Waders

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

What waders do you all use for waterfowl?

I've been wanting to get waders for fly fishing, but also want to dip my feet into waterfowl hunting.

 

[Wheels]

I’ve got Sitka and Rogers waders, but if you primarily fly fish, just get Simms and use them for waterfowl hunting.

 

[LongWayAround]

You want bootfooted waders for waterfowl.

I had cheaper bootfooted ones my entire life, but have been using stocking foot Simms for a few years. The stocking foot ones are fine, if you are not dealing with cold temperatures and cold water. I actually like them, but the boot footed ones are much easier for waterfowl.

 

[randy66]

High 'n dry breathable boot foot for waterfowl. Very durable, very comfortable. Similar features as other high end waders at a more reasonable price and great customer service.

 

[vermeire]

Buy whatever waders you want for fly fishing and order a cheap pair of Tidewe boot foot neoprene waders to get you through a year or two of waterfowl until you know you will stick with it. They have plain, insulated, and even heated.

 

[Griffmax36]

I have Sitka waders, but if you aren’t that serious about it pretty much any pair will do.

 

[AK_Skeeter]

I like SIMMS breathable stocking foot waders for all but real cold weather.
The pack small for bush plane flights moose hunting.
And they are easy to dry out overnight by turning completely inside out
and hanging under a tarp at duck camp where we camp for 2 weeks.
Dry waders each morning are so nice in remote camps.

 

[JMasson]

I’ve been using cheap waders for 30 years and they’ve done alright. You can normally get some Roger’s toughman waders on sale a couple times throughout the year. They typically last me a season of pretty hard hunting. I moved away from neoprene washers a few years ago and I’ll never go back. Im probably going to get some Sitka waders when I get back CONUS next year. Chêne also makes some nice waders from what I’ve seen. They’re about the same price point as Sitka. I wouldn’t use stocking foot waders for hunting. Standing in cold water and moving around all day while fishing is one thing. Breaking ice off water and standing in one spot is another. My feet will get cold in heavily insulated boot-foot waders, with heavy wool socks. I sometimes have to add heaters in my socks to keep my toes warm. No way I’d want to do it in wading boots, your feet will freeze.

 

[CorbLand]

If you have a sportsmans warehouse close, get a set of the Rustic Ridges and some seam sealer. Seal all the seams and they should last you 3-5 years. You may have to seal them a few times.

 

[Johnnybobcat]

I’d also recommend a set of wiggy waders. Not going to be your main set, but I love them for jumpshooting ducks and crossing rivers. They can fit in your pocket

 

[ORwaterfowler]

The suggestion for a stocking foot simms waders is solid for both uses, your biggest issue with boot foot for both is the traction in the river for fly fishing sucks with mud boots which you need for the duck blind. You can pick up 2 sets of boots with different soles for different uses. If cash isn't a consideration get 2 pairs, one bootfoot with a mud sole like the simms freestone with the zipper, and a set of stocking foot with with boots for the river.

Regarding the cold most guys run a breathable stocking foot wader for winter steelhead in the PNW standing mid-thigh to waist deep for extended periods, just layer accordingly and you'll be fine. A lot of it depends on where you'll be hunting and fishing, boot foot will be warmer as someone mentioned but you will have more flexibility with the stocking foot for sole options.

 

[JMasson]

The suggestion for a stocking foot simms waders is solid for both uses, your biggest issue with boot foot for both is the traction in the river for fly fishing sucks with mud boots which you need for the duck blind. You can pick up 2 sets of boots with different soles for different uses. If cash isn't a consideration get 2 pairs, one bootfoot with a mud sole like the simms freestone with the zipper, and a set of stocking foot with with boots for the river.

Regarding the cold most guys run a breathable stocking foot wader for winter steelhead in the PNW standing mid-thigh to waist deep for extended periods, just layer accordingly and you'll be fine. A lot of it depends on where you'll be hunting and fishing, boot foot will be warmer as someone mentioned but you will have more flexibility with the stocking foot for sole options.

I fish year round and my feet don’t get cold. It’s one thing to be fishing and moving constantly, it’s another to be standing in one spot with very little movement when the water is below 40 degrees. There’s absolutely no chance I would hunt in stocking foot waders. When I’m fishing steelhead I cast, swing my fly, take two or three steps and repeat the process. I’m never static and I frequently hike between runs. I’ve done my fair share of winter steelhead fishing in Northern BC, so I’m well versed in cold water. Standing knee deep in 40 degree water (or colder, I’ve broke ice more times than I can count) while hunting ducks is another thing entirely. If I’m hunting in a raised blind then I’m wearing bibs and muck boots. Most pit blinds have water in them and it gets just as cold as the air or even colder sometimes. Even sheet water is no fun to be in without insulated waders. Maybe I just have cold feet but I’ve been doing it for more than 30 years and I’ve learned my lessons the hard way many times.

 

[CorbLand]

One thing that you do gain with most boot foot waders that are specifically designed for waterfowl is that the boot is wide compared to stocking foot, shoe types. This really does help if you are hunting areas that are muddy, soft bottomed. They act like snowshoes and it makes walking around much much easier.

 

[ORwaterfowler]

I fish year round and my feet don’t get cold. It’s one thing to be fishing and moving constantly, it’s another to be standing in one spot with very little movement when the water is below 40 degrees. There’s absolutely no chance I would hunt in stocking foot waders. When I’m fishing steelhead I cast, swing my fly, take two or three steps and repeat the process. I’m never static and I frequently hike between runs. I’ve done my fair share of winter steelhead fishing in Northern BC, so I’m well versed in cold water. Standing knee deep in 40 degree water (or colder, I’ve broke ice more times than I can count) while hunting ducks is another thing entirely. If I’m hunting in a raised blind then I’m wearing bibs and muck boots. Most pit blinds have water in them and it gets just as cold as the air or even colder sometimes. Even sheet water is no fun to be in without insulated waders. Maybe I just have cold feet but I’ve been doing it for more than 30 years and I’ve learned my lessons the hard way many times.

I get what you're saying and yes fishing is different with moving but I also hunted exclusively in stocking foot simms and dan bailey non-insulated waders for 15+ years when I was younger and still do when needed without issues, having a roomy wading boot (size up) that doesn't restrict blood flow helps a lot. If I'm in the boat I'm wearing the Simms freestone boot foot anymore just because they are easier to get on and off, but still wear stocking foot if hiking longer distances to the blind and will be dealing with mud that makes keeping boot foot waders on a pain. You can't lace up a boot foot to stop the mud from taking the boot with it every step, not always needed but when it is it's nice to have the option.

Have been fortunate to have been given a lot of free waders over the years and there is no one size fits all solution in my opinion. You can buy an insulated lug boot foot and be great for the blind but slip on your butt and sweat out fishing because you need a lightweight wader with felt or studded sole, neither option will be perfect for both applications. At least with stocking foot you have options of different soles if you only had to pick one. (stay away from korkers for mud)

 

[IdahoBeav]

I don't duck hunt, but I do fish in the winter. I primarily run Simms G3 and G4 with Danner Patagonia branded boots. In my opinion, these are far and away the best wading boots ever made. I have 3 pair- rubber, aluminum, and felt. Felt is the most comfortable on rocks, but if I had to pick only one, it would be rubber with the studs screwed in. They do pretty pretty good on slick rocks.

I also have a pair of the old 5mm Cabela's neoprene bootfoot. I wish they still made these. They are great in the cold.

 

[CorbLand]

I also have a pair of the old 5mm Cabela's neoprene bootfoot. I wish they still made these. They are great in the cold.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-supermag-chest-waders-for-men

 

[IdahoBeav]

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-supermag-chest-waders-for-men

You can't fly fish in camo.

 

[CorbLand]

You can't fly fish in camo.

Life is far better when you dont care what others think.

 

[isItFallYet]

Drake piss zippered! Super warm, comfy, and easier to piss.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Life is far better when you dont care what others think.

It was a joke on fly fishing.