What waders are you guys running?

[Wallace]

I've worn Chene waders for the last 2 seasons (including this one). I hunt in waders approximately 30-40 times per year.

So far, no leaks, holes, or issues, and they're the most comfortable wader I've ever worn out of anything from Sitka, Banded, Lacrosse, and other brands.

 

[SDHNTR]

I bought a cheap pair of tidwes to get me through season l. Already getting tears in the pockets and the waterproof pouch zipper broke first day. Looking at the rodgers elites or final approach 2in1s. Rodgers have good reviews but nothing on the final approaches. I figure with their clothes they have to be at least decent. Anyone have any experiences with either? Or what’s your favorite go to wader for durability?

Who runs in waders!

 

[Yoteassasin]

I have a buddy who got a pair made by USIA. They make some of the best dry suits for diving money can buy. The waders have been bombproof for about 8 years. Awesome warranty and top tier customer service. You can send them any boot you want attached and you can also send them custom measurements. They are neither insulated nor breathable but they are awesome. I’ve had a set of Cabelas Instinct waders for about 6 years that have been good to me. I’ve patched them and sealed the seams but they are running strong. I also have a set of Roger 2-in-1 breathables that are awesome. I really appreciate the zip out insulated liner. I don’t hunt in waders often since I don’t hunt ducks much anymore but when I do I’m normally hard on my gear and I’m usually guiding overflow/ last minute clients for the guys I hunt with in Arkansas. Next time I buy waders I’ll likely get a set from USIA and send them an insulated boot from LaCrosse.

That is very interesting . I would be over the moon for a pair of waders with xtra tuff boots

 

[JMasson]

That is very interesting . I would be over the moon for a pair of waders with xtra tuff boots

Very and I wish I had got a pair before they closed their doors. They went out of business in May 2022 after being bought by new ownership in 2018. Truly unfortunate because they were American made, with mostly American produced components and had outstanding customer service. Also, reasonably priced, all things considered. You could get custom fit waders from them for around $400-500, little bit more if you sent them your own boots. All that with a lifetime warranty and free or very cheap repairs.

 

[judders87]

$65 pair of Frogg Toggs. Not the best fit but have 3 seasons of duck hunting on them without failing.

 

[TundraDude97]

I have Gator waders and really like them.

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[HoneyDew]

My dryfts only have one season on them but so far so good.

 

[Wheels]

I've worn Chene waders for the last 2 seasons (including this one). I hunt in waders approximately 30-40 times per year.

So far, no leaks, holes, or issues, and they're the most comfortable wader I've ever worn out of anything from Sitka, Banded, Lacrosse, and other brands.

I've been looking at the Chene's but personally don't know anyone that owns them yet. What are you layering under them when it's cold? Do you know who is making their boots for the waders? How do they compare thickness wise to the Sitka waders?
Thanks

 

[Wallace]

I've been looking at the Chene's but personally don't know anyone that owns them yet. What are you layering under them when it's cold? Do you know who is making their boots for the waders? How do they compare thickness wise to the Sitka waders?
Thanks

I'm typically hunting flooded timber, anywhere from shin to waist deep. If It's really cold and I'm going to be in water higher than my knee, I wear the Chene wader pants. If I'm in knee deep or less it's usually just knee high wader socks, a good base layer for my legs (usually the thick Sitka long johns), and a pair of regular pants over it. If I have to walk in a long ways, I usually won't wear the wader pants, too hot and I end up sweating.

I have no clue who makes their boots. I do have a pair of their knee boots as well, just as comfortable as the waders and more comfortable than my lacrosse knee highs.

I haven't held the Sitka's up to the Chene's and compared thickness, but I'd say the Chene's have a tougher feel. They're pretty comparable in thickness though.

I just picked up a second pair of Chene waders from their store in Memphis last week. I wanted a back up in case anything ever happened to my main pair even though the warranty is supposed to be one of the best.

 

[JohnnyUtah22]

Tidewe on Amazon for 100 bucks have taken a beating and no leaks this past season, hiked about a mile into my spot every weekend through some rough stuff and they took it well

 

[Rich M]

Tidewe on Amazon for 100 bucks have taken a beating and no leaks this past season, hiked about a mile into my spot every weekend through some rough stuff and they took it well

I've got big calves and Tidewe is made for skinny calves - boots wouldn't go on. The polycoated fabric seemed nice tho.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

I've hiked ALOT in waders, think 100's of miles during a field season. The most durable I found were Redington Sonic Pro, the non-front zip. Simms were good, but I seemed to be always patching a seam. The Redington's were bulletproof for 5 yrs, then they blew the crotch seam. Simms would last a yr, and they started to get pretty upitty about replacing them. The last time they told me "you use the waders too hard...". Ok....

You're the first person I've ever heard that's blown out multiple sets of Simms on a 1 year cycle. Used to put a ton of wear on my Simms every season and never had to repair leaks.

 

[540-Virginian]

Anyone had experience with orvis waders? I know they are not insulated, but i prefer that as i can use them year round.

I have old cabelas light fishing waders I usually just throw on my FL furnance and kuiu down pants when it’s freezing and end yp with swamp butt 50% of the time lol. They finally ripped of after 8 years of sliding on gravel to fishing spots.

 

[S.Clancy]

You're the first person I've ever heard that's blown out multiple sets of Simms on a 1 year cycle. Used to put a ton of wear on my Simms every season and never had to repair leaks.

That's my experience from fisheries work. Same work, Redington and Patagonia waders lasted longer.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

That's my experience from fisheries work. Same work, Redington and Patagonia waders lasted longer.

Very interesting! I don't chew through waders because I don't hunt waterfowl much anymore, and most of my fishing is wet wading these days. But if I ever wear out my G3's I'll have to look into both brands.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

Anyone had experience with orvis waders? I know they are not insulated, but i prefer that as i can use them year round.

I have old cabelas light fishing waders I usually just throw on my FL furnance and kuiu down pants when it’s freezing and end yp with swamp butt 50% of the time lol. They finally ripped of after 8 years of sliding on gravel to fishing spots.

I love my orvis waders, if they still made the bootfoot camo model I probably wouldn’t have bought Sitka. I’d rank them right up there with Sitka, chene, and high and dry.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

Sitka vs. chene. I own and wear both regularly, probably more time in Sitka just because I’ve had them longer. I work in wetlands, guide duck hunts, and trap and hunt myself. Probably over 100 days a year in waders.

Material - as far as I can tell they are made of the exact same material. It’s durable and lightweight - similar but thicker than cheap breathable waders like cabelas.

Boots - Sitka has a lacrosse boot, super comfortable. Chene has a similar boot, I don’t know who makes it but it is similar to lacrosse, bogs, muck etc. Also very comfortable. If you are undecided on size order up as I think both brands run a little small.

Straps - both use the same front hook system which was strange at first but really works well. The chenes have some added neoprene padding on the shoulder harness which is nice but it’s not like the Sitkas are uncomfortable.

Fit and finish - I’m 6’ 185 and the sitkas fit like a glove, very comfortably. The chenes are also super comfortable but ride up in the crotch a little and are slightly taller overall. The sitkas have a bent knee, similar to a performance hiking pant, while the chenes are straight leg. I don’t think it makes much difference in fit. I suppose that makes more seams in the Sitka leg if that concerns you. The zippered front on both is awesome. I think the zipper on the sitkas goes a little lower.

Layout - nearly identical pocket layout. The zipper front on both does mean you loose the single big pocket most waders have, but I don’t miss it now. I think the Chene has a smaller inner pocket and the Sitka doesn’t, but I’m going by memory on that. Sitkas belt is a little nicer. Sitkas also have built in knee/skin pads which is actually a really nice touch but again - more seams. The chenes also have a cuff over the boot which traps mud but protects the neoprene boot sides. I’m undecided on that, might be nice in timber but so would boot without soft neoprene sides.

Warranty - I think both are similar. I have sent clients waders in to Sitka for warranty work and it was fast and a great experience. Never used it myself or chenes. Most of the sitkas I sent back were for punctures, but one did develop a pinhole somewhere near the leg/boot seam.

Overall I’d give the edge to Sitka, especially because the price is slightly less.

I’d be happy to post pics or answer questions about Sitka, Chene, high n dry, cabelas dry plus, orvis, or USIA waders if someone has specific questions. I have no experience with Simms but from what I’ve read I hold them in high regard.

 

[southLA]

I'm on like season 8 of some Gamewinner neoprene waders. The knees are as much neoprene as they are Shoe Goo.

 

[Thebigbaby]

I have Gator waders and really like them.

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@TundraDude97 what model Gator Waders to you reccomend?

 

[yotesniper66]

Cabela's Supermags for the past 5 or 6 years. Very durable and warm.