Well, my old Hodgmans finally sprung a leak. Picked them up at Building 19 about four (five?) years ago for twenty bucks (missing a grommet for the 'spenders) - best twenty I ever spent. They were the canvas/rubber variety in a nifty camo pattern, and they served me well.

Looked around the Cabelas site, and all I could find were fancy hunting waders in six varieties of camo patterns, hi-tech (and expensive) versions, or neoprenes (all of which but one model were felt sole). I've preferred the canvas kind, and the neoprenes leave me with visions of struggling to get them on and peeling them off, and I don't want felt sole....

Are the basic heavy duty waders with sturdy lug sole boot foot still around or what? The 3.5 mm neoprenes in the lug sole didn't look too bad, considering they had "stout" sizes available
:rolleyes: What do you guys prefer?

I would get a pair of breathables with stocking feet and a pair of wading boots. For easy to mid-grade rocks, the felt shoes are fine. Toss a pair of Korkers on when they are nasty. The light weight of the breathables is incredible and you can always throw on some thermals and sweats when the weather get's cold. I only wish I had done it sooner...

Specialist - I did get those boots for 25% off - thanks for the tip. Wicked pissa comfortable...

I'll be wading mostly from sand or cobble bottom, and worry about sand getting in the wading shoe with stocking feet; also worried about sand getting hung up in the felt soles (I'll go boots and bibs on the rocks anyways). The easy on/off aspect of boot-feet is also a plus

John, are the breathables tough? They're on the higher end of the price scale, how's the wear and tear on 'em?

John excellent, I knew they would do it.

Matoonoc like John said get the breathables. I got them at Sports Authority for 99 bucks (Hodgman), and the boots were 39 bucks, they are much more comfortable than my Redballs.

they are much more comfortable than my Redballs. Red Ball WADERS

I'm truly suprised that nobody commented on that before now :laughs:

Matuuunok - they have held up fine this year, actually made it better thru a year than my regular neoprenes or canvas do... Those Hodgman breathables are pretty tough. The wading boots are MUCH lighter than the rubber bootfoots on waders - no comparison in my opinion. I might not buy Neoprene/Boot foot again... They are just as comfotable as Bibs/Hippers

Go back to building 19. I just got a pair of the Hodgmans breathables with the stocking feet for 39 bucks just two days ago.
They also have the camo ones you talked about. I did not see any XL one. I saw alot of Large and mediums. For 39 bucks youcantgo wrong.



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" You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it a duck."

FreddyoomBartz

Those blg. 19 waders used to be $25. !!:confused: I got a pair of wadelites and 4mm neo's a while ago. the lites leaked like a SOB - so make sure you fill them with water and check them before you go away fishin for 3 days !!! :af: They took them back and I was able to find another set that didn't leak :happy: Wonder why the prices went up :confused:

If you fish Matunuck then you should be fine with the breathables. If you slide down Breachways or scramble through barnacles they will not last.
I use the Orvis Silver Labels Bootfoot with studded felts. They cost big bucks ($259) but now have a lifetime warranty. They come in a host of different body styles (instead of just shoe sizes)and provide an extremely comfortable fit. I have had clients (I do some guiding) remark that they felt like they were wearing sneakers and khakis. The studded felts decrease the need for Korkers except for when you are fishing in areas with bubble weed or very thick slime.
In scratchy situations, I'll wrap a gravel guards above the boot at the lower calf. (That is where most of the barnacle damage occurs.)
I have not had any problems and I find them very comfortable. You get a heck of lot less tired wearing breathables than neoprene. Breathable waders are best invovation in surfcasting in the last ten years - my .02
You could send them back every other year and get a new pair if you wanted.
Joe

What ever you do, get lace type wader boats and NOT boats with a velcro type closer if you wade in the sand. A not so funny story, took place on North Beach down on the cape a long time ago. I literally had to tear my wader boot grommets out of one side of the boat to get the velcro closer side through them. The velcro side was a double layer stitched together at the perimeter, but the stiching allowed sand to filter in all night. Come time to quit I couldn't get the sand stuffed velcro closers through the grommets on the other side of the boat.

I'd like to get my first pair of waders and boots.

Could you throw out some thoughts on what I should look for in a quailty pair of both?

Thanks,
Rob

Depends on how much you want to spend. The Hidgman breathables I got are relatively cheap but on the high end like LL Bean or Orvis, they can be guaranteed anywhere from 3 years to lifetime depending on the coin...

HAVE ORVIS SIZE 8 BOOT FOOT CLEARWATER BREATHABLE.IF ON BEACH OR FISHING LIKE SURF IN AND OUT NO PROBLEMS.I TAKE 7 1/2 SHOE SO I HAVE ROOM FOR PAIR OF WOOL SOCKS.HAVING PROBLEM WHEN STANDING IN SURF FISHING RIP LINE FOR 2 PLUS HOURS WATER PRESSURE COLLAPES THE BOOT AND MY LEFT LITTLE TOES FEEL I'M IN A VISE=HAVE TO GET OUT OF WATER.AM RETURNING AND GOING TO TRY SIZE 9 GUIDE WADERS WHICH ARE MORE $$$$$$$$$ AND THE BOOT IS THE SAME.WILL KNOW FIRST TIME OUT IF IT WORKS.IF NOT ORVIS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST AND WILL REFUND OR REPLACE.NO ONE BEATS THEIR SERVICE.

Great info on the waders. One question regarding corkers. Do they fit over the wading boots? Any info or advice on corkers would be appreciated. Thanks,

Jimmy Mack

ORVIS BREATHABLES ARE NOT REALLY ROCK OR BARNACLE FRIENDLY.WHEN I USE MY CORKERS I PUT THEM ON A PAIR OF CABELLAS DENIER NYLON WADERS=BUT THEY ARE HOT.

Jimmy Mack they will fit over breathable waders and will withstand rocks if not too bad, but if you gotta walk down about 20 ft to retrieve a fish (i'm thinkin' one in particular breachway) then it is not recommended....

Ice

Has anyone seen the new korker K-7500 wading boot that will be avail in Dec?

Would something like this boot and a pair of breathables w/ stocking feet be a good combo?

Question....
If the stocking feet on the waders go in the boots... Wouldn't one want boots that are higher so the water doesn't get in or are the stocking feet water proof? Sorry if that is a dumb question!

Oh.. one more... Would one want to go a size, or 1/2 size, larger in the boot to fit warmer socks in ther over the stocking?

Thanks folks,
Rob

The stocking feet are waterproof, like a drysuit. You may want room to add warm clothes underneath, the clothes keep you warm and the waders keep the clothes dry.

At first glance, I don't think those new K7500 boots are going to be a hit with hardcore rock hoppers. Not enough spikes and I'd question how the sole is attached. On the plus side you can replace the soles ie spikes which is what they are marketing. If you want studded boots as an alternative to Korker sandals, try LLBean Aqua Tread or Hodgeman something or other (these are ceramic studs). Neither have enough spikes, but you can send the LLBean ones back if they wear to fast.:D
Sandals are you best bet.

Stocking feet are water proof. They are made of neopreme. My experience has been that boots usually feel bigger than their size so I wouldn't go up a size. You best to go try a pair on with your socks included.

Good luck

On the boot size, I had to go 2 sizes bigger to have something comfortable on my 4E feet. Put the waders on before you try the boots. Make sure they fit and are comfortable because that is what it's all about. I had some size 11 at first that were painfull to wear, I now have 13s and they are finally comfortable...