am I mostly going to fish and go from there.

In a perfect world, I think having a pair of breathable stocking foot waders for summer, fall and spring fishing and a set of boot foot neoprenes for cold water periods would be ideal. I haven't yet bought breathables, as being a dinosaur, I still have a couple of pairs of traditional waders that are as tough as nails and still work fine for me.

Sounds like you might have the winter waders covered, so....

Teacher,

I've gone through more pairs of waders in thirty years than I care to count, but I'm coming down on the side of stocking foot waders for warm weather fishing. I'm using a pair of Orvis breathables now with a pair of Simms lightweight wading boots...Aquastealth sole...great for walking and fairly sure-footed in the river. I think I might spring for a pair of Simms waders this spring, but Orvis is hard to beat in terms of their warranty. You might also want to take a look at Korker's wading shoes...they have interchangeable velcro-backed soles...felt and lug. Oh, and Chota boots aren't bad either..they go easy and slip off just as easily, and have a great lacing system.


yrs,

Mike

I switched over from the neoprene waders to breathable waders from Cabela's last year, and I would never go back. I bought a pair of average priced ($60) wading boots with the rubber soles from them too that have been great. I went ahead and bought a separate pair of felt boots for the rivers with gravel. The breathables have been fine this winter and I have not felt cold once. I throw on some good socks and layer up the pants and I have stayed plenty warm.

If you are ever out on a warm day and need to trek through the woods quite a ways you will instantly feel the benefits of the breathables.

I must be a wuss, cause I have not owned a pair of breathable stocking foots yet that my feet didn't get cold in during the winter.

They are great for the boat or summer fishing, but nothing beats a good old pair of neoprenes with 1200grms of thinsulate for the winter.

I don't know if they came out with them yet, but Simms was supposed to come out with their Extreme breathable bootfoots that will be my next pair.

Hi Whit,

I don't know what that is...will you fill me in, please.thanks.


yrs,

Mike

Mike,
I sent you a PM about some of us MS guys in the area getting together up in TC. We're going to meet at the LaSenorita on Garfield (near the airport) at 5PM on Wednesday of this week. If you go, just ask for the Michigan Sportsman group and you should be directed to where we are.

I'll have on a green/tan MS hat on. You'll hear my deep voice before you see me...........LOL!

1) is it better to go with a rubber or felt bottom wading boot?

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I have a pair of felt bottom boots. They are great during the summer-fall, but you get snow on the ground and they aren't that great. Everything sticks to them, and you stop knock all the crap and go some more, then repeat.

2) Are you able to replace the felt bottoms when they go?

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If I am correct, most boots with felt can be replaces when they get worn out.

3) Is it preference or is buying a stocking foot wader/wading boot better than the traditional wader?

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I like the stocking foot wader's myslef. I would have to say that it's preference, what feels more comfy to you.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Bought a pair of breathables. However for boots my only option for boots were rubber bottoms. 14's are hard to find.

I do want to thank is it troutman 64? (not sure forgot)

sorry I forgot your username. Ran into him at cabelas on sunday and he was really helpful. Thanks again guys

Welcome Teacher!! Nice to see another teacher on the site, as Whit mentioned. I taught Special Ed. for 7 years: 4 elemen and 4 MS, and now teach regular ed. 4th grade. I wouldnt go back if you paid me more, I love where I am. Oh, on topic, I too am getting some breathables this weekend. I am going with the boot foot as I have not yet walked deep in country to fish. I am sure that I will when I get more into it but for now, my walks are not too far......

If you are not walking in deep water, I would check out the pant's. They are the same material as chest/hip waders, but look like a regular pair of jeans. I was thinking about getting them for the summer month's. Even a good pair of breathables get pretty dang hot in 80 deg. weather. I'm not sure who all makes them, but if you get the Cabelas or other mag's that sell waders, they might have them. Just a little FYI