Yet another wader question. - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Rob Rockcrawler · 03-20-2009, 04:34 PM

Im in the market for my 4th pair in 6 years. Going with beans or Simms this time. I like the looks of a couple of the new beaners. I have never had boot foot waders. How is the support of breathable bootfoot waders when strapped up with korkers? I like the stockin foot for the added support of the wading boots, but the new beans look like they have decent support. I fish rocks about 75% of the time.

Rockport24 · 03-20-2009, 04:39 PM

stick with boots that lace and give the support. I tried the bootfoots with korkers and then switched to the lace-up boots and haven't looked back. I started with cabelas ones that have a lace-up boot attached the waders like a boot foot, so that's the best of both worlds. They didn't quite fit right though, so I had to go with stocking foots, they are worth checking out though if you are normal size

LL bean has similar ones: link

Sweetwater · 03-20-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockport24

stick with boots that lace and give the support. I tried the bootfoots with korkers and then switched to the lace-up boots and haven't looked back. I started with cabelas ones that have a lace-up boot attached the waders like a boot foot, so that's the best of both worlds. They didn't quite fit right though, so I had to go with stocking foots, they are worth checking out though if you are normal size

LL bean has similar ones: link

I have the Cabelas with the lace up boot attached to the waders. They fit me fine and I love 'em. Agree with Rockport...if they fit, they're the best of both worlds.

Pete F. · 03-20-2009, 05:18 PM

If you are 6 years on 4 waders you are doing good, depending on how much you fish.
My current favorite wader system is LL Bean Emergers and this time I got LL Bean river something studded. I am too old to wear Korkers all night and walk.

spence · 03-20-2009, 05:37 PM

I've had good luck with my Simms G3's, although I don't beat on them nearly as hard as some guys do.

It's too bad you're not a female as SierraTradingPost.com has some great deals on them right now.

-spence

numbskull · 03-20-2009, 05:43 PM

Go with Simms G3 or G4. I did, on #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&'s advice, and have used them hard for 3 years, all in rocks/barnacles, and been very happy. They are easy to patch when you cut them (which isn't often since they are like armor), the seams can be expected to be good and stay good. They are comfortable.

Although they are expensive, there is something to said for buying a product made by someone who cares about what they are producing and works in a small enough company to be held responsible for the quality of his/her work. Simms stands behind their name and their product.

If you plan to cover any distance in rock at night, get spiked wading boots with good ankle support (not the lightest boots on the market) and it will greatly improve your mobility and safety.

Tagger · 03-20-2009, 05:58 PM

not a big fan of korkers in the rocks ..I'm not use to my feet being so big ,,or hooking under other rocks .. I've fallen so much because of Korkers in boulder fields . I think they are better suited for large slimy rocks on edges of jettys .. I 've been wearing G3's with spiked boots a solid 3 years now .. No misshaps(leaks) but I'm careful .. If you wear breathable stuff under your waders, it is like fishing in your pajamas.. $425 stocking foot waders,,$175 boots .. but I don't own a boat and wife don't need fancy jewlery ..

spence · 03-20-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tagger

not a big fan of korkers in the rocks ..I'm not use to my feet being so big ,,or hooking under other rocks .. I've fallen so much because of Korkers in boulder fields .

Not to mention the added weight.

I rarely wear Korkers any more. Only if I know I'm going to be standing on rocks with a lot of weed. 95% of the time the studded felt is good enough.

-spence

numbskull · 03-20-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tagger

................ $425 stocking foot waders,,$175 boots .. but I don't own a boat and wife don't need fancy jewlery ..

Right. With you on her arm she could be wearing the Hope diamond and people would still feel sorry for her.

NIB · 03-20-2009, 06:10 PM

Pete F. · 03-20-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

Right. With you on her arm she could be wearing the Hope diamond and people would still feel sorry for her.

Tagger, don't worry people say the same thing about him.

steve · 03-25-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tagger

not a big fan of korkers in the rocks ..I'm not use to my feet being so big ,,or hooking under other rocks .. I've fallen so much because of Korkers in boulder fields . I think they are better suited for large slimy rocks on edges of jettys .. I 've been wearing G3's with spiked boots a solid 3 years now .. No misshaps(leaks) but I'm careful .. If you wear breathable stuff under your waders, it is like fishing in your pajamas.. $425 stocking foot waders,,$175 boots .. but I don't own a boat and wife don't need fancy jewlery ..

I'm not a big fan of Korkers either. I rarely wear them and dread doing so. They cause as many accidents as they prevent. Stick with felt and studs.

piemma · 03-25-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

I'm not a big fan of Korkers either. I rarely wear them and dread doing so. They cause as many accidents as they prevent. Stick with felt and studs.

Steve:
I respectfully disagree. I have worn Korkers for pretty much all my surf career (40+ years) and I am a fan of them. Now, I choose not to make a fashion statement and I duck tape my Korkers to my boots. Never have had them come loose. Never had a fall caused by the Korkers. To each his own but I swear by them.

Rob Rockcrawler · 03-20-2009, 09:36 PM

Im going to try on a couple pairs at beans this weekend if i have time. They carry simms, and the shop in wareham has a couple pairs of the gortex simms for 249.00, at least that's what the girl on the phone told me. She said they also have the wet suit kind. I assume she was referring to neoprene. I think beans would be a good place to get simms waders. Over the counter replacement applies to non LL Bean products as well i assume.

spence · 03-20-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Rockcrawler

Im going to try on a couple pairs at beans this weekend if i have time. They carry simms, and the shop in wareham has a couple pairs of the gortex simms for 249.00, at least that's what the girl on the phone told me. She said they also have the wet suit kind. I assume she was referring to neoprene. I think beans would be a good place to get simms waders. Over the counter replacement applies to non LL Bean products as well i assume.

Gore-tex Simms for $249 with a Bean lifetime warranty? That's a pretty good deal.

-spence

numbskull · 03-21-2009, 05:03 AM

I don't think all Simms waders are equal. If you are going into the rocks you want the G3 or better.........the lighter ones are more delicate. Also, if you are climbing in rocks you want to up size slightly to allow more room in the crotch (except in Flap's case where apparently that's not an issue) and less stress on the seam.

spence · 03-21-2009, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

I don't think all Simms waders are equal. If you are going into the rocks you want the G3 or better.........the lighter ones are more delicate. Also, if you are climbing in rocks you want to up size slightly to allow more room in the crotch (except in Flap's case where apparently that's not an issue) and less stress on the seam.

I think the sizing up might depend on how you're built. I'm generally speaking an XL in most things, and the XL simms give me plenty of room. If I was a portly angler I might agree on the need for more size.

The G3's are much more fitted than any of my Bean waders ever were, which is good, because I didn't trust my Italian tailor to alter them and keep the seams waterproof

-spence

basswipe · 03-21-2009, 01:36 PM

I've had really good luck with Cabelas Gold Medal waders.

JohnnyD · 03-25-2009, 01:34 PM

spence, did I read that right? L.L.Bean provides a lifetime warranty on their waders?

I assume this would only be on the seams. But that would be helpful as my Cabela UltraLights are leaking at the pant-to-boot seam.

Fishpart · 03-25-2009, 01:38 PM

Just returned a set of LLBeans, this is my second returned pair. I am very satisfied with them and they replace them no questiosn asked.

JohnnyD · 03-25-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishpart

Just returned a set of LLBeans, this is my second returned pair. I am very satisfied with them and they replace them no questiosn asked.

What was the condition you returned them for?

I can't imagine they'd accept them back if I impaled myself through the waders with a 7/0 hook. Not that I've ever done that before.

If this is the case, I see no reason to buy waders from anywhere but LLBean. Any extra expense would pay for itself.

bloocrab · 03-25-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

What was the condition you returned them for?

I can't imagine they'd accept them back if I impaled myself through the waders with a 7/0 hook. Not that I've ever done that before.

If this is the case, I see no reason to buy waders from anywhere but LLBean. Any extra expense would pay for itself.

Yo Johnny, I've returned a couple of damaged pairs of waders to LLBean..........no questions, no inspections, no trouble at ALL. They exchanged them with a smile and a thank you. You CAN'T beat that. Tried it with Orvis and they grilled me........no more Orvis for me. LLBean all the way.

JohnnyD · 03-25-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloocrab

Yo Johnny, I've returned a couple of damaged pairs of waders to LLBean..........no questions, no inspections, no trouble at ALL. They exchanged them with a smile and a thank you. You CAN'T beat that. Tried it with Orvis and they grilled me........no more Orvis for me. LLBean all the way.

I may be going there for my next pair.

slow eddie · 03-25-2009, 05:10 PM

there are certain spots in so. co . i wouldn't even think of going unless i had my korkers on. it's happened to me and many others. i use the black electrical tape. use the siccors after, your good to go.

Rob Rockcrawler · 03-25-2009, 05:42 PM

Ive never fallen using the korkers. I did take a few slides that made me see the light. The last slide i took was at an avenue, and i skated about 10 feet towards the white water, never cared for that particular monolith anyways. Im going to buy a pair of studded boots this year and see how i like em. My fishin bud swears by them. Korkers have there place but can be overkill in a lot of situations but im so used to wearing em its just a habit now.