Show us your waders

[flybob]

I will shame you all. My waders are more aquaseal than waders.... though Papa is pretty close I'd say.

I can vouch for Ray.....I have seen his!

[BobK]

I'm pretty hard on waders. I have a pair of Breathables and a pair of Neoprenes I use during both hunting and fishing seasons (100+ days a year) I change out one pair every year so each pair lasts about 2 yrs. Neither of them cost over $80. They are Cabelas waders. The neoprenes can't leak because I use them in as low as -20 degrees while Goose hunting. I am very happy with both types as long as I replace them when needed. I also use an older pair of neoprenes cut at thigh level for shallow ponds, marshes and creeks. No need for straps and easily packable for long distances. BobK

[Benny]

I nearly forgot the ol clouser in the crotch photo. This hole had to be Aqua sealed after this incident, no the member was not injured for those of you concerned

[tyingfool]

Why don't they just make waders out of aquaseal.

[Sasha]

You know my current pair have 5 years on them (and I fish very frequently). Even with all the back country crap I do I still don't have a single leak. I have had them long enough, that I'll probably just get new ones when they do leak.

What kind of waders do you use? I haven't had a trip without a leak in as long as I can remember. Every trip these days I spray the whole insides with rubbing alcohol then go to work with the aquaseal tube, but no matter there is always a leak somewhere, at least by the end of the day. I was going to try that Nikwax treatment someone (Brian?) mentioned in another thread since they are Gore-Tex waders.

I'd love to find a pair of waders that can take a beating without a leak for five years like yours, Sasha. I did buy a pair of Hodgmans on a closeout sale last year, but in my rush to get them I ended up with a pair that are too big and bunch up around my thighs. (Anybody looking for a pair of size large, breathable, stockingfoot waders, max inseam 33 max girth 47? I'll make ya a deal!)

Right now though I have finally reached the point where I am deciding between really expensive waders that should (hopefully) wear well for many years (David has Simms Guide waders for between 400 and 700 dollars on his site!) or just buy a new pair of Cabelas or some other cheap brand every 1-2 years for 50 bucks. Not sure which way I'll go yet, but money is pretty tight and I did just pick up a new tube of Aquaseal. I am thinking of sending them in to Simms just to see what they would do with them. I'm positive that I have had some seam leaks over the years, and probably still do. On the other hand, nothing lasts forever, even if it does have a lifetime warranty. So, I have probably reached the point where they would tell me to take a hike. Still - they did costs hundreds of dollars...

I'm surprised that so many of you thought that what I had was abnormal- I really thought that everyone had lots of mini-repairs like that and that I was just now tipping over onto the side of beyond normal. As for those of you who said yours are worse ...

You are going to laugh at this, back when Blue Fly Cafe still had a store. I was looking for some new waders and boots. They were closing out the Dan Bailey Bare bones waders for 60 bucks as the company was improving the model (adding gravel guards). So I picked em up and haven't looked back. I have actually been very impressed with them over the years; as I have seen friends with newer and much more expensive waders spring leaks. Once these go I will most likely get another pair although I think I want the higher end model, you know the ones with the fleece lined pockets

[darrin terry]

I read many great reports of the Dan Bailey waders. As for mine, Jon, they are from Cabela's and while they've not got 200 days of use on them they do have well over a hundred and the few leaks (2 have come from barbed wire - fishing with Randy, 2 from broken glass and such and 1 from slipping on the climb up from the river - on the trail above the J-bridge). I have had them 4-1/2 years but only wear them when I have to as I prefer to wet wade if water temps and such allow.

[briansII]

This is an old pair of Simms I counted 35+ repairs on one leg, so I'm guess there's 80-90 repairs all over. These are well over 10 years old. I have not used this pair in over 2 years, but I wouldn't hesitate if my other pairs sprung a leak.



I'm currently using a very inexpensive pair of Albright waders. They have seen light use for 2 years, and don't have any leaks in them. When they do, they'll go into the trash. Fit is very good, and so far they are keeping me dry. I have a a pair of Orvis waders in the rotation. I got them on closeout. No leaks, but I only use them for tooning or tubing. Also have a brand new pair of LL Beans, that leaked right out of the box.

briansII