Chest Wader Suggestions

[Doc89]

Hey fellas, I'm going on a DIY moose hunt with Renfro's Alaskan Adventures this September and I'm on the market for some chest waders. I'm curious what others have used and HAVE had good luck with as well as what guys HAVE NOT had good luck with. What brand and models specifically and the type of boot. I'm pretty set on lighter weight breathable stocking-foot style chest waders and a decent boot as that seems to be the common consensus among those who've gone on this type of trip before. As of right now I would like to take stocking-foot style chest waders with a good wading boot, my Irish Setter 17 inch rubber boots (will make a good slip on camp boot), and hiking boots. I don't feel that over-packing will be an issue but if I'm overweight on gear ill just forgo one of the pairs of footwear. Any and all input is welcome, also if you have been on one of these trips I would love to hear about your experience personally

 

[PNWGATOR]

Simms G3 waders are arguably the best waders in the fly fishing market and would be my first choice in a breathable wader. I've also had good luck with the Dan Bailey professional series. All fly fishing and waterfowling, not moose hunting. Another consideration would be the USIA custom built waders. Great reviews in regards to durability, but they are not breathable. I'd still recommend you contact them and discuss as I don't think you'd be dissapointed.

 

[outdoorsman_3]

A lot of people buy these. http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabe...CATEGORY_SEQ_103926780?recordsPerPage=18&No=0

 

[AK Troutbum]

I think that you would be pretty hard-pressed to be Simms Gore-Tex waders. I've been wearing them now pretty much just for fishing, but have done some moose hunts using them also, for about 20 years (several different pairs through the years) or so and wouldn't own anything else. I imagine there are probably some other cheaper, decent, breathable waders out there but Simms are by far the best IMO. They also make very nice boots but I think there are several wading boot manufacturers out there that are good, just make sure that they have rubber soles and not felt. Felt soles are illegal up here in river systems and lakes and rubber would work better for your application anyway. Just out of curiosity, if you don't mind telling, where are you looking to hunt and by what means of transportation?

 

[AK Troutbum]

A lot of people buy these. http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabe...CATEGORY_SEQ_103926780?recordsPerPage=18&No=0

I've never owned Cabela's breathable waders but, I have personally witnessed 3 pairs blowout/rip in the crotch area. This happened on several different occasions to two of my fishing partners, one of which, it happened to twice.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Simms G3

Wore them for 12 days last year on a 100 mile float hunt in Ak. Was very happy with their performance.

 

[littlebrotherC]

Subscribed

 

[BroodBuster]

As noted Simms are the industry standard.

Here's a good pic of mine in action .

 

[COlineman78]

I have the Cabela's Guide Tech ones (a step up from the ones linked above that have reinforced lower legs) and have not had any problems with them. That being said, I haven't really pushed them either and don't really plan on it. I drive to the river, hop in and fish. If I were going to beating them up I would probably go with Simms, Patagonia or Redington and be prepared to spend $300-500 for some that weigh in the 2.5lb range.

One issue that I have is that I already have a very wide foot (4E-6E) and the neoprene sock on the Cabela's is a little thicker so finding a boot to fit was nearly impossible. The higher end waders I have tried on have thinner socks in them so it isn't as much of a problem (still, no one makes a wide wading boot).

 

[AK Troutbum]

As noted Simms are the industry standard.

Here's a good pic of mine in action .

Damn, nice slab of a steelhead man!

 

[AK Troutbum]

Here's a couple moose hunting photos of mine in action. I think they must be good luck.

 

[rdllrhd]

Might be worth checking out USiA waders, especially if you are a tall or big guy. They make dry suits for the DOD and waders are just kind of an off-chute but they are super nice and extremely durable. They do custom sizing and configuring (boots/stockings, belt loops, zippers,colors/camos....you name it). I'm very happy with mine and they've withstood a lot of bushwhacking hiking into the local rivers. Also, they're made in the USA, have a lifetime guarantee, and are much cheaper than Simms.

 

[COlineman78]

Might be worth checking out USiA waders, especially if you are a tall or big guy.

Those look great with a lot of cool custom options. Question though; they say 12lbs but that doesn't seem to change with any of the options. Can you confirm the weight of a stocking foot version as I suspect that may be with boots? I'm not an ounce counter, but when we start talking pounds I start to pay attention.

 

[BroodBuster]

Here's a couple moose hunting photos of mine in action. I think they must be good luck.

My buddies like to joke that I'm damn lucky steelhead don't have horns. I see you don't have that issue

 

[rdllrhd]

Question though; they say 12lbs but that doesn't seem to change with any of the options. Can you confirm the weight of a stocking foot version as I suspect that may be with boots?

I have to guess that is the shipping weight and I upgraded to the Bogs boots on mine (outstanding comfort and warmth fwiw). They sure don't seem like they weigh 12 lbs. but being made with cordura I imagine they are quite a bit heavier than Simms. Also, it's worth mentioning that these waders aren't breathable. I wear a merino base layer with fleece over that and have no issues with moisture but wearing anything else is going to leave you damp. They also seem to fit most people like a garbage bag...I avoided that by having mine made specifically to my measurements and having belt loops installed. I can roll them down and wear them as waist-highs and they act just like I'm rocking baggy pants like back in the 90's
Here they are in action:

 

[Bughalli]

I would be curious to know A) will you be hiking in them a lot, B) if you are, is it nasty brush country and, C) what are the temps you expect. I assume gortex is the way to go due to hiking and warmer temps. But I'll say this, I've gone through a lot of gortex waders and my $100 5mm neoprene from Cabelas outlasts them all. It's crazy what brambles, thick thick brush, swamps, etc that I've gone through in those things and they never leak. 5mm, not 2mm or 3mm. They are hot and not meant for hiking a lot. If you were Hunting from a boat, stopping and calling, but not hiking a lot, then I might recommend them. Otherwise gortex is better, just not as durable and certainly more costly.

Simms are great waders, but they come at a hefty premium. Hard to buy a pair of waders that costs as much as some rifles....and knowing the waders are ultimately disposable. Simms waders still get leaks just like every other wader. We always debate if it's worth it or not. It's hard to say if they last longer or not vs other brands. I've also tried Cabelas, Redington and LLBeans. As long as you're going with the top model in each brand they're very similar in quality. But they all make crappy waders as well, even Simms, so don't buy blindly. Often catching a great clearance sale swings me towards one brand or another. After all, they ultimately are disposable. I'm not saying go cheap, just get a good price on high quality.

Getting a good fit can be important. Not only fit to your body and foot, but also your stride when walking. Buddy of mine was having fits with his Simms. They wouldn't last more than a week before they leaked. After returning them to Simms multiple times they said he was stretching the crotch too much when walking or stepping up hill. Now he always takes two pair. That's almost $1,000 in frigan waders! When we fish I'll occasionally pull out my neoprines, just so I can comment on how long they last.

I've heard from guys who do a lot of international fishing for salmon and steelhead that the higher end models at Redington have been on par with Simms and a little more affordable. I currently have LL Beans high end waders (gortex, 5 layers, reinforced knees and butt etc) and I would put them on par with Simms. Got them at a crazy discount online (llbean clearance sale of last years model) and ended up only being 1/3 - 1/4 the cost of Simms.

Check out Sierra Trading Post, maybe Redtruck fly fishing. They often have great deals and this is a good time of year for discounts (off season and new year starting, lots of people trying to unload excess inventory)

 

[Trial153]

Been fortunate to spend a lot of days in waders and Simms are they way to go. I have been able to eat through lesser breathable in less than a month of hard use. My original version Simms Guide waders have literally 100's of Day use on them. They been returned to Simms once for a repair which was my own fault.
Something to keep in mind is that the resale on them will be very good, you canal an on using them for your trip and if they aren't needed after I am sure you can recoup a larger percentage of their cost back

 

[Clarktar]

I probably wear waders 200 days a year, working, and recreating. Simms are top notch. and I would argue that now Redington are as well and are much less expensive and their warranty is FAR better than simms. Couldn't go wrong with either, but if budget is a concern, Redington all the way for waders.

On a side note, Patagonia has reworked the issues with there waders, and I will be putting a pair through the paces this year to see if they are as good as they are now claiming.

 

[duchntr]

Simms G3 here as well, I've used this same pair for 6 years of hard use. They have been abused with lots of duck hunt hunting that includes a lot of hiking and bushwhacking as well as some fishing thrown in. Simms recently updated there waders with goretex pro shell which should be more durable then my older wadders. My wife has a pair of patagonia waders that she likes but she's not very hard on her stuff so i cannot comment on durability. I will say patagonia and cabalas for that matter probably have a better no fault warranty then simms but I haven't had any problems with there repair service.

 

[todd kelly]

Simms G3 stocking foot are the best I have used. There Vapor boots are made as a light hiker and offer great traction and are comfortable for all day wearing. I have used them on a few moose hunts and they have been great.