I bought a pair of Hodgman Wadelites about a year ago. Many trips, with much bushwacking and they are still fine. If I had $300 dollars to spend on waders I'd still get these and spend the rest on a new rod. I heard that a lot of the Hodgmans failed because they were not dried properly after use. I'll buy a pair of Simms, someday, after I have more rods than I can ever fish, more reels than I'll ever need and my trucks paid off. That's my .02