Although some folks accuse me of having gone to the dark side as strictly a boat angler, at this time of year (as well as early in the spring) I do try and get out to a few local beaches and return to my roots.
That said, all of the waders I have leak like a sieve, so I am in the market for new ones. I am going to go with stocking foot and wading boots since my ankles are shot and I need the support. I was looking at some of the new style waders with the zip front; anyone have any experience with them? Any recommendations that anyone can offer?
Thanks in advance.

I gave up on waders for salt water. Farmer john wetsuit with a zipper so you can pee. No worries about getting knocked down and waders filling. I always ended up wet in waders anyways.

Stick to the boat old man;)

I have no experiance with the zip front waders. I have good luck with llbeans. All waders will leak eventually seems to me that adding more areas that can leak doesn't seem like a good idea in the salt. So i buy the mid grade waders and really the customer service and beans warranty is what I spend my money on.
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I had a pair of zip fronts that lasted a little over 2 years. Never had a problem with the zipper and it was a nice feature to have. Only reason I got rid of them is because I tore them and eventually the patch gave way. I can't remember the brand but they are no longer in business. I've since switched to Beans and gone through 3 pairs in less than 2 years, but the return policy can't be beat. I bought my dad a pair of Frog Toggs breathables and he loves them, but he doesn't wear them much. I don't know about their durability because they haven't been abused like my waders.
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I have no experiance with the zip front waders. I have good luck with llbeans. All waders will leak eventually seems to me that adding more areas that can leak doesn't seem like a good idea in the salt. So i buy the mid grade waders and really the customer service and beans warranty is what I spend my money on.
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same here. I have the stocking foot Emergers and really like them. I get them a little bigger than my actual size so that I can move around in them better. Find they don't leak as much because they aren't as tight to my body.

I have them paired with the River Treads boots. I like this boot, the little studs are fine for most of the fishing I do and they are easy to hop rocks in. I just hate the new BOA system on them. When sand gets in there it locks up and I don't trust the thin wire. I wish they still made that boot with laces instead...

I only use mine a few times a year, so I don't feel like buying new ones.
I sealed my rubber ones up with Gorilla Glue; works pretty good, but leaves tacky looking white streaks on 'em. I then put in a trash bag for each foot to catch any residual leakage. Together, this works pretty good. Better than blowing $$$ on new ones.

llbean for me. best guarantee in the business. rapid river waders on sale right now for $179, I have these and love them.

I have a pair of simms waders dont know the type.i believe they were made to be sold only in cabelas only. But there not available anymore. I love simms products as well as there return policy. even the low end simms waders are very comfortable.iv had the pair I own for 2 years and only had to patch one small pinhole.
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llbean waders for me as well... i take them back when they start to leak in yr 2 or 3 and get a new pair

Not zip-front, but I bought these back in the spring and absolutely love them so far. No complaints on the Cabela's warrantee, just save your receipt and they will exchange or refund your money as long as they are their brand name. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Waders/Mens-Fishing-Waders%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104674680/i/103926780/Cabelas-Guidewear-Pro-SBT-Dry-Plus-Waders/1311169.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fmens-fishing-waders%2F_%2FN-1101197%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103926780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat1047 97980%253Bcat104674680&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104797980%3Bcat104674680%3Bcat103 926780

Thanks to all who responded - except Cape Cod Kid! Although I do agree I should probably stick to the boat and I wear the appellation "old man" with pride, you whippersnapper! And by the way, shouldn't you be studying instead of checking out the web?

Yeah you'll be there before you know it.
Old guys rule

llbean for me. best guarantee in the business. rapid river waders on sale right now for $179, I have these and love them.

got em too, super comfy. plus it doesnt matter if the model you have is obsolete, they'll replace it with the current years product. can't beat that

Just bought a pair of Bean's Kennebeks. They are a little tougher than the Emergers, but not so thick that they don't breath, like the Rapid Rivers. Also they inseam is a little longer than the RRs. Handy if you are fairly tall and ride a bicycle while wearing them

Just bought a pair of Bean's Kennebeks. They are a little tougher than the Emergers, but not so thick that they don't breath, like the Rapid Rivers. Also they inseam is a little longer than the RRs. Handy if you are fairly tall and ride a bicycle while wearing them
No hip boots, is the sun still coming up tomorrow?

LL Bean for me as well. Great warantee.

This spring returned a 3 year old beat to snot pair to orvis.
Gave me a new pair no questions asked.
Clerk told me lifetime guarantee.
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This spring returned a 3 year old beat to snot pair to orvis.
Gave me a new pair no questions asked.
Clerk told me lifetime guarantee.
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AMAZING!

I did the same to a pair I took good care of, was not beat up, sent them back and they said they were such an old model that they can't replace them. I said when I bought them you had a lifetime warranty on them. I got nothing. and Orvis will get nothing from me ever again. Pisses me off hearing their lifetime warranty only applies when convenient to them or they pick and choose.

AMAZING!

I did the same to a pair I took good care of, was not beat up, sent them back and they said they were such an old model that they can't replace them. I said when I bought them you had a lifetime warranty on them. I got nothing. and Orvis will get nothing from me ever again. Pisses me off hearing their lifetime warranty only applies when convenient to them or they pick and choose.

Did you write a letter corporate?

That seems really odd unless they didn't have a like for like replacement.
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Just walked into the Orvis store at legacy place and exchanged them.
No issues took ten minutes.

I had the very same expierence slip had- it pushed me to llbean and I couldn't be happier.

One of the problems I've had with stocking foot waders is gravel and sand getting into the boot. Over time the neoprene stocking foot chafes and develops holes. What ever waders you get try to make sure they have an integrated gaiter. Although the gaiters aren't fool proof they do help with the chafing.

Simms now makes the G3 with the bog boot....may try that next time.
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I had a similar experience with Orvis as Slip and afterhours. Stocking foot was leaking at the seam, sent them in, and they were leaking again, asked for a new pair. They said they were older model no replacement. Done with Orvis got LLbean

how long is the bean warrenty? mine have leaked since 6 months old and have been dealing with it for 18 months since.

also..... they only leak due too barnicle slash not craftmanship

how long is the bean warrenty? mine have leaked since 6 months old and have been dealing with it for 18 months since.

Life time no questions asked. Period.
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Life time no questions asked. Period.
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I bet their barnacle rip policy is the same as their falling into a trash can fire policy. No questions asked.
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I have no experiance with the zip front waders. I have good luck with llbeans. All waders will leak eventually seems to me that adding more areas that can leak doesn't seem like a good idea in the salt. So i buy the mid grade waders and really the customer service and beans warranty is what I spend my money on.
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Ditto. I love the Bean waders, have had no issues in 5 years with their stocking foot breathables and just bought another pair for backup.

Pissed......called to order up some Bean Waders.....of course they only have small and dont expect more until the spring!!!!!!

I bet their barnacle rip policy is the same as their falling into a trash can fire policy. No questions asked.
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Lmfao!!!!!!!!
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Not happy with my new Bean kennebecs- second trip and the seams that join the right neoprene bootie to the wader completely blew out. Thankfully the water was 58, not 38 like it will be in a few months...

I'll still keep the Beans as a backup, but this is my third pair in four months. QC has gone seriously downhill. Amazing warranty doesn't help if you suffer serious structural failure and are nowhere near a shop.

Need a more durable pair for frequent use!

Llbean selection of quality waders turned around when they discontinued selling Simms brand.
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jackk ask them for the rapid rivers- a lot more heavy duty.

Have the custom simms G3 with muck boot...excellent (always dry) for sand beaches. Heavy duty fantastic quality. Multiple layers of heavy breathable material. If you use your gear hard...the simms products are for you. The best waders hands down are simms

Also have the LLBean Helix stocking foot with korker boots boa system for rock breaches. (lightweight, very dry and comfortable like wearing regular pants) Surprisingly rugged for their light weight, very satisfied. Most comfortable waders I have ever owned. Really breathable dry material. Super easy in and out. (rarely a problem with sand in the boa system as they have a great gator that protects against sand intrusion into the boa system. It has happened, once. That said, I bought these just for fishing rocky areas and they have worked great. LLbean is a super company)

Also have about 3-4 pair of off the shelf tackle store boot foot waders (various brands)for misc duty around the water. Not was well made. These are what I call "price point" products and are OK for a season or two but nothing like the two above. In the winter I wear thick neos for scalloping. The rest of the year breathables.

Given who you are...I would get a pair of the top of the line simm custom guide waders made just for you (about $600-700 ). It will be the last pair you only ever buy.

Too funny Don- I used the RR's for years and only had a couple issues. I believe they're discontinued now though- the Kennebec's are their replacement (at least they aren't on the website anymore).

I have the Orvis with bog boots for winter steelheading and sand beaches- those have been great so far.

I think Simms/Patagucci will be the way to go for the standard use though, and keep the Beans as a backup pair.

My bean rapid rivers are a hot mess right now. Gooped up with all sorts of crap and patched in a few places. i think im on 5 seasons with them. All the leaks were self inflicted. Weird thing is that about every 5th trip there is a leak in the left bootie. Only leaks for a second. I would recommend them if they are still available. One frustrating thing about Beans is they seem to discontinue lines regularly.