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

[throttleplate]

here ya go, get these waders to start out with and after the season or whenever you can upgrade and give this pair to your girlfriend -wife or let a friend use them.

 

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/frogg-toggs-rana-ii-dark-brown-cleated-pvc-boot-foot-chest-waders/0000000245953;jsessionid=uB1xdA2RCVhmTSiipBSUV0_tMAhP_Z270f9LNxG2oT0kWQPht8Lq!1950380476?bc=Frogg Toggs&brandCrumb=4290055445&bn=frogg-toggs

[AManWearingAHat]

I rock these bad boys for both summer and winter. They don't actually get too hot in the summer, long as you're spending regular intervals in water higher than your knees. Just dress appropriately. They're a god send if you do any winter trout fishing like I do, very toasty.

 

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

 

Only complaint is the boots are rather heavy for being uninsulated. With two pairs of thick wool socks though, I can do about 8 hours at 20 degrees before my toes are numb. Up here thats most of the daylight you have anyway.

A note about the felt bottom wading boots. Check your local laws, some states are starting to ban them on public water ways because of the concern of the transfer of invasive and non-native species between bodies of water.

[waymont]

I always bought the tan Cabelas’s brand breathable stocking foot waders. I’m not sure if BPS changed them, but they were fantastic, and about $140

[Crankin4Bass]

These Frogg Toggs Pilot II Breathable Stocking Foot Waders are on sale at Kittery Trading Post for $100. I haven't used them, but a lot ot people like Frogg Toggs.

https://www.kitterytradingpost.com/fishing-marine/waders-shoes/chest-hip-waders/frogg-toggs-mens-pilot-ii-breathable-stockingfoot-chest-wader-100568735.html

 

Here's a sizing chart from

https://www.froggtoggs.com/sizing-chart

 

[PhishLI]

5 hours ago, Crankin4Bass said:

These Frogg Toggs Pilot II Breathable Stocking Foot Waders are on sale at Kittery Trading Post

Corrected! Great deal.

[J Francho]

12 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Only ships to Canada. Booo

Site says online sales to Canada are prohibited.

[Ohioguy25]

On 3/25/2021 at 11:55 AM, Kev-mo said:

all good answers above. i primarily wade.

 

the answers to your questions depend on how you're going wade and what you value.

 

if you plan to wet wade in the summer i would recommend getting some columbia PFG pants or something similar. these will protect your legs a bit from poison ivy, sawgrass etc. on land and a little bit in the water from sticks, rocks etc. i would also recommend something a little sturdier than a gym shoe for foot protection. neoprene wading socks really help cushion.

 

if the stream you're wading is clean, clear, not too rocky, not too urban, you're not busting through brush you probably don't need all of the above.

 

as far as waders go i've had cabelas, simms and patagonia and one other but forget the brand. all of them purchased on sale. they will ALL leak eventually. so far i like my simms gore tex the best due ease of repair both at home or sending them in. the patagonias are new cause i couldn't get the simms repaired last year during the shut down so the jury is still out on longevity but initial eval is thumbs up.

 

you'll need to decide what kind of wading you plan to do now and in the future. if you don't plan to wade much with waders then get a cheap pair. if you think you'll be wading 5 years from now you may want to make an investment. also simms and patagonia have the most options in sizing, they are also the most expensive. i'm not saying an inexpensive won't last. it's been my experience that the gore tex from simms are pretty darn good. i get the 3 layer ones. 

 

as far as boots go... it depends on what fits your foot best. definitely try the boots on with the waders as some you'll need to go up a size and others are sized for the neoprene bootie. most companies make a decent boot. the longest i had a pair of boots last is 3 years and that was with tlc and glue for the sole the last 6 months of their lives. the constant wetting and drying delaminates the sole from the boot it's all glued. altho patagonia just came out with a sweet looking boot that the sole is stitched so it can be replaced. pretty darn pricey tho. it could be worth it for someone. price per wear is good measure of a goods value. 

 

again it all depends on what you are going to do with your gear and what you value.

I got the Cabellas neoprene boot foot and the boots were really uncomfortable. Gonna try these neoprene stocking foot Frog Toggs, what kind of shoes/boots would be most comfortable for someone with a recovering heel injury? I have silicon heel cups but I need something with a thick sole for support. Are these Frog Toggs any good?

Frog Toggs

 

I may still additionally get some breathable waders for the dead of summer but right now I feel like the water is just too cold (50-55) for anything but neoprene, am I wrong?

[J Francho]

Those are neoprene.  They're not great.  I use breathable in single digits.  It's what you put on underneath that counts.

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Those are neoprene.  They're not great.  I use breathable in single digits.  It's what you put on underneath that counts.

What do you mean not great? I don’t plan on using them in the summer

[J Francho]

Pretty much anyone that has owned neoprene has switched to breathable.  Trying to save you a few bucks.  They're terribly uncomfortable.  

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Pretty much anyone that has owned neoprene has switched to breathable.  Trying to save you a few bucks.  They're terribly uncomfortable.  

Interesting, even in 50-60 degree overcast air temps and 50 degree water??

[throttleplate]

6 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Interesting, even in 50-60 degree overcast air temps and 50 degree water??

my wife thinks you need to, well you know ?

[J Francho]

Wear what you want to keep you warm underneath what you wear to keep you dry. Adjust for temps. 

[JWall14]

I use encounter waders with ultralight boots. If you can get a good sale they are amazing quality. Especially the boots. It literally feels like I have normal shoes on, not boots. They also last along time and Orvis is just top of the line in terms of waders. IMO they are really worth the extra money. I feel like Cabelas or BPS wouldn’t last the two years these have lasted. I’m hoping for 5 for the boots and maybe another year for the waders.

[PhishLI]

On 4/6/2021 at 10:48 PM, J Francho said:

Wear what you want to keep you warm underneath what you wear to keep you dry. Adjust for temps. 

God bless you for sticking with this, J. I'm nominating you for sainthood.