I've looked at the breathables and just don't trust them. They look like they'd end up in shreds, especially where I end up going. If I was just hopping out of a drift boat and banking it, then they look like they might work, but beating down devil's club, wading through blackberries, and falling down on beaver chewed willows, require neoprene.

Here's what I do to combat leaks. The first thing I do when I buy a pair of hodgeman's--is buy two tubes of aquaseal. I then coat each and every seam from the crotch to the toes w/the stuff. The heels always seemed to leak on me. Now they don't. If I get into some nasty blackberries and spring a leak, I just patch that hole. My current pair looks like they're 50% aqua seal. I'm too cheap to buy a pair of boot foots, because I also duck hunt. I just change wading shoes when I go hunting.

Also, on the breathable aspect. I just wear a pair of lightweight wool pants under my waders and a light wool shirt. If It's real cold I wear a pair of poly long underwear. I never get that clammy feeling while in neoprenes.

Good luck on the quest for waders!

Aaron