My niece sent me an email asking me to recommend a pair of waders for her boyfriend. He will go freshwater fishing with his dad
and he is not (yet) an avid fisherman. He may only use them once or twice and does not want the most expensive brand. Can you recommend a decent brand (not too expensive) and can you tell me the difference between the usefulness of the waders which have boots versus the stocking style?? Thanks in advance for any replies.

LL Bean are fairly inexpensive(150 for bootfooot, 90 for stocking foot) and reliable. they have a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee so if he uses them and they leak or just doesn't like them, he can get his money back.

As far stocking foot vs. boot foot: boot foot are better on sand, gravel, or mud. stocking foot are better for climbing rocks, hiking. they give you better ankle support, but of course you'll need to buy wading boots to go along with the waders...

fasteddie, try albrighttackle.com. I ordered a pair of breathable waders Reg price 69.00 on sale for 48.30 plus ship. Felt bottoms. Seem well made time will tell.

LL Bean. Lifetime warranty.
When i fish in maine I use the stocking foot, gortex guide pants. I usually walk 8-10 miles a day fishing the northern streams. I have never issues with need to wade deeper .

These are 89 retail
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=breathable-emerger-waist-high-stockingfoot-waders&categoryId=50073&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=3934&cat4=1109&shop_method=pp&feat=3934-tn&np=Y

You could wear hightop converse sneakers and be all set.

If he will only use them once or twice for real then either become addicted like us or not. Try a cheap pair at Walmart.If he gets interested he can graduate to a better pair to suit his needs.

I'd try the least expensive beans, they are not breathable but only $100 for a bootfoot wader with a guarantee.
But he would be better off to go in the summer and wade wet. Old pair of sneakers and glue some carpet to the bottoms.

hodgman makes some great waders as well. i plan on purchasing a pair of the Classic A/P breathables before the season starts for me....

i have hodgemans right now...there great for the price...no leaks yet