What are the best waders for under $200 for fishing creek smallies?

[PhishLI]

On 3/24/2021 at 9:21 PM, Ohioguy25 said:

Wading seems like a nice alternative

Do you see yourself either fishing or working through water higher than your knees? If not then hip waders are all you'll need. Another option is guide pants like Frogg Toggs Hellbenders which will allow you to go a bit deeper. 90% of my fishing is done by wading in lakes. I have a few pairs of good, breathable stocking foot chest waders for going deep, but hip waders are very convenient, and will get the job done for most spots with far less hassle.

 

Do you plan on wading deeper? If so then breathable stocking foot chest waders are the way to go. You'll really need to try on boots with your waders though, and with heavy socks on. I've had some Simms and Korkers boots that killed my feet, but some less expensive Field & Stream models that were super comfy for me.

 

If you don't spend bigger bucks on Gore-Tex breathable stocking foot chest waders, anything less can't really be repaired. I'm always mindful with my under $200 Simms and Frogg Toggs, so I carry pruning shears with me to clear thorns or any other hazards on my path. It only takes one. Like @volzfan59 said, you'll need to hang them somewhere by their suspenders always. During transport to the lake I roll mine around a jumbo roll of paper towels to avoid creases. If you're stepping up or down a bank, pull the crotch area up to avoid stressing that zone and blowing a seam there. If that happens the waders with be shot, and fishing's not fun with a wet johnson.

 

If you do go stocking foot breathables then set up a spot in the backyard where you can hang them by the suspenders. After a sesh rinse them off thoroughly with a gentle fan spray from the hose nozzle. Don't get water inside them. Every few trips I turn mine inside out, hang them as described above, then rinse them. It's NG to let them dry in the sun, so I hang them in my garage and dry them with a fan. Sweat is basically urine, and you will be sweating in them, so you can avoid "wader funk" by following this advice. Trust me, you don't want the funk. Think of the strange mixture of freshly grated parmesan cheese, pencil erasers, and warm garbage, all in one lovely bouquet.

 

Remove the soles from the boots and flood them with water, then tilt and dump them to get the sand out. I then stick the hose back in and pinch the boots off in order to force organic material through the weeping vents. Rinse the laces thoroughly too or they'll stink eventually. Spray the soles and clear them of embedded sand. They sell boot dryers, but I just set them up in front of a small box fan in the garage with the soles out. They'll dry in a few hours

 

All of this only takes maybe15 minutes at most once you have the routine down, but it's worth it. If you've been stuck on the bank, wading is a game changer.

[TnRiver46]

4 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Do you see yourself either fishing or working through water higher than your knees? If not then hip waders are all you'll need. Another option is guide pants like Frogg Toggs Hellbenders which will allow you to go a bit deeper. 90% of my fishing is done by wading in lakes. I have a few pairs of good, breathable stocking foot chest waders for going deep, but hip waders are very convenient, and will get the job done for most spots with far less hassle.

 

Do you plan on wading deeper? If so then breathable stocking foot chest waders are the way to go. You'll really need to try on boots with your waders though, and with heavy socks on. I've had some Simms and Korkers boots that killed my feet, but some less expensive Field & Stream models that were super comfy for me.

 

If you don't spend bigger bucks on Gore-Tex breathable stocking foot chest waders, anything less can't really be repaired. I'm always mindful with my under $200 Simms and Frogg Toggs, so I carry pruning shears with me to clear thorns or any other hazards on my path. It only takes one. Like @volzfan59 said, you'll need to hang them somewhere by their suspenders always. During transport to the lake I roll mine mine around a jumbo roll of paper towels to avoid creases. If you're stepping up or down a bank, pull the crotch area up to avoid stressing that zone and blowing a seam there. If that happens the waders with be shot, and fishing's not fun with a wet johnson.

 

If you do go stocking foot breathables then set up a spot in the backyard where you can hang them by the suspenders. After a sesh rinse them off thoroughly with a gentle fan spray from the hose nozzle. Don't get water inside them. Every few trips I turn mine inside out, hang them as described above, then rinse them. It's NG to let them dry in the sun, so I hang them in my garage and dry them with a fan. Sweat is basically urine, and you will be sweating in them, so you can avoid "wader funk" by following this advice. Trust me, you don't want the funk. Think of the strange mixture of freshly grated parmesan cheese, pencil erasers, and warm garbage, all in one lovely bouquet.

 

Remove the soles from the boots and flood them with water, then tilt and dump them to get the sand out. I then stick the hose back in and pinch the boots off in order to force organic material through the weeping vents. Rinse the laces thoroughly too or they'll stink eventually. Spray the soles and clear them of embedded sand. They sell boot dryers, but I just set them up in front of a small box fan in the garage with the soles out. They'll dry in a few hours

 

All of this only takes maybe15 minutes at most once you have the routine down, but it's worth it. If you've been stuck on the bank, wading is a game changer.

Pencil erasers........ hahahahaha!!! 
 

im jealous of the shallow lakes, one step off the bank and you’re swimming in the lakes near me 

[J Francho]

Or sinking in mud...

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Pencil erasers........ hahahahaha!!! 

One day my buddy's new Raptor went down yet again, so he needed a ride to the lake. Picked him up and he threw his gear in my back seat. After a few blocks I was struck by something that at first smelled sort of like just-used pencil erasers, but then suddenly mixed with parmesan cheeze. I asked him to roll up the window. After a few more blocks I started getting that familiar diving-by-the-dumps-smell during summertime. Maybe even a dirty diaper smell mixed in. I asked if there was in fact a garbage dump nearby, then he said "I think that's my waders". It was his waders. Nasty. He'd never cleaned them. We got to the lake and he slipped right into them without a second thought. Yuck.

[TnRiver46]

14 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

One day my buddy's new Raptor went down yet again, so he needed a ride to the lake. Picked him up and he threw his gear in my back seat. After a few blocks I was struck by something that at first smelled sort of like just used pencil erasers, but then suddenly mixed with parmesan cheeze. I asked him to roll up the window. After a few more blocks I started getting that familiar diving-by-the- dumps-smell during summertime. Maybe even a dirty diaper smell mixed in. I asked if there was in fact a garbage dump nearby, then he said "I think that's my waders". It was his waders. Nasty. He'd never cleaned them. We got to the lake and he slipped right into them without a second thought. Yuck.

Maybe a hint of “loaner life jacket you get at the whitewater rafting place” smell??

[MickD]

Regarding waders, yes go breathable.  And I believe you get what you pay for, meaning that the more expensive ones will most likely be in the long run a better deal.

 

One thing that is very important is to get a comfortable foot.  My waders don't have well formed feet, and the foot material is the same as the rest of the wader.  The result is that putting my feet into the wading shoes jams up the material against my toes making it very uncomfortable.  I think that neoprene formed feet would be much better.  

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Maybe a hint of “loaner life jacket you get at the whitewater rafting place” smell??

Sure. Yes! That too. The funk has many layers.

[Ohioguy25]

On 3/24/2021 at 9:36 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Neoprene is too hot for me, I’d go breathable 

What about for the shoulder seasons, spring and fall when the water is too cold to wet wade and you need some insulation? Is the smallie bite too weak in those months to justify the time?

[Ohioguy25]

On 3/25/2021 at 12:43 AM, volzfan59 said:

You can get a good pair of breathable waders at Bass Pro, Cabela's or Academy for under $100.00. I only use stocking foot waders and choose to buy good wading boots. If your feet aren't comfortable, you're not comfortable. Makes for a long day.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-classic-series-ii-neoprene-boot-foot-waders-for-men-ladies-or-kids

 

What about these, are they stocking foot waders? 

On 3/24/2021 at 9:44 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Eh, they are all going to leak if you use them heavily. You should be able to get some for $75 bucks or so that work well. I honestly don’t think brand is important 

My dad fly fishes and said $87 was too inexpensive to get a pair with good boots. Is this true? I’ve got a healing foot injury so this is important to me, can I use inserts and do the soles have good support?

[Mbirdsley]

I bought a pair of $65 waders-from gander right before they went out of business.  Which, was 2016.  They are still going strong.  Big thing is when Not in use they have to be hung up.  Just add a layer if fishing this time of year.  Neoprene would be in godly hot in the summer time 

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, Mbirdsley said:

I bought a pair of $65 waders-from gander right before they went out of business.  Which, was 2016.  They are still going strong.  Big thing is when Not in use they have to be hung up.  Just add a layer if fishing this time of year.  Neoprene would be in godly hot in the summer time 

Do Cabelas run large? I have read this. I am a 10.5 but they only have 10 and 11 and they’re sold out online of 11. 

[volzfan59]

13 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-classic-series-ii-neoprene-boot-foot-waders-for-men-ladies-or-kids

 

What about these, are they stocking foot waders? 

My dad fly fishes and said $87 was too inexpensive to get a pair with good boots. Is this true? I’ve got a healing foot injury so this is important to me, can I use inserts and do the soles have good support?

No buddy, those are boot foot waders. Neoprene is great for cooler water, but with warmer weather coming on I'd be looking for breathable.

[Ohioguy25]

4 minutes ago, volzfan59 said:

No buddy, those are boot foot waders. Neoprene is great for cooler water, but with warmer weather coming on I'd be looking for breathable.

Well like I said when it’s warm I paddle and I can wet wade. The water is gonna be hanging in the 50s-60s for at least a couple more months, won’t I need insulation?

 

Also, are boot foot better for someone fresh off a foot injury?

[PhishLI]

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/simms-mens-tributary-breathable-chest-waders-19smsutrbtrystftmwad/19smsutrbtrystftmwad

 

Then you buy boots separately

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/field-stream-mens-angler-lug-sole-wading-boots-19fnsufsnglrlgslwwad/19fnsufsnglrlgslwwad

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Also, are boot foot better for someone fresh off a foot injury?

No. Integrated waders with  boots are usually awful. Gotta spend another $25 on sports insoles or feel every pebble.

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/simms-mens-tributary-breathable-chest-waders-19smsutrbtrystftmwad/19smsutrbtrystftmwad

 

Then you buy boots separately

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/field-stream-mens-angler-lug-sole-wading-boots-19fnsufsnglrlgslwwad/19fnsufsnglrlgslwwad

No. Integrated waders with  boots are usually awful. Gotta spend another $25 on sports insoles or feel every pebble.

So if I have good custom insoles already should those be fine or do they not offer much support? Is there a superior option like can you buy your own boots?

[PhishLI]

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So if I have good custom insoles already should those be fine or do they not offer much support? Is there a superior option like can you buy your own boots?

This all depends on how a boot foot wader's boots are to begin with. Flat or lug soles. Do you understand that a stockingfoot wader is different than a boot foot wader?

[Mbirdsley]

48 minutes ago, Mbirdsley said:

I bought a pair of $65 waders-from gander right before they went out of business.  Which, was 2016.  They are still going strong.  Big thing is when Not in use they have to be hung up.  Just add a layer if fishing this time of year.  Neoprene would be in godly hot in the summer time 

I’m not sure about cabelas but, in my experience they usually run half a size smaller.  I wear  a size 14 shoe/boot so my waders had to be ordered.  They were a a tad snug on my feet but , they worked.  

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

This all depends on how a boot foot wader's boots are to begin with. Flat or lug soles. Do you understand that a stockingfoot wader is different than a boot foot wader?

What is a stocking foot wader, you just add your own boots? How do you keep water out??

[PhishLI]

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What is a stocking foot wader, you just add your own boots? How do you keep water out??

Go back 4 posts to the links I gave you and read them. Those two items go together. The waders are waterproof.

[Ohioguy25]

Just now, PhishLI said:

Go back 4 posts to the links I gave you and read them. Those two items go together. The waders are waterproof.

Yeah but how do you keep rocks and gravel out of your boots?

[PhishLI]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

Yeah but how do you keep rocks and gravel out of your boots?

The waders have gravel guards that roll down over the boots.

[Ohioguy25]

24 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

The waders have gravel guards that roll down over the boots.

So you would definitely recommend these over neoprene even for colder months?

[PhishLI]

13 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So you would definitely recommend these over neoprene even for colder months?

yes

[J Francho]

Neoprene is the worst. Breathable allow you to pick how much you need to stay warm. 

[Mat_ski]

Compass360. Inexpensive, not the best fit, but they last and are really durable. I am on my second pair. First pair got punctured on a barbed wire but otherwise lasted over two years. It was their cheapest offering. 
There is no freshwater situation where bootfoot is better than stocking foot.