Need Wader selection advice

[midlife crisis]

I have decided upon turning 50 to stop and smell the roses, and fly fishing fits the bill. Being new to the sport I'm sure I will have a bunch of questions. The first of the day is how to determine which waders, wading boots will fit / to buy? What weight socks would you suggest I wear when trying them on? Advantages of felt vs studded foot? Are there any other things I should consider?

The site looks great. Thanks for bringing it back on line. Thanks also for the email today Dennis, so here I am registered and asking advice (posting). I look forward to any replys (except maybe the guy in the clown suit, he kind of scares me )

 

[Fly Tier]

I have decided upon turning 50 to stop and smell the roses, and fly fishing fits the bill. Being new to the sport I'm sure I will have a bunch of questions. The first of the day is how to determine which waders, wading boots will fit / to buy? What weight socks would you suggest I wear when trying them on? Advantages of felt vs studded foot? Are there any other things I should consider?

The site looks great. Thanks for bringing it back on line. Thanks also for the email today Dennis, so here I am registered and asking advice (posting). I look forward to any replys (except maybe the guy in the clown suit, he kind of scares me )

The guy in the clown suit scare everyone, including himself...

Anyway, for waders...
There are som many to choose from. I personally like the Dan Baily waders. They are comfortable, warm, yet very light to walk with. I used to always were neaprene waders during the winter for warmth but have gotten away from that since layering fleece does the trick and is much more comfortable.

You have two options for boots. Bootfoot (boot part of the wader) or a boot that slips over the stocking foot. Benefit to a bootfoot is during the cold weather. For some reason, boot foot waders seem to give you a little more room to move your feet around and keep them warm. If you go with a stocking foot wader, without question, I would reccommend the Chota boot. They are extremely light weight, come standard with a felt sole and have screw in cletes when needed. They run about $90. The waders, depending on when you do most of your fishing, can run different prices. Mine were $249 list, these are the heavy weight stockingfoot waders.

They definetely do the job. Go to any shop and you can try them on, try on boots, wear a sock liner and a good wool sock (hiking socks) for fit on the boot.

 

[just dave]

I use stocking foot waders, because I like the support wading shoes give me. I have neoprenes, but they are not as comfortable as my breathable waders. I can stuff more insulation in my baggy pants than my rubber pants.

I'm considering a pair of bigger shoes so I can wear two pairs of socks in the cold water. You need more air in your shoes the colder it gets.

Oh, and welcome to the sport/passion/obsession. You won't be sorry.

 

[dcabarle]

I've been using Simms for I don't know how long. I own two pair, 1 chest and 1 waiste high, and they're both stocking fit.

I've had the chest waders for at least 4 years and the Guides for at least 3. Not long after using the chest waders, I sent them back to SImms and they repaired them. I have a hole somewhere in one of the feet but it doesn't fill up with water, only my 1 sock gets drenched. I can live with that. Other than looking a little beat up, I have no problems with either pair.

One thing I will say... Stay away from Orvis waders. From my understanding, they have the highest return rate and I think it's the only product that they don't offer their famed 100% guarantee on.

I've had some great luck with both of my Simms waders. Others I might want to try, Patagonia and Dan Bailey's. I believe both of these companies sell a competative product to Simms but with a better warrantee.

The boots I use with my waders were purchased a few months ago, and I've gotta admit, they're the most comfortable, easy to take on/off, boots I've ever worn. I highly recommend them. They are the Sage 'RIVERTEK' model.

 

[C&R]

I also am a Simms man. I have two pairs of breathables: the Stockingfoot Guides and the Lightweight guides. Best waders I've ever had. I used the Lightweights in the summer time when air temp goes 85+ (which you can never do with neoprenes comfortably) and in the spring and fall I used my other pair. I was in the SBR & Musky this past week with water temp of 46 degrees. All you need to wear in this kind of water are long johns of some sort and sweat pants. I also happen to wear the Simms wader socks in the cold weather to keep my feet warmer, though it limits your mobility in your shoes because what you've essentially done is doubled up on neoprene in your boot. You won't need cleats for most conditions here in NJ. However, when I went to the Salmon River this year, I bought Korkers which attach to the bottom of my felt soles Simms Guide Boots with snap-in straps. This river has a very slick bottom with many flat slabs of rock and I recommend cleats for it. Good luck.

 

[McAwful]

I have the Patagonia Watermaster Waders and they rule. The best thing about them? Return them whenever anything goes wrong for a new pair of waders. Patagonia will take anything back and hand you new ones on the spot. After two years the neopreen was wearing a little on one foot and bang, new pair. Customer service is key.

 

[theartoflee]

I also am a Simms man. I have two pairs of breathables: the Stockingfoot Guides and the Lightweight guides. Best waders I've ever had.

I have to side with C&R that the SIMMS are great I have the older guide model and have had them since they first came out. I have never had a problem with them... they are also made in the USA if that means anything to anyone.

 

[Fly Tier]

However, when I went to the Salmon River this year, I bought Korkers which attach to the bottom of my felt soles Simms Guide Boots with snap-in straps. This river has a very slick bottom with many flat slabs of rock and I recommend cleats for it. Good luck.

If you go and fish the stretch of the DSR.... Cleats are mandatory

 

[Harry]

Call me frugal sometimes. I have only owned three pairs of waders in 35 yrs, all Hodgeman's. Have never had a pair leak,(knock on wood) except for a couple my fault tears. Newest being their Wadelite's now going into my fourth year, they take a pretty good beating 150-180 days average on water the last three years.

Dave,
I don't know about the newer Chotas but on the older ones you could remove the innersole's and wear a second pair of socks in them. Or you can just wear a pair of propolene sock liners & a medium weight wool sock.

______________________
"Quit Wishing" "Go Fishing"

 

[Guest]

Simms Waders

Bought a pair for "late" Christmas at last years Somerset FF show. Love 'em. And I'm rough on waders to the point of killing Hodgemans within a year. Waders (and fly line) are one of those items that you get what you pay for and both are critical to fishing enjoyment so spend freely. You can get good deals on waders at the Somerset Show.

-D

 

[midlife crisis]

Thanks one and all for your advice. I have found I have a Simms dealer 12 miles from me and a Patagonia dealer about 40 miles away. Time to go shopping.

 

[flyin]

just another data point: I think Simms are the way to go, but for my build, they didn't have (at least that I could find) waders that would fit right (I note that I've been told I could contact them directly for custom sizes but at the time didn't know that).

So, I purchased Cabela's guide weight waders and have been extremely happy with them.

However, "next time" (which I hope is far down the road) I will look into a right-sized pair of Simms.

 

[Scott]

Simms, in my humble opinion, are the best. Gore tex, made in Montana, lifetime warrantee - can't be beat. Sure they're expensive, but they will last you for many, many years. I have the pro guide stocking foot ones. I went through three pairs of Hodgeman's before I ponied up the dough for the Simms. Money well spent!

I do use Hodgeman cleated wading boots.

My most and sagest wisdom to offer - get cleated wading boots. They grip when felt slips, they work on ice, mossy rock, mud, snow, sand, clay, while walking on logs, etc. you name it. Not as good a grip on dry slickrock, but hey what (except rubber) does?

 

[midlife crisis]

Now that I have started shopping, what is the major benefit of breathable or neoprene?

 

[RickW]

I have both, I used to use neos, but once I got breathables the neos hang by themselves in the basement.

The breathables are less restrictive, you won't like neos unless you enjoy feeling like a sausage.

 

[babyblue]

ditto the orvis waders, stay away! i have patagonia waders, forget what model. tough as nails. own korker boots. disappointerd in them. they have the interchangable soles and the strap that fixes them to the boot wore through. i own a pair of simms lightweight boot foots for the beach, got tired of sand packing the boots, these are much more comfortable. i get about 3 to 4 yrs. from waders. remember 1 thing about waders, nasa can send a man to the moon, but no one can make a pair of waders that won't eventually leak. waders are terminal tackle.

 

[LouS]

Simms

Hi,

Buy the boot foot Simms Goretex....$299.00 but you can't go wrong.

 

[McAwful]

Blue,

I also have the Patagonias and love them. I have been using Choat boots for about a year and a half and they are great. I have many a day and alot of long walks on them. The felt soles are still an inch thick. They were about $90 at Shannon's, and they are almost as comfortable as my Ascis runners.

 

[grug]

I use just breathables now and the Pantogonia ST's are very good. Found a pair on clearance at Ramsey Outdoors a year ago, 45% off retail and very good. They may still have a pair laying around as they seem to push SIMMS alot more.

For boots, have a pair of Chota's with the screw in cleats-
GREAT!! Used for 3 seasons now and just awesome boots for anywhere.

For hippers I use on quick trips for an hour down the street or something, Pro-Line Neoprene hippers are very nice. The rubber boot keeps good traction to my surprise, and the boots keep your feet warm better than the Pantagonia's and a bunch of socks.

Add this all up and I spend 3 times as much on clothes than rod and reel, but well worth it in comfort. Will suit up in a little while and try for some browns nearby.

Tight Lines!!

 

[C&R]

Midlife,

It really depends on the temperature range for the times of year you plan to fish.

I used to only fish from April-June because all I ever owned were thick neoprenes. Now my season will be pretty much April-Nov, with a few winter dates here and there if I feel up to braving the cold.

For my water temperature range (40-80 degrees) and air temperature (45 - 90 degrees) breathables (I use Simms) are the way to go. When air temp is below 75, I use my normal weight breathables. For warmer days, I use my lightweights unless I'm fishing a tailwater where the water temp could be in the 50s.

Some pluses for breathables: When you need to walk long distances against a current (when the water is up to your thighs) you won't tire as quickly as you would with neos. They dry faster. They're more compact. Easier to put on. Easier to take off. Easier to clean.

When I was fishing the Little Lehigh early this summer it was 90 degrees out. I fished from shore in the no-wading zone. The sun was cooking me alive. Put the lightweights on and went into the 59 degree water in the wading zone and it felt oh so good. Lightweights will keep you dry and comfortable on a very hot day.

When I fished the Musky and SBR in my normal weights in early Nov, the water temp was 43. I only had a pair of sweats on underneath. Was comfy but my toes were a tad chilly (but manageable) because I wasn't wearing the right socks. Some people say bootfoots would be best in this situation. Even a size or two bigger than you normally wear. Not me. I don't wear bootfoots because from some reason I feel too restricted from head to toe. I also don't feel like I get enough ankle support which is important for me because I move fast, jumping from rock to rock sometimes, and tend to be quite a klutz. At times, the terrain surrounding the stream is challenging as well. If you're an agressive wader/adventurer, I would probably not recommend bootfoots. If you consider buying bootfoots, try walking around in them for a while in the store before you buy them.

 

[browntrout27]

Another item to consider is beach fishing vs. stream. I own both boot and stocking foot waders - and only wear the the boot foot for the beach.

If you are just river fishing - stocking foot are fine.

I have tried wearing my stocking foot w/wade boot for beach fishing and the gravel guards don't effiectively keep out the sand. You wind up with a bootful of gravel which makes for some uncomfortable walking ! Every so often I had to take my boots off and dump out a few pounds of Sandy Hook's finest grains back to their proper place.

Perhaps just my experience - any one else with the same problem?

 

[midlife crisis]

At last the selection has been made

And the winner is......Simms Classic Guide Stockingfoots. They actually have a size to fit my wierd body, XLS. At 6'1" i never thought I would be considered short. Thanks all for your advice and input.

 

[C&R]

And the winner is......Simms Classic Guide Stockingfoots. They actually have a size to fit my wierd body, XLS. At 6'1" i never thought I would be considered short. Thanks all for your advice and input.

Good choice. Worth the $$. :applaudit

 

[Scott]

And the winner is......Simms Classic Guide Stockingfoots. They actually have a size to fit my wierd body, XLS. At 6'1" i never thought I would be considered short. Thanks all for your advice and input.

Isn't that great? Simms has a size for everyone. Excellent choice, you can look forward to years of comfortably dry service - but don't forget you still need to do your part, like keeping them clean & hanging them up to dry. Also avoiding bushwhacking through thick briers, jack fir & spruce, etc. etc... but don't be afraid to if you have to, they're pretty tough waders!

 

[Olive Drab]

Orvis Silver label stocking foot!!

 

[ratmatt]

look at the cabelas pro guide they are gust as nice as the orvis top of the line but a hole lot cheaper,i got a pair so far so good.why pay$$$$$for a label

 

[midlife crisis]

Yahoo!

The Simms were under the Christmas tree this morning. I hope everyone else had as good of a Christmas!