Stockingfoot Waders question

[PaBeerGuy]

So my body's been telling me that the heavy neoprene chest waders I've been carrying around in the trout streams is getting to be too much. They weigh a ton. Are stockingfoot waders the way to go? And what do some mean by breathable? Are those extra light weight?

[SaltLife1980]

I went breathable stocking foot and never looked back!

[kmaty]

Ul love them jump out of the water and their dry in minutes super light weight only problem is once you tear them its over my stuff get s used and abused unlike anyone had ever seen so any advice on how to patch breathable would be great

[acabtp]

breathable means that the water vapor inside the waders (your perspiration) can get out, but the liquid water outside the waders (the stream) can't get in. what that means for you is no condensation on the inside of the waders, so they are much more comfortable for extended periods than non-breathable waders. plus they are super light.

stocking foot is the way to go. you have the same comfort and traction as a regular pair of boots. much better than waders with the boots built in.

[Wilson]

My .02 is that a breathable pair of boot foot waders is the way to go.
You put them on and go. With stocking foot, you put on the waders, then the boots then the gravel guards...too much for me. Then you lose a guard!
When you get back to your truck to go home reverse above procedure.

Boot foot waders go on and come off quicker and easier...for me.

[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.