Best quality waders?

Post by **OBD** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:48 pm

Hey all,

Planning on buying some quality waders for around $150... Any recommendations?

Any experience with the Acton ones?

Thanks,

Post by **Salar** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:00 pm

Are you looking for neoprene or breathable waders?

You'd have trouble finding quality breathable waders for around $150.

Post by **northernfly** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:01 am

I just retired a pair of Orvis Clearwater waders. They gave me 7 years of pretty steady use. I never had a leak in the waders but the neoprene booties finally gave out last year.

They sell for close to your budget price. Check out Greendrake.

Post by **Todd B.** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:33 am

My only recommendation is to buy a pair that have an integrated gravel guard. I to have a pair of Orvis Clearwaters that are being retired as well. My only complaint was that even with the wrap on gravel guards, you still get crap in your boots. Keep in mind that if you don't use gravel guards you will probably wear out your booties faster than you would otherwise. The typical price for a set of gravel guards is around $30, so just increase your budget by that amount and look for pairs that include the gravel guards.

Cheers,
Todd

Post by **Todd B.** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:34 am

My only recommendation is to buy a pair that have an integrated gravel guard. I to have a pair of Orvis Clearwaters that are being retired as well. My only complaint was that even with the wrap on gravel guards, you still get crap in your boots. Keep in mind that if you don't use gravel guards you will probably wear out your booties faster than you would otherwise. The typical price for a set of gravel guards is around $30, so just increase your budget by that amount and look for pairs that include the gravel guards.

Cheers,
Todd

Post by **Salar** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:37 am

7 years on a pair of waders, you're doing way better than I have. I went through my first pair of waders in 2 years. I was putting 30+ days per season on them though. Last spring I bought a pair of Orvis ProGuide2 and have been very happy with them. 50+ days on the water and they're still going strong. Hopefully they'll last a few more seasons.

I agree with Todd, if you get a pair of stocking foot waders gravel guards are a must. They'll save your neoprene booties. Integrated ones are best; fewer things to forget at home.

Post by **Evan** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:45 am

i just recently bought a new pair of waders, orvis silver label #2, they come with gravel gaurds on them. Bought them at greendrake outfitters. Best thing to do is try them on, and make sure you can move around easily in them, try kneeling down on one and two knees, make sure their not too small, otherwise there will be stress on the seems and they won't last.

Post by **beachburger** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:26 am

Are you looking for waders with integrated boots? If so, make sure the boot has felt soles.

I have the Orvis Silver Label as well. They are one year old and had more than a few encounters with some zebra mussel covered rocks last season in the Rideau. The waders got one small tear in the outer layer after a particularly nasty stumble but the inner layer was fine. Gave them a quick patch and they are as good as new.

Post by **Fishboy** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:02 pm

I just picked up a new pair of Orvis Silver Label waders at Green Drake. At $260 including tax, I felt they were a good purchase. I got 6 years out of my last pair.

If you are fixed on less than $150, you can pick up some neoprenes at LeBaron, CT, or elsewhere for that price range.

Post by **DropShotr** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:19 pm

I have a pair of Cabelas 5mm neoprene stocking foot waders....love them to death. Used them on the the Salmon river (NY) in the fall for salmon & trout and in winter for Steelhead and kept warm. If I ever have to replace them I would go with the Cabelas 5mm neoprene boot foot, not the stocking foot. For sure gravel guards are a must with stocking foot style waders.

Good luck,
Steve

Post by **OBD** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:07 pm

Thanks for the answers guys!!

Yeah looking at neoprene.. Bought a pair of Field & stream waders and the boots started to crack after 10 outings

Kinda sucks... The manufacturer puts some sort of plastic in the rubber so that's why cracks were starting to form.

Looking around, will keep greendrake in mind. Acton ones look good too, all made of natural rubber and around 130$. Any feedback on these?

Model number is 4187-15carelton (acton)

Thanks!

Post by **chill** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:31 am

I don't know much about Acton waders but I can tell you this. If you plan on wading once the weather warms, you'll bake in neoprene. My advise would be to take a look at some breathables. Cabelas offers a few different types and the prices are reasonable. I've owned pair of their Guide Wear breathables for two years and they have taken quite a bit of abuse, especially when I head North of Superior in the spring and start bushwacking for Steelies.

L.

Post by **wongrs** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:19 am

i have a pair of simms lightweights breathables and they've been pretty good. i have 2 seasons on them (perhaps 30-40 days). no sign of breaking down. they were $250.

next time i buy waders, they'll be patagonia. they would also be about $250 but i like their environmental policies so i'll be giving them my money from now on.

i'd also re-iterate the suggestion on breathables over neoprenes. my breathables are ok in the winter (with long johns underneath) and i would wet-wade in the summer. you wouldn't be fly-fishing in the winter below say 0'ish anyways (or at least i wouldn't).

but if you electro-fish, you'll need the neoprenes.

my 2 cents.

Post by **P-O** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:27 pm

Hey,

I personnaly use patagonia, had them for a year. I fish a couple times a week... They are tough. I even bushwacked a bit wearing them, and no problem. But they can get expensive if you pay full price. I'd say try your luck on ebay for a pair. I just checked and you can get a pair of simms freestone (new) for around 150$. The downside, you don't get nice service like you'd get at greendrake. If your waders have a problem, greendrake will do what it takes to get you going again, ebay...Not so much.

And I second the breathable waders. Even in the spring, the breathables are better if you dress well.

P-O

Website · Post by **Mike Lennox** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:47 pm

P-O wrote: The downside, you don't get nice service like you'd get at greendrake. If your waders have a problem, greendrake will do what it takes to get you going again, ebay...Not so much.
P-O

Hey P-O!!....Just got working at Greendrake on Saturdays. I love working there, Vince, Tony, Dino and Cameron are all great guys.

I have a pair of clearwater breathables, and after maybe 40 outings of wearing them I'm still yet to spring a leak.