I need help choosing waders?

[chad steele]

Hey guys,

I am looking for a a good pair of light breathable stocking foot chest waders and a good pair of felt soled boots. I am just a poor college kid that is looking to get the best deal possible. Name brands mean nothing to me, but quality is important. I was wanting to get both for around $150. Is that even possible? Also, I am built like a freak, I am 5’10” and wear size 14 shoe. So the neoprene boot-fit waders I have are a little long in the leg, but the boot fits right. Am I going to run into the same problem with the stockings? Here is what I have been looking at.. if you have any experience with these please let me know what you think.

Waders
1. Cabelas Dry-Plus Packable Waders.
2. Cabelas Bluestream Breathable Waders
3. Frogg Toggs’ Hellbender Breathable Waders
4. White River Fly Shop’s Stocking Foot Breathable Waders
Boots
1. Cabelas Ultralight Wading Boots
2. Cabelas Backcountry Side-zip Wading Boots
3. White River Fly Shop Wading Boots

All of these are from either Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop. Thats about all I have around here, since I can’t even afford to walk in the door of Orvis or some of the other specialty stores. Please, any advise will help. I appreciate it guys.
-Chad

[darren kay]

I have a pair of Albright Trinity waders that go for $89 when you buy from their website, http://www.albrightflyfish.com.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Chad –

$150 is hard.  My advice would be to look at Dan Bailey waders here:

https://www.dan-bailey.com/Via/viaLauncher.jsp?targetPage=https://www.dan-bailey.com/Via/viaUserDoc.jsp&searchText=WADERS&reqTitle=TITLE_VIAUSERDOCLIST

You might tie their cheapest wader with these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4875649

That’s actually a very good, long-lasting combo for $175 (I can’t get to $150 with decent quality breathables either).  I’ve heard very good things about the Bailey’s and the Hodgman brand felt boots last a long time; lots of my friends have worn those (even though they are sold at Wally World).

Also, Orvis has an option for you.  If you’re lucky you might be able to fit in one of their remaining sizes here:

http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=96GGps&dir_id=1137&group_id=1157&cat_id=12021&subcat_id=12022

None of these are going to do it for you right now, but this is a good place to look generally:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/e/2248_Waders.html

Finally, these are really going to suck in every possible way, but they do get you in under the price limit:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=VIXKWWNGP0WCTLAQBBJSCOFMCAEFIIWE?id=0017636830334a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0610105&cm_ite=0017636830334a&_requestid=37613

I personally would not buy single layer waders for any reason whatsoever.  I would simply save longer.  I’ve been down that road.  It isn’t worth it.

Zach

[Rich Kovars]

Another good option in boots is the L.L. Bean Emerger boot at $49.

[Tim Angeli]

My first outfit was some Cabelas waders and Hodgeman boots, and they were both great to me.

[chad steele]

Thanks for all of yalls help. It looks like I have a lot more options than I thought. It’s funny, I said name-brands dont matter to me, but when Zach recommended the orvise waders I got all excited. I guess it does matter, atleast for quality sake.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Chad –

I would basically just put all single layer sub $150 on a par when it comes to quality.

[anonymous]

Save your money, watch the auctions and wait for year end closeouts.

[dusty montgomery]

Chad,
As Dave pointed out, you will not need waders for some time around here, even at Broken Bow. We have wet-waded there well into Sept. So, take that $150 you have to spend and get a good pair of boots that will last a long time and be comfortable. Then, save money over the summer for some nice, 3-layer, breathable waders.
Dusty

You may also want a pair of these for wet wading, around $30 or so:

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