The big problem with stocking foot waders in the surf is they tend to fill up with sand. If you are always rock hopping I guess they would be ok. All the guys I fish with have always worn boot foot.
As for brand, I fish 100+ nights a year and am real hard on waders what with rocks, fish dorsal fins etc. You just cannot beat Cabelas. For $89 you can get 3mm bootfoot neoprene waders. I buy a new pair every year and keep last years pair as a backup. I never can patch an old pair so they are totally leak proof. Too many hook holes, dorsal fin holes, barnacles from rocks etc. I figure it cost me lest than a buck a night to be dry.
Get a Cabelas club Visa and they give you a point a dollar good toward merchandise. I just ordered a new pair of waders and they ended up costing me just the shipping charges. less than $10.
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