Lets talk waders - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Mr. Sandman · 04-20-2004, 06:29 AM

OK, its time to pick up another pair of waders...hmmm

Breathable of course
I need a heavyweight pair for the fall
boot foot or stocking foot?

What would be your ultimate pair?

I tend to have always gotten a bootfoot for most of the fishing I do but I have to say I am interested in stocking foot with those new korker shoes with replaceable insoles. Others have told me (who have stocking foot waders) to AVOID stocking foot and stick with the boot foot because no matter how hard you try sand gets into the shoe, they get heavy and you end up taking off the shoes to empty.

I notice that most of the real good waders only come in stocking foot.

I probably will stick with the regular Hogeman bootfoot breathable but those high end guide types from orvis and cabelas sure look nice....

Do you have a problem with stocking foot and sand? what do you like?

jeffsod · 04-20-2004, 06:35 AM

Orvis has a pair of breathables with lace up boots which are kind of a hybrid of both. Not quite as much support as a stocking foot but better than a plain boot.

fishweewee · 04-20-2004, 06:42 AM

1) I like stockingfoots - they dry out faster than boot foots.

2) Downside of stockingfoots is that sand gets into your boot. Every few hours you have to empty them. I think you can get special thingamabobs that wrap around the gap between the boot and the waders to prevent this.

3) I haven't seen a breathable (low, medium, or high-end) that won't eventually spring a leak. Hodgman, Orvis, Cabelas Private Label, and Simms Gore-Tex Guideweight as well as Patagonia have all leaked. So if you fish hard, buy more than one pair, and ask the retailer what the leak repair policy is.

4) Get a pair of neoprenes for late fall.

-WW

theSURF121 · 04-20-2004, 06:45 AM

Used the Orvis Hiking Boot waders for a few years now.I liked them but always had to return them due to leaks. If it wasn't for the warranty( which is now more strict) I wouldn't have bought them. Picked up a pair of the Cabela's breathables with a similar lace up boot but havn't tried them yet. As far as using them in the colder month's, a pair of polartech or similar clothing works great.

love_2_fish · 04-20-2004, 06:45 AM

Sandman, I picked up a pair of Orvis Guide stocking foots in their close sale last fall. I hope that I don't find the problem with sand you mention. I was thinking of the Korkers wading shoe as well, but they weigh about two pounds apeace so I might go with the Simms shoe with the studded felt sole, which is much ligheter and priced a few dollars less. I'd be interested in hearing others opinions on this.

Just for the sake of their warrenty I'd go with one of the reasonably priced waders from LLBean. Everything they sell is guaranteed.
A lot of people say the boot foot is less of a hassle getting in and out of them than the stocking foot, but I'm giving the stocking foot a chance because I'm looking for more support and less slippage when walking long distances to fishing spots.

Their waders may be good, but I'd stay away from Hodgeman wading shoes should you go the stocking foot route. I tried a pair on in a store and whenI went to snug up the laces the fabric loop Hodgeman uses instead of a metal grommet blew right out. I wouldnt want that to happen on the beach

Joe · 04-20-2004, 06:53 AM

If you are fishing sand they should last. And yes, bootfoot is the way to go. Return policy is a big selling point for me. I like the Orvis with studded felts built in.

Bullet proof breathable waders have not yet been invented. You can't wear breathable waders and fish like you were wearing splash pants and rubber boots and expect them to hold up - they won't.

A good pair of breathables for sand and light rock wading and set of hippers and splash pants for heavy rock fishing is a good way to go.

tlapinski · 04-20-2004, 07:13 AM

http://69.93.108.13/StriperTalk/show...ghlight=waders

JohnR · 04-20-2004, 07:16 AM

What's sand

?

You can get "Gravel Guards" that will prevent most sand from getting in the boot but anytime you are wading deep into soft sand in good current they'll still probably fill on you. All that said, I still really like stocking feet with felt sole wading boots. The felt is good for marginaly slick surfaces and you can break out the korkers after the fact.

Now if you got two pair, say Hodgmans, you could get one boot foot for ultra sandy conditions and boot foot/wading shoes/Korkers for when fishing the morraine and Ledge....

tlapinski · 04-20-2004, 07:45 AM

for my replacement waders this year, i ended up with two pairs. i bought the cabela's gold medal stocking foot with a pair of cabela's guide tech wading boots for rocky conditions, and a pair of cabela's dry plus premium lace-up bootfoot waders for the sandy areas. i am very happy with the stocking foot/wading boot combo so far. i have only been to non sandy areas, but the support of the actual boots is awesome compared to the old school bootfeet! the lace-ups are a great new addition, too. a good blend of the advantages of each style.

spence · 04-20-2004, 07:55 AM

I've fished a pair of LLBean stockingfoot breathables at least a dozen times on the beach and have yet to get much of any sand in the boots. Perhaps the gravel guards actually work, or I just jinxed my self...who knows...

-spence

Mr. Sandman · 04-20-2004, 07:58 AM

OK...I will give the stocking foot -breathable-koorkershoes-gravel gaurds a try. (But I will keep the boot foot in the truck if I need to fish sand or get into all this equipment in a hurry.)

love_2_fish · 04-20-2004, 08:02 AM

tlapinski, I was just looking at the post to the waders thread you referenced above, specificly regarding your contacting Orvis regarding their change in their guarantee on waders. Did they tell you that even if you purchased waders while their current catalog sayed they have a lifetime warranty that they would no longer honor it?

I have a pair of yet unused Orvis stocking foots that I purchased because of their lifetime warranty. If they will no longer honer that then I will return them unused in the box and buy a pair of Simms.

I'm, very interested in hearing how you made out. A few weeks ago I did call the Boston store and they told me the original warranty would be honored, but it didn't sound convincing. I don't want to have to pay their $30 exhange fee every time they spring a leek.

Fishpart · 04-20-2004, 08:04 AM

LL Bean is adverti$ing extremely heavy duty breathable$ this year. A little out of my league, but they may be an option.

What's sand anyway???

Fish On · 04-20-2004, 10:27 AM

Fish naked and you don't have to worry about geting your feet wet.

Of course please don't do it around me unless you are one of 179's nieces.

BasicPatrick · 04-20-2004, 10:11 PM

Reddington Stockingfoot have the spats built in...almost like a double cuff

dey work well

basswipe · 04-21-2004, 11:38 AM

Check out Bldg.19.You gotta have the patience to dig through the bin.
2wks ago at the Swansea I came up with Gold.Top of the line Hodgman stocking foot neos with the reinforced ass,knees and feet with the removable pouch in the chest pouch.$31 and change after tax.They were all that price regardless of model.
Now if they get in a load of breathables...........

spence · 04-21-2004, 12:29 PM

Be careful of the bldg 19 waders. Not saying you can't get a deal but the pair I bought there leaked badly. They took them back but it was a hassle.

-spence

blackeye · 04-21-2004, 01:24 PM

I'm all set with the breathables-don't wanna deal with the leaks-got a pair of pro line's last year and they are heavy duty. took a few tumbles in the rocks and scuffed them a bit on barnacles and they still don't leak. once the water temp gets up I wear wading shoes-with korkers if needed- and a pair of nylon shorts. nothing wrong with a pruny butt

Raven · 04-21-2004, 06:13 PM

so the question remains then whats the best thing to wear inside a wader that leaks...nylon shorts blackeye... or what...? to bad they dont have aquaskin underwear...

Goose · 04-21-2004, 06:38 PM

Cabels 3mm stocking foot is going on two seasons. I like'um. Korkers a must.

basswipe · 04-21-2004, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spence
Be careful of the bldg 19 waders. Not saying you can't get a deal but the pair I bought there leaked badly. They took them back but it was a hassle.

-spence

I agree spence,it was a gamble.But boy did I get a decent set of waders and after tonite's fish catching festival I can't complain,I caught fish and stayed warm and dry!

HESH2 · 04-22-2004, 08:41 AM

HAVE CABELA'S LACE UP BOOT FOOT BREATHABLE,ONLY USED THIS YEAR 5 TIMES AND SEEM TO BE OK.I HATE TO SAY I'M SHORT,OVERWEIGHT AND HAVE SIZE 8 BOOT AND THESE WADERS WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT GAVE ME ALOT OF ROOM IN CHEST AREA.NO OTHER MANUFACTURE MAKES SIZE 8 BOOTFOOT IN LARGER CHEST SIZES.

rwilhelm · 04-22-2004, 08:50 AM

Where can I buy Gravel Guards and how well do they work?

Skitterpop · 04-22-2004, 10:39 AM

They won`t keep sand out so they call them gravel guards.
They come with boot foot waders or you customize with hiking/snow gaiters from numerous places.

basswipe · 04-22-2004, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rwilhelm
Where can I buy Gravel Guards and how well do they work?

Walmart.No different than any other gravel guard.
Hey at least Wallyworld is good for something!

Mr. Sandman · 04-22-2004, 11:40 AM

I fished last fall with a fellow who had stockingfoot waders, boots and gravel guards. We fished the second point under Gay Head light and we walked the beach. It is a little bit of a hike and at times the water was up against the cliffs so we had to slug it out shin deep moving water. He had to stop 3 X each way to emtpy the boots. It didn't bother me but it seems like a hassle.

rwilhelm · 04-22-2004, 12:05 PM

I bought a pair of bootfoot this year because the sand getting in was driving me crazy. I figure I will use the stockingfoot as backups and get the gravel guards which should help some but from what you guys are saying I guess there is no way to avoid some sand getting in.

Stewie · 04-22-2004, 07:15 PM

I bought a pair of Cabelas "contour ankle boot foot hippers last year after my Wally World hippers blew out. They are tough to put on and take off but the tight ankle is great. It's like walking in sneakers. I walk too far to wear chesties most of the time.

maddog2020 · 04-23-2004, 07:31 AM

Stocking foot if you are going to be in areas that is rocky just for the ankle support. If it is just a beach and you don't have to walk far then boot foots.

My problem is finding a pair that FIT well. I'm not built like a normal person (whatever that is .... lol) so comfort is important to me since I usually have to walk in a ways.

I went with a pair of West Branch waders by LL Bean. WHY?! - they fit me the best, are very comfortable and I know LLB will take care of me if I have leaking issues.

I would highly recommend TRYING the pair one before you buy them if that is possible.

You can always order 3 pair and keep the ones that are the best if you have to do mail order.

Sit, crouch, stretch and lean in every physical way you can get your body to bend with the waders on - make sure they FIT. Get a neoprene wading belt and a pair of SOSpenders for insurance. Cost on the inflating life vest has come down considerably over the past couple of years - you can get most for under $80 (best money well spent IMHO). Do you want to see your kids grow old and meet your grandchildren some day?!

I have a pair of the older style Guide Weight Gore-tex Simms boot foots that I got in a trade last year. Best boot bottoms I've ever seem - don't think they use the same ones now - if you can find old stock check them out. I've been in sticky mud and they don't pull off like my other ones I had owned in the past. Simms are $$, but all the saltwater fly guides I know use them - that has to say something.

If money was no object I would go for the high end fancy Simms G3 Guide Waders in stocking foot (~$550 w/ studded boots).

basswipe · 04-24-2004, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by basswipe
I agree spence,it was a gamble.But boy did I get a decent set of waders and after tonite's fish catching festival I can't complain,I caught fish and stayed warm and dry!

Open mouth,insert foot.Used them for the 3rd time this morning totally submerged for a couple of hours and low and behold the right foot started leaking!
Now my waders will be out of commission for more than a day.
Got to let the water completely dry and the patch needs to cure another 12hrs on top of that.
Like Spence says beware.Check them REAL WELL if you buy Bldg.19 waders.
The patch was cheap enough,I just hate being without my waders.