The waders leaked aroudn the ankle seem. There was no guessing at it I could see the ring around the inside of the wader. As for paying an arm and leg no it is not necessary to spend a lot of cash for gear, but I have found that some of the upper end gear is really nice. My rod and real is light and I find that at the end of the day I am less tired and cast more accurately and my reaction time is nearly what it is when I first get out on the river. I will look for the reduced prices on the waders and I will look into a pair of big wool or fleece socks which ever I find first and is cheaper, and I will get a pair of water wicking fleece pants, and I will get me my personal guide and I will get me a boat and I will go on and on until I am broke which has already happend and that is why I don't buy 300 dollar waders.
I personally love the sale pice for all the gear of $75 bucks.