How many seasons do you get out of a pair of waders?

[Pete_G]

It's not the cheapest solution, but I've come to the conclusion that I need 2 pairs of waders and a wetsuit and I select the right tool for the job depending on what I'm doing. Spreading the work load obviously extends the life of everything. One pair of breathables is rarely going to go a full season for anglers that fish hard unless it's a higher end model like the Simms G3 or 4.

I only wear the breathables these days when I need to. Long walks or spots that aren't likely to stress them. Canvas at other times where I need the additional durability, but mostly I use the wetsuit.

I love fishing in the wetsuit anways and I've learned to tolerate the ridiculous stink that starts to come from my wetsuit around mid-summer despite numerous Mirazyme treatments.

I'm very mixed on my feelings towards breathables these days. Unless you spend $$ leaks after some serious use is almost a given. I'm finding I prefer a little clammyness of non-breathables in exchange for less leaks. I MAY drop the $$ for the Simms this year, I'm not sure...

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

It's not the cheapest solution, but I've come to the conclusion that I need 2 pairs of waders and a wetsuit and I select the right tool for the job depending on what I'm doing. Spreading the work load obviously extends the life of everything. One pair of breathables is rarely going to go a full season for anglers that fish hard unless it's a higher end model like the Simms G3 or 4.

I only wear the breathables these days when I need to. Long walks or spots that aren't likely to stress them. Canvas at other times where I need the additional durability, but mostly I use the wetsuit.

I love fishing in the wetsuit anways and I've learned to tolerate the ridiculous stink that starts to come from my wetsuit around mid-summer despite numerous Mirazyme treatments.

I'm very mixed on my feelings towards breathables these days. Unless you spend $$ leaks after some serious use is almost a given. I'm finding I prefer a little clammyness of non-breathables in exchange for less leaks. I MAY drop the $$ for the Simms this year, I'm not sure...

those gra-lights you mentioned keep looking that much sweeter. Like they may have their spot as a pair you could rely on when you dont want to get wet with the wetsuit.

[BigFish]

Orvis silver labels.......stocking foot with felt bottom boots....they get heavey use.....if I get a season out of a pair I am happy.....for $250.00 and the abuse what more can you ask? This years pair lasted all season and I will start next season with them!

[Mr. Sandman]

I think you are right on multi-pair and styles. Esp if you use them for other things besides fishing. I have been using mine for Shellfishing too and in the late fall the breathables are cold after a while. Also Shellfishing really tests the seams. Sometimes I am standing water right up to my chest for a couple hours, any leak even a small one becomes a problem, esp in December.

If I get 2 years out of a pair of guide-quality breathables I am happy. The light versions of breathalbe (read cheap) less then a season. The material is just too thin. I think they are OK for a guy who goes fishing a few times a season though.

Those vulcunized rubber and rubberized canvas wader will take more abuse, no question but are uncomfortable to walk in or stand in for the entire night. They last a lot longer though. I recall getting many seasons out of those.

I have not fished in a wet suit but it seems like a hassle to get into and out of. Maybe next year. (getting one for xmas) What to you wear on your feet? wader shoes?

I have always worn the heavy rubber hip boots for lots of near shore chores, and they normally die from the boots cracking from ozone after a number of seasons...like 4-5. But like the heavy vulcanized waders they take harsh abuse.


Next year I think I will get a few different styles and spread the load.

[Joe]

Depends a lot on where you fish. If you ride the beaches and fish sand and don't walk very far in them, you're going to have a different experience than if you fish Block and the RI Breachways like Tattoo Bob.
Waders are priced high because they factor in the replacement pairs. It probably only costs $30 to manufacture a pair of light breathable waders - but the bean counters factor in the replacements so you're really buying three pairs for the price of one.
Cabelas charges less, but they may have a undeclared policy of "we'll replace "X" amount of pairs, after that you get Aquaseal." That may be why they cost less - but I don't know.
Once you say "lifetime warranty" you now get people who poke holes in perfectly good waders at the end of each season in order to start each new season with a new pair. I've known several people to do this - this is probably why we see the companies offering declining warranties.
From a merchant's perspective, helping people out with wader replacement can kill the bottom line if the wader company balks on providing a replacement. The customer is happy, but now you need to sell four pairs without a return to get back to zero.

[Canalman]

You can get more than one season out of them?

I regularly go through 2 pairs a year...

[Joe]

Nope.
When I fished hard I would go through 2-3 on most years and it took so long to get the replacements I bought two pairs to start.

[ronfish]

I can generally get two seasons out mine fishing every weekend plus aded days here and there, but I switch from the neoprenes(Cabelas') to canvas(Lacrosse or Red Ball Masters) depending on the time of year. I have fished areas requiring alot of walking and the canvas waders are just fine for me, but the neoprenes are alittle heavy for extended hiking. To me the breathables are just a leak waiting to happen. If moisture can permeate out whats going to stop it from going the other way? It seems to me that many have problems with leaks occurring in the crotch. This says to me that the leg length is not long enough to allow fulll motion of walking/climbing especially on the jetties. I try and matvh the boot size with a leg length so there is alittle extra for when I have to stretch out my legs, of course this means that the top of the waders are up to my pits usually but a good belt takes care of that situation. I have never had a pair of waders fail inthe crotch generally at the boot top or knee area. Ron

[wheresmy50]

Originally Posted by ronfish

If moisture can permeate out whats going to stop it from going the other way?

The moisture going out is vapor, the water trying to get in is liquid. Water vapor can fit through smaller holes than liquid water, which is the principle behind Goretex.

With that said, I don't think breathable waders still breathe when you're in the water. I don't think the vapor can escape when the surface is covered in water.

I just got about a season out of a pair of Hodgman's, but I didn't fish too much this year. Even if breathables don't last as long, I just can't go back. Even when I wear my hip boots and rain pants, I'm always wet from condensation.