What waders are you guys running?

[Wallace]

I was on season 5 or 6 with one pair of my Chene waders this year (bought them during the preorder before they launched). Developed a hole in the right leg. I ran them up to the store since it's not too far from my duck camp. They called me a few days later saying they can't be repaired, "what pattern do you want?". Walked out the next day with a brand new replacement pair.

Hard to beat their customer service.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I generally don't run in my waders.

 

[Crewsn]

High-n-dry waders. Been through 2 seasons now and holding up great. No leaks or tears.

 

[Oregon]

High-n-dry waders. Been through 2 seasons now and holding up great. No leaks or tears

I bought high and dry waders in 2023. Rough guess is I have 210 days wearing them?? Still dry. Never in my life have I had a breathable pair last this long.

 

[AKS22]

I was on season 5 or 6 with one pair of my Chene waders this year (bought them during the preorder before they launched). Developed a hole in the right leg. I ran them up to the store since it's not too far from my duck camp. They called me a few days later saying they can't be repaired, "what pattern do you want?". Walked out the next day with a brand new replacement pair.

Hard to beat their customer service.

Same experience with me this year with Chene but I will say Sitka did the same for me this year as well, I have had both for about 5 years with both being repaired a couple of times. Chene is typically quicker on the repairs but neither have ever charged me. I was very impressed by them both replacing waders that couldn't be repaired after having them that long. I was going through 2-3 pairs of cheaper breathables a year so in the long run I have saved a pile of money.

 

[Wallace]

Same experience with me this year with Chene but I will say Sitka did the same for me this year as well, I have had both for about 5 years with both being repaired a couple of times. Chene is typically quicker on the repairs but neither have ever charged me. I was very impressed by them both replacing waders that couldn't be repaired after having them that long. I was going through 2-3 pairs of cheaper breathables a year so in the long run I have saved a pile of money.

I have friends with Sitka waders, no complaints out of them for repairs. Chene made more sense for me, my hunting camp is 25 minutes from the Stuttgart store and 90 minutes from the Memphis store. It's super easy for me to drop off a pair if I have an issue and get a quick turnaround as opposed to sending them to Montana.

 

[Dirtywater]

On my third set of Roger’s elites…second free warranty thabkfully. They are nice but leak instantly and seems to be common. If I I buy another pair going to try high n dry

 

[WCB]

What happened to just good ole Neoprene waders you could use for 5 or 6 years and maybe have to goop a small hole or two in that time period.

The cost of the waders now are absolutely insane and guys are pumped about getting 2 years out of them. Biggest scam in all of waterfowling and that whole market is 95% scam products.

 

[AKS22]

What happened to just good ole Neoprene waders you could use for 5 or 6 years and maybe have to goop a small hole or two in that time period.

The cost of the waders now are absolutely insane and guys are pumped about getting 2 years out of them. Biggest scam in all of waterfowling and that whole market is 95% scam products.

You couldn't pay most people to wear neoprene's after wearing breathable. I switched to breathable long before Sitka and chene but they just improved on the products. Some of our spots are a mile or two walk and I couldn't imagine lugging Cabela's supermags down through there.

 

[Wallace]

You couldn't pay most people to wear neoprene's after wearing breathable. I switched to breathable long before Sitka and chene but they just improved on the products. Some of our spots are a mile or two walk and I couldn't imagine lugging Cabela's supermags down through there.

Yep, I've been in breathable waders since around 2008ish. Everything from Lacrosse to Cabelas to the Macks brand when they had them. Even with neoprenes, I never got more than 2 or 3 years out of a pair between briars, buck brush, going in and out of the boat, and barbed wire fences ... and that was just one pair.

The only thing Sitka and Chene did was make a better mousetrap with a better warranty.

I used to go through at least 1 pair of $300ish breathable waders a year, as many as 2 or 3 pair sometime. My oldest pair of Chene waders went through 6 seasons and were replaced at no cost. They were more of an upfront expense, but over the long run it's cheaper than what I used to do.

 

[Tradchef]

Simms G3 Guides. I got them on pro deal 7 years ago.

 

[FossilFinder]

High n Dry for me. They have been great with fairly heavy use.

 

[DKennedy951]

Just finished 2nd season with the Northern Flight breathables. Good waders for the price point

 

[ianpadron]

What happened to just good ole Neoprene waders you could use for 5 or 6 years and maybe have to goop a small hole or two in that time period.

The cost of the waders now are absolutely insane and guys are pumped about getting 2 years out of them. Biggest scam in all of waterfowling and that whole market is 95% scam products.

Ah yes, an inferior product that weighs 4x as much...

Switching from Neoprene to Sitka Delta Zips was a gear epiphany like no other, and worth absolutely every penny

 

[WCB]

Ah yes, an inferior product that weighs 4x as much...

Switching from Neoprene to Sitka Delta Zips was a gear epiphany like no other, and worth absolutely every penny

For 90% of guys they put their waders on at the truck step in their boat and paddle/motor a short distance and throw decoys out. They aren't doing any hiking or mountain climbing in them. But I guess if guys want to spend $800+ then cry when they leak in a year thats cool with me.

I wear breathable waders while flyfishing and have had a few pairs so I can compare and contrast them. Late season breaking ice and in and out of a ducker or big water diver...Ill take the old waders vs the new ones.

 

[ORwaterfowler]

For 90% of guys they put their waders on at the truck step in their boat and paddle/motor a short distance and throw decoys out. They aren't doing any hiking or mountain climbing in them.

Would argue the opposite for public land guys in my area, lots of walks a mile or more pulling a cart full of decoys, sometimes trying to beat others to the spot while moving at a good pace. At least you can layer in breathables to get the right temp regardless if it's early or late season. 3rd season on a pair of Simms freestone bootfoots, no leaks, no reason they won't last several more.

 

[Craigo]

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?

3 year high and dry very durable, we hunt in the Mississippi delta in some pretty rough terrain. Still going strong no leaks

 

[AKS22]

Would argue the opposite for public land guys in my area, lots of walks a mile or more pulling a cart full of decoys, sometimes trying to beat others to the spot while moving at a good pace. At least you can layer in breathables to get the right temp regardless if it's early or late season. 3rd season on a pair of Simms freestone bootfoots, no leaks, no reason they won't last several more.

The guys in breathables will beat the guys in neoprenes in a foot race everytime!

 

[Rich M]

I typically only get 3 seasons out of any pair of waders - they usually leak on year 3. Had one pair (Cabela's breathable) that went 6 seasons.

 

[Dukhtr3]

I run 3 different pairs normally. I have a breathable pair, Cabela's 400 gram and Cabela's 1600. Here is sd it might be 80 or 10 and using a chainsaw to cut a hole. Seems like every pair of neoprenes get a leak in the crotch area first. Patch them a few times and throw in the garbage. No way will I ever spend for $900 on a wader.

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