Breathable Wader Recommendations

[younggun308]

Got any recommendations? Looking to get a pair that is durable around the seams and especially the boots, ideally obtainable for less than $300 (including sale prices). Something you can put some miles on walking in (not worried about having to fix small pin leaks in the fabric itself—that happens). Thinking about Drake; I like that they have a removable lining. Rogers' Sporting goods have some good looking ones too, but I've seen reviews complaining the boots crack awful soon.

Since the ability to wade into sloughs has single handedly made success possible this season (retrieving ducks in the weeds, wading to a shooting lane where shooting from the bank would be suboptimal), I'm anxious to upgrade to a solid pair for next season (why wait? Going to use my birthday as a catalyst for getting this). Been using my stockingfoot Cabela's fly fishing waders with Simms wading boots this season, and they've honestly worked great—except I'm concerned the unattached boots could get lost in deep muck. Plus, they're heavy, let water in (by design), and lack any insulation apart from the neoprene stocking itself. Simplicity of a bootfoot system would be nice. Everything else is bonus.

 

[BlackEagle1]

I don't know that this will help but.... every pair of drakes I have had leaked outta the box. The gators are decent but don't expect a long life, and don't buy these if you hunt standing in water.. The Rogers are made by frogg togg and seem to get decent reviews among my counter parts. My next pair will be dan's or Sitka

 

[WilcoKen]

Got any recommendations? Looking to get a pair that is durable around the seams and especially the boots, ideally obtainable for less than $300 (including sale prices). Something you can put some miles on walking in (not worried about having to fix small pin leaks in the fabric itself—that happens). Thinking about Drake; I like that they have a removable lining. Rogers' Sporting goods have some good looking ones too, but I've seen reviews complaining the boots crack awful soon.

Since the ability to wade into sloughs has single handedly made success possible this season (retrieving ducks in the weeds, wading to a shooting lane where shooting from the bank would be suboptimal), I'm anxious to upgrade to a solid pair for next season (why wait? Going to use my birthday as a catalyst for getting this). Been using my stockingfoot Cabela's fly fishing waders with Simms wading boots this season, and they've honestly worked great—except I'm concerned the unattached boots could get lost in deep muck. Plus, they're heavy, let water in (by design), and lack any insulation apart from the neoprene stocking itself. Simplicity of a bootfoot system would be nice. Everything else is bonus.

I use Frogg Togg Grand Refuge 2.0 and they are pretty good. I don't like that the hand warmers are on the outside but if you don't hunt water above waist it's not a factor. They have removable liner which is nice. Mine were 199.99.

 

[Bgoodman30]

Honestly in the that price range you might as well get some Magellans at Academy and replace them every year.

 

[younggun308]

Honestly in the that price range you might as well get some Magellans at Academy and replace them every year.

How much more do you have to pay, in your opinion, to get a multi-year breathable wader?

 

[Cache]

I bought some banded breathable's last year that are by far the most comfortable waders I've ever owned. Probably the only ones I will ever buy again.
My only complaint is when getting in and out of a boat the waders hold water in the legs and dump a gallon out every time you get in.

 

[Crosshairy]

I bought some banded breathable's last year that are by far the most comfortable waders I've ever owned. Probably the only ones I will ever buy again.
My only complaint is when getting in and out of a boat the waders hold water in the legs and dump a gallon out every time you get in.

Can you clarify what you mean? Water is stuck in the folds of the fabric? Or it soaks into the material?

3 friends of mine who are avid duck hunters all converted to the Rogers breathable waders this year. They have gone on and on (and on) about how it's as comfortable as being in a sleeping bag compare to neoprene. I have been wearing the same pair of neoprene waders (Cabela's ultra mag) for going on 7 years after several patch jobs. I don't duck hunt as hard as they do - probably 8-10 trips per season, but I've still gotten WAY more than my money's worth out of that pair.

I am thinking of following in their footsteps and trying a breathable pair out next year as well. My main reason is that the breathable ones appear to be a lot more open in the top, and I'd like the option of wearing my heavy coat *inside* of the waders. There's zero chance I would ever do that with my neoprene ones unless I got incredibly skinny. My intention is to continue to store my neoprene pair well and hopefully keep them as a backup pair just in case... They have probably 6 or 7 Aquaseal patches on them and still don't leak, but sheer age says they are due to die any day now.

 

[4scout]

I bought my first pair of breathable waders on sale 2 years ago from LL Bean for about $200. On my 2nd season and still working great.. the pocket inside the waders is a little weird but I would buy them again for that price. Bought a used pair of Banded for backup just in case..

 

[lothar]

Had my Frogg Toggs for 3 seasons now. I'll buy another pair if something happens to these.

 

[Displaced_Vol]

My group has had everything except the real high end stuff like Sitka & USIA.
My advice is get what's on sale. Even the drakes and banded push $400 or more now a days, it's absurd they all leak.
I've got the cheapest pair of Neoprenes that Rogers makes and a pair of Frog Toggs they discontinued.
An older pair of Cabelas and the first breathable set from Rogers seemed to do pretty well, especially for the money, but you can't get either of them anymore.
I may give High N Dry a chance after my current pairs bite the dust.

 

[Cache]

Can you clarify what you mean? Water is stuck in the folds of the fabric? Or it soaks into the material?

3 friends of mine who are avid duck hunters all converted to the Rogers breathable waders this year. They have gone on and on (and on) about how it's as comfortable as being in a sleeping bag compare to neoprene. I have been wearing the same pair of neoprene waders (Cabela's ultra mag) for going on 7 years after several patch jobs. I don't duck hunt as hard as they do - probably 8-10 trips per season, but I've still gotten WAY more than my money's worth out of that pair.

I am thinking of following in their footsteps and trying a breathable pair out next year as well. My main reason is that the breathable ones appear to be a lot more open in the top, and I'd like the option of wearing my heavy coat *inside* of the waders. There's zero chance I would ever do that with my neoprene ones unless I got incredibly skinny. My intention is to continue to store my neoprene pair well and hopefully keep them as a backup pair just in case... They have probably 6 or 7 Aquaseal patches on them and still don't leak, but sheer age says they are due to die any day now.

They have an extra layer of material that is connected at the knee and covers down to the boot. It's a tougher material than the rest of the wader so I assume it's for extra protection from rips and tears. However, it's only connected at the knee and has an elastic band that sits around the boot. The water sits between the main layer and the extra layer.

 

[Bgoodman30]

How much more do you have to pay, in your opinion, to get a multi-year breathable wader?

Simms or Sitka $900 plus you get made in the USA and long term warranty. I have Simms with 4 layers of gore tex and have been bone dry all season. I can't remember the last time I was completely dry in waders.

 

[younggun308]

Had my Frogg Toggs for 3 seasons now. I'll buy another pair if something happens to these.

Chesapeake or Grand Refuge? How many hunts a season do you estimate that is?

I really like the thought of going with the Rogers/Frogg Toggs, but have read reviews complaining that the boots crack. I'd rather have to patch leaks than deal with a cracked boot. But of course it's impossible to tell if crack are due to improper storage or actual wear.

 

[younggun308]

Simms or Sitka $900 plus you get made in the USA and long term warranty. I have Simms with 4 layers of gore tex and have been bone dry all season. I can't remember the last time I was completely dry in waders.

That would be amazing, but it's just not the time of life for me to make that kind of investment.
I never thought I'd own a Sitka anything but happened upon a rain jacket in Cabela's bargain cave, pre-merger. Doubt I'll get that lucky again with a pair of waders.

Basically I'm just hoping it's reasonable to think there's something out there at my price point that Aquaseal will get me through on a manageable basis.

 

[RUGER]

My son is on his second season with gator waders and he really likes them.
Just another option to check out for ya.

 

[spoonie]

I really like my frogg togs this is my second season with them and so far so good, I've never had a pair last more than 2.5 seasons and have spent upwards of $500 for different pairs of them.

 

[Kevin]

I have quietly watched every one of my hunting partners waders leak this year while wearing Sitka. It hurt to order them, but Ive hunted with guys that have had lacrosse, banded, frogg toggs, and drake all leak this year.

My advice, would be get frogg toggs on sale somewhere. I had a pair for about 4 years I beleive. But they had some lite seepage the last year I wore them. Just enough that if I took out the zip out liner and threw them in the dryer they were fine the next day, but it was a pain.

 

[Grnwing]

I tried the cabelas breathables and have been happy. I like the mobility and the lightweight for packing in on longer hikes and carry on language. The material has held up well over 2 seasons and 150 hunts. They aren't lined but with 2 layers underneath they have been warm enough in single digit temps. If i can get 2 years out of a pair i am happy.

 

[JBell]

Frog toggs boots are thin. Cut mine first hunt on a limb under the water... bought a pair of the drake zip ups. That tear out liner is gonna be annoying. May have to use them as uninsulated and just layer my clothing

 

[lothar]

Chesapeake or Grand Refuge? How many hunts a season do you estimate that is?

I really like the thought of going with the Rogers/Frogg Toggs, but have read reviews complaining that the boots crack. I'd rather have to patch leaks than deal with a cracked boot. But of course it's impossible to tell if crack are due to improper storage or actual wear.

I have the Grand Refuge.

 

[prstide]

Frogg Toggs was making the Rogers waders back a couple years ago. I had the Grand Refuge 2.0 and the seams leaked in the crotch. They sent me a replacement pair under warranty and then the flap covering the boot tore but they didn't leak. That was in one season of wading the bottoms. I bought Sitka the first year they came out and haven't looked back.

 

[Bgoodman30]

That would be amazing, but it's just not the time of life for me to make that kind of investment.
I never thought I'd own a Sitka anything but happened upon a rain jacket in Cabela's bargain cave, pre-merger. Doubt I'll get that lucky again with a pair of waders.

Basically I'm just hoping it's reasonable to think there's something out there at my price point that Aquaseal will get me through on a manageable basis.

I have plenty of Sitka and I have got 30% or more on each item also the Simms waders boot foots were discontinued and 50% off. You just have to be patient and look around.

 

[prstide]

I have plenty of Sitka and I have got 30% or more on each item also the Simms waders boot foots were discontinued and 50% off. You just have to be patient and look around.

I didn't pay full price for my waders so patience is good advice. Be willing to look outside the normal retailers and you're likely to find better deals.

 

[younggun308]

I immensely appreciate everyone's feedback. We'll see what I can find on sale, but all else being equal I'll probably go for the Frogg Toggs/Rogers' and try to tread carefully around sunken timber to not pierce the boot.

Lord-willing, someday I can eventually get a pair of Sitkas.

 

[Biggun4214]

My son has a pair of Rogers he got in 2019. He's hard small leaks since he got them. Saturday the boot ripped on the top of the foot. I'm hoping shoe goo will fix it.

 

[younggun308]

I actually found that the insulated Drake's Guardian Elite model is way cheaper if you get the model where the insulation can't be taken out. Haven't heard people complain about their boots.
Couple problems I anticipate with un-removable insulation, though:
1) takes longer to dry if and when there are leaks
2) may be harder to locate leaks.
3) can you even get to the seams from the inside at all if they need fixing?

 

[younggun308]

Other issue is if warmer days would be too hot without a removable liner, notwithstanding wearing merino socks, and moisture-wicking lower and upper base layers.

 

[Crosshairy]

I actually found that the insulated Drake's Guardian Elite model is way cheaper if you get the model where the insulation can't be taken out. Haven't heard people complain about their boots.
Couple problems I anticipate with un-removable insulation, though:
1) takes longer to dry if and when there are leaks
2) may be harder to locate leaks.
3) can you even get to the seams from the inside at all if they need fixing?

You raise good points, and my friends that are doing their first year of Rogers breathables are pretty adamant that the removable liner is the way to go. It seems like leak testing could be a big pain.

I have decided that I'm going to shop around during the off-season and get a pair that checks all of the boxes I'm looking for instead of trying to shop during duck season when you are really worried more about what is in stock and probably paying full price for it (I have the luxury of still having a pair of waders that isn't leaking).

 

[younggun308]

Just a quick update. Decided I'm probably either going to go with the Rogers Elite Breathables or the Drake Eqwader.

The Rogers Elite has a hybrid style boot that's basically like a neoprene-sided Lacrosse or Muck boot. Those things are darn near indestructible, so I'm thinking there won't be the problems I constantly see in reviews (and even on this thread) about the regular Frogg Toggs and Rogers models tearing at the boot. Feels like a cheap pair of waders then becomes a pricey pair (even so, I cannot justify buying the Sitka at this time).

Both the Rogers Elite and the Drake Eqwader appear to have solid warranties, so any out-of-the-box leaks should be covered (and it looks like Drake has supposedly reduced the number of seam points and widened the tape). We'll see what happens in a couple months.

 

[Granddaddy]

Have heard Drake boots have a leak problem.