Stockingfoot Waders question

[baetis]

I'm with Wilson in the boot foot category. Much easier to get on and off. As you get older all that extra bending and lacing with layers of clothing can be a bit of a pain. They are, in general, a little heavier though.

My one bit of advice no matter which wader you go with. Buy from someone like LL Bean who has a no question return policy. If they spring a leak in a year or so, just return them.

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by baetis

I'm with Wilson in the boot foot category. Much easier to get on and off. As you get older all that extra bending and lacing with layers of clothing can be a bit of a pain. They are, in general, a little heavier though.

My one bit of advice no matter which wader you go with. Buy from someone like LL Bean who has a no question return policy. If they spring a leak in a year or so, just return them.

And I might add that boot foot breathables are pretty hard to find. I will be getting my Orvis pair today via UPS.
I'll report what I think of them, besides the fact that they cost too damn much
LL Bean does not sell size 12 boot foot in a large wader, so I had to go with Orvis.

[Mark B.]

Stocking foot for me.

With, quality wading boots (felt soles & metal studs),…………….they are water hiking boots,………the best, if you cover a lot of distance, as I do.

Also, socks to go over the wader’s stocking foot. Otherwise you will wear a hole in the wader’s stocking foot. Simms makes such wading socks,……..they are very durable. And, I use them alone in my wading boots when wading wet.

I used to have breathable waders & neoprenes. However, I found that I don’t really need the breathables,……….as when the water warms to the low 50’s, I go straight to wet wading.

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

Stocking foot for me.

With, quality wading boots (felt soles & metal studs),…………….they are water hiking boots,………the best, if you cover a lot of distance, as I do.

Also, socks to go over the wader’s stocking foot. Otherwise you will wear a hole in the wader’s stocking foot. Simms makes such wading socks,……..they are very durable. And, I use them alone in my wading boots when wading wet.

I used to have breathable waders & neoprenes. However, I found that I don’t really need the breathables,……….as when the water warms to the low 50’s, I go straight to wet wading.

The Orvis waders have metal studs already attached.
As I have seen in other states, felt soles are being outlawed to prevent invasive species from spreading, so I figured I am ahead of the curve.

Wet wading in 50 degree water your a maniac

[Lard Almighty]

If you're only using the waders for freshwater, then stocking foot will offer a better fit and be more comfortable. Just be sure to get the proper sized wading shoe; too tight or too loose and you will blister like crazy!

If you are even THINKING about using the waders for surf fishing, go boot foot. It is impossible to keep sand out of wading shoes, even using duct tape as gravel guards. A few pounds of wet sand in your shoes makes walking the beach very unpleasant.

[Wilson]

Seeing that I have Good Friday off to I zipped out of work a little early with my New Orvis waders to try them on. They are light weight and look to be well made. Problem is the boot foot size 12 is not a 12, more like 11 1/2. Too small for me. I called to exchange them for a 13 and surprise....they don't make a 13 in a large wader body.
I will have to get an XL wader body to get a size 13 boot. I don't think anyone that is 6'2 - 175 lbs would be considered an XL.
I'm still on the fence as to whether return them or exchange for the XL.

Sucks you can't find any quality equipment anymore in the sport shops that are left. Buying articles of clothing over the internet is always a hassle.

[PaBeerGuy]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

Stocking foot for me.

With, quality wading boots (felt soles & metal studs),…………….they are water hiking boots,………the best, if you cover a lot of distance, as I do.

Also, socks to go over the wader’s stocking foot. Otherwise you will wear a hole in the wader’s stocking foot. Simms makes such wading socks,……..they are very durable. And, I use them alone in my wading boots when wading wet.

I used to have breathable waders & neoprenes. However, I found that I don’t really need the breathables,……….as when the water warms to the low 50’s, I go straight to wet wading.

OK, so I'm going with LLBean stockingfoot waist-high breathables, put the order in last night. Now I will need boots. Are the studded good to use on small streams with limestone rocks? We have a lot of that in Pa, especially where I like to go to the central part of the state. Any suggestions for the boot now?

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by PaBeerGuy

OK, so I'm going with LLBean stockingfoot waist-high breathables, put the order in last night. Now I will need boots. Are the studded good to use on small streams with limestone rocks? We have a lot of that in Pa, especially where I like to go to the central part of the state. Any suggestions for the boot now?

As NJ does not have a ban on felt soles, I go with studded felts. Just bought Simms Guide Boot. Pricey @ $200,.......but durable,...the best.

Simms makes others,.....the Freestone @ $100. I've had those, too.

You have to check to see if those PA streams have bans on felt soles,....if so, you have to get the rubber like "eco or clean stream" soles. They come studded too,....or u can screw in studs.

I've gotten good deals (waders, too) on this site:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/wad...g-shoes~d~244/

[PaBeerGuy]

Got the stocking foot waders in the mail from LLBean. The feet seem awfully big! I wear a 13 shoe so I figure a 14 boot over the stockingfeet but I'm afraid they're going to be kind of bunched up in the toe area. Or will they shrink up a little after they get wet?

[Capt. Lou]

No they do not shrink ! The baggie nature is something you do not want in a wader bootfoot or otherwise ,decent snug fit with a little play OK ,but sloopy asks for troublr if you fish a lot. Occassional use you can get by !!